Cervical dilation is the widening of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus. It occurs naturally during pregnancy as the body prepares for childbirth. The cervix must dilate to 10 centimeters to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.
There are a few ways to check if your cervix is dilated. One way is to have a vaginal exam by a healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will insert two fingers into the vagina and feel the cervix. They will be able to tell how dilated it is by how far apart their fingers are.