i know they go hand in hand....BUT

which is better to happen first? efacement or dialation?

If u started efacing first would u be more concerned or if u were dialating first?

Re: i know they go hand in hand....BUT

I wouldn't characterize one as better necessarily but if you're asking which one is a better indication of things actually happening then my answer would be effacement. I think pretty much everyone dialates at the end of their pregnancy and you can walk around cm's dialated for weeks, which I did but it's the effacement and the station that the baby is in that really indicates something is happening or could.

Re: i know they go hand in hand....BUT

I dont think that you need to be concerned either way. Once you are effaced, i think that dilation moves quiclky, at least it did for me.