The Ins and Outs of Dilation

True labour is when your contractions are coming regular and strong and your cervix begins to open. The opening of the cervix is called cervical dilation and is measured in centimetres.

During the final weeks of pregnancy, increased pressure from bub’s head moving down into your pelvis can actually dilate your cervix a couple of centimetres before labour begins, but it will remain long and thick. Once contractions start, the cervix will shorten and become thin.

In labour, the opening, thinning (‘effacement’) and pulling up (into the uterine wall) of the cervix happen all at the same time. The cervix has to open to 10 centimetres (full dilation) for your baby to be born.

Just relax…
Many women ask how they can speed up dilation of the cervix but, unfortunately, this is something out of your control. As long as there are regular contractions and the baby’s head is in a good position, your cervix should open.

The best thing you can do is stay as calm and positive during labour as you can, and trust that your body is doing what it was made to do. Remain relaxed and simply deal with one contraction at a time. Try to stay in the moment and not think about how long you’ve been in labour, or what lies ahead.

Some say that acupuncture, some herbs and homeopathic remedies can help cervical dilation, but this hasn’t been proven through research. Basically, if there’s a tactic you’re using that keeps you relaxed and calm and does not hurt you or your baby, then there’s no reason you can’t use it.

Road bumps and stalling
Fear and tiredness have been shown to slow labour and subsequently cervical dilation, so it’s important to be prepared for and have realistic expectations about the journey. It’s not called ‘labour’ for nothing! It can be hard work and takes time. Fear only increases
tension in the body and this can interfere with dilation, but fear can be reduced by having faith and trust in your body’s ability and in the people around you.

Also, if you have kept fit and healthy during your pregnancy, you should have enough energy for moving about during labour. Occasionally when women do not move around (or if the baby’s position puts uneven pressure on the cervix), the cervix can become swollen and dilation will stall at around nine centimetres.

This is called an anterior lip, and it’s often accompanied by an urge to push, though pushing at this time will only make things worse.

In most cases the lip will disappear on its own if you lie down to take the pressure off the cervix and concentrate on breathing through contractions for a while. If this doesn’t work, your caregiver may recommend pain relief or try to push the cervix behind bub’s head manually.

Sometimes when women are unable to deal with the pain of labour, cervical dilation can be affected and pain relief may assist. However, pain-relief options such as epidurals can affect contractions and actually slow down dilation, often leading to the need for the use of a synthetic hormone (syntocinon) to keep labour going.

RELATED LINKS

• The stages of labour

• The process of labour

• Am I in labour?

• Will my pegnancy & labour be like my mother's?

• Common questions about labour and delivery