The opening of the cervix occurs when a pregnant woman approaches labor. The cervix dilates to open the way for the baby from the uterus to the birth canal, and finally into your arms. The cervix should dilate from 1 to 10 cm, and by that time, the baby can be delivered. In most cases, medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and midwives will check the cervical dilatation, but you can also do this yourself. By feeling your cervix and paying attention to other signs such as mood and voice, you can check how far your cervix is dilating.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Check the Cervix Manually
Step 1. Talk to a medical professional
A safe pregnancy is very important for a healthy delivery and baby. By receiving treatment from a doctor, nurse or midwife, you can ensure the normal progress of your pregnancy as well as the safety of self-disclosure.
- Realize that as you enter your ninth month of pregnancy, doctors begin to look for signs of labour. Usually the doctor will press on your abdomen, and perform an internal examination to check the cervix. The doctor will see if the baby is "down". This means that the cervix has begun to open and soften.
- Ask the doctor anything, including if the baby has descended. You should also ask if it's safe to check the opening yourself. If your pregnancy is safe, please do so.
Step 2. Wash your hands
Dirty hands can spread bacteria and germs that cause infection. To check the cervix, you must insert your hand or finger into the vagina. So, for the sake of your health and that of your baby, you should wash your hands before checking for cervical dilatation.
- Wash your hands with any type of soap and warm water. Wet hands with running water and use soap to lather. Rub your hands for at least 20 seconds and make sure all surfaces of your hands are scrubbed. Rinse and dry.
- Use an antiseptic gel with at least 60% alcohol if soap is not available. Drop an adequate amount in the palm of the hand. As with soap, rub your hands together and make sure every surface is antiseptic, including your nails. Keep rubbing until hands are dry.
Step 3. Ask for help
If you are a little anxious or afraid to do the self-examination, ask your husband or a loved one for help. Let him help as long as you are comfortable. He can help by holding a mirror, holding your hand, or saying soothing words.
Step 4. Find a comfortable position
Before checking the opening, your position should be comfortable. You can sit on the toilet or lie in bed with your legs spread apart as long as it's comfortable.
- Remove pants and bottoms before starting. That way, you don't have to take it off again once you're comfortable.
- Sit or squat on the toilet with one foot on the floor and the other on the toilet seat. You can also squat on the floor or lie down if that's more comfortable.
- Remember that you have nothing to be ashamed of. This is something very normal and natural.
Part 2 of 3: Checking the Cervix at Home
Step 1. Insert two fingers into the vagina
Begin the examination by knowing how wide the cervix will open. Instead of sticking one hand into the vagina, which can cause discomfort, use your index and middle fingers to start.
- Remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before inserting your fingers into your vagina.
- Locate the vaginal opening with the tip of the seeker. The backs of the hands should be facing the spine and the palms should be facing up. Position your finger toward your anus so you can feel the cervix more effectively. If you experience extreme pain or discomfort, remove your finger.
Step 2. Push the finger into the cervix
The cervix of a pregnant woman feels like pursed lips. After inserting your finger into the vaginal canal, keep pushing until you reach what feels like pursed lips.
- Know that some women have a high cervix and some have a low cervix. You may need to insert your finger further up the vaginal canal or it will reach it relatively quickly. Basically, the cervix is the “end” of the vaginal canal, regardless of its position.
- Use a gentle touch to feel the cervix. Pressing or stabbing with your fingers can cause bleeding.
- Be aware that one finger can easily enter the center of the dilated cervix. What you feel in the center of the opening is the amniotic sac that supports the baby's head. Maybe you will feel a sensation like touching a rubber balloon filled with water.
Step 3. Continue using your fingers to feel the width of the opening
When the dilation reaches 10 cm, you are ready to give birth. If one finger enters the center of the cervix easily, you can use an additional finger to determine the width of the opening.
- Remember, if you can insert one finger into the center of the cervix, it means 1 cm dilation. Similarly, if you can insert five fingers wide into your cervix, your dilation is approximately 5 cm. During labor, the cervix feels tight, then turns like an elastic band. At 5 cm opening, it feels like a rubber ring used in a jar lid.
