How to Identify the Dilation of the Cervix

Cervical dilation occurs during pregnancy and can be caused by the weight of the growing fetus, which is called cervical incompetence. This pressure strains the muscle and causes it to weaken and open. The cervix will also open during a normal labor. When the cervix begins to open, it is called dilation. During labor and the subsequent birth of a baby, the cervix dilates as the baby's head presses against it. In order to identify if the cervix is dilating and how much the dilation might be, a doctor or nurse will examine the patient. A vaginal exam tells the doctor what stage the cervix is at, how much effacement (thinning) has occurred and how dilated it is.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Know the symptoms. If you are pregnant, you might experience bloody show or a mucous plug as the cervix dilates. This means that you have light vaginal spotting and pass a bit of mucous. This is not to be confused with vaginal bleeding, which is heavier and more like a menstrual period. Bloody show is usually light pink and there is just a small amount. The mucous plug is what seals the cervix during your pregnancy. Losing the mucous plug may be the first indicator that you are about to go into labor. Some women also experience vaginal cramping and pelvic pressure as the cervix opens.

2. Contact your physician. In order to assess your situation, you need to have a pelvic examination. Your doctor, midwife, or nurse will perform a vaginal exam. During this exam, the cervix is felt to determine how much effacement has occurred, as well as how much the cervix has opened. There is a grading system for this. The cervix effaces from 0% (none) to 100% (completely thinned out). Typically, the cervix begins to efface a fews weeks before the baby's birth. Cervical dilation can also begin at this time and is graded by how many of the doctor's fingers can fit into the opening. One finger would mean that the labor process could begin within one or two weeks, five fingers would mean that the cervix is dilated halfway and labor is strong, and more than nine fingers means that labor is well underway and the baby's birth is imminent.

3. Understand abnormal symptoms. If you are not beyond 38 weeks of your pregnancy and experience pelvic pressure, cramping, or vaginal bleeding, contact your physician immediately. You might be having pre-term labor. In this case, you and your baby need immediate medical attention.

4. Communicate with your health care professionals. Only a pelvic examination will tell if your cervix is dilating. There is no other way to determine your condition without this specific exam.

Tips & Warnings

• See your physician with any questions or concerns that you may have.
• Bright red, vaginal bleeding that is not related to a menstrual cycle is a warning sign. See your doctor as soon as possible should you experience this symptom.