Well I wont be nosey like everyone else and read your post and not reply so this is what I found


effacement is the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery. After the baby has engaged in the pelvis, it gradually drops closer to the cervix; the cervix gradually softens, shortens and becomes thinner. You may hear phrases like "ripens," or "cervical thinning" which refer to effacement.

From what a nurse told me. U can be fully effaced and not go inot labour yet. Effaced makes it easier for your cervix to dilate so when its "soft", ur crvix will usually start to dilate.

I was almost completely effaced for about a month and 1 cm dilated and never went into labor.