Learn about Your baby in the birth canal or find a doctor at Mount Sinai Health System.

The vagina may also be referred to as the birth canal in the context of pregnancy and childbirth. [2][3] Although by its dictionary and anatomical definitions, the term vagina refers exclusively to the specific internal structure, it is colloquially used …

May 6, 2024 · Visualize the labor process with our cervical dilation chart, which uses familiar foods for an easy-to-understand size comparison. When it's time to give birth, your body will have to move...

Jul 23, 2024 · It allows the baby to move into the birth canal. The first stage of labor is the longest of the three stages. It's divided into two phases — early labor and active labor. During early labor, also called latent labor, the cervix opens and softens. It also gets shorter and thinner. The cervix opens less than 6 centimeters (cm) in early labor.

Oct 24, 2024 · The birth canal is the passageway a baby travels through during birth. It consists of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. During pregnancy, the baby grows inside the uterus. As labor begins, the cervix softens, thins, and opens, allowing the baby to pass through.

Feb 24, 2016 · Birth canal issues can make vaginal delivery difficult for women. Early recognition of these issues can help you deliver your baby safely. How Does a Baby Pass Through the Birth Canal?

May 3, 2019 · As you go through labor, your doctor will use different terms to describe how your baby is progressing through the birth canal. One of these words is your baby’s “station.” Fetal station...

What is a Birth Canal? The muscular canal connects the uterus to the rest of the body. The baby passes through the birth canal during delivery which is also often known as a vaginal canal or born canal.

During labor and delivery, your baby must pass through your pelvic bones to reach the vaginal opening. The goal is to find the easiest way out. Certain body positions give the baby a smaller shape, which makes it easier for your baby to get through this tight passage.

As your baby passes through the birth canal, the baby's head will change positions. These changes are needed for your baby to fit and move through your pelvis. These movements of your baby's head are called cardinal movements of labor.