Can you feel that you are dialated/effaced?

Al

I’m getting my cervix checked for the first time in the morning. I’m 36+3 and the doc just wants to see how it’s going down there I guess. I’ve heard that women will find that they are effaced or dilated when they get their first check.

My question to those who were surprised to be told they were effaced or dilated, could you physically feel that the baby was that close and had your baby noticeably dropped already?