Over a year ago, we published a video on how to find out if and how much you are dilated. However,
we constantly learn new things and try new things. And so, we wanted to publish an updated video!
Yes. So, in this video, we are first going to share with you the signs that women often observe
when they are dilating. Then we are going to discuss the purple line which some women develop
and which could give you a rough idea if and how much you are dilated. Plus,
we are also gonna share with you what we have learned over the past year about its accuracy.
Yes. And then we are also gonna share with you another method which we did not discuss in our last
video. And that method can tell you quite reliably, how much you are dilated,
if you do it the right way. Right. This is Nathalie, a pregnancy and birth consultant and TCM
therapist and that’s Mathias, a researcher and science geek, and we help mommies naturally and
science-based. So, are you ready to find out if your cervix is dilating?
Okay, so first of all: what does it feel and look like when your cervix is dilating? Well,
the first cervix dilation sign are lightning crotches. And they are basically a sharp or
shooting pain which a woman may feel in her pelvis, in her rectum or in her vagina, right? Now,
technically, if you feel lightning crotches, it is not your cervix that you are feeling.
Instead, they can occur when your baby’s head descends so deep into your pelvis
that it puts pressure on ligaments and nerves. Yes. However, at the same time, your baby’s head
will also put more pressure on your cervix which supports cervical dilation. And because of that,
lightening crotches are often referred to as “cervix dilation pain”. Right!
Next on our list of cervix dilation symptoms is mucus plug discharge. So, imagine that this is
your uterus. Baby is in there, right? This is your cervix and the cervix connects the
uterus with your vagina. So, if we were to look into your cervix during your pregnancy,
we would see a thick jelly-like substance which is the mucus plug. And it basically prevents bacteria
from entering the uterus. But at some point, you are going to lose the mucus plug. Yes.
Now, basically, you can also lose your mucus plug if your cervix is not dilating. However,
it is more likely to happen, if your cervix is dilating because then it kind of loses grip.
And eventually it will come off. So that is why it can be another sign of dilation. Right. The
next cervix dilation sign is what is called bloody show. When a cervix starts to
thin out and dilate, small capillaries are being burst. And when this happens, it can cause a bit
of bleeding. Therefore, you are most likely gonna see some light bloody discharge. And
it is not uncommon that this happens together with the mucus plug discharge. Yes. So, if you observe
a pinkish or brownish mucus, then it is normally a sign of a bloody show. And this can mean that your
cervix has started to dilate. However, we are not talking about vaginal bleeding, okay? So if
your discharge is red or bright red, then please seek medical advice from your healthcare provider!
Okay and then the fourth cervix dilation symptom is cramping. It is very difficult to really say
for sure if any cramps that you are feeling are due to your cervical dilation. However,
if they occur just above your pubic bone, then it can be a sign that your cervix is dilating. Right! So,
as you can see the things that you are most likely going to feel and see are not so much because of
the cervical dilation itself but rather because of the many things that come with cervix
dilation. So, these signs are not super reliable. And because of that, we want to show you two
methods which can help you find out if your cervix is indeed dilating. Plus, they can even give you a
rough idea about how much your cervix has dilated already. Yes, the first approach is called “the
purple line”. We know it sounds like complete bull****. However, what we are about to tell you
is backed by scientific research. So, the purple line is basically a purplish or brownish line
which extends from a woman’s anus upwards to the top of the cleft between her buttocks.
So, if you too have a purple line, then you would see the line close to your anus first and then
extending upwards. Right. According to research, about 75% of women develop a purple line.
However, we believe it is much less, even less than 50%.
And by the way, women with dark skin color may also develop a purple line. But in that case, it
will often appear as a brownish or a gray line. Yes. Now, how is the purple line relevant? Well,
there is a scientific study which found two things: first of all, the scientists found
that if you have a purple line, then it is likely that your cervix has started to dilate.
Yes. And second, the length of the purple line could give you an approximate idea
about how much you are dilated. So, what you need to do or actually what your partner
needs to do is measure the length of the purple line from beginning to end. So, again,
if you have a purple line, you would see it close to your anus first and then it extends upwards.
Right. And then according to scientists, it would be so that if your own purple line is about 5cm long,
then it is likely, that your cervix is about 1 to 2 cm dilated. If your line is close to 8 cm long,
it is likely that your cervix is between 3 and 6 cm dilated. And then from there it is normally
so that, the further your cervix dilates, the more the two numbers, i.e. length of the line
and your cervical dilation will match. And just that you know: you can also find this table in the
description below this video with more information about the purple line. So, how accurate is this
method? Well, surprisingly, it can be quite accurate as we have learned, particularly
from all those women who sent us e-mails after we published our first video about the purple line.
However, we are not gonna lie to you: for some women, this method will not be accurate at all.
For example, it seems that some women develop a very long purple line, although they are hardly
dilated. So, please, do not fully rely on the purple line as a means of finding out how much you are
dilated. Yes. Of course, the only really reliable method is a cervical exam done by a professional
which however, most women don’t really feel comfortable with, right? But here is the good news:
you can also check your cervical dilation yourself in the comfort of your own home. And this is the
second method that we want to show you now. Yes. It may feel strange when you do this the very first time.
However, as you get familiar with yourself down there, things are gonna be much easier. Just keep
in mind that there are circumstances under which you should not do this. Yes. Most importantly,
please don’t check your cervix when your water has broken, when you have cervical stitches
or when your provider has advised against it. Right. So, here is how to do it. First of all,
you have to make sure that your fingers are clean and sterilized. In fact, you are going to need a
hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Yes, you obviously want to prevent bacteria from
entering your vagina, right? And you should also cut your nails so that you don’t hurt yourself down there.
Next, you have to find a comfortable position. The easiest position is probably sitting in a chair
with one leg elevated on the table. However, it is also possible to do this in a squatting position.
Just keep in mind that it can obviously be very difficult to remain in a squatting
position for a longer period of time. So, sitting might be the better option. Right.
And then you will need to push your index and middle finger into your vagina as far as possible
so that you can reach your cervix! Obviously you can use a water-based pH-neutral lubricant
if required. And then just try to feel your cervix. Now, please keep in mind that the
cervix does not appear as a tube that you can hold on to as many people believe. Instead,
there is gonna be a little opening at the center and the question is, how big is that opening.
You are considered 1cm dilated if you can fit one fingertip and 2 cm if you can fit 2 fingertips,
although it obviously depends a little bit on the size of your fingers too. And then if it is more, you can
spread your fingers and see how far apart they go and then measure that distance. Yes. By the way:
you don’t need to stick your fingers all the way up your cervix, right? Fingertips will do. Also,
please keep in mind that as long as you are not in labor, you might not be dilated at all.
Women are often devastated when they they are like 39 weeks or even 40 weeks pregnant,
but are not dilated, not even a bit, right? But you have to understand that first of all, dilation is not
everything. There are other things that your body needs to do in order to prepare for labor.
And second, some women will not dilate at all before labor starts. That’s totally okay. For the
most part of your cervical dilation, you are going to need contractions. That’s just how it is, right? Yes.
What is true is that ideally, your cervix is at least one cm dilated, when labor starts
if this is your first baby. And two fingers if this is not your first baby. Okay? But again,
even if that’s not the case, there is no need to worry. Yes. In any case: we hope that you found this video
helpful. And we hope that we could help you get one step closer to meeting your little one.
Yes. Thanks so much for watching! And if you have liked this video, please leave us a
like or even a comment in the comment section below! Yes. And for more useful tips and tools
on pregnancy and baby-related topics, make sure to subscribe to our channel and to hit the bell!