As you near your due date, you might be wondering about your labor and when will it start. The common things that most of us know about pregnancy is that your cervix starts to get soft, thin and opens as you near your labor. You also feel contractions, and it only becomes stronger after your water breaks.How does the cervix work?Well, it may come as a surprise, but your cervix changes positions many times throughout your menstrual cycle, way before pregnancy. During ovulation, as your body prepares for conception, your cervix may rise alongside. It also allows the menstrual tissue to pass through the vagina. When you menstruate, your cervix dilates up to 1 centimeter to let the blood and tissue leave your body.Dilation basically means that your cervix is making a passageway from the uterus to the vagina and in pregnancy these hormones cause further changes in your body. As of all the changes, your mucus gets thicker, and causes a plug in the opening of cervix. This also prevents bacteria and other pathogens from reaching the developing baby. What happens during pregnancy?During pregnancy, your cervix dilates from 1 centimeter and goes all the way up to 10 centimeters. Most women do not notice any signs or symptoms of their cervix dilating, especially for first-time moms, it remains long and closed until the delivery day. Moms who have had a child before may be dilated for weeks leading up to their delivery day.This is where contractions come in, as it helps the cervix dilate and efface from the beginning stages to the full 10 centimeters.What to keep in mind?If you are 1 centimeter dilated, it does not mean you have to go into labor today, it might take a week from now. However, it does mean you are nearing your due date.There are other signs you can keep a note of. One of them is called lightening, this is when your baby drops close to your due date and starts to settle lower in your pelvis to prepare for delivery. It can happen for days or even weeks before you go into labor.You can also feel contractions and if your are feeling contractions which are no frequent, then they are Braxton-Hicks or practice contractions. However, if you notice contraction in regular intervals, ever 5 minutes, 10 minutes or 12 minutes, it means your contractions are real.Then comes the rupture of membrane, this happens when your water breaks and you experience a large gush or trickle of fluid, typically clear and odorless. This is when you must call your doctor and take note of any other symptoms like contractions, pain, or bleeding. When is it a sign of concern?If you are experiencing bleeding or leaking of fluid anytime near your pregnancy, especially before 37 weeks.If you have a bloody discharge after 37 weeks.Can you check your dilation?Technically, yes, you can check your dilation, however it is not simple. Experts also say that those who have routinely done cervix checks on patients are not accurate when it comes to them. This is because the positioning may be tricky. However, if you are determined, this is what you can try, but it is always best to check with your doctor first:Wash your hands, and trim your nails to avoid any internal cuts.Squat with both legs spread, place a mirror below.Insert your index and middle finger.Assess your dilation, if one fingertip fits through, you are 1 centimeter dilated, if 2 fingers fit, you are 2 centimeter dilated. This is how you can measure how far apart you are.