<unk>  is the<unk>  (opening) of the cervix during childbirth. In the later stages of pregnancy, the cervix may already have opened up to 1-3 cm (or more in rarer circumstances), but during labor, repeated uterine contractions lead to further widening of the cervix to about 6 centimeters.  From that point, pressure from the presenting part (head in vertex births or bottom in breech births), along with uterine contractions, will dilate the cervix to 10 centimeters, which is "complete."<unk>  is accompanied by effacement, the thinning of the cervix.
Cervical dilation
Intrauterine device
Lactation
Episiotomy
Natural childbirth
Vaginal discharge
Tubal ligation
Vaginal lubrication