Which term describes the cervix opening during labor?

Which term describes the cervix opening during labor?

• A. Moves forward
• B. Ripens
• C. Effaces
• D. Dilates

Answer: (D)

During labor, the cervix must open to allow the baby to pass. The term for this opening is dilation (the cervix dilates). Dilation is described in centimeters from 0 to 10, with 10 cm meaning the cervix is fully opened for birth. Ripening refers to softening and preparing the cervix, effacement is thinning of the cervix, and “moves forward” isn’t a standard way to describe the opening of the cervix.

During labor, the cervix must open to allow the baby to pass. The term for this opening is dilation (the cervix dilates). Dilation is described in centimeters from 0 to 10, with 10 cm meaning the cervix is fully opened for birth. Ripening refers to softening and preparing the cervix, effacement is thinning of the cervix, and “moves forward” isn’t a standard way to describe the opening of the cervix.