Summarize the following:
There are many indicators of dilation that don’t require inserting your fingers into your vagina. This can be especially helpful if you are in a lot of pain or discomfort. Most women will make some type of sound when they’re in labor. Listening to what types of sounds you’re making can cue you into how much you’re cervix has dilated. The following sounds can accompany the various stages of labor and cervical dilation:  At 0-4 centimeters dilated, you may not be making much noise and can talk through a contraction with little effort. At 4-5 centimeters, it may be difficult to nearly impossible to talk. Your noises may still be quiet. Between 5-7 centimeters, you may make louder and staccato noises. It should be nearly or completely impossible to talk through contractions. Between 7–10 centimeters (2.8–3.9 in), you may be making very loud noises and shouldn’t be able to talk through a contraction. If you’re a silent laborer, you can also check your dilation. Tell someone to ask you a question at the start of a contraction. The less you are able to say a sentence, the farther along your dilation is. Childbirth is an inherently emotional experience for the woman in labor. Watching what emotions you’re experiencing can cue you into how far your cervix is dilated. You may have the following emotions during labor:  Happiness and laughter between 1-4 centimeters Smiley and laughing at little things between contractions between 4-6 centimeters Irritation at jokes and small talk around 7 centimeters until birth. Many people will notice certain scents when a woman gets to between 6 and 8 centimeters dilated. The smell of labor is deep, heavy, and dusky—not musky. If you notice a distinct change to these scents in the smell of the room in which you’re laboring, your cervix may be between 6 and 8 centimeters dilated. Some women may see a stringy mucus discharge at 39 weeks that is tinged pink or brown with blood. This bloody show may continue through the early stages of labor. At 6-8 centimeters dilated, however, a lot of blood and mucus may be present. Looking for these substances can indicate that you’re somewhere between 6-8 centimeters dilated. The purple line is located in your natal cleft, or what some people call the butt crack. This line can be a measure of how far you’re dilated, with it reaching the top of your cleft at full dilation. You may need someone to help you examine your purple line. Recognize that in the early stages of labor that the purple line will be closer to the anus. As your labor progresses, it will creep up between your buttocks. At full dilation, the purple line will extend to the top of your natal cleft. Many women experience physical signs of dilation that are visible without a vaginal examination. In general, many will feel like they have the flu as they get close to 10cm and/ or the pushing phase. Scanning your body for these signs and symptoms can help you figure out how much your cervix has dilated. In most, cases, a combination of these signs can indicate how you’re your cervix is dilated.  Feeling like you have to vomit, having a flushed face and feeling warm to the touch can mean you’re about 5 centimeters dilated. You may also tremble uncontrollably. Vomiting alone may be the result of emotions, hormones, or fatigue. Seeing if your face is flushed with no other signs can be a good indicator that you’re 6-7 centimeters dilated. Be aware that trembling uncontrollably without any other signs can indicate fatigue or fever. See if you’re curling your toes or standing on your toes, which is a sign you’re between 6 and 8 centimeters dilated. Check your buttocks and upper thighs for goosebumps, which is a good sign that you’re at 9-10 centimeters. Recognize that having involuntary bowel movements is also a sign of full dilation. You may also see or feel the head at your perineum. As your baby descends into the birth canal, you will feel pressure at different points along your back. The more you dilate, the farther down your back the pressure will be lower. It will generally move from the rim of your pelvis down to your tailbone.
Listen for the sounds of dilation. Pay attention to your emotions. Smell for dilation. Look for blood and mucus. Examine the purple line. Scan how your body feels. Feel for pressure in your back.