Checking how far dilated you are? Alan?

[Shanti]

(sorry if there is a thread on this but i cant find any)

How do midwives check how far dilated you are? I know they use their fingers inserted into the vagina but how do they 'measure'??

And is this something my DH can do at home to check for me how far dilated I am? (he's a registered nurse) but he's never done it before as he doesn't work in maternity. (theatres). Of course he'd wear surgical gloves etc.

We've been talking about how I want to labour at home for as long as possible before heading into the hospital (which is what most people do anyway I'm sure) and if I was curious as to how far dilated i was at any time, he could check it for me?

Or is this not recommended? If waters have already broken I know we won't be able to do this as I'll be heading into hospital anyway if that happens!

[alioops]

Ren the MW will estimate how far they can separate their fingers and make a judgement based on that.

[Tobily]

Honestly Ren, there's really nothing scientific about this

If you can insert a tampon, you can check your cervix. Since birth moved into hospitals this has become shrouded in mystery but it's really not any more mysterious than picking your own nose!

Have a look here and here

The way that midwives measure dilatation is to use two fingers spread apart so that each finger is touching an edge of cervix. Then it's a guesstimation as to how far apart their fingers are - for most people when their index and middle finger are at their furtherest apart that is roughly 10cms. But it is purely subjective and two midwives can determine you to be at completely different dilation at the same time. Bearing in mind too that vaginal exams really don't tell you much about how far you have to go anyway.

If you do it yourself, you're going to be more consistent..a woman is the best judge of what her body is doing

[Shanti]

I feel a bit embarrassed having asked the question but I had to ask!

Thanks for those links, i will have a look at those now. I think it's something that I will be better of doing than my DH after having read that. Just will be easier.

[Epacris]

vaginal exams really don't tell you much about how far you have to go anyway.

So true Tobily. Ren, I was 3cm dilated for about 3 weeks (my ob did internals at my last few appointments, at my request). When I arrived at hospital I had another internal and was 7cm. DD was born 10 minutes later. Every woman/baby/pregnancy/labour can be so different. How far dilated you are is a good "indication", but that's all I reckon!

[Kitt3n]

lol there is no way my hand would have reached down there around my big belly to have checked it myself!!

sorry just had to share, did try to feel it but not enough arm length

[Maruschke]

Oohh interesting thread! Unfortunately the links on the first site didn't work for me, did they work for anyone else? I was curious about the photos . The quick-and-dirty method of measuring dilation without an internal is quite appealing to me!

[Indadhanu]

LOL Kitten, I tried to check mine also, but would have had to pretzel myself to reach my cervix!!!

There is a HUGE thread somewhere... I'll go find it... HMMMM I'm sure there was....

Found it https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...lated-you.html

[Antheia]

I feel a bit embarrassed having asked the question but I had to ask!

The only silly question is a question not asked Ren!

If you can't get around the belly either sit on the loo and try or put on foot on the loo or bath and check that way, it's easier.

My midwife described it like you measure until you cant move your fingers apart anymore but if you can still feel cervix then measure the rim of the cervix and if there is say 2cms of rim then your 8cms dilated, etc.

[Alan]

Hi Ren
What the others have said is correct. The hardest part is trying to work out what you are feeling. Also It is not a good idea to do it too often or after your waters have broken