Is My Body Ready?

[newlife]

Well, all through my pregnancy I have been checking my cervix, I know dialation and effacement aren't supposed to show anything. But Late last week, my cervix was about it's normal size and very firm. I check it last night, and I would say that I am almost 100% effaced (maybe 90% - 95%). This has me really excited, eventhough it really means nothing. Do ya'll think that effacement is any indication of a labor soon to come?

[kirei]

I would say that it's an indication of progress, but from what I have heard -- not an indication that anything is necessarily going to happen soon. The same would go for dilation -- so many people have said they've walked around at 1, 2, 3 cms for weeks! :

That said -- HOW is it that you can reach your cervix?? I don't know if you had previously given me advice on it ... but I have lately been so frustrated because I've been trying to check myself, and I just can't reach. No matter WHAT I do ... no luck.

I'm guessing that it's just something that some people can do, and some can't? Do you ever find it difficult to reach?

[newlife]

Thanks, that is what I figured but I hope I am making real progress.And no it is not that difficult to reach. It is harder now because I am so effaced. But normally pretty easy. Have you ever tried reachiing with a q-tip. That is what I did when I first got pregnant (and still do), to check for any blood that may not be heavy. If you can feel it with a q-tip you should be able to do it with your fingers, unless you fingers are really short (mine are short, but I can still reach). Another reason may be that your vagina is really long. I would say mine is average. Okay but here is what I do. Wash your hands really well, and clean under your fingers. Sit on the toilet, as if you are using it. Then lean back, and push your butt up, stick your finger in and reach back. Thats all.

[Boobs]

I was wondering the same thing. Mine is really soft, but last night was the first time I've checked mine, so I don't know if this is a new thing. I don't think I'm ready, but man am I READY! I'm so done with being pregnant and still a month to go.

[newlife]

Originally Posted by peacefulvegan

I was wondering the same thing. Mine is really soft, but last night was the first time I've checked mine, so I don't know if this is a new thing. I don't think I'm ready, but man am I READY! I'm so done with being pregnant and still a month to go.

I know just what you mean!!!... I am so ready, but I am not. It sometimes still amazes me that I have this little person inside. Just a while ago I was in bed and looking over my tummy to see the tv (I was on my back). Then all of the sudden it went fom even to lopsided. My little man moved his head over to the other side to get more comfy. It's so cute. Even though I am ready to have him, I just know I will miss the moments of pregnancy like that. He is growing up so fast already, and he's still in the womb. Well I guess that's life for you. How the time flies by. I just came up with my New Year's resolution. It is to, "Savor Every Moment." Huh, "SEM". I like it, I really do.

[mehndi mama]

Your dilation and effacement can also regress, especially when you're still quite a few weeks from your due date. So checking dilation & effacement might be useful for getting info on emergency situations (i.e. do I need to stop these contractions I am having, or should I just relax & not worry?), but as far as indicating whether or not you'll make it to your due date or not, it really doesn't tell you much.
With my 3rd baby, I labored for about 5 hours or so, got to 8 cm 100% effaced, then my contractions stopped and I regressed to 3cm 70% effaced. And that was at home, where there are presumably no distractions to inhibit "progress". The baby was born 1 week later.

I'm also having trouble finding my cervix - last night, I was contracting quite a bit, and I wanted to check & see if anything was happening before I decided whether to stop the contractions herbally or not. All I could feel was a big round ball of baby-head underneath a layer of vaginal/cervical tissue! I had to reach REEEALLY far back to get to my cervical ridge, which I've never had to do before! No dilation at all, thank goodness, but boy oh boy are things thin in there!

[Boobs]

Ooh! Stell! That makes me wish I had longer fingers! :LOL My husband and midwife can both feel the baby's head externally, but I can't seem to. I'd love to be able to feel it.

[newlife]

Originally Posted by peacefulvegan

Ooh! Stell! That makes me wish I had longer fingers! :LOL My husband and midwife can both feel the baby's head externally, but I can't seem to. I'd love to be able to feel it.

Me too!!!...