How Do Doctors Check Your Cervix For Dilation. During labor, the cervix goes from closed (0 centimeters dilated) to fully dilated (10 centimeters dilated). If you feel an opening in the cervix, this means dilation has occurred.
When you begin to dilate, the tip will be as big as a finger, which is the equivalent of 1cm. You can check the dilation of your cervix at home by performing the following steps. However, a cervical exam at this stage does allow a practitioner to determine dilation and possibly the position of the baby.