Cervix Question

[Astrid1024]

I tried to check my cervix the other day because I was curious after all the talk in our DDC and I can't reach it. I had my husband wash up really really well and try to check it to, and he couldn't reach it. Perhaps this sounds stupid, but what does that mean? Does it mean we have short fingers, or I have long lady-parts? Is it located in a place I am not touching? Or I am no where near giving birth to my LO and will I be pregnant forever?

Thanks.

[farmerjess]

Hmmm, I can't reach mine either. From what I've gathered, the cervix stays higher until you're closer to your birthing time. It could also be pointed posterior, so you may be feeling it, but not the opening part. It should move down and more anterior as babytime gets closer.

[MommaSomeday]

I can't get to mine either. I think I can't do it because I can't get at a good angle for it. I haven't had Garrin try - I think he's a little freaked out he'd hurt me.

[ledzepplon]

Mine is up really high. I have a hard time reaching it myself, and my midwife had to really stretch to check it at my last appt. But I am about 3 cm, so just because it's still out of reach (or difficult to reach) doesn't necessarily mean your body isn't making any progress yet.

[thixle]

Another thought-- could you be so "squishy" (effaced) already that you don't recognize the cervix?
My whole inner lady-parts feel like the same consistancy right now, and it took me a while, but I finally found the opening. It actually does feel like a small, soft rubber band. I'm guessing 1-2 cm because I can actually fit a fingertip inside... Trying to figure out how to word it, but the midwife of a poster in the I'm Pregnant forum said it best-- it feels like pudding

[Bella Catalina]

It may also be that you're quite effaced (effacement often happens before dilation with first babies) and that is why you can't feel it. I can barely reach mine now, it's still fairly posterior, and because baby hasn't dropped, it's not as low. But it's all so soft up there that if I didn't know what I was looking for, I'd be hard pressed to find it. I'm 1.5-2 and 40-50% effaced and baby is at a -3 (unless I go for a walk and he or she moves down).

[MAdams]

mine just moved closer (from posterior position), and I am 41 weeks 2 days. My dh had a very hard time reaching it before it moved up and into anterior.. and Im not even sure if its all the way forward or not. That said it would take him about 3-5 minutes to get to it, and it involved going around the babys head as it was hiding behind it. It takes a lot of reaching (not the most comfortable) and a lot of lube for those of us who have hard to reach cervixes. I cant reach mine myself either, for the record.

[AugustineM]

It's probably that your cervix hasn't moved forward enough yet. In order for it to be in a birthing position, your cervix has to move forward, efface, and dialate. In my last pregnancy my cervix was pretty far back until I was like 38 wks pg, then it started moving forward more. It can be really hard to feel it, though, and then even if you do feel it it can be difficult to recognize! I was just able to feel my cervix yesterday (it's very difficult to do!!), and it is very squishy, and maybe 1 - 2 cm dialated, but I'm still only 37 weeks, so got a little ways to go.

It definitely doesn't mean anything about how close you are to birth, though. Some people never efface and dialate before they go into labor, but some do all that weeks before they birth.

[rozziemama]

I've never felt mine either - don't worry, it definitely doesn't mean you will be pregnant forever!

[OrchideZ]

I just got checked and my midwife said my cervix is posterior, not dilated, high up and baby's head (which she felt) is at a -2 position.
She confirmed that none of this gives any indication of when I will go into labor or means anything medically.
She said it could be tomorrow or in a few weeks.
She also said he is at least 8 pounds and maybe 8.5 from her palpating guess. She has over 20 years experience so it will be interesting to see if that is the case.