Cervical Dilation

Cervical Dilation is performed to widen the opening to the uterus, (the cervix). If needed, scar tissue can be removed and a curvy cervix can be straightened through this procedure. Cervical Dilation may be needed to increase your chances of pregnancy either during an intrauterine insemination or during an embryo transfer.

Before the Test

  • Make sure your bladder is empty
  • About 30 minutes before the test:
    • Take 800 mg of Motrin (Ibuprofen) or 500 mg of Tylenol

What to Expect

The first thing we will do is place a speculum in your vagina. We will then carefully inject numbing medicine into the cervix in two places. This will likely cause a stinging sensation. To open the cervix slowly and gently, larger and larger rods will be placed just through the tip and then removed. We will watch this process with an ultrasound placed on your abdomen. Slight discomfort may occur, but should subside within a few minutes.

Risks

  • Sterile equipment is used to minimize infection.
  • A slight risk of bleeding is possible but not likely.
  • A rare risk does exist of puncturing the uterus. To prevent this, we will go as slowly as possible and use the ultrasound to watch each move.

After the Procedure

After the procedure, nothing should be put in the vagina for one week.

When to Call the Doctor

Call immediately if you experience:

  • Cramping lasting longer than one hour
  • Bleeding that fills more than one pad per hour
  • Fever of 100°F or higher or chills