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How many centimeters dilation for birth


Cervix Dilation Chart: Stages of Labor

The cervix, which is the lowest portion of the uterus, opens when a woman has a baby, through a process called cervical dilation. The process of the cervix opening (dilating) is one way that healthcare staff track how a woman’s labor is progressing.

During labor, the cervix opens to accommodate the passage of baby’s head into the vagina, which is around 10 centimeters (cm) dilated for most term babies.

If your cervix is dilated with regular, painful contractions, you’re in active labor and getting closer to delivering your baby.

The first stage of labor is divided into two parts: the latent and active phases.

Latent phase of labor

The latent phase of labor is the first stage of labor. It can be thought of more as the “waiting game” stage of labor. For first-time moms, it can take a while to move through the latent phase of labor.

In this stage, contractions aren’t yet strong or regular. The cervix is essentially “warming up,” softening, and shortening as it prepares for the main event.

You might consider picturing the uterus as a balloon. Think of the cervix as the neck and opening of the balloon. As you fill that balloon up, the neck of the balloon draws up with the pressure of the air behind it, similar to the cervix.

The cervix is simply the bottom opening of the uterus drawing up and opening wider to make room for the baby.

Active stage of labor

A woman is considered to be in the active stage of labor once the cervix dilates to around 5 to 6 cm and contractions begin to get longer, stronger, and closer together.

The active stage of labor is characterized more by the rate of regular cervical dilation per hour. Your doctor will expect to see your cervix opening at a more regular rate during this stage.

How long does stage 1 of labor last?

There’s no scientific hard and fast rule for how long the latent and active phases last in women. The active stage of labor can range from a woman dilating anywhere from 0.5 cm per hour up to 0.7 cm per hour.

How fast your cervix dilates will also depend on if it’s your first baby or not. Mothers who have delivered a baby before tend to move more quickly through labor.

Some women will simply progress more quickly than others. Some women may “stall” at a certain stage, and then dilate very quickly.

In general, once the active stage of labor kicks in, it’s a safe bet to expect a steady cervical dilation every hour. Many women don’t start really dilating more regularly until closer to around 6 cm.

The first stage of labor ends when a woman’s cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm and fully effaced (thinned out).

The second stage of labor begins when a woman’s cervix is fully dilated to 10 centimeters. Even though a woman is fully dilated, it doesn’t mean that the baby is necessarily going to be delivered immediately.

A woman may reach full cervical dilation, but the baby may still need time to move down the birth canal fully to be ready for birth. Once the baby is in prime position, it’s time to push. The second stage ends after the baby is delivered.

How long does stage 2 of labor last?

In this stage, there’s again a wide range for how long it can take for the baby to come out. It can last anywhere from minutes to hours. Women may deliver with only a few hard pushes, or push for an hour or more.

Pushing occurs only with contractions, and the mother is encouraged to rest between them. At this point, the ideal frequency of contractions will be about 2 to 3 minutes apart, lasting 60 to 90 seconds.

In general, pushing takes longer for first-time pregnant people and for women who have had epidurals. Epidurals can reduce the woman’s urge to push and interfere with her ability to push. How long a woman is allowed to push depends on:

  • the hospital’s policy
  • the doctor’s discretion
  • the health of the mom
  • the health of the baby

The mother should be encouraged to change positions, squat with support, and rest between contractions. Forceps, vacuum, or cesarean delivery is considered if the baby isn’t progressing or the mother is becoming exhausted.

Again, every woman and baby is different. There’s no universally accepted “cut-off time” for pushing.

The second stage ends with the birth of the baby.

The third stage of labor is perhaps the most forgotten phase. Even though the “main event” of birth has occurred with the birth of the baby, a woman’s body still has important work to do. In this stage, she’s delivering the placenta.

A woman’s body actually grows an entirely new and separate organ with the placenta. Once the baby is born, the placenta no longer has a function, so her body must expel it.

The placenta is delivered the same way as the baby, through contractions. They may not feel as strong as the contractions that are needed to expel the baby. The doctor directs the mother to push and the delivery of the placenta is typically over with one push.

How long does stage 3 of labor last?

The third stage of labor can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Putting the baby on the breast for breastfeeding will hasten this process.

Postpartum recovery

Once the baby is born and the placenta has been delivered, the uterus contracts and the body recovers. This is often referred to as the fourth stage of labor.

After the hard work of moving through the stages of labor is finished, a woman’s body will need time to return to its nonpregnant state. On average, it takes about 6 weeks for the uterus to return to its nonpregnant size and for the cervix to return to its prepregnancy state.

