kateandlisaYour body moves through three stages when it’s time to give birth. The first stage focuses on cervical dilation – when the cervix is opening and thins in preparation for your baby to pass through.
The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. Your cervix effaces – thins and stretches – and dilates (opens) so the baby can fit through the birth canal.
If you will be delivering vaginally, you are ready to push and deliver once your cervix opens to 10 centimeters.
Visualizing what is happening in your cervix can help you feel more in control of the process. Below learn more about how cervical dilation progresses throughout the stages of labor.
Cervical Dilation in Pictures
You may be checked throughout labor to see how your labor is progressing. To help visualize what it looks like when your cervix is dilated, use the following chart that use familiar foods as a point reference.
Here is what dilation sizes look like when compared with our everyday foods: 
- 1 cm – Cheerio
- 2 cm – Grape
- 3 cm – Banana slice
- 4 cm – Cracker
- 5 cm – Lime
- 6 cm – Cookie
- 7 cm – Orange slice
- 8 cm – Halved apple
- 9 cm – Donut
- 10 cm – Cantaloupe
Cervical Dilation During the Stages of Labor
While there are three stages of labor, cervical dilation occurs in the first stage of labor. The three stages are:
- Stage One: Cervical effacement and dilation happen during this stage which actually are three stages – early phase, active phase and the transition phase.
- Stage Two: During this stage the baby is delivered.
- Stage Three: The mom delivers the placenta after giving birth to the baby.
Each Stage and What to Expect
Stage One of Labor
The cervix opens and thins which allows for a vaginal delivery. This stage can be further broken down into three phases – early, active and transition.
The Early Phase
During this phase, the cervix dilates to around 3 or 4 centimeters. Timing between contractions ranges from five minutes to 30 minutes and they are lasting around 30 – 45 seconds. This stage can last a long time and the contractions are usually mild. Usually you will spending this stage at home. For first time moms this stage lasts between 6 to 10 hours and 2 to 5 hours for moms who have already given birth.
The Active Phase
The active phase is characterized by contractions that are more intense and more frequent and are coming every 3 to 5 minutes. Labor pain usually radiates around your back, abdomen and thighs. Your cervix is also dilated around 4 to 7 centimeters. For first time moms this active phase may last for 3 to 6 hours. A mom who has already given birth might experience the active phase for 1 to 3 hours.
The Transition Phase
Your most intense contractions occur in the transition phase and you may experience nausea, pelvic pressure, shaking and fatigue. During the transition phase your cervix will finish effacing and you will dilate to the full 10 centimeters. This phase can take from 10 minutes to two hours.
Stage Two of Labor
By this stage your cervix is fully dilated at 10 centimeters and the baby will be descending down the birth canal. Eventually your body begins pushing and your baby will be delivered.
Stage Three of Labor
After you have given birth, you will have a few more contractions that will help to deliver the placenta. This stage generally only lasts for several minutes but can take up to an hour. Once the placenta is delivered your cervix will start to go back to its pre-delivery size. During the next 6 weeks, your cervix will stay slightly open and you will experience bleeding similar to a period.
Around six weeks postpartum your uterus returns to pre-pregnancy size and your cervix should close and will resume slight opening and closing with your postpartum menstrual cycle once it starts.
For more help with pregnancy, labor and postpartum, get in touch!
