Dilation occurs in all abortions and it is done by two methods. One method is done just prior to the procedure. The doctor administers some local anesthetic to the cervix. The doctor the begins to dilate the ring muscles around the cervix by prying them open using rods in the cervix. The doctor will begin with a slender rod and gradually work up to thicker rods until the cervix is wide enough for the instrument that will be used in the abortion.
Dilation can cause bleeding and laceration.
It can also cause cervix incompetence and can cause miscarriages in future pregnancies, though this is rare. The second method doctors use for dilation is Laminaria. Laminaria is a seaweed that naturally expands when it is moist. It is inserted into the cervical opening the day before an abortion to dilate the cervix. The Laminaria can be removed and the process reversed.