Posterior cervix?

[sgmom]

I decided to start a new thread instead of adding to my other one. I've just done some online searching and haven't found the answer.

If (during early labor) your cervix is still posterior, will it still efface and dilate? Is it possible that it would just do it's job for baby to move through, but never move anterior enough to check the status? It seems strange to me that my baby is so low that even I can feel his head (quite easily), but not low enough to put enough pressure on it to bring it forward.

It would be nice to know if SOME progress is being made with all the pain I've been in...

Thanks.

[valkyrja]

i´m right there with you. i´m running out of time. found out today after full night of contractions spaced 10-15 minutes apart, that my cervix is STILL POSTERIOR...sucks...and i´m still fingertip dilated/50% effaced SINCE FRIDAY. would love to hear what the forum has to say about posterior cervix?
i´m running out of time for my vbac...deadline set by my OBs is Friday (42 weeks)...

[MyFillingQuiver]

My cervix has always been "extremely high and posterior" all the way until about 5 cm! In fact, vaginal exams are about the worst part of birth for me..but only having had hospital births (up until this next one!) it's part of the deal. I basically have to be "fisted" in order to be reached! It's always been a source of discouragement to me in labor, so I plan on having zero exams in labor this time for a homebirth. Once I hit about 5 cm, I dilate and deliver within about 1 hr.

What happens to me, is that my babies drop very low, and in an exam, the OB has "run into baby's head" before the cervix. So, they have to go around the head to get to the cervix, which is essentially up and behind the baby's head.

I'm not sure why my body works this way, but it is NOT a failure! Don't let this worry you...Contractions serve to soften, dilate, AND change cervical position, as the cervix is pulled to the proper position..once that happens, baby's head applies the pressure needed, and bam, a baby is born.

Allow your body the time, and realize that even in labor you may stay posterior...do NOT let that be a reason for a "FTP" diagnosis! Have confidence and know it will work!

Blessings!

[sgmom]

THANK YOU. This makes me feel SO much better.

I saw my chiropractor today, btw. My SI joint (mostly the left side) was completely seized up, which could also be why things aren't progressing smoothly. She got it loosened up, but it's still pretty tight. So I'll be seeing her every other day until the baby is born. Hopefully sooner than later.

She's also going to send me a sheet of some exercises I can do to help get baby in a better position... not that he's not already (he's LOA), but if my hips are out of alignment, that could certainly not work in my favor for a VBAC.

And what's FTP?

[MyFillingQuiver]

FTP is failure to progress. While I've never been "diagnosed" with that, I was close in my 2nd pregnancy-an induction. You simply don't follow the "labor curve" as easily with a persistent posterior cervix! It takes all those contractions to move it..but it's as natural, normal and can be just as quick (or even "faster" than average in my case) than a cervix that is easily reached.

I'm so glad to hear about the chiropractics for you! Certainly alignment issues, tightness does no good for the whole process, so it can only help!

I'd love to get a PM from you when you deliver successfully. It makes me so happy to hear these great VBAC stories!

I had a VBA2C (2 vag births, c-section for transverse baby and forced repeat-VBAC ban, then VBA2C) last June, and I'm planning my first HB for this next baby.

Blessings to you!

[sgmom]

Oh, silly me. I should have known that! haha! Thanks.

I'm not at all worried about FTP. I would just rather not go into labor and not know WTH is going on with my status (Am I effaced? Dilated? Am I making progress? Are these contractions doing anything at all? Etc). I had some complications with my last birth (thank you, hospital intervention) that led to a c-section that I believe could have been avoided, so this posterior cervix thing is a little annoying. It's always been really low and easy to access, so this "high posterior and to the right" thing is a little strange to me, is all.

valkyrja: Has anything happened? Since your "deadline" is tomorrow, please give us an update.

[valkyrja]

FTP. LOL. just celebrated my VBAC despite unfavorable cervix. at my last OB appointment May 11th he said I better pack my bags for the hospital c/s scheduled Friday (deadline was 42 weeks)...i was still posterior, 50% effaced and fingertip dilated...after a number of false labors, painful contractions that weren't doing anything...well, my daughter thankfully decided on her own birthday and May 12th she was born in a beautiful VBAC experience. I did most of the labor at home with my doula. after painful hours of ctxs I thought we were in the transition stage (was literally puking of pain) = and couldn't believe it when they told me at the hospital I was only 1 cm dilated...the nurse comforted me and told me that for some the longest and hardest part of labor is getting to 100% effacement. the OB discharged me and suggested we take a long walk, i was in so much pain that i ended up bouncing on my birth ball in the hospital cafeteria because I could not imagine driving back home. my husband and i went for a couple of short walks, and 1-2 hours later we went in for a re-check because I was not handling the pain anymore...it so happened that I was already at 4 cm and after that it went amazingly quickly - it took another hour to get to 10 cm and the pushing took less than an hour it was an amazing experience. i feel so blessed. the OB let me keep her in my lap while my husband cut the cord and I got to nurse her right away, while delivering the placenta. it was such an amazing experience, i feel truly blessed. one of the OBs on the floor said that I have a "cookie" cervix...well, even if i'm not a textbook laborer WE DID IT, nature always finds a way

[sgmom]

Amazing!

With my daughter, I was 100% effaced and 4cm dilated for almost a month before I went into labor (and even then I had to be induced), and I STILL got "stuck" at 6cm. I eventually did dilate to 10cm, but had a cervical lip that prevented my daughter to pass through. She was born 9lbs 1oz via c/s after 26 hours of labor...

I love this story. Minus all the pain, of course. lol

[CookAMH]

I just know I am going to be reading a VBAC story from you very soon!! Keep it up, stick in there. YOU CAN DO IT. That is great you went to the chiro.