Cervical Dilation

Women dilate most efficiently in the following situations: 

·        Confidence that mothering skills can be figured out

·        Relaxed and safe environment

·        Healthy pregnancy and labor

·        Walking around

·        Choosing position for laboring

·        Feeling of strong support from the birthing team

·        Baby in proper position

 
Dilation among women can vary greatly. Some women get to 1-4 centimeters dilation without ever knowing it. Other women can have intense labor pains for hours and not dilate. There are women that start dilating well into their labor and then move quickly to 10 centimeters. For a rare few, dilation doesn’t happen and alternatives must be looked into so that the baby can be born. 

The following can slow or prevent dilation: 

·        Stress

·        Lack of support

·        Breech presenting baby

·        Confinement to a bed

·        Medication

·        Physical or medical issues

·        Lack of support

·        Unavailability of birthing team

When a woman in labor is not able to dilate sometimes medical intervention is needed. Before intervention is used a woman should have the opportunity to feel safe and comfortable in her birthing environment. If the baby is under no distress, intervention should be avoided and the mother’s labor should be allowed to progress naturally to avoid complications from the intervention. Any intervention should not be allowed only for the convenience of the birthing team members. Interventions that can occur when dilation doesn’t progress: 

·        Manual stretching of the cervix

·        Breaking of the membranes

·        Cesarean delivery

·        Medication to induce stronger contractions

Some women begin dilating early in the pregnancy. When discovered early, it can be stopped. Some women will have the cervix closed through a medical procedure. A couple weeks before the due date, the procedure would be reversed and cervix dilation allowed to progress. 

The stages of cervical dilation during labor:

·        Latent phase: 0-3 centimeters

·        Active Labor: 4-7 centimeters

·        Transition: 8-10 centimeters

·        Complete: 10 centimeters. Delivery of the infant takes place shortly after this stage is reached (although the mother does not always push right away.)

Each woman will have a unique labor. Women who have more than one pregnancy will find each labor may be unique. It is best to allow the body to dilate the cervix in its own unique way and avoid intervention when the mother and baby are free of distress.

Labor and Birth