The dilation of the cervix is a phenomenon that occurs in the body of a pregnant woman who is approaching labor and delivery; the aim is to open the path from the uterus to the birth canal so that the unborn child can come into the world. The diameter of the cervix must pass from 1 to 10 cm and at this point the woman can give birth. In most cases, a licensed health care practitioner, such as a gynecologist, nurse, or obstetrician, is able to check the degree of dilation, but you can also do it yourself. By feeling this part of the body and paying attention to other signals, such as moods and noises, you can understand how much it has dilated.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare to Manually Control It
Step 1. Talk to your gynecologist
A safe pregnancy is essential for a healthy birth and baby. Make sure you get all prenatal care from your doctor, nurse, or obstetrician to make sure that not only is your pregnancy progressing correctly, but that you can control cervical dilation without any risk.
- Remember that at the beginning of the ninth month of pregnancy, the gynecologist begins to pay attention to the signs indicating the approach of childbirth. This means that he performs palpations of the abdomen and an internal examination to check the state of the cervix; also, look for clues that the baby has started to "go down", that is, the cervix begins to dilate and become softer.
- Ask him any questions and concerns you have, including whether the baby has started moving towards the birth canal. You should also inquire as to whether it is safe to check for cervical dilation yourself; if gestation is not at risk, you can proceed.
Step 2. Wash your hands
Dirt can spread bacteria and germs causing an infection. Checking the cervix involves inserting a hand or fingers into the vagina and it is essential for your health and that of the unborn child that they are clean.
- Use soap and warm water. Wet your hands with running water and apply the cleanser to create a nice lather; rub it vigorously for at least 20 seconds without leaving any surface. Finally, rinse and dry them carefully.
- If you don't have soap, opt for a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Apply enough of it to one palm to cover both hands and rub them together just like you would soap. Be careful to treat all surfaces, including nails; keep scrubbing until the skin is completely dry.
Step 3. Get help
If you are a little worried or have any fear of performing a self-exam on your own, ask your partner or another family member to help you. Allow him to intervene within the limits of your comfort; for example, he can hold up the mirror, shake your hand, or talk to you in a soothing way.
Step 4. Get into a comfortable position
Before actually checking for dilation of the cervix, you need to make yourself comfortable; you can sit on the toilet or lie on the bed with your legs apart - do what you think is best for you.
- Take off your lower body clothing before starting; in this way you are not forced to remove them clumsily once you have found the best position.
- Sit or squat with one foot on the ground and the other on the toilet seat. If these solutions are not for you, you can also simply crouch on the ground or lie on the bed.
- Remember that there is nothing to be ashamed of - you are doing something completely natural and normal.
Part 2 of 3: Check it out at Home
Step 1. Insert two fingers into the vagina
Begin the exam by roughly evaluating the dilation. Instead of putting your whole hand in the vaginal canal, which could be uncomfortable, use only your middle and index fingers to begin with.
- Before doing this, remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Locate the vaginal opening with your fingertips. The back of the hand should be facing the spine and the palm facing up; tilt your fingers in the direction of the anus to feel the cervix. If you experience severe pain or discomfort, stop the exam.
Step 2. Push your fingers until they touch the cervix
That of a pregnant woman conveys the same tactile sensation as curled lips; after inserting the index and middle fingers into the vaginal canal, bring them upwards until you meet this structure.
- Remember that in some women the cervix is located higher, in others lower; you may need to push your fingers deep or you may find it quickly enough. The cervix is basically the end of the vaginal canal, regardless of its position in the body.
- Touch it gently; if you press or prick it with your fingers you could cause bleeding.
- If it is dilated, a finger can slide through the center quite easily. What you perceive in the middle of the opening is the amniotic sac that covers the baby's head and may have the same consistency as a water-filled latex balloon.
Step 3. Keep using your fingers to see how dilated you are
When the cervix reaches an opening of 10 cm, delivery is usually imminent. If one finger is able to enter the center of the structure without difficulty, try to insert the second as well to make a rough evaluation.
- Remember that if you can insert a finger, the dilation is about one centimeter; therefore, if you can put five fingers through it, the opening is five centimeters. As labor continues, the cervix changes from being a contracted structure to another resembling a rubber band; when it reaches 5 cm of expansion you may feel it stretched like the seal of an airtight jar.
