Abstract: A cervical dilator and methods of using the cervical dilator include guiding a shaft and a balloon of the cervical dilator through a cervix to seat the balloon in an uninflated state within a cervix. Seating the balloon includes locating proximal and distal ends of the balloon near proximal and distal ends of the cervix such that the balloon fills a canal of the cervix. After seating the balloon within the canal of the cervix, the method includes introducing a predetermined amount of fluid into the balloon cavity to fill the balloon to an inflated state. While the balloon is in the inflated state, the method includes waiting a predetermined time period to allow cervical dilation. After waiting the predetermined time period, the method includes applying light tension to the exterior surface of the shaft to remove the shaft and the balloon in the inflated state from the cervix.