Cervical dilation - interactive tool

Click and drag the slider bar to view cervical dilation.

If you have previously delivered a child, your cervix looks slot-shaped at 0 centimeters, not round.

During early labor your cervix dilates from 1 to 5 centimeters. Mild contractions, about 60 to 90 seconds in length, occur generally every 15 to 20 minutes.

You've entered the active stage of labor, which means your cervix is dilating from 5 to 8 centimeters, contractions have grown stronger and more insistent. They are occurring once every 3 minutes or so, and last for about 45 seconds.

Near the active phase of labor you arrive at the transition phase; your cervix dilates from 8 to 10 centimeters.

At 10 centimeters, your cervix is fully dilated and you are ready to start pushing with every contraction.

Review Date:8/12/2025
Reviewed By:LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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