Stages of labor and what to expect

During labor, the cervix changes from a tightly closed entrance to a fully open exit for the baby.

Looking at a cervix dilation chart can help people to understand what’s happening at each stage of labor.

Each woman experience labor differently. In this article, we discuss in detail how the cervix is likely to change throughout the stages of labor, and what to expect at each stage.

Most of the time, the cervix is a small, tightly closed hole. It prevents anything from getting into or out of the uterus, which helps to protect the baby.

During labor, intense contractions of the uterus help move the baby down and eventually out of the pelvis, and into the vagina. These contractions put pressure on the cervix and cause it to expand slowly. Contractions tend to get stronger, closer together, and more regular as labor progresses.


Most medical guides divide labor into three stages:

  • Stage one: early, active, and transition labor. Contractions begin, the cervix dilates, and the baby moves down in the pelvis. Stage one is complete when the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters (cm).
  • Stage two: The body begins pushing out the baby. During this stage, women often feel a strong urge to push. This stage ends with the birth of the baby.
  • Stage three: Contractions push out the placenta. This stage ends with the delivery of the placenta, usually within a few minutes after the birth of the baby.

However, many women in labor may feel that they are experiencing many more stages than this.

Stage one: early labor

In the early stages of labor, the cervix dilates to the following sizes:

  • 1 cm, about the size of a cheerio
  • 2 cm, the size of a small to medium-sized grape
  • 3 cm, the size of a quarter

Late in pregnancy, the cervix may have already dilated several centimeters before a woman experiences any symptoms of labor.

Some women, particularly those who are giving birth for the first time, have difficulty telling whether labor has begun. This is because contractions in early labor are often mild and irregular, growing steadily more intense as the labor progresses and the cervix dilates.

This increase in intensity may take just a few hours or can take many days. Knowing whether this is actual labor can help people to prepare.

During true labor, a person’s contractions:

  • are not just on one side of the body
  • begin at the top of the uterus, and feel like they are pushing down
  • get more intense and regular with time
  • do not stop with rest or taking a warm shower

Some women may benefit from resting or eating a snack at this stage to ensure they have enough energy for the more tiring stages ahead.

Stage one: active labor

During the active stage of labor, the cervix dilates to the following sizes:

  • 4 cm, the size of a small cookie, such as an Oreo
  • 5 cm, the size of a mandarin orange
  • 6 cm, the size of a small avocado or the top of a soda can
  • 7 cm, the size of a tomato

Labor contractions become more intense and regular during active labor. Many women find that the main characteristic of active labor is that the contractions are extremely painful rather than uncomfortable.

At this stage of labor, some women may choose medication, such as an epidural to cope with the pain. Others prefer to manage the pain naturally. Changing positions, moving, and remaining hydrated can help with the pain of active labor.

Stage one: transition phase

During the transition phase of labor, the cervix dilates to the following sizes:

  • 8 cm, the size of an apple
  • 9 cm, the size of a donut
  • 10 cm, the size of a large bagel

For many women, transition is the most challenging stage. However, it is also the shortest. Some people begin feeling an urge to push during the transition stage. It is also common to feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or unable to cope with the pain. Some women vomit.

Some women find that the coping strategies that worked well in the earlier stages of labor are no longer useful. Transition tends to be short and is a sign that the baby will soon arrive. Moving, changing positions, and visualization exercises can help.

The cervix continues dilating during transition, and transition ends when the cervix has fully dilated.

Stage two: full dilation and pushing

Once the cervix has reached 10 cm, it is time to push the baby out. Contractions continue but also produce a strong urge to push. This urge might feel like an intense need to have a bowel movement.

This stage can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. It is often longer for those giving birth for the first time.

Historically, doctors told women to push according to a schedule, to count to 10, and to remain on their backs. Today, the advice is very different, and research says it is safe for women to push according to their body’s cues and for as long as feels comfortable.

Pushing from a standing or squatting position may also help speed things along. Allowing people to push from a range of positions gives the medical staff better access to the woman and baby should they need to assist with the delivery for any reason.

As a woman delivers the baby, she may feel an intense burning and stretching as her vagina and perineum stretch to accommodate the baby. This sensation typically lasts just a few minutes, though some women tear during this process.

Stage three: after the birth

Share on PinterestAfter delivery, the cervix will start to contract to its previous size.

A few minutes after the birth, a woman may experience weaker contractions. After a contraction or two, the body should expel the placenta.

If the body does not entirely expel the placenta, a doctor or midwife may have to help deliver it. Sometimes, they will give a woman an injection of synthetic oxytocin to speed up delivery and prevent excessive bleeding.

