question about effacement

I went to my doc's appt. today and he said I was fingertip and 80% effaced.  Heres my question--Does effacement mean that I will start dialating soon?  I am 36 weeks today and my c-section is scheduled for Aug. 20.  Just wondering.  Have a great evening and God bless, Penni

Although I am not sure about your question about dilating after being effaced....I was told that being effaced is more important when it comes to being in Labor.  I don't know if it makes you dilate faster or sooner though...so don't go by that.  I was around 80% effaced for a long time...and I was also like a 4 or 5cm dilated for quite a while.   
I hope someone has a better answer for you. 

You don't have to be effaced to dialate. When your effacing, your cervix is shortening. So if your 80%, yours is pretty short. When you dialate, your cervix is opening or widening. It's good to be effaced, you would have a quicker labor, if you weren't having a csection, since baby isn't so high up. I hope this helps.