Dilation

Enlargement of the opening of a tubular structure. This usually refers to the cervical dilation that occurs during labor. The opeining of the cervix must go from essentially 0 centimeters to about 10 centimeters, the usual size required for the baby to pass through the cervix, which forms part of the birth canal. The first stage of labor is that part of labor during which the cervix dilates up to 10 cm or is completely dilated. This usually takes several hours and is shorter with subsequent pregnancies.

BabyZone: Labor and Delivery

Sign Up for Our Newsletters
Follow Us
from beyond babyzone:
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, profile photo and other personal information you make public on Facebook (e.g., school, work, current city, age) will appear with your comment. Comments, together with personal information accompanying them, may be used on BabyZone.com and other Disney media platforms. Learn More.
Real-mom dispatches from the Baby Zone
watch more videos
X

more in BabyZone

10 Excitingly Exotic Baby Names
10 Excitingly Exotic Baby Names
read more >