First of all- I want to preface this entire article with- you DO NOT need a cervical check at any point in labor! You can very well have a beautiful birth experience without knowing at any point the information a cervical check would give you. However, if you decide that you want a cervical check- here is what you should know…
When you’re in labor, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—how many centimeters dilated you are, how long it’s taking to progress, and when you’ll be ready to push. While dilation is one of the key indicators healthcare providers often use to assess labor, it’s not the most important measure of progress. In fact, dilation in labor doesn’t really tell you the full story of what’s happening in your body or how close you are to meeting your baby. The true measure of labor progress is your baby’s station.
Here’s why dilation isn’t everything and why baby’s station should be your main focus during labor.
1. Dilation Is Just One Piece of the Puzzle
Dilation refers to how open your cervix is as it prepares for childbirth. However, just because your cervix is dilating doesn’t mean that labor is progressing efficiently- and vice versa! Labor is about more than just getting to 10 centimeters. Cervical dilation can happen gradually, it can stall at certain points, or it can progress very quickly -and that’s completely normal. The cervix needs to soften, thin (efface) and open, but it’s just one of several factors involved in the birth process.
As a result, labor isn’t just about reaching that magical number of 10 centimeters—it’s about how well your body and your baby are working together to make the process smooth and efficient. Dilation can be misleading, as it doesn’t give the full picture of the baby’s position, the strength of contractions, or what is happening in the birth canal.
2. What Really Matters: Baby’s Station
Baby’s station refers to the position of the baby’s head in relation to the ischial spines (bony landmarks in the pelvis). The station is measured in centimeters, and it helps determine how far down the baby has descended into the birth canal. The station begins at -3 as baby enters the inlet or top of pelvis, and ends at +3 or as baby is exiting the pelvic outlet or the bottom of the pelvis. This is what really matters for progress because it shows how well your baby is moving through the pelvis versus depending on how fast your cervix is dilating. Remember- your baby’s head on your perineum is what dilates your cervix- so knowing the station gives information on what to do in labor to help baby descend.
Baby’s station is key in determining whether labor is progressing in the right direction. Even if you’re not at 10 centimeters yet, if your baby is descending properly- you could be in the final stages of labor. On the other hand, if your baby is high in the pelvis or not descending effectively, the progress could be slower, regardless of cervical dilation.
3. Why Baby’s Station Is a Better Indicator of Progress
Unlike dilation, which can be slow and uneven, baby’s station gives a clearer understanding of how labor is progressing. A baby’s head needs to navigate through the pelvic inlet, mid-pelvis, and out of the birth canal. As your baby descends and moves lower into the pelvis, the station changes. If the baby is at station +1, +2, it’s a clear sign that things are moving in the right direction and the baby is almost ready to be born.
IF you decide you want a cervical check in labor, asking for the baby’s station can give you the information needed to help guide you, your partner or your doula in birth positions that will give your baby the space they need to rotate and move down. Check out Spinning Babies for more information on positions that you can use in labor to help with progress!
P.S. If you want expert guidance prenatally or during your labor on what exactly you need to be doing in labor to have a smoother birth- book a complimentary call with me HERE!
4. You Can Be Fully Dilated and Still Have a Long Way to Go
One of the misconceptions many women have is that once they reach 10 centimeters of dilation, they are immediately ready to push. In reality, full dilation doesn’t always mean the baby is ready to be born. If the baby is still high in the pelvis, there may be more waiting involved- also called laboring down. If you begin pushing without your baby being low, it’s pretty likely that you and your baby will get exhausted quickly. Conversely, if your baby is at a low station and engaged, you might be ready to start pushing sooner, even if you’re not fully dilated yet.
Understanding that dilation isn’t the only measure of readiness can help you stay more grounded and patient during labor. Focus on how your body is feeling, how your contractions are progressing, and the position of your body and your baby.
5. Prenatal Cervical Checks are Pointless
In fact, prenatal cervical checks can be more problematic than beneficial. Not only are they absolutely uncomfortable… a cervical check can also increase your risk (among other risks) for infection and can also get you up in your head and out of your body.
One of the main reasons cervical checks are done prenatally is to assess how ready the body is for labor. Many mamas assume that once they reach a certain degree of dilation (like 3 or 4 centimeters), labor is imminent. However, dilation doesn’t necessarily correlate with when labor will start.You can be dilated several centimeters for weeks before going into active labor. On the other hand, some women go from being closed (or high and tight!) to fully dilated in a matter of hours. Saying all that- knowing your dilation is *most likely* serving your curiosity of what your body is doing versus giving you any information about when labor will start! Keep in mind that even if you’re dilated prior to labor beginning, your baby is likely going to be high in your pelvis. You need labor to begin for your baby to be able to make any progress down the birth canal.
Dilation is an important aspect of labor, but it isn’t the be-all and end-all of your birth experience. What really matters is baby’s station and how your baby is descending through the birth canal. Understanding this can help you feel more empowered, patient, and connected to the process of labor.
All in all- there are definite benefits to knowing your dilation and station of baby during labor. There are also cons! Focusing on the bigger picture and staying intuitively connected to your baby and your body in labor can encourage less stress and full trust in your body and the beautiful process that is birth.
-If you want to take a deeper dive on all things birth preparation and planning- I have the knowledge and expertise as a prenatal fitness coach and birth doula to help you have the birth of your dreams. Book a free call with me here and let’s dive in!