- Continue to gently insert your fingers into the vagina until you can use your whole hand or feel pain. Take it out and see how many fingers you managed to use: this way you have a rough idea of the dilation.
Step 4. Go to the hospital
If the cervical opening is greater than 3 cm, it means that you are in an active phase of labor. You should go to the hospital or maternity center of your choice or prepare yourself properly if you have opted to give birth at home.
Remember that contractions are another sign that you should go to the hospital, becoming more regular and intense as delivery approaches. initially, they occur every 5 minutes and last 45-60 seconds
Part 3 of 3: Looking for Additional Signs of Cervical Dilation
Step 1. Listen to the sounds of dilation
There are many indicator signs that can be monitored without having to insert the fingers into the vagina; these techniques are very useful especially if you are experiencing a lot of pain or discomfort. Most women make some type of sound during labor; listen to those produced by your body to assess the degree of dilation. These are the noises that accompany the various phases:
- When the dilation is between 0 and 4 cm, you should not hear any sound and you should be able to speak during the contractions without too much effort;
- At 4-5 cm it is very difficult to speak, if not almost impossible, and the noises of the body are still not very intense;
- When the cervix has an opening of 5-7 cm, you should hear a louder and more intermittent sound; speaking during the contraction is almost impossible;
- At 7-10 cm you may hear very loud noises and you should not be able to speak during the contraction;
- If the body is not making any sound, you can still evaluate the dilation. Ask someone to ask you a question at the beginning of a contraction; the more difficult it is to formulate the answer, the greater the dilation.
Step 2. Pay attention to your emotions
Those related to the experience of childbirth are innate for a woman in labor; by monitoring them, you can understand how open the cervix is. Here are the sensations related to the stages of childbirth:
- You feel happiness and the desire to laugh: the cervix is 1-4 cm dilated;
- Smile and laugh at the little things between contractions: the cervix has opened by 4-6 cm;
- You feel irritation from jokes and small conversations: you are dilated by about 7 cm.
Step 3. Check the smell
Many people notice certain smells when the dilation of the cervix reaches 6-8 cm; it is an intense odor of humidity, but not musky. If you notice a noticeable change in the smell of the room you are about to give birth to, the cervix may have dilated up to 6 to 8 cm.
Step 4. Look for mucous and bloody secretions
Some women report filamentous mucosal loss around the 39th week, with pink or brown traces of blood. This small bleeding continues throughout the prodromal stages of childbirth. When you reach 6-8 cm of dilation, mucus and blood are more abundant; by observing their presence, you can assess which stage of labor you are in.
Step 5. Check the purple line
It is located in the separation groove of the buttocks and allows to evaluate cervical dilatation; when the line reaches the top of the sulcus, the dilation is complete. For this technique you have to ask someone for help.
In the early stages of labor, it is located near the anus; as the birth approaches, it goes up the buttocks and, when you are fully dilated, reaches the top of the sulcus
Step 6. Monitor body sensations
Many women have physical signs of dilation that can be checked without a vaginal exam. Generally speaking, women in labor complain of flu-like discomfort when they are close to a dilation of 10 cm or the expulsive phase; by paying attention to these signs and symptoms you can get an idea of the extent that the cervical opening has reached. In most cases, you need to consider a combination of the various signals.
- If you feel vomiting, face red and hot to the touch, it means that you are dilated by about 5 cm; you may also tremble uncontrollably. Vomiting alone could be a nervous, hormonal, or fatigue reaction.
- If the face is red but shows no other symptoms, the cervix may have dilated by 6 to 7 cm.
- Know that uncontrollable tremors alone are a sign of fatigue or fever.
- Pay attention to whether you tend to "curl" your toes or stay on the tips: both indicate a dilation of 6-8 cm.
- If you have goosebumps on your butt and thighs, it is possible that your cervix is dilated by 9-10 cm.
- Know that involuntary bowel movements are indications that the dilation is complete; you can also see or feel the baby's head near the perineum.
Step 7. Pay attention to the pressure on your back
As the baby moves down the birth canal, you feel pressure in different areas of the back. The more dilated you are, the lower the sensation is along the spine; typically, it moves from the edge of the pelvis to the sacrum.
Advice
- Proceed slowly and gently, do not make sudden movements!
- Wash your hands after checking the cervix.
