Cervical dilation is the widening of the cervix, the decrease a part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It happens naturally throughout being pregnant because the physique prepares for childbirth. Checking cervical dilation is a crucial a part of prenatal care, as it may possibly assist to evaluate the progress of labor and decide when it’s time to ship the infant.
There are two predominant methods to verify cervical dilation: a vaginal examination and an ultrasound. A vaginal examination is carried out by a healthcare supplier who inserts two fingers into the vagina to really feel the cervix. An ultrasound makes use of sound waves to create a picture of the cervix and measure its dilation.