How do you know how many centimeters you are dilated?

Question

I hear people talking about being "4 centimeters dilated ... " etc. How would you know? When does the doctor begin checking your for dilation?

Thanks! (34 weeks with first baby and getting very excited & nervous) :)

Answer 1

you should be getting checked for dialation at your next week visit, since you are more likely to be seeing the doctor every week from now till delivery time. being dialated doesnt really have anything to do with anything until you are "efaced" which means that your cervix is starting to lighten. i was 2 cm with my first from month 5 to delivery and only about 25% effaced. you are getting closer, and it only gets more exciting from this point on. just make sure you relax as much as possible because after baby is born you might not get to relax as much as you want to. congradulations and i am sorry if i scared you, but, i was just stating what my doctor told me with my first.

Answer 2

Not all doctors do routine checks, but if they do, they will probably start at 36-37 weeks and check at every visit.

But many are not checking like this anymore because with every check comes a slight risk for infection, and since checking you serves no medical benefit other than satisfying everyone's curiosity, the risk outweighs the benefit. So don't be too diappointed if they don't check you until you are due, you might not get checked until it's suspected labor has begun.

Knowing what you're dilated to means nothing. You could be 1cm and 25% effaced and go into labor the next day, or you could be 4cm and 100% effaced and labor might not start for many days or weeks.

Good luck, baby will be here soon, congrats!

Answer 3

I didnt think the docs started checkin until 36 wks.. but when i went for my 34 wk check up i was checked.. So i think it depends on ur doctor, some wont until ur past ur due date. But my doctor told me checkin how many cm dilated wont help predict labor. I stayed @ 1cm for 4 weeks until I was 1-2 cm dilated @ 38wks and the next day i went into labor. GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

I didn't get checked how dilated i was until my due date.
But some doctors are different, and can check as early as 36 weeks.

Don't set too much on your due date though, coz first babies often come about a week late, and if you were really expecting them to come earlier, the last week can be hell for you.
Congratulations, and good luck.

Answer 5

The dr inserts his/her finger into the cervix if it's started to dilate. "2 cm dialated" is approximately a finger's width. That's how they guage it. So 4 cm would be approximately 2 fingers-width dialated.

Chances are that at your next dr's appt they'll start doing a pelvic exam and check to see if you've started to dialate...though some don't and it's not absolutely necessary if you're not contracting, leaking fluid, or in any discomfort.

Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 6

The doctor gives you an internal exam and he/she will then tell you how many centimeters you are dilated.

Most doctors start giving internal exams and check this starting around 36 weeks. Good luck!

Answer 7

it varies from doctor to doctor, some start to check at 36 weeks, others later. Its practally imposible to check it by yourself, so leave it to the professionals!

Answer 8

he should start checking you soon maybe like in another 2 weeks