What You Need to Know About Cervix Dilation

Are you wondering how that baby is going to get out of you? Well, it all comes down to your cervix. Your cervix is the narrow part of your uterus. (It's like the neck of a balloon).  The cervix is firm and closed... Which keeps the baby in your uterus until it's go time! Between 37 and 42 weeks the cervix shifts forward towards the front of your vagina. It gets softer and starts to widen and open (Also known as dilating).

So how wide does it get?

1 cm - About the size of a blueberry

2 cm - Cherry

3 cm - Banana slice

4 cm - Cracker

5 cm - Slice of lime

6 cm - Cookie

7 cm - Top of a soda can

8 cm - Orange slice

9 cm - Doughnut

10 cm - Bagel

Your doctor or midwife will check your cervix in the weeks leading up to your due data. Some women start to dilate before they're in labour. You can be a few centimeteres dilated for weeks wishout any contractions. 

You're officially in active labour when you're 4 c cm. Then your cervix should dilate about 1 cm each labour. When you're 10 cm, you're ready to push. Then the fun begins!