- Continue gently inserting your finger into your vagina until you are using one hand or it becomes uncomfortable. Take your hand out to see how wide your fingers are. This can give you an idea of the width of the opening.
Step 4. Go to the maternity clinic
If the cervix has dilated more than 3 cm, generally you have entered an active labor phase. You have to go to the maternity clinic you have chosen or prepare at home if you are going to give birth at home.
Know that contractions also help indicate that you need to go to the birthing clinic. Contractions will be more regular and stronger. It is about five minutes long and lasts 45–60 seconds
Part 3 of 3: Looking for More Signs of Opening
Step 1. Listen to the opening sound
There are many indicators of opening that do not involve the finger into the vagina. These indicators will be very helpful if you feel pain or discomfort. Most women will make a certain sound when giving birth. Your voice can give clues about the width of the cervical opening. The following sounds usually accompany the various stages of labor and cervical dilatation.
- At 0–4 cm dilation, you are quiet and can talk during contractions without straining too much.
- At an opening of 4-5 cm, speech is already difficult, if not almost impossible. However, your screams are still a bit low.
- At an opening of 5–7 cm, you may make a louder, more stuttering scream. At this point, you can no longer speak during contractions.
- At 7–10 cm dilation, you may scream very loudly and be unable to speak at all during contractions.
- If you're the type of woman who doesn't scream during labor, you can still check the opening. Ask the accompanying person to ask you something at the start of the contraction. The fewer words you can say when answering, the wider your opening will be.
Step 2. Pay attention to your emotions
Childbirth is an emotional experience for women. The emotion can indicate how wide the opening is. Perhaps you will experience the following emotions during the birthing process:
- Happy and laughing at 1-4 cm opening.
- Smiling and laughing at the little things between the 4–6 cm opening.
- Exasperated with jokes and small talk from 7 cm opening to delivery.
Step 3. Smell the opening
Many people notice a certain smell when a woman experiences an opening of 6–8 cm. Labor gives off a certain thick and heavy aroma. If you notice this difference in the smell of the delivery room, the cervix may have dilated between 6 and 8 cm.
Step 4. Look at the blood and mucus
Some women may notice mucus coming out of the vagina at 39 weeks pregnant, which is pink or brown in color because of the blood. This bloody discharge may continue to be seen in the early stages of labour. However, at the 6–8 cm opening, there is a lot of blood and mucus coming out. By looking at it, you can tell that the opening is 6–8 cm.
Step 5. Check the purple line
The purple line is located in the birth cleft, or what is often called the cleavage of the buttocks. This line marks the width of the opening. If the line reaches the top of the gap, it means the opening is complete. You need someone else's help to check this purple line.
Be aware that in the early stages of labour, the purple line is closer to the anus. Over time, the line will extend between the buttocks. At a perfect opening, the purple line will reach the top of the gap
Step 6. Observe your body's reaction
Many women experience physical signs of opening that can be seen without a vaginal examination. In general, many women feel like they have the flu when they approach the 10cm dilatation and/or pushing phase. By examining these signs and symptoms, you can determine the width of the opening. In most of the cases, a combination of the following signs can be an indication of the width of the opening.
- If you feel like you're going to throw up, your face is red and warm to the touch, that means you're about 5 cm wide. Maybe you too will tremble uncontrollably. Vomiting itself may be caused by emotions, hormones, or fatigue.
- A flushed face with no other signs is an indicator that you may have opened 6–7 cm.
- Be aware that uncontrollable shaking without other signs may be an indication of fatigue or fever.
- Notice whether you are bending your toes or standing on your tiptoes, which are signs of an opening 6–8 cm.
- Feel if you get goosebumps on your buttocks and upper thighs, which are signs of a 9–10 cm dilation.
- Know that the urge to have a bowel movement is also a sign of complete opening. You may also be able to see or feel the baby's head in the perineum.
Step 7. Feel the pressure in your back
As the baby descends into the birth canal, you will feel pressure at various points on your back. The wider the opening, the lower the pressure felt. Normally, the pressure moves from the pelvic bone area to the coccyx.
Tips
- Insert your finger gently and slowly. Don't move suddenly.
- Wash your hands after checking the cervix.
