Cervical dilation

This page is about the widening of the cervix during childbirth. For the surgical method, see dilation and curettage

Cervical dilation is the dilation(widening) of the cervixduring childbirth. In the final stages of pregnancy, the cervix may already have opened up to 1-3 cm, but during the first stage of labour, repeated uterine contractionslead to rapid further widening of the cervix to 10 cm.

The pain experienced during dilation is similar to that of menstruation(although markedly more intense), as period pains are thought to be due to the passing of endometriumthrough the cervix.

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It uses material from the Wikipedia article Cervical dilation.