In preparation for the birth of your baby, your cervix effaces (thins and stretches) and dilates (opens) so your baby can fit through the birth canal. This cervical ripening can begin days or even ...

Some people claim that certain exercises, stretches, relaxation techniques, and laughing may help a pregnant person dilate faster. However, there is typically only anecdotal support for these ...

In some circumstances, a doctor may recommend speeding up dilation with medication, procedure, or nipple stimulation. While every pregnancy and delivery is different, most women will agree that by the ...

At 9 centimetres, the cervix is almost, but not fully, open. The small remaining edge, called the cervical rim, can slow ...

In the final stage before pushing, many women experience uncontrollable trembling, nausea, or even vomiting, symptoms that can be startling if you don’t know why they happen. These are not signs of ...