How to Tell if You're Dilating

by Sharon
(Illinois )

Question:Is there any way to tell if you are dilating?

Answer:The only way to know for sure how dilated you are is through a vaginal exam.

If you're having a lot of contractions and you can tell that your baby is descending lower into your pelvis, then you can be pretty certain that your cervix is dilating.

Here's something to consider, though. Knowing how dilated you are doesn't really tell you much about when you'll go into labor. It's really easy to get caught up about how far dilated you are.

You could get checked and be discouraged that you're not dilated at all, and then end up in labor that evening. Or, you could be dilated a couple centimeters for a few weeks.

Hang in There!
Stephanie