cervix checkers - Page 2

[lovebeingamomma]

I named the thread "cervix checkers" for a reason, I'm not sure why you're posting if you have no intention of checking.  We all know we can't tell our cervix's what to do. 
 

Originally Posted by HappyMamaBeth 

I have no intentions of checking... I figure my cervix is gonna do what it wants when it wants LOL.

[lovebeingamomma]

I'm so curious too if I what I think I'm feeling is correct.  I'm getting checked on Friday to make sure my frequent ctx's aren't dilating me too much, so I'm going to check that morning and compare to what my midwife tells me.  I just learned about the ischial spine thing and checking station....trying to find my ischial spine now when I check, because the head is so low I think I could figure out station.  I find this all so fascinating! 
 

Originally Posted by Almamiel 

lovebeingamomma - excellent post - thanks!

Had midwife check my cervix yesterday after the GBS test - mostly because I was curious about how accurate my own checks were! It also gave her apprentice a chance to do an exam, too, which I'm cool with.

So, about 1cm dilated, 25% effaced, -1 station- just what I thought! Yay, me ;)

I'm pretty much always like this after 30 weeks, and don't typically do much more until labor actually begins (though this is number 3, so all bets are off, I hear).

36 w 3 days today.

[sharita]

So after some spotting after intercoursethat carried over into the next day, I got curious and checked.  I am not sure what is going on but I dont remember my cervix ever feeling like a warm marshamallow before.  It is so soft it has practically no firmness to it at all, I can just smush it around.  Weird!  A fingertip dilated which is normal since this is baby #6, I pretty much dont ever close even when not pregnant.

Anyone else got a super soft cervix?  Oh and the spotting stopped.  All is good, just irritated it. 

[ryleeee]

you had to go around the baby's head?!?! you could FEEL the baby's head?! that is so interesting to me...now i HAVE to check! haha

[lovebeingamomma]

when I was checking before the head really came down it was easy to reach my cervix, now I can't reach my cervix because the head has almost fully engaged, and the cervix is still posterior.  So if the baby's head has almost fully engaged, it's very easy to know that it's the head...hard rounded surface close to the the entrance of the vagina.  It really is cool :)  Oh just adding that I'm not feeling thru the cervix, so I'm not feeling the REAL head, just thru the vaginal wall. 

[lizzie]

Now see, I was all telling myself I was being a "good girl" and not checking down there every week or so... but I can't stand it. I haven't checked in a couple of months and now I'm going to have to after reading this to see what's up! ;)
 

Originally Posted by SallyNichole 

Want to know how to freak out a first time dad?

Seriously, how about a third time dad?! My dh wasn't going to leave on his last trip just because of all the B-H ctx I've been having. I don't know if he'll every get used to the idea of my body just going through some warm-up exercises for the big event. And he *knows* how it's always been before - he just cannot maintain his cool with a baby on the way it seems. Totally cute!

The other day, (again, he's a trucker) we were having an argument (about when/if our mothers were going to be around post partum, of all things) so we weren't really talking much to each other that day - but right before he went to sleep he texts me to ask "How's your stomach?" ... Uh... you mean, my uterus? And the baby inside of it? LOL... All of which he knows, but wow does his logical side take a vacation the last couple months of my pregnancies!

[lovebeingamomma]

my cervix came down, now I can get a finger thru and feel the head!  Thru the bag of waters, but the bag of waters is so thin it's obvious I've feeling the head.  So cool. 

[LacieD]

Well, at least I was right with my own observations!  Had an internal today, and I'm 3cm on the outside and 1cm on the inside.  I can't reach up far enough to feel the inside dilation, but I've been at least 2cm on the outside for quite a while.  

[lil_stinkyfeet]

Cervix is super low (has been whole pregnancy) I am about 2cm outside but 0 inside... I am only 33w so I am good with that!

I try not to check mine, I stripped my membranes with #3 and had a very loooong labor. With #4 I had PROM and ended up with a C-section so I don't want to do anything to encourage PROM again!

[Jynuine]

Originally Posted by lil_stinkyfeet 

Cervix is super low (has been whole pregnancy) I am about 2cm outside but 0 inside... I am only 33w so I am good with that!

I try not to check mine, I stripped my membranes with #3 and had a very loooong labor. With #4 I had PROM and ended up with a C-section so I don't want to do anything to encourage PROM again!

I have had my membranes stripped with my last 5 and it hasnt made anything longer. But with PROM, I totally agree. My last birth was great because the bulging waters actually paved the way for her allowing me to have a MUCH smoother transition. She was born 5 min post spontanious rupture. If you are over 5 cent or so it SHOULD be pretty safe to help that along (as long as theyre engaged and there is no cord prolapse) but I generally say , "Keep away from my membranes!"

