Indications of Cervical Dilation

What is Cervical Dilation?

Cervical dilation is a process through which the mouth of the uterus is widened in order to help the natural childbirth, in a miscarriage as well as in other gynecological disorders. The cervical dilation is a natural process as well as a medically induced one.

How many centimeters the cervical dilations can take place?

When the cervical dilation takes place there is a thinning or the opening of the cervix. During the natural cervical dilation, it has been found that during the later stages of the pregnancy, there is about 3 centimeters of cervical dilation. While at the time of active pregnancy, the cervical dilations can be about 4 to 7 centimeters and at the time of transition, the opening can be as wide as 8 to 10 centimeters.

What are the exact indications of the cervical dilation?

1. The Dislodging of Mucus Plug

One of the common indications of cervix dilation is the dislodging of the mucus plug. Mucus is a thick liquid which is present inside the uterus and its main purpose is to protect it from various infections and bacteria.

Sometimes it falls itself as a piece from the vagina and the good thing is that this dislodging of mucus plug is not even felt by the woman.

2. Bloody Discharge

The second indication of cervix dilation is the bloody discharge. However it is important to know that this bloody discharge is not like the red blood. This is not a fresh blood rather it is of dark brown or of very light pink color. This is usually accompanied by the mucus plug as well. However if you find fresh red blood then it means that there may be some complication like abruption or placenta previa.

3. The Severe Pain

The third and the important indication of cervical dilation is the severe pain. This pain is quite similar to period cramps pain which is also a sign of the contraction of uterus.

These are the three main indications of the cervical dilation and it usually occurs naturally in women when they reach their full term. There is a natural hormone known as prostaglandin which is mainly responsible for the ripening or opening of cervix.

The Artificial Ways of Cervical Dilation

There are cases when the cervical dilation does not take place on its own and there are some artificial ways to help in cervix dilation which are:

• There is special drip used to help in the cervical dilation.
• Other techniques such as balloon catheter is used which expands itself within the cervix, laminaria etc. Some of these methods enhance the presence of moisture which helps in cervical dilation.

These are all the indications of cervical dilation and if these natural steps do not takes place, there are artificial methods used.