Final answer:
Cervical dilation is the widening of the cervix during the first stage of labor, necessary for vaginal birth. It can last from minutes to hours and usually extends to about 10 cm. If labor stalls, Pitocin may be used to continue the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cervical dilation refers to the widening of the cervix during the first stage of labor, which allows for the passage of the baby through the birth canal. The process is key for a vaginal birth and involves the cervix thinning and expanding to about 10 cm in diameter. This first stage is the longest and can vary greatly in duration, taking anywhere from several minutes to several hours, depending on various factors like whether it's the mother's first childbirth.
In each subsequent labor, the dilation stage may become shorter. The second stage of labor involves expulsion of the child, while the third stage includes the delivery of the placenta. Synthetic oxytocin, or Pitocin, may be used to induce or maintain labor if necessary.