Updated: November 10, 2020
Originally Published: April 26, 2019
You really have to see it to grasp it fully.
Every one of us has a unique birth narrative—the highs, the lows, and everything in between—detailing how our precious little ones entered the world. While the more painful memories may fade over time, those of us who have experienced vaginal deliveries will find that this next image hits home hard.
Earlier this month, user Rebecca Hudson shared a now-famous image of a wooden dilation chart, initially posted by SCV Birth Center, which illustrates the cervical dilation process centimeter by centimeter. She remarked, “This is why we deserve everything,” and honestly, who could possibly disagree?
slowly relaxes pelvic floor
It’s truly astonishing.
The original post from SCV Birth Center stated, “Well—that’s what 10 centimeters looks like. Just ideal for that little head.” Unless your child had a melon-sized noggin, it might swiftly turn into “I’ll take a fourth-degree tear for 500, Alex.” Even after fifteen years and two C-sections later (because, let’s be real), I’m still holding on to that grudge.
The SCV Birth Center, the only nationally accredited CABC facility in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope, and San Fernando Valley, utilizes these boards as educational tools to demonstrate what women’s bodies endure during labor. It truly leaves no room for questions other than, “Wait, what?”
The center provides “personalized maternity and well-woman care, including natural childbirth, home birth, and waterbirth opportunities,” for women in the surrounding areas. They also mentioned in the comments that if you’d like a dilation board like the one in the image, you can find one at Fromjennifer on Etsy.
Personally, I’m not sure I need a reminder of that hanging on my wall, but it undeniably illustrates (to scale) the remarkable capabilities of a woman’s body during childbirth. It could serve as an excellent educational tool for doctors and midwives alike. We’ve always known we were warriors, but this chart drives that point home.
Understanding the Process
Understanding what our bodies will endure during labor and delivery is crucial for women. We’ve all perused the “What to Expect” manuals discussing the importance of crafting a birth plan, what essentials to pack for the hospital, common labor positions, and so on. However, witnessing the physical changes that will take place is an entirely different experience.
Before a vaginal delivery, the cervix must be 100 percent effaced and dilated to ten centimeters, and the duration to reach that point can vary significantly. If you’ve been induced or had previous births, you may progress through dilation more quickly. For others, it may require hours, even days, to achieve full dilation.
Naturally, our children are worth every bit of what we go through during labor. Dilation is merely one of the incredible transformations that occur to enable us to bring new life into the world. The bottom line? Women’s bodies are extraordinary, and we absolutely deserve everything.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this article on cryobaby home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo. You can also find valuable insights at should you get the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, an authoritative source on the topic. Additionally, visit RMany.com for excellent resources about pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
This article discusses the powerful impact of a dilation chart shared on social media, highlighting the unique experiences of mothers during childbirth. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the cervical dilation process and recognizes the incredible capacities of women’s bodies. The piece encourages mothers to acknowledge their strength and the worthiness of their experiences.