We don’t need cervical checks to know how dilated you are
Leading up to labour, first-time birthers are very curious about what the different stages of labour feel like. Most are usually pretty interested in finding out how many centimetres dilated they are too. Luckily, we can get a pretty good idea of how far along labour is by observing how the birther is acting.
How you react in labour tells us more than cervical checks. Dilation only shows how open the cervix is in that moment. The body in labour is constantly changing.
Some find cervical checks very uncomfortable and even painful. But for whatever reason, if cervical checks in labour don’t feel right for you, there are many signs to tell us what phase you are at.
Recap, there are
3 stages of labour
Stage 1: is made up of 3 phases (what we’ll be looking at in this post)
Early phase, active phase, and transition phase
Stage 2: Pushing stage until the baby is born
Stage 3: Birth of the placenta
Let’s look at stage 1, the 3 phases of labour
Phase 1: Early phase
Early phase lasts on average, 12-24 hours for first labours. It could as little as a few hours or as much as a few days
Dilation is usually between 0cm to 6cm.
In early labour you may feel:
Confused, you may wonder if you’re in labour
Mixed emotions including excited, unease, nervous, happy
Easily distractible
Desire to go to the hospital/call midwives too early
Crampy contractions low in the uterus
Other signs could include:
Losing mucous plug
Pinky-tinged mucous
Diarrhea
Dull back ache
Phase 2: Active phase
Active phase lasts around 2-12 hours for first labours.
Dilation is usually between 7cm to 8cm.
Contractions are becoming more noticeable in pattern and intensity. You will start to feel the contractions higher up in the uterus.
In active labour you may feel:
Talkative and excited, but unable to speak during contractions
Desire to focus on labour and contractions
Like you may have “overreacted” to early labour
Change in personality
Want extra support and to move around
Other signs include:
Blood from the uterus
Waters may release
Phase 3: Transition phase
This is the shortest and most intense phase, but it’s the most exciting phase because it’s the closest you’ve been to meeting your baby! Transition phase lasts up to 2 hours for first labours.
Dilation is between 9cm to 10cm.
In transition you may feel:
Very focused and serious
Probably not tolerating small talk or humour
Ready to give up
Like you can’t do it anymore
Animalistic and intuitive
Increasing pressure in the rectum during contractions
Other signs include:
Nausea, shaking, hiccups, or indigestion
Blood
Likely water releases
As a doula, I don’t perform any medical procedures or check. I rely solely on how you act and the sensations you’re telling me you’re feeling. I’m constantly adapting my support based on what you need.
Interesting in having a doula at your birth? Check out my services to learn more.