Am I beginning to dilate?

Question

I have been given the ok from my Midwife to be able to check myself for dilation although she hasn't yet ( in a week she will). I can feel my crevix, its about an inch long so I know its not thinning out yet but a few days ago I could barely get my finger in it ( just the very tip) but now I can insert past my 1st nuckle of my middle finger but can't feel the end where it enters my uterus. Does this mean that I am starting to dilate or what? Serious answers only please.

ok this is my 5th pregnancy and I am using a Midwife because I am going natural. Yes it is perfictly fine for a woman to check herself ( I am sure your husbands have had their fingers in there a time or two) and yes I am careful. My MW said gloves are not necessary if you wash hands b efore and after and keep the nails short. I have seen others on here who have had kids naturally or are nurses that is why I asked. Sorry, there is usually some on here who know about pregnancies - that is why I askind this in the Pregnancy section!!!!

Answer 1

good lord, i never heard of doing this sort of thing, its why we have medical professionals you know.

Answer 2

Sorry just a little confused? You can insert 1 finger into the cervix? You shouldn't be able to reach the uterus because the head should be in the way....
Because this is not your first pregnancy, sometimes the cervix is a bit laxed and it can feel like it is already dilated.

If you can fit 1 finger, it's called a finger tip dilated or maybe 1 cm

Frequent vag exams can lead to infection (Even for people who wear sterile gloves) so you really should not be doing vag exams (self or otherwise) just for the sake of doing them.

For the record even though I am very skilled at doing Vaginal exams I never did one on myself, the only time I was checked was when I was in labour by either the doctor or one of the nurses.

Answer 3

WOW Have never heard of that before. Makes me wonder how reputable she is. but to answer you question you probably are, some women start the beginning of the 9th month. But seriously I would be careful you don't want to get an infection or even hurt yourself. I am also very surprised she gave you the OK. I have heard that they let you feel the baby's head when it starts to come out but that's all. Good luck!!

Answer 4

huh. I didn't even know that one could feel their own cervix. you learn something new every day. however, I would imagine that what you described does indeed mean that your cervix has expanded by at least an inch or so. I would give your midwife a call in the morning if you want to have her check you out, just in case you end up going into labor earlier than expected.

Answer 5

Sounds like you may have dilated a bit more, the inner os is now opening. i wouldn't check yourself often due to increased risk of infection. since this is your 5th child, it is normal for the cervix to be even slightly dilated from the get go. if you are term, wait until your contractions become strong and regular before checking yourself again. if you are preterm, you may want to talk to the midwife about this

Answer 6

You could be. I would be more worried about the constant checking and introducing bacteria/infection into the area. I sure hope you are being sterile and using gloves. Nature will take its course and you will certainly know when you are getting ready to deliver!

Answer 7

1 finger = 1 cm 10cm is fully dilated
Please be careful examining yourself. There are risks of infections as well as other risks. I have never heard of a health care professional suggesting self exams.
Best Of Luck

Answer 8

if u wanted to know if u are dilate i would call your midwife and ask her to check u because doing it youself u can get some infections and then u will have a problem

Answer 9

Truthfully you should really let your midwife help you with this. People here can not begin to tell you what is going on with YOUR body.

I wish you the best of luck with your baby and hope that soon you will have him/her.

Answer 10

This is an exciting time in your life, but in my opinion it's more information the most of us want to know. Keep in mind there are kids on this message board and the messages are not censored. Best of luck and blessings to you and your soon to be born child!

Answer 11

congrats, i just had a babyboy 6 months ago. i began dialting basically when my musus plug broke. it still took about a week for my cervix to actually thin at 90%. when you can began to put your two or three fingers in, then that is when your cervix has opened, and your about ready. sometimes your doctor can actually break your mucus plug to hurry it along. have lots of sex, eat until the baby is uncomfortable and make him/her get out of there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!