I found this on a very informative website at http://www.natural-pregnancy-mentor.com/vaginal-exams.html. I think this is amazing, and I wish more midwives used this technique. Many women in labour ask how far dilated they are (and even more midwives like to check), but don’t necessarily want to have a vaginal exam in the throes of labour. Looking for external signs of dilation, and then giving that information to the mother if she wants it is a great solution. It also decreases the chances of infection, premature rupture of the membranes, not to mention the discomfort!
Remember that if you don’t want to have a vaginal exam in labour, you can request not to – it is a good thing to put in your birth plan! Bub will come when it is ready and you are open enough, and often knowing how far you have dilated is not a useful tool. You should also check on effacement (thinning) of the cervix). Many women find that knowing their dilation can disappoint them, if they haven’t “progressed” as far as they would like. It is definitely a good idea to think about it before your labour, and how you would feel if things seem to be moving slowly. If it is going to de-motivate you, perhaps it is better not to know.
“Anne Frye – a world renowned midwife – says that dilation can be ascertained without a vaginal exam. That’s right checking dilation without a vaginal exam is possible! There is way to check by gauging fundal height – where the top of your uterus is located – in relation to your xiphoid process.
Your xiphoid process is the cartilage at the lower end of your sternum – rib cage.
Your birth attendant can determine how many fingerbreadths of space are between the fundus and xiphoid process at the height of a contraction.
5 fb = no dilation
4 fb = 2 cm
3 fb = 4 cm
2 fb = 6 cm
1 fb = 8 cm
0 fm = complete
To some this does not make sense: that the space between your xiphoid and your fundus shortens – becomes narrower – dilation advances since your baby engages more and more as the contractions push him inside the birth canal. Remember, the upper segment of your uterus thickens as labor advances. Your uterus also rises more as contractions intensify. This is also the reason why this must be done at the height of a contraction.Midwives have reported this to be very accurate…and a bonus no fingers where they do not belong!”
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