Dilation confusion

[EffyM]

Dr said today that I was no where near ready to dilate
The check was very painful and it felt like she had to travel waaaay up in there ....

Not 2 weeks ago she said I probably wouldn't dilate because my babies head seemed large .... Now she just says she's not ready

So my confusion I guess is a few things

When should dilation start?
Will I know on my own with out being checked ( ie before my next appt)
Does it hurt?

 

[punk_pig]

Dilation can start to happen at any point and some people don't notice it happening amongst all the usual aches and pains of pregnancy. Here in the UK we are not routinely checked for dilation because knowing you are or aren't doesn't make any difference to when LO will be born.

Regarding whether it is painful - most of the contractions you will have during labour are working to thin and dilate your cervix (only towards the very end do they have anything to do with pushing baby out) so if you find your contractions painful I guess you could say dilating hurts, but it isn't like you can feel it in your cervix as a separate pain to the contraction.