Cervix Checkers Unite! « Back to Group Discussions

[BaileyB]

Anybody been checking their cervix this pregnancy? How has it changed, what should it feel like now in early 3rd trimester?

I haven't been checking mine this pregnancy, maybe only once a few months ago. I randomly checked lastnite before bed and it felt pretty soft to me and slightly open (only like a ginger tip). I don't think I even felt long enough to really have an idea of what all is going on at the moment.

Anyone else?

[timesway]

i tryed but i have TINY hands (like hands the size of a 10 year old) and i could almost reach but not quite i thought it felt a bit soft, but couldnt feel quite far enough to tell if it was open or anything.. its weird i was actually reading about this/trying to work out how to do this last night ;) psychic!!

[BabySmurf]

i'm so glad you started this! i tried to check last week or so after i was having some pretty intense BH...but i couldn't really reach very well.  what i did feel felt a bit soft and slightly open.. usually i'm not much of a worry wart, but for some reason this made me feel unsettled....i've been working up the courage to look again.  especially now since i see that i'm not the only one and we can see what's normal!

[berrymama]

Mine felt really soft, 50% ish effaced, and a fingertip (verified by my midwife). But the important thing to note (if you are concerned about dilating early on) is that there is an internal and external os. Though my external os was a fingertip, the internal os is closed (a good thing right now!).

[Quinalla]

I've been randomly checking mine and so far no changes. I think I have that external os open a bit like most of you, maybe a fingertip, but the internal feels tightly closed. It feels medium softness-wise. They've been checking length on the U/S and so far that has been nice and long and not moving much when they push down a bit. Last time I stayed pretty well closed until then end, curious to see how it goes this time.

[timesway]

i think i just checked mine right.. there was sortve some ridges.. and i could fit one finger in.. but then there was more room above to fit maybe another 1 or 2 fingers.. it was soft.. but felt a bit stretched within the centre.. im not entirely sure i was doing it right.. but this would be my guess.. what does all this mean?

[MarieWalter]

On a whim in the shower this morning I checked mine and it was SUPER soft and mushy. I didn't try to feel beyond that (eg for dilation). Now I wish I'd been checking periodically to see if this is my normal - I don't think I've checked it once since maybe 8-10 wks and my midwives haven't either. I haven't had any changes in mucus (just slightly more than usual which is to be expected) or been feeling any pressure or anything. I did do a ton of walking in the last few days and sometimes when I'm walking I feel like maybe I'm contracting a little (unsure - haven't had any distinct BH to compare the sensations with). My brain says not to worry about it, but of course I can't quite just will myself to stop!

Any thoughts? Is it normal for the cervix to soften well before it starts opening and well before my due date? I have an appt with an OB on Monday - have to get a Rhogram RX - and was planning to decline an internal exam, but I could have her do it just in case. I don't know her yet and vice versa, though, and I won't be sure what to make of whatever she might say. Blech! I could also call my midwife and just ask, I suppose. Or maybe wait a few days and check again myself before my next appointment with her, then have her check if I'm still worried.

I had a hard time finding good info on what's normal for the cervix around 30 weeks - anyone have a good link?

[MarieWalter]

I got a chance to ask my midwife about this - she cracked me up saying, "some women's cervixes are like wood the entire time and some are like marmalade" and basically don't worry about it if I haven't been having any other concerning symptoms. Soooo not gonna worry about it 

[BabySmurf]

Ah, good! I've been meaning to post and say something similar...but not as funny, lol! I just tried to check mine and still couldn't reach. Oh well.

[berrymama]

Rechecked mine last night because I had a crazy crampy night at work the other night, and a lot more yesterday while doing errands. I am more dilated than a month ago, an easy 1 cm (I was only fingertip before), about 50% effaced (I think, that one is more subjective).

[CoBabyMaker]

I would be interested to try but I haven't checked my cervix in so long I don't think I'd know what to "look" for.  I don't plan on letting my doctor check because I'm afraid he would use it to push delivering early so, hmm. I don't know. 

[amlikam]

I've tried, I don't know but I can't reach that sucker or anything close to it. I am impressed by you woman who can access it!! It is like the holy grail it seems. I do fee l a bit like a whale these days....I am seriously huge.

[Quinalla]

I haven't been able to reach mine the last few times I tried, I think my growing belly is getting in the way too much! Oh well, it doesn't really tell you much, but I always like to have info Maybe once I drop I'll be able to check again.