dilation ??

[woobysma]

I'm at 37.5 weeks and the other day, while doing the deed, DH said it felt like I was dialated, or that something had changed (hope that's not TMI )
My midwife doesn't do routine cervical checks and I'd rather not ask for one - but I'm curious.... is it possible that DH can tell if I'm dialating? Also, I've heard homebirthing mamas mention checking their own cervix during labor - how does that work?

[homemademomma]

you or your dh can check your dilation. i could never get my hand far enough in there to see what was going on, though. you can measure how much your cervix is open by putting your finger (s) in the os and seing how wide you can spread your fingers.
you can walk around for weeks dilated to 2 or cm though, so although its fun to find out, it doesnt necessarily mean much.

[CarrieMF]

It depends on what dh was using to check.lol If he was using his fingers then yes he could tell, but if he wasn't he may have been able to feel if your cervix has moved forward.

[plantmommy]

Carrie! LOL!!!!!

I've been checking every once in awhile, although it's not so easy to reach (sitting on the toilet helps) and can tell that my cervix has moved forward, and I've dilated a bit. It would, I assume, get harder to check as you get more effaced, since that's the cervix pulling back.

[cottonwood]

Wow, he is, um, very perceptive! :LOL If he can usually reach your cervix easily, then yes it's possible for him to feel it.

It is also possible to check your own cervix during labor -- if you can reach it. Measure your fingers first so you can estimate -- one fingertip is usually regarded as 1 cm., but of course fingers vary in width. Just keep in mind though that whatever you find doesn't mean a whole lot -- amount of dilation does not necessarily correlate to length of labor. In my case, knowing my dilation was just discouraging, because I thought it meant I had a long ways to go which wasn't the case at all! And it's not a good indicator of when you are ready to push, either.