How to know how far dilated you are?

[Zee]

Ok after reading this I just went and had a feel around... all I can feel is mush LOL. I felt around everywhere.

I have an OB appointment this friday, I have a feeling he wont do it just because I ask because he dosnt do things like S&S at all etc.

[Lozza]

hi, im 35 weeks pregnant, last night i felt alot of pressure down below so i had a feel around in the shower and about an inch in i thought i felt my cervix.this is my first pregnancy so i have no idea what i was feeling. My husband called the hospital they said it shouldnt be my cervix to come down and they'll have a look. i wasn't worried but wanted to know what it was. It felt like a shape of a head.It ended up being my baby's head.which means the baby's head is fully engaged but i cant believe i can feel it only just inside my body.i didnt have a internal the midwife just had a feel around i think the cervix is further back and it is fully closed. as the midwife felt the head she had pushed it away and it moved slightly up again.

[rose]

Hi Mel, thanks for replying. Tried in the shower today and sitting reclined and it is just out of reach. I am assuming the closer I get to due date/having bubs, I will be able to reach. I know there are sometimes I can feel something like the cervix but most time nothing. Thanks for this thread everyone.

[rose]

I can now just reach the opening but feels pretty much closed and thick. Could this mean I have a week or it could change in hours.

I know.......no one can predict my baby's birthday.

[Meluchja]

Rose, you hit the nail on the head. It could change in a matter of hours, especially being your 4th, or it could take a few days. But it's a great sign that you can now feel it, that must be exciting.....
Best of luck, I'll be backing it will be very soon.......

[rose]

Thanks mel for the reasurence. It is very encouraging that a week ago I could not touch and now I can.
Thanks

[Meluchja]

I bet it's very exciting and encouraging. Do let us know how you go Rose, sending you all the labour vibes I can round up. As laughable as it might sound, but do try to rest these last few moments/hours/days before bubs arrive. Well at least I hope that made you laugh more than anything, lol

[SunnyRain]

What an interesting thread.

As a woman who has always been "in touch" with my body (and an ex-biology student) it amazes me to discover that the cervix will change shape and position so much that I might not be able to find it. I had no idea this happens in pregnancy. It's good to know (I don't want to panic and think I've lost my cervix! )

This reminds me of years ago when I felt a little lump on my cervix and I went to a local GP who told me "no you won't have felt a lump on your cervix, you must be talking about your labia because the cervix is inside your vagina." At which point I went bright red and had to tell her that I was certain it was my cervix and just take my word for it . Stupid GP! Later she admitted I was right and she said "most women I see are elderly and they aren't very familiar with their bodies." God, it was embarrassing.

[Gabi]

I remember when I was asking the same questions. All I was being told by the doctors was that my cervix was long, closed, posterior, hard (I thought I had made progress, but obviously I was feeling the wrong thing haha). I went from 0 to 2 overnight, and I was fully effaced that morning.

There is hope!

[Niamh75]

Mummy Mel
Your cervix is normally about 2.5cm long. So if your cervix is only 1cm then you are about 75% effaced. Don't forget this is only an estimate as the normal length of a cervix can be a little different from onw woman to another

Mine was measured at a scan 5 weeks ago and was 1.6 how effaced would that be around Alan LOL

the last two weeks my BH have really kicked in and Im having pains in my back tops oflegs and lower tummy so i guess my body is getting ready or it could be early labour I read this thread a few weeks ago and wasnt brave enough to have poke now im closer to my due date im interested in finding out whats going on

[phynna]

I LOVE this thread!!!!! So helpful!!! I'm posting so it stays in my subscribed threads list so I can find it again.

[Cass72]

Phynna - right there with you, this is just so interesting. I never thought to have a feel myself. I've been getting stronger BHs in the last few days and last night had a "period pain". Also had pains in the tops of my legs - didn't know that was a sign too!!

[phynna]

You go Cass! Fingers crossed for you!

It's given me some hope this thread! I had a scare after DTD at 32 weeks, 6 hours of contractions, but I tried and tried and couldn't find the cervix then, and as comfy as I am with my wonderful middy I would NEVER want someone to do an internal on me. But I've tried again this week at 38w5d after reading this thread, and if what I've found is it, then I'm 1cm, only small, but it's very promising! I was starting to worry about being in my 41st week and facing induction.... still a way to go but we may be in time for the due date yet!!!

[Jellymaker]

Hi Ladies,

I agree that this is a fascinating post but was suprised at the number of women who said they had never felt 'inside' before. I think that self examination 'up there' is akin to breast self examination and going for a skin scan. I think it is very important to know what is 'normal' so that you will notice any changes later on.
I encourage all women to check themselves regularly or even ask their partner if anything ever feels different (since my hubbies fingers are longer than mine LOL)
I knew what my cervix felt like pre-pregnancy because of TTC and still check myself regularly for any progress. (am 33 weeks)
Dont be ashamed ladies! If you can't do it in the privacy of your own shower with your own fingers then I find it amusing that we let doctors, midwives, partners etc, cop an eyeful instead.

[Cass72]

Dont be ashamed ladies! If you can't do it in the privacy of your own shower with your own fingers then I find it amusing that we let doctors, midwives, partners etc, cop an eyeful instead.

That just cracks me up!!! How true is it. From the moment you go into labour to when you leave the hospital you've lifted your skirts and proudly displayed your bits to just about everyone....even the poor tea lady might accidently cop an eyeful!!