A slow leak or a sudden gush of fluid from your vagina. A slight pop with little water coming out or bursts of water breaking as you change positions. A little or a lot of fluid—the way the fluid comes out might vary in part because the baby's head may be acting like a cork, plugging the cervix so that when it moves, more fluid can escape Because from experience, heading into the hospital at 6 centimeters dilated with contractions two minutes apart and then giving birth three hours later without needing an induction is infinitely preferable to walking into a scheduled induction at less than 3 centimeters dilated with zero contractions and giving birth 19 hours later. Normally, your cervix is closed, firm, and elongated (between 3.5 and 4 centimeters long). When you go into labor, the cervix thins out and becomes softer and shorter. This is called effacement. It's measured in percentages from 0 to 100 percent, the latter of which means you're fully effaced. Your healthcare provider will be checking how 5:42 min. Video note: Contains medical situations and nudity. If you're in a public place, consider watching this later. In a natural birth, the mother gives birth vaginally without pain medication (like an epidural ). Natural childbirth can be a safe option for a low-risk pregnancy. It lasts on average 12 to 24 hours for a first birth. Usually, labor is shorter for births after that. While the cervix dilates from 6 to 8 centimeters (called the Active Phase), contractions Opening of the cervix (dilation) Another sign of labor is the cervix beginning to open (dilate). Your health care provider will measure the dilation in centimeters from zero (no dilation) to 10 (fully dilated). At first, these cervical changes can be very slow. Once you're in active labor, expect to dilate more quickly. Giving birth is a life-changing event that will leave an impression on you for the rest of your life. The cervix is a tubular structure approximately 3 to 4 centimeters in length with a ZwwcBc.

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