16/04/2025
Understanding Cervical Dilation During Labour (And Why You Shouldn’t Push Too Early during the process of Labor)
My sister, come close let's talk ..
Labour is not just pain and pushing, it’s process and has stages. Each stage has their own processing but let me tell you from onset of labour till deliver of baby
The most important parts of that process is how your cervix opens, slowly but surely, from 2cm to 10cm before baby can come out.
Most of us never get this explained clearly. Some of us were shouting, “I want to push” when our bodies weren’t ready and this is where wahala start.
So today, I want to explain it in a simple, mother-to-mother way.
First, how do they measure it?
Midwives or doctors check your cervix with gloved fingers.
Each finger width is roughly 1 centimetre. So:
2 fingers = 2cm
4 fingers = 4cm not all fingers they will use to measure 10cm o. Your midwife know how to do it with just two fingers till he or she get 10cm fully dilated
And when the cervix opens enough to fit about 10cm (almost the size of a big orange), baby can come.
Here’s what’s happening at each stage:
2cm ▶️ Early Labour Begins
You’ll feel light contractions, maybe back pain or cramping. It can take hours or even days(mine took 38 hours)for some women to move past this. It’s slow. You can still eat, walk around, or rest.
4cm ▶️ Active Labour Starts
Now things are moving. Contractions get stronger, longer, and more regular. This is not the time to panic, just breathe through each one. Your body is doing what it’s supposed to do.
6cm ▶️Labour is Picking Up
This is where many women begin to feel tired. The contractions are closer together. You may need more support, maybe even ask for pain relief.
8cm ▶️The Transition Stage
This is the most intense part. Contractions feel like they’re not giving you any break. You may cry, shout, or say you’re not doing again. It’s okay. Many women feel like this here. You’re very close.
10cm ▶️ Fully Dilated
Now the cervix is wide enough for your baby’s head to pass through. This is the only time it is safe to push. Your body will often start bearing down naturally. Now you can cooperate with your baby.
Your cervix can tear badly
If you push at 6 or 8cm, the baby’s head can injure the cervix. This kind of tear can lead to heavy bleeding and a difficult recovery. And it can lead to death. May God ave us from pregnancy death.
Try not to push till you're 10cm dilated to avoid getting foetal distressed and also may not be able to come out smoothly, and may start struggling for oxygen. Have mercy on your upcoming baby
Again you’ll be exhausted too early if you push before you're 10cm dilated.
Note that pushing when your body is not ready drains your energy and by the time you really need to push, you may be too tired which is Maternal distress
So what should you do?
🔺Listen to your midwife or doctor. It will may everything easy and even easier for you and your labour team
🔺Don’t be ashamed to ask, “How many centimetres am I?” even your Midwife will be have if you co-operate very well
🔺If the urge to push comes too early, try to breathe deeply and pant through it. Let this knowledge be on your mind that I can weak when it's time for me to push
🔺Trust your body but also trust your birth team. Follow as they direct you. It's for your own sake
Dear Mothers, this is not to scare you. It’s to prepare you. So that you wouldn't have problem on that day or to correct all your mistake you made during your precious Labour when you want have present labour
Labour is not about how loud you shout or how fast you push.
It’s about patience, trust, and above all God's grace.
And when that 10cm comes? You’ll push like a lioness. And you will welcome your baby with nice smile
Because your time has finally come. And it will be beautiful. When your baby come out . Please follow your midwife for next stage which is placenta and calm down with the process as well.
I wish all pregnancy woman save delivery in favour room. You will come out with your boundle of joy Inshallah Ramon.
Sending strength to every mama-to-be reading this.
Share this with another sister,it might help her more than you expecting. Even who is on fresh labor may even see this and learn from it.
©damart consult
