Wash your hands thoroughly
Trim and clean your fingernails
Find a comfortable position, such as squatting, sitting on the toilet, or standing with one leg raised
Relax your pelvic muscles as much as possible
Gently insert one or two clean fingers into the vagina
Reach toward the back and upward until you feel the cervix
Identify the cervix as a firm, round, slightly dimpled structure
Check whether the cervix feels closed, slightly open, or more open
Estimate dilation by comparing the opening size to finger width
Stop if you feel pain, bleeding, or strong discomfort
Avoid checking if your water has broken, if you have bleeding, or if your healthcare provider advised against it
Contact a healthcare professional for accurate assessment of dilation