Shortly after delivery, the cervix begins contracting back down to its previous size. This process can take several days to several weeks.

As the uterus and cervix shrink, many women will feel some contractions. Most women bleed for several weeks after giving birth.

Labor is different for each woman. It typically lasts longer with a first birth, but the length and type of labor vary greatly between individuals.

Some people experience labor that consists of a weaker type of contraction for days or weeks before giving birth. Others give birth in a matter of minutes, while some labors take days. Most fall somewhere in the middle.

Labor often starts slowly, becoming progressively more intense. It may also start and stop, or slow during moments of stress or intrusion.

Visualizing the cervix expanding might help some people understand the source of labor pain, offering a sense of control and deeper insight into the processes of labor.

Important to know - Petersburger's health

The total duration of childbirth and their course


The total duration of childbirth depends on many factors: age, physique and physical condition of the woman, her psychological mood, the speed of cervical dilatation, first pregnancy or repeated, the size of the child, the type of presentation and a number of other points.

Labor activity proceeds differently for all women, but the main periods of childbirth are clearly distinguished: 1st period - the period of contractions, the longest and most intense, 2nd period - the direct birth of a baby, 3rd period - the birth of the afterbirth (placenta).

First stage of labor (opening period)

As the name implies, during this period there is a gradual opening of the cervix as a result of regular contractions of the uterine muscles. Contractions occur with a decreasing interval, while they themselves become longer and more frequent.
The dilation period is the time elapsed from the onset of regular contractions until the cervix is ​​fully dilated. During this period, the birth canal is prepared for the passage of the fetus through them with all the fetal formations.

Cervical dilatation occurs gradually: at first the cervix is ​​smoothed out, then the pharynx opens up to 3-4 cm and at the end of the first stage of labor up to 10 cm. This is already a complete dilatation of the cervix. With it, during contractions, the fetal bladder becomes tense and bursts at the height of one of them, the anterior portion of amniotic fluid is poured out.

The first stage of labor is the longest and consists of three phases:

1. Latent phase (lasts 5-6 hours). It is characterized by the establishment of regular contractions, with an interval between them of 10-15 minutes. Latent, or hidden, this phase is called because the contractions of the uterus during it are painless or slightly painful. By the end of the phase, the cervix is ​​definitively flattened and opens about 4 cm.

2. Active phase (lasts 3-4 hours). Contractions become more intense, last at least 20 seconds, and the interval between them is reduced to 5-6 minutes. Normally, during the active phase, amniotic fluid is poured out, which contributes to a faster full disclosure of the uterine pharynx. By the end of the phase, the uterus opens by 8 cm. This phase is not always clearly manifested, but it is nevertheless distinguished due to the usual weakening of contractions during disclosure from 8 to 10 cm. The child's head descends and stands in the narrow part of the small pelvis, which necessitates a slower and smoother process. Already in the transitional phase, the woman in labor feels the desire to push, to push the baby out. But in order for the head to pass through the birth canal without the risk of injury, it is necessary to achieve cervical dilatation up to 10 cm.

Second stage of labor (exile period)

The period of exile is the time from the moment of full opening of the pharynx until the birth of the fetus.

It is the second stage of childbirth that is their culmination, because for a short time (compared to contractions) the long-awaited birth of the baby takes place.

After the discharge of amniotic fluid, contractions temporarily stop. The volume of the uterine cavity decreases, the uterine cavity and vagina appear as a single birth canal. Contractions reappear and become more intense. They are joined by attempts - contractions of the muscle press (abdominal wall, diaphragm and pelvic floor). The frequency and intensity of contractions and attempts are constantly increasing. The head descends and compresses the nerves of the sacral plexus. A woman has a strong desire to squeeze the head out of the birth canal, she is looking for supports for her arms and legs to strengthen her efforts.

Pushing is a lot of physical work. During attempts, a woman experiences maximum physical stress (blood pressure rises, pulse and respiration become more frequent). During the attempts, the woman holds her breath, and in the intervals between them she rests and "gathers her strength for a new attempt. "

In the process of one of the attempts, the head is born. Next, the shoulders are born (first the front, then the back) and the torso. Following the fetus, the posterior amniotic fluid is poured out with an admixture of cheese-like lubricant.

A woman in labor, having experienced severe fatigue, rests after hard work (pulse and respiration rate decrease).

Third stage of labor (postpartum period).

The afterbirth period is the time from the birth of the fetus to the birth of the placenta. During this period, the placenta separates from the walls of the uterus and the birth of the placenta (placenta with membranes and umbilical cord).

