Understanding Cervical Dilation & Ruptured Membranes During Labor

It is not necessary to have your cervix dilated or your water broken in order to give birth. In some cases, if labor is not progressing as expected or if there is a medical emergency, a doctor may decide to artificially dilate the cervix or break the water to help speed up the process. However, this is not always necessary and should only be done if medically indicated.