[tracylhl]

Can someone help me? I'm not really planning on a UC, but have it figured in as a possibility. I am planning on a HB w/ a midwife. I figured that you girls would be the most educated on this stuff, though. Anyway, I'm 37 wks. and have been feeling really lousy for the past 4 days. Almost like I've got a touch of the flu - really tired, nauseated, etc. I tried to check my cervix on Thursday and would say that it was fairly soft (like when ovulating) and I would say open to the same degree (maybe a fingertip at the tip of the cervix). My MW has not done a vaginal exam and usually doesn't except possibly during labor. So today I tried to do another one. Really hard b/c I can't reach over my big belly very well. But it seemed MUCH softer and I was able to reach into my cervix w/ two fingers as far as I could reach (about to the palm of my hand). Problem is I don't really know how to guage this since I can't reach very well and don't have a lot of education on checking my cervix for birthing purposes (although I'm about an expert for fertility purposes!

)

Basically I'm doing it b/c I've felt so sick the last few days. DH took Friday off work to help me w/ the other 3 kids (ages 5 and under)as I just can't manage them feeling like this. He plans to go back to work tomorrow and I just kinda want to know whether feeling this way has anything to do w/ impending labor or if I just feel crappy. Can someone tell me how to do a decent cervix check and how to guage that info? Thanks!

 

[Spark]

nak

Your cervix sounds "ripe", it's just a matter of you going into labor. Doesn't sound like you are yet. You can be walking around dilated to 3, 5, 7 cm for weeks without going into labor.

I'm sorry you feel so lousy riight now. But, hope you don't have the baby any time soon. It's strong work, birthin' babies!

I'd try to get yourself some time to be by yourself and do something you enjoy. One thing I liked is a weekly date with a good friend. We'd just always plan to get together even if I was due the week before. It helped me pass time.

Happy 5 weeks or so of pregnancy! hope you feel strong and healthy for the birth!

 

[tracylhl]

Oh, I know I'm not in labor. I just am wondering about how to properly check my cervix. With my other 3, I've effaced before labor pretty completely, but haven't dialated past a cent. or 2 until in full labor. Just wondering if this time will be the same. Thanks for the input.

 

[Triciabn]

Sort of in a hurry .... maybe I can post morelater... but it is way easier for many people to try to find while on the toilet...and not squatting or in the shower.
Here is a decent article :
http://www.joyousbirth.info/articles...xlearning.html

Hope this helps.
Tricia

 

[Spark]

sorry rereading i don't even think my post was coherent! nak again!

 

[Kidzaplenty]

I can't even reach mine. It is way too high. But even if I could, I tend to be dialated and effaced for weeks. So it would really do me no good to check.

 

[tracylhl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triciabn Sort of in a hurry .... maybe I can post morelater... but it is way easier for many people to try to find while on the toilet...and not squatting or in the shower. Here is a decent article : http://www.joyousbirth.info/articles...xlearning.html Hope this helps. Tricia

That's a great article! Thanks!

 

[tracylhl]

Thanks to both of the other two of you too. I think you're right that it doesn't mean much, if anything, but I guess I'm just trying to learn as much as I can and give myself some hope that things are moving along! LOL! Anyway, hopefully I'll be holding my baby soon!

 

[normajean]

I also dilate/efface early.

I always had my DH check. I figured my body is used to his germs. He has big fingers...however, I noticed his estimates were always further than the doctors. It was more useful as a comparison...like "its softer than yesterday" rather than trying to estimate centimeters...

 

[normajean]

PS-I wouldn't get too enthusiastic about checking. I think the vaginal checks my DH did helped contribute to lots of false labor & bloody show with my DD, but she still turned up post due. This time around, I don't plan to do any.