In the process of separation of the placenta from the walls of the uterus, the uteroplacental vessels are damaged, which is normally accompanied by blood loss in the amount of 100-200 ml, without adversely affecting the woman's condition. After the birth of the placenta, the uterus contracts sharply, becomes dense, which is necessary to stop bleeding in the area of ​​the placental site; its bottom is in the middle between the womb and the navel.

During this period, the woman's pulse and respiration normalize. Her demeanor is calm. Chills can sometimes be observed (as a reaction to the transferred strong physical stress).

The third period is no longer as exciting and tense as the previous two. The child was born and the matter remains for the small - the separation of the placenta, or placenta. Nature provides for the resumption of contractions a few minutes after the birth of the baby, necessary for effective exfoliation from the uterus of tissues that nourished the fetus during pregnancy (placenta, membranes, umbilical cord).

Three periods of physiological labor - the natural end of a nine-month wait. Most likely, during the birth process itself, the woman in labor will not care what the period or phase of childbirth is now, but it is still desirable to know about them, at least for greater certainty before going to the hospital.

Periods of childbirth | Clinic Elite

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Childbirth is usually divided into three periods. Namely:

  • Opening
  • Pushing period
  • Follow-up period

The first period lasts for primiparous on average 6-20 hours, for multiparous from 3 to 12 hours.

Opening

The uterus is a very strong organ, as a result of the muscular work of which the fetus moves through the birth canal and is born. At the stage of opening, the cervix opens up to 10 cm. In primiparas, the cervical canal first disappears completely, and only after that does the cervix begin to open. It can go on for a long time, even 8-9hours. After that, the cervix of the uterus opens by 1-2 cm per hour. Stimulation of contractions with medicines accelerates the opening of the cervix and shortening of the cervical canal.
The cervix of the uterus in a multiparous woman begins to open already before the complete disappearance of the cervical canal. Often, when the cervix is ​​open up to 4-5 cm, childbirth takes place very quickly.
At the beginning of the opening period, the contractions follow less frequently - with an interval of about 5 minutes and last for about a second. As labor progresses, contractions appear more frequently and last longer. The midwife every hour or two examines the condition of the uterus, the position of the fetus in the birth canal and the blood pressure of the woman in labor. The fetal heartbeat is examined more often by listening to it from the surface of the abdomen, or with the help of an apparatus that depicts the curve of both uterine contractions and the heartbeat. The condition of the fetus can also be examined with the help of ultrasonic equipment, making a blood test, an analysis of the amniotic fluid by puncture, etc. depending on the equipment and conditions available in the maternity hospital.
The midwife makes sure that the bladder does not overflow and does not impede childbirth. They also examine the color, quantity and smell of amniotic fluid. The midwife supports the woman in labor and encourages her.
During the opening of the birth canal, the uterus is actively working. A woman in labor can help and speed up the work of the uterus, following the recommendations of the antenatal clinic about relaxation and proper breathing. The most difficult moment comes precisely before the attempts. Many women in labor consider the presence of the father important during this period, when he can encourage and calm the mother and be her support. At the same time, the woman in labor feels less pain.
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Forced period

When the cervix is ​​completely open, the period of attempts begins. The need to push occurs in some mothers even before the cervix has opened and the fetal head has turned into the correct position. Attempts are delayed according to the instructions of the staff with frequent and shallow breathing, which was taught in psychophysical preventive classes. Too early attempts can prolong labor due to uterine edema. According to many, this is the most painful and difficult stage of childbirth. Luckily, it doesn't last long.
In the delivery room, they try to create a calm atmosphere and treat the birth act with respect. They also try to avoid excessive noise and too bright lighting. When the mother is allowed to push, she should repeat this 3-5 times during the same contractions, breathing rapidly between the pushes. When the fetal head begins to put pressure on the perineum and stretch it, especially in primiparas, a perineal incision is made with local anesthesia. This prevents tearing of soft tissues. Often at this stage, the midwife will tell the mother to stop pushing so that she can gently help push the fetal head out of the birth canal.
After that, the shoulders are helped out, each separately, while the mother is allowed to push again, and then the whole child is born.
The period of attempts in a nulliparous woman usually lasts 20-30 minutes, in a multiparous woman only about 10 minutes.
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Afterbirth

Immediately after the birth of a child, mothers are given an injection that reduces the uterus. The contractions separate the placenta, usually within 5 to 10 minutes. The placenta is removed by slightly pulling on the umbilical cord or pressing on the stomach from above.

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