HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

DILATION CHART

1 CM CLOSED

LABOR AND BIRTH

2 CM

3 CM

4 CM

5 CM

6 CM

7 CM

8 CM

9 CM

10 CM OPENED

STATION During a vaginal exam, your provider can feel 2 bony bumps (ischial spines) in the narrowest part of your pelvis. How close your baby is to these bumps is called the baby’s fetal station . • When your baby’s head is above the bumps, the fetal station is a negative (–) number • When your baby’s head is below the bumps, the station is a positive (+) number and you’re getting closer to giving birth • When the baby’s head is at the same level as the bumps, you are at 0 station and your baby is “engaged”

STATION

PELVIS

FLOATING

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4

STATION

PUBIC BONES

CROWNING

Chapter 4: Labor and Birth

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