2016 May Miracles

[sugargully]

Is it ok to check one's cervix with a bare hand or are gloves needed? I want to start checking too. I did that when I was TTC but never really new if I was good at it. I really think the more we know about our bodies the better.

 

[Em260]

Drjo - hope your bp stays down so you can avoid being induced early. It seems like a good sign that it went down enough when they did the recheck.

Spiffy - ok that's great they're not concerned. My Dr was concerned about mine but said it's not at a critical level yet so we just have to wait and see.

 

[pinkpassion]

I check my own cervix too. I've always done it through ttc and everything. But my cervix is unreachable at the moment so not really sure what that means! It was the same with my dd even right before my water broke I couldn't reach my cervix! I wash my hands really really well and clean down there well too. The way I look at it is it can't be any dirtier than a penis and you know we all have sex while pregnant still and I swear he's more rough than my finger for a quick cervix check!!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Pink, I've always thought the same thing! People make you feel like the worst mother ever for checking your cervix softly with clean hands, but are okay if you tell them your husband shoves his unwashed penis up there!

Sugargully, I do it in the shower, so everything is nice and clean, but if you had gloves, I'm sure that would be even better. I think if you already checked during TTC, it should be pretty easy, just be very gentle (I'm always less rough than doctors who do it for me, so I figure that's one advantage to doing it yourself). If you're dilated, you'll be able to reach all the way through to the amniotic sack, so don't prod too hard, and make sure your fingernails are clipped. Just use common sense. Like you, I find it empowering to know what's happening in my own body.

 

[TTDuck]

Drjo hope your bp cooperates!

Had a scan yesterday and the baby is measuring about 4 lb 10 oz.

 

[ja14]

I occasionally check my cervix as well. I checked last night, cervix still seems a little high but I was able to check. I'm at least 2 cm, and after reading up on it id say maybe 50% effaced. Just barely inserting my finger I can feel the hardness of baby's head.

 

[bakerh518]

wow ladies! 5 years ttc and i seriously never even thought to check my cervix during pregnancy Definitely excited to check now...

 

[Em260]

I totally agree the doctor is way rougher than we would be. I remember how much those checks hurt right, especially the ones in the hospital when I was in labor

Spiffy - It's funny people on here give you a hard time about checking on your own. I've noticed a trend on the third tri boards that there are certain topics people freak out about for whatever reason

 

[sugargully]

Holy cow I could possibly feel my baby's head! That's so cool. I can't wait to check tonight in the shower. I'll be gentle of course.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Sugargully, if your baby has dropped down into your pelvis, you should definitely be able to feel their head. I can feel my baby's head very easily just through the vaginal wall.

Em, I've noticed that as well. Anyone that mentions wanting baby to come a day earlier than 40 weeks gets their head bitten off.

Thankfully, my cervix must be pretty tough, because I've never had an exam that actually hurt, but I know a lot of women find them painful. It's like the nose analogy. If your friend sticks their finger up your nose, it's going to hurt way more than if you do it yourself!

 

[Em260]

Em, I've noticed that as well. Anyone that mentions wanting baby to come a day earlier than 40 weeks gets their head bitten off.

Yes! This is exactly one of the topics I've noticed gets really heated. And I feel bad when people post that they are being induced at their doctor's recommendation and everyone jumps all over them that it's a terrible idea

 

[bakerh518]

That is what always pisses me off about the "feminist movement" Men are not the problem, women beating the crap out of each other emotionally, mentally and psychologically is the problem... (ugh! Sorry this is my thing, my main pet peeve, who are "you," the proverbial you, to judge ANYONE!, seriously makes me see red... And it doesnt matter if i happen to agree or not, don't shove your opinion down anyones throat! ) We, women, need to start standing up for one another! (thats what i seriously love about this thread in particular, all us may baby makers seem to really get the fact that we aren't here to judge one another, we are here to support.

 

[ja14]

I've thought the same about other people's comments. I rarely post on other threads for that reason.

I would love for Bennett to be here a day earlier than 40 weeks! I really think he will come early, and If I make it to the day past my due date, I might cry. Just so ready to meet him!

