To cervix check or not to cervix check?

[jazcat]

Doc appt tomorrow AM - I'll be one day shy of 40 weeks. No signs of labor yet, although I have been feeling unusually hard pressure down there when walking around last few days. I know the results of the cervix check could mean nothing. But what if she checks and finds I've progressed quite a bit? Ok, I admit, I'm sooooooooo curious!

[Spark]

I think you should really let your heart guide you in this matter. Just be really clear with him/her that you don't want your membranes stripped.

Also, why not just check yourself instead? It is your body and dilation is a pretty easy thing, esp when talking a fingertip or two.

And, congrats on getting to meet you baby sometime relatively soon!

[jazcat]

My emotional side definitely wants to check! My logical side says what's it going to tell me? why risk infection? it will probably just make me more anxious, if that's possible

I did not know you could check yourself! I don't think I can do it - I'd worry about poking something, and would have no confidence in whatever I discover. I'd just assume the doc do it tomorrow. She definitely would not do anything without my permission...this hospital is very low intervention. In fact they have not even offered a cervix check. I'm assuming they will tomorrow since I'll be 40 weeks.

[crunchymomof2]

Definately do what you are comfortable with. I just wanted to mention that I did check myself with my last pregnancy and I loved it. It was empowering for me. I was able to see the changes over the last few weeks and I knew my body was working fine on its own.(Induced last time) Also I was able to check myself during labor and I would call and the my mw know what my assesment was so she knew when to get to my house. I got to feel the bones in my babies head overlaping and the bag of water and it was encouraging.As far as having confidence in what you find, it's never an exact science even for medical profesionals. Happy birthing vibes to you.

[alegna]

Personally I am against routine checks of any sort. I think that only your hands and your partner's hands belong in there.

I checked myself. No worries, there's nothing to poke or anything. It's your own body silly.

-Angela

[Storm Bride]

How can I do a self-check? I've never been able to reach my cervix. Is there a trick to it?

[crunchymomof2]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

How can I do a self-check? I've never been able to reach my cervix. Is there a trick to it?

I had trouble until the baby got lower. I did it on the toilet and put one of my feet up on the seat. That was the easiest way I found. Some days I couldnt reach it but most of the time I could reach at least the end of it.

[indie]

Originally Posted by jazcat

I'd just assume the doc do it tomorrow. She definitely would not do anything without my permission...this hospital is very low intervention.

Just as a word of warning, I had a doc. who didn't do much intervention but she striped my membranes with little warning and no explanation of what she was doing. It never hurts to make your wishes known just in case.

[Maggi315]

Well, I know most people and midwives don't like cervical checks, but I do. I like to know what is going on. the risk of infection is very, very small, nothing I would worry about. After all, most people want to decline the GBS test and the diabetes test, both of which carry risks if undetected, so why worry about a small infection risk? I would definitely let them know you don't want the membranes stripped if you don't so there is no confusion.

I also do cervical checks during labor. Most of my clients really want to know what is going on, I like to feel sutures and decide the best way to have her move to turn baby how I like it, make sure the contractions are really doing something, etc. But if someone doesn't want that done, fine.

Personally, I like to know. I guess I am too nosy, which is why I also found out this baby's sex-boy, when I said I wasn't going to, temptation was just too much.

I wouldn't stress too much about this, if you want to know, go ahead and find out, not really a big deal, imho.

[Spark]

Here's a quick link on self cervix checks. There are others explaining it as well, this is just the first one I found:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...t=cervix+check

[Pepper]

I never had any cervical checks at all during my last pregnancy and I really enjoyed the empowerment I felt from that.

I had one every week from week 37 on for my first two pregnancies and all they did was stress me out because I wasn't dilating "enough". How ridiculous that was !

I had my most recent baby 13 days ago at 41 weeks, 2 days gestation and I knew that when she was ready, she would be born Regardless of what some silly cervical check revealed.

[jazcat]

No check today. In fact, I don't even think it was an option, even if I wanted it. She said they will check next week if I am still pregnant, along with an ultrasound to check fluid levels and something else. I'm ok with that. The good news is the baby has "dropped" according to the doc, and I'm having contractions! Not real labor ones - but she felt one herself when I layed down. One second my whole tummy was tight, and then it loosened up. I had no idea this was a contraction. I can't even feel it from the inside. She said the baby "faired well" under the stress of the contraction. So I guess we found out things are progressing as they should, with no internal exam

[FrumDoula]

I'm a doula, and carry a dilation chart with me that I bought from Tracy (BEST Doulas in LA) at the last DONA conference.

Since I'm due anytime now as well, I have had my husband check me a couple of times and compare it against the dilation chart. It's been so incredibly empowering for both of us!

I'm telling you, there's a real difference between having your care provider check you, even if it's the best crunchy homebirth midwife, and your significant other. The whole vibe is different. Fascinating.

Good luck to you! As far as checking yourself, I am reminded of the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, where all the ladies look at their vaginas with mirrors (a theme also explored on Sex in the City, where Charlyotte did the same thing). It can be a slightly intimidating thing to check yourself or to even look at yourself if you're not used to it!

Alison

[Yummymummy74]

I don't have an issue at all with cervical checks ONLY if its done by the mama herslelf or her partner I think all other hands belong FAR AWAY!!! :LOL

Personally I can never ever reach my cervix.. well I prob could now since its anterior.. but its waaaay easier to let dh do it and I have to say its just not the same as having a stranger do it.. and it NEVER hurts, I mean you or your parnter I would imagine are very familiar with the territory

Anyhow its cool AND empowering in my books

[jazcat]

It does sound empowering. How on earth can you tell the difference between 2 cm and 3 cm? And the effacement? I'm also concerned because I'm GBS+ which means internals should be kept at a minimum. I don't know, maybe if we're lucky enough to have #2 I'll feel more confident about it.

[~Megan~]

Do it yourself, avoid infection.

No way that I'd let anyone put their hands up there without reason. I did with dd but I didn't know better.

If you can't get a good feel have your partner do it for you.

[Aeriane]

It's funny what you learn along the way. Especially about giving permission to health care providers. One time I had a midwife check my cervix when I was 41+ weeks, then she said "Hang on a minute". Went back in, stripped my membranes, didn't tell me. She said, ok well we'll go another week and see how you go. etc etc I said, what did you just do, why go in a second time?" She's like, "oh, to strip your membranes" I said "you did what to WHAT?" OH it's nothing. Just helping nature a bit. Off I went home. ONly to have the baby a week + later. This same midwife saw me with my last baby to induce labor as I had polyhydramnios and they wanted me to have a "controlled labor". Well the induction didn't work. So they said let's wait a few days. About 4 days later I swore I was in some serious labor, I was really having to work with what was going on. I could barely talk through the cntrx. So I rang the school, arranged for someone to pick up the children, arranged childcare and got hubby home and we went on up. This same midwife was on duty, she checks me out..looks at the monitor and says, nope, this isn't labor. I'm like, "well what the heck IS?" Mister it hurt. Well turns out I WAS in labor and she later admitted that she knew I was but thought I'd do better at home and that if she said I was in early labor I'd be too excited to make progress. GrrrrRrrrRrr. So anyway, I came in the next day for my scheduled induction already 6 cm and ready to roll.

Ok moral of the story is I"ve learned to ask questions, set limits and get the kind of care that I want!! AND to educate myself! WIth my first baby I wrote a birth plan that I wanted no intervention after birth, baby to myself in my room etc...he was a c-section so I had to stay a while. After about 2 days I wondered why no on was coming around..only to check vitals. LOL then I remembered my birthing plan!! What a doh-doh I can be!!!

Take care! Kitty