Hi Joey
Usually it is very low before af BUT everyone is different and having a full bladder or bowels will push the cervix ( by pushing the uterus) up or down a bit.
I am right handed so after many months of checking I find it easiest to place my pointer finger and middle finger together on my Left hand, and insert them slowly.
You may have to feel around a bit to sort out walls that may be swollen versus the actual cervix, but usually I can find the "dimple" or "donut hole" center of it. I then circle just around that spot to tell if it is hard/firm, medium is hard to describe a bit mushy and a bit firm, and if it is truly soft, everything seems to feel soft.
It is possible to place your finger PAST the cervix around the sides of it.
Think of it like a funnel sitting atop a glass...
The tip of it is hanging lowest, but you can get upward of it on both sides a bit.
My best advice is take your time, locate that "dimple" first, then feel just around it gently.
I say gently because when mine is soft, I am able to "poke" it and much like a sponge it will sink in with my finger, but feel firmer once my finger stops moving.
It's like a sponge on a table - if you press lightly, you feel the sponginess, if you just jab in and stop, you reach the firmness of the table and totally miss how soft it really is.
Also, practise makes perfect. I sometimes check a couple times thru the day if I am not sure what it felt like that morning.
GL ladies!