Why is dilation measured in cm

After most of your baby's head is born, her shoulders move through your pelvis and she begins to rotate again. Each phase feels different.

Contractions are mild to strong. You may feel comfortable between contractions. You may feel nervous, nauseated or excited. Contractions are stronger. Your attention is focused inward. You may have a dry mouth, chills and nausea, or feel sweaty. Concentrate on staying relaxed between contractions to conserve your energy. It is important to move and switch positions throughout labor to help your baby descend and get in a good position for delivery. Contractions are intense and close together.

You may have hiccups, nausea, vomiting, shaking and pelvic pressure. You may feel like giving up. You may experience a "rest period" before you feel an urge to push. You might get a surge of energy. Pushing can feel like pressure, stinging, burning or pain. Pushing can take a long or a short time. This depends on the position of your baby, the effects of medicine, and how well you are able to push. Focus on using your abdominal muscles to push down, out and away.

Your health care team will help suggest positions and techniques to aid you in your pushing efforts. During labor, your cervix will dilate to open up the birth canal.

Visualize the process with our handy cervix dilation chart, which uses fruit for an easy-to-understand comparison. In preparation for delivery, your cervix effaces thins and stretches and dilates opens so your baby can fit through the birth canal. This cervical ripening can begin days or weeks before your due date. Keep reading to learn more about how cervical dilation progresses throughout the stages of labor , and check out our handy chart that compares cervix dilation size to fruit.

Stage 1: Dilation and Effacement of the Cervix : The cervix opens and thins, which allows for vaginal delivery.

The first stage of labor is further broken down into three phases; learn more about these below. Stage 2: Pushing and Birth : At this stage, your cervix is fully dilated, and your baby descends down the birth canal. Eventually, your health care provider will encourage you to start pushing and deliver your little one! Cervical effacement and dilation happens in the first stage of labor, which can be further broken down into three phases: the early phase, the active phase, and the transition phase.

During this phase, the cervix dilates three or four centimeters. The time between contractions ranges from five minutes to 30 minutes, and they last around seconds each. The active phase is characterized by contractions that are more intense and frequent, coming every three to five minutes. Labor pain may radiate around the abdomen, back, and thighs.

Cervical effacement is an important step in bringing baby into the world. We'll tell you what it is and what to expect. Every delivery is as unique and individual as each mother and infant.

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Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Stage 1 of labor. Share on Pinterest. Stage 2 of labor. Stage 3 of labor. Next steps. Parenthood Pregnancy 3rd Trimester.