Im 39w4d right now and my last appointment was at 38w5d. I wasn't dilated at all at that point. Next appointment is tomorrow. Question is, will I know/feel when I've started to dilate?
Not necessarily. Having contractions is sometimes a sign that you are dilating or thinning out but as a FTM you may not be able to distinguish early contractions.
You can check your own cervix, if you can reach it! Make sure to wash your hands first. If you can find it, see if you can feel the opening. If you can slip a fingertip inside of the os, then you're about 1cm. More fingers can indicate greater dialation. I can barely reach mine around my belly, but squatting with a foot propped on the edge of the tub helps!
I panic a bit about checking my own. Super nervous to invite infection or bacteria or anything in or to disrupt anything. Which is ridiculous to worry about since they did a speculum exam on me a week ago. If that didn't stir shit up, me checking my cervix won't either.
As someone that's been checking my cervix for over two years TTC with fertility charting, it doesn't phase me. Totally understand some people might be a little freaked by it for one reason or another. If your hands and nails are clean, then there shouldn't be any need to worry. I even trimmed and filed my nails to make sure!
I panic a bit about checking my own. Super nervous to invite infection or bacteria or anything in or to disrupt anything. Which is ridiculous to worry about since they did a speculum exam on me a week ago. If that didn't stir shit up, me checking my cervix won't either.
You're good for self checks until your water breaks, if you so desire. The water bag provides a barrier to infection and during self checks you have a measure of control as you can feel the exact pressure on your tissues and be gentle, whereas another checking you can't 'feel' in that sense. As pp said, wash your hands prior or check during a shower or bath. Keep in mind--sex up to your water breaking is recommended for most low risk ladies, so if that's safe, explore away!
If washed hands are dirtier than a penis, then you're doing something wrong. In all reality though, I was 1 cm dilated at 36 weeks and didn't feel it happening at all. I was SURE my check today would have shown progress because I've been crampy and was totally wrong.
Also don't forget that dilation, in reality, means nothing about when labor will start. Some women walk around 2-3 cm dilated for weeks with no labor while others can be high and tight one day and deliver their baby the next.
I had the same thought this morning of "why would I be worried about my hands when there was a penis in there." I had no problem checking while we were TTC. But I do feel assured about checking until water breaks. I'm getting my check on tonight!
From what the dr told me some people can feel a pulling or pinching feeling as they begin to dilate. I definitely did but it is not something that everyone feels. And for the record I am 40+3 and have been at 1 cm since 36 week FML!
Tried to reach my cervix and couldnt get at it. Hubby refuses to help me check lol not that i blame him. 39+1 right now and hoping the end is near...my doctors office did a speculum exam yesterday to check the discharge but didn't note any dilation or change in my cervix. My next appt is monday and im hoping this will be over by then
~* Met Husband: July 26, 2009Said Yes: July 26, 2010Married: September 10, 2011Baby Due: June 17, 2016 *~
I was 1cm yesterday morning, labored all day and was only at 2 by midnight. Went home labored another two hours in the tub then got the urge to push within minutes. So unless I dialated 2 to 10cm in 15 min, I didn't feel the pulling or dialation. Sure would have been better if I did lol
Re: Dilating?
Also don't forget that dilation, in reality, means nothing about when labor will start. Some women walk around 2-3 cm dilated for weeks with no labor while others can be high and tight one day and deliver their baby the next.