{"id":27188,"date":"2024-05-03T18:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T18:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=27188"},"modified":"2025-10-06T13:10:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T13:10:23","slug":"childbirth-cervix-dilated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/pregnancy\/childbirth-cervix-dilated\/","title":{"rendered":"Childbirth: how can I tell if my cervix is dilated?"},"content":{"rendered":"

During pregnancy, the baby is inside the uterine cavity, which is closed by the cervix itself sealed by the mucus plug that prevents bacteria from entering. During labor, the cervix gradually opens to allow the baby to pass through; this is called cervical dilation. However, some cervixes begin to change long before labor actually begins.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s help you see things clearly!<\/p>\n

At what point during pregnancy does the cervix usually start to open?<\/h2>\n

Normally, the cervix begins to change just before the last month of pregnancy (except in cases of premature contractions, in which case we speak of a risk of premature birth).<\/p>\n

During the last month of pregnancy, the cervix may begin to change<\/strong> under the influence of hormones and possible pregnancy contractions. It softens, shortens, and opens slightly (enough to insert one or two fingers).<\/p>\n

However, for other women, the cervix will not change at all before labor begins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Mothers who have already given birth at least once are more likely to have a modified cervix at the end of pregnancy.<\/p>\n

As you can see, as with many things related to pregnancy, there is no absolute rule<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It is only in the days (or hours, depending on the case) preceding birth<\/strong> that the cervix opens significantly thanks to contractions: it softens and shortens, finally dilating to about 10 cm<\/strong> on the day of delivery (this is called full dilation).<\/p>\n

What are the usual signs that accompany cervical opening?<\/h2>\n

It is difficult to tell on your own if your cervix is opening, whether during pregnancy or in the first hours of labor, since dilation itself does not cause any particular sensations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However, since cervical dilation mainly occurs during labor<\/strong>, it is possible to watch out for these labor signs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Labor is precisely the period that marks the beginning of contractions until the placenta is delivered<\/strong>. It is a physically intense experience for the body that comes with:<\/p>\n

Labor contractions<\/strong>: regular (in frequency, duration, and intensity), becoming closer together and more intense. They encompass the entire abdomen and may radiate into the back. Be careful not to confuse them with Braxton-Hicks contractions (irregular, painless, and resolving on their own). As mentioned earlier, it is the labor contractions that enable the cervix to open.<\/p>\n

\"Braxton-Hicks<\/a><\/p>\n

Rupture of the amniotic sac<\/strong>: either a full rupture (a gush of fluid running down the legs) or a leak (a light flow). When the water breaks before labor, contractions often appear within hours. Why? Amniotic fluid contains prostaglandins\u2014hormones that promote the onset of contractions and cervical changes. Similarly, if the sac ruptures during labor, contractions intensify and cervical dilation becomes easier.<\/p>\n

Good to know: losing the mucus plug (a viscous, brownish vaginal discharge) does not predict immediate labor. However, it does indicate that the cervix has probably begun to change slightly (it is not necessary to see a doctor just for this).<\/p>\n

Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span>download the May app<\/span><\/a>, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I check my own cervical dilation?<\/h2>\n

In theory, it is possible for a woman to check her own cervical dilation in the same way that healthcare professionals do\u2014by touch<\/strong>, inserting one or more fingers into the vagina depending on the stage. In practice, this is not so easy. During pregnancy, your belly makes the maneuver awkward<\/strong>, if not impossible.<\/p>\n

Moreover, very few people can accurately determine whether their cervix is open or not without prior training. This expertise can, for example, be acquired by users of fertility awareness methods (FAM)<\/strong>, which are scientific methods for tracking the ovulatory cycle based on daily observation of female fertility \u201cbiomarkers.\u201d However, cervical evaluation during labor is quite different, and even with that knowledge, it\u2019s not easy to do.<\/p>\n

In any case, it\u2019s best to consult a healthcare professional<\/strong> if you think labor has begun\u2014they can check precisely how dilated your cervix is, if you wish.<\/p>\n

What is the importance of cervical dilation in the birth process?<\/h2>\n

As mentioned earlier, cervical dilation is crucial during childbirth<\/strong>. Thanks to the pressure exerted by the fetal pole on the cervix (the baby and everything around it) with each contraction, the cervix gradually opens. Hormones<\/strong>\u2014prostaglandins and oxytocin\u2014work together to make this possible. As it opens, the cervix creates a passage for the baby<\/strong> to move out of the uterus. This clearly shows the vital importance of cervical dilation.<\/p>\n

Once dilation reaches 10 cm<\/strong>, the descent and expulsion phase can begin. Conversely, if the cervix stops opening despite active labor, the baby will not be able to pass, which may lead the medical team to perform a cesarean section<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, if the cervix opens too early during pregnancy, it may indicate a risk of premature birth<\/strong>. Cervical opening therefore plays a key role in both pregnancy and childbirth.<\/p>\n

What are the stages of cervical effacement and dilation?<\/h2>\n

Cervical dilation and effacement are the first stages of labor<\/strong>, which itself is divided into three stages (dilation, descent, and delivery). It is during the first stage\u2014dilation (itself divided into two phases)\u2014that the cervix changes.<\/p>\n

The latent phase<\/h3>\n

During this phase, which has a very variable duration<\/strong> (from a few hours to several days!), the cervix changes gradually in two main steps: it effaces, meaning it shortens<\/strong>, and then begins to dilate progressively, meaning it opens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When the cervix effaces during labor, it goes from about 4 cm thick to the thickness of a sheet of paper<\/strong>. It then opens up to about 5 cm (in practice, it often begins to open before being fully effaced).<\/p>\n

\"latent<\/a><\/p>\n

Other characteristics of the cervix also change during this phase, such as its position<\/strong> and its consistency<\/strong>. The midwife, by performing a vaginal exam, assesses all these factors.<\/p>\n

The active phase<\/h3>\n

During this phase, contractions are very regular and close together<\/strong> and continue to intensify. The cervix keeps opening, moving from 5 to 10 cm of dilation<\/strong>, known as \u201cfull dilation.\u201d After a rather slow progression in the previous phase, the rhythm now intensifies sharply.<\/p>\n

\"complete<\/a><\/p>\n

Once the cervix is fully dilated, the next stages of labor can follow: the baby\u2019s descent into the pelvis, expulsion<\/strong>, and finally delivery of the placenta<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For more information on this topic, feel free to read our article \u201cLabor and Delivery, Step by Step,\u201d written by midwife Anne-Laure Tram on the May app.<\/p>\n

Should I see a doctor if I think my cervix is open?<\/h2>\n

During pregnancy, it\u2019s common to feel a heaviness in the vaginal area<\/strong>: the uterus gets heavier, and its weight can press on the perineum, especially when standing for long periods. This is a common sensation that, without associated contractions<\/strong>, should not be concerning.<\/p>\n

As we\u2019ve seen, it\u2019s unlikely that you will actually feel your cervix opening. It\u2019s generally the contractions that accompany this opening<\/strong> that should guide you to the hospital.<\/p>\n

\u27a1\ufe0f Before 37 weeks of amenorrhea (WA)<\/strong>: consult if you have more than 10\u201315 contractions per day.<\/p>\n

\u27a1\ufe0f After 37 WA<\/strong>: go directly to the hospital after 1\u20132 hours of intense, regular contractions (every 5 minutes or less).<\/p>\n

Did you know? During childbirth preparation classes<\/strong>, you\u2019ll learn how to recognize labor contractions.<\/p>\n

To recap, other reasons to go to the emergency room during pregnancy<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n