 

[Esperanza2015]

Wow ja so incredible to feel baby's head! never imagined that i could!
totally agree with Baker, Spiffy and Em...
Nice to have this "safe" thread. For me everything is new and I wouldnt dare to post too much outside this thread thank you ladies for all your support.
I did check my cervix 2-3 times the last month of TTC but am so sure that my baby has not dropped yet that I dont feel tempted to try.
My belly is so huge that thinking about my due date makes me cry cause is more than a month from now. So am taking one day at a time and trying to be very positive about it.
Since my mother cannot come for the birth and postpartum period we have the option here of requesting domestic help and I already did. Its partially cover by insurance but I think its worth it. I have no family here besides my husband's and I think it wont hurt to have an experienced lady (they are experienced in baby's) to come around twice a week to see how am doing and help with the laundry or something.
My next appt is on April 15th, am a bit anxious/excited about it. Hopefully I'll get green light for the home birth I want.

 

[Em260]

It is really nice to have this safe and supportive thread!

Esperanza - we're doing something similar since our family can't come and my DH isn't able to take any time off from work. We did the same thing when I had my DD and it was so helpful.

 

[bakerh518]

It will be so nice for you ladies to have extra hands when the baby comes! Sorry your families cannot be around, mine isn't either but dh gets a month paid paternity leave (6 weeks if he really wanted) so we are pretty set there!

Esperanza i hope you get the home birth you want!! Are there any parameters you need to meet or just that everything looks good and normal? Im so jealous! I would love to have a home birth! They are vastly frowned upon here after a csection, AND dh isn't comfortable with it so i know he wouldn't be able to support me the way i need!


Tried last night to check my cervix and it is still way too high! Definitely couldn't feel anything!

 

[Sis4Us]

Sorry I've been MIA I've been so super busy !!!

We started our weekly Scans and well checks yesterday Baby Q is measuring 37wk my cervix is closed but 75% softened ... C section scheduled for May the 4th be w U!!
I'm sure he will come b4 then I was instructed if my Contractions get 8mins apart to go to the Hospital!!

Hope everyone is doing great!!

Pics in my journal!!

 

[KrissyB]

I've never been good (or all that comfortable) with checking my cervix ttc. LOL right now I'd have my doubts I could reach that far in there trying to get past my belly. It'd be really really nice to know what was going on in there now though. It's part of what I'm so anxious for for my scan and checkup tomorrow.

Pink - Did you get any kinds of warning signs before your water broke with DD1? Were you already in labor?

 

[pinkpassion]

Nope no signs at all.. I tried to check my cervix earlier in the day because at my appointment 6 days before I was 2-3 cm and 80% with buldging membranes. But I couldn't reach it at all.. So dh and I dtd and I had a huge meltdown about how I was never going to go into labor and our birth photographer was going out of town in 2 days and wouldn't be able to photograph the birth and I was so upset. I didn't even get myself ready just in case like I had the past couple of weeks, making sure I was showered and shaved and hair and makeup ready. Nope, just had a meltdown, refused to eat lunch and sat around. Then went to the bathroom to pee and when I got done and went to stand up I heard and felt a POP followed by a huge gush of fluid! I freaked out lol

 

[Esperanza2015]

hahaha i was reading Pink story and in my pregnant mind got confused for a moment thinking this was actually happenning with her current pregnancy
I love to read all your stories ladies....everything gets me mentally ready for the big day!
Baker...we are in the middle of midwives and OB/GYN at the moment. I love my midwives but they dont perform ultrasounds...so every ultrasound I see a OB/GYN and in the last appointment he scared the crap out of me saying the baby is big, probably she will not engaged and even mentioned C section pretty quickly. We went back to the midwives with that report and they said it doesnt have to go that route necessarily but they still want to make sure we go back for a second ultrasound to measure size and position of placenta. So atm I dont even want to know if she is big or not cause I am convinced I want to have her here in my beautiful home where I really feel comfortable ( so many reasons I hate hospitals but on top of that I understand dutch and speak it but I cannot say Im fluent and God knows how i will be in labor!..maybe i will just speak spanish! obviously in the hospital everybody will speak ducht to me) and my midwives speak English plus my hubby will be next to me all the time.
Sorry for the big post.... Im getting very talkative and emotional lately.
35 weeks today!!!
Didnt dare to take a picture cause my face have gotten so fat..my MIL took a picture of me last Sunday and I felt like crying when I saw it...I think i was swollen, maybe the huge meals during the weekend didnt help.