Im big on the membrane sweeping though :)

[Jynuine]

Originally Posted by LacieD 

Well, at least I was right with my own observations!  Had an internal today, and I'm 3cm on the outside and 1cm on the inside.  I can't reach up far enough to feel the inside dilation, but I've been at least 2cm on the outside for quite a while.  

Awesome! I know Ive been dilating because I lost a whole lot more of my plug today, but they havent done an internal since I went in with an irritated uterus at 5 mos. Im kind of hoping to get checked at my next appt so I can compare what Im feeling with what the midwife can feel!!!

[lil_stinkyfeet]

Well it probably would have worked a little better if I wouldn't have been waay to early and not ready to go into labor.

 In hindsight it worked out though b/c he was 9lbs 8oz at 37w and almost had shoulder distocia, so I was glad.  With #2 my doctor stripped my membranes and  I was at 3 and 80% and went immediately into hard labor and had him a couple hours later.

Originally Posted by Jynuine 

I have had my membranes stripped with my last 5 and it hasnt made anything longer. But with PROM, I totally agree. My last birth was great because the bulging waters actually paved the way for her allowing me to have a MUCH smoother transition. She was born 5 min post spontanious rupture. If you are over 5 cent or so it SHOULD be pretty safe to help that along (as long as theyre engaged and there is no cord prolapse) but I generally say , "Keep away from my membranes!"

Im big on the membrane sweeping though :)

Edited by lil_stinkyfeet - 4/16/11 at 8:20pm

[WriterMom2be]

I don't want to know anything about my cervix this time. It disappointed me with my last pregnancy.  I don't think it tells you much anyway. My water broke and I went into labor 5 days early even though I was barely effaced and 0 centimeters.  

If it encourages you, then it's a good thing. It just made me worry when I wasn't dilating before labor. I was so jealous of all the moms I knew walking around at 3 centimeters. 

[lovebeingamomma]

I check because I think it's amazing to feel the subtle changes, and feel baby's head!  I don't expect it to predict anything I just like being in tune with my body :)

[HappyMamaBeth]

Question for those of you who are checking yourselves--do you bleed from checking your own cervix??  Midwife checked mine last night (because I ended up going to L&D to be monitored for decreased fetal movement--and I was contracting every 2 minutes so she wanted to check just in case).  I'm only 3 cm (third baby), and I really didn't think she was rough or anything, but WOW I bled through my panties and onto my pajama pants... wore a pad to bed when I got home, and then this morning there was quite a clot in the toilet when I used the bathroom.  (FTR, DH and I do have sex regularly and I haven't been bleeding from that.) 

[kmb9906]

I checked myself last night, and I was surprised at how easy it was to find my cervix!  It's definitely anterior, and I could reach all the way up to the internal opening.  I would guess I'm about 2cm dilated.  As far as effacement, I have no idea.  Dilation is much easier for me to feel and figure out.

[littleteapot]

I haven't checked since baby dropped so I tried last night and was very disappointed to find that my cervix has changed position and is now WAY WAY back in my vaginal canal. I can't reach it anymore! Boo. :( I hope it rights itself in the next few weeks, otherwise labour is going to suck with a prolonged first stage to get everything aligned properly.

[lovebeingamomma]

no I never bleed.  Honestly that doesn't sound normal, a little blood maybe, but that much and a clot...if it were me I'd be concerned and would let my caregiver know.  Although I suppose it could just be the normal bloody show and you may go into real labor soon. 
 

Originally Posted by HappyMamaBeth 

Question for those of you who are checking yourselves--do you bleed from checking your own cervix??  Midwife checked mine last night (because I ended up going to L&D to be monitored for decreased fetal movement--and I was contracting every 2 minutes so she wanted to check just in case).  I'm only 3 cm (third baby), and I really didn't think she was rough or anything, but WOW I bled through my panties and onto my pajama pants... wore a pad to bed when I got home, and then this morning there was quite a clot in the toilet when I used the bathroom.  (FTR, DH and I do have sex regularly and I haven't been bleeding from that.) 

[lovebeingamomma]

mine keeps moving too and I can't reach it now!
 

Originally Posted by littleteapot 

I haven't checked since baby dropped so I tried last night and was very disappointed to find that my cervix has changed position and is now WAY WAY back in my vaginal canal. I can't reach it anymore! Boo. :( I hope it rights itself in the next few weeks, otherwise labour is going to suck with a prolonged first stage to get everything aligned properly.

[lil_stinkyfeet]

I never have either, I think that much blood would concern me. Maybe possibly you have a really low lying placenta?

Originally Posted by lovebeingamomma 

no I never bleed.  Honestly that doesn't sound normal, a little blood maybe, but that much and a clot...if it were me I'd be concerned and would let my caregiver know.  Although I suppose it could just be the normal bloody show and you may go into real labor soon.