Help - Self checking cervix question...

LizziesMama

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So I wanted to do this last pregnancy and could never reach. I have posterior cervix all the time due to tipped uterus and even more posterior in pregnancy, but I FINALLY was able to reach it. A nurse in L&D propped my hips up to reach it better and it worked for me too!

So here are my questions...

Is it supposed to feel like more of a slit than a round circle? I expected it to be the shape of a coin, but the opening is a horizontal slit.

I can easily fit my middle fingertip inside and about half of my index fibber with it, without pushing too hard, since I don't want to disturb anything. I also didn't want to do anything painful, as that seems like a sign of being too rough.

I measured my fingertips and from what I felt it appears to be about 2 cm. I think I will be more sure as I do this more and have a basis for comparison. Not to mention I'd love to compare my dr's findings with my own. I was 1cm on thursday in l&d, so I think it's opened a but more...which has me thinking the contractions are affecting my cervix.

But how in the heck do you know if you're effaced?

I've been in preterm labor and they aren't doing anything else to stop it again. So there's no point in going to L&D unless i'm really in labor. I feel like I ha e a lot better idea what's going on with my body now and I'd like to keep tabs on this.


Lastly, how soft should it be? Mine is like, beyond soft...can't imagine anything softer. Like softer than the inside of my cheek. Does that sound right?
 
Yikes- um I was under strict instructions NOT to check under any circumstances (might be a UK thing)... but apparently the untrained can accidentally rupture the membranes, and also it increases the risk of infection. UK midwives tend not to check until you are at least full term.

So I can't help - but just posting in case a bunch of ladies start checking too. No judgement at all, every woman should do what they think is best and medical opinions and advice varies across the world, but just the advice I was given. xx
 
Yikes- um I was under strict instructions NOT to check under any circumstances (might be a UK thing)... but apparently the untrained can accidentally rupture the membranes, and also it increases the risk of infection. UK midwives tend not to check until you are at least full term.

Yikes never heard that one! I can only just reach to wash down there let alone stick fingers anywere!
 
I'm posting another not-so-helpful answer for the original question, but I just got checked this past week. I had tried to check myself at home before - I found my cervix and felt around it and everything. Even the little opening! So, I thought it felt a little open, but when I went to the doctor's office, I admitted I tried checking myself and doc said "I wouldn't recommend you do that at all actually." I said, "I didn't know what I was feeling around for anyway, but I thought I'd try. I found it, but then I didn't know what to do with it." ..... I honestly think I make my doctor uncomfortable because on two different occasions I've talked to him about such things and he won't look me in the face when he talks back and just sort of makes a weird face about it. *shrug* Whatever.

According to him though, I wasn't dilated at all. I thought I was at least a centimeter dilated. So... *shrug*
 
Especially if your at risk of going into labour early I wouldn't check if I were you. Anything you do might send you into labour. And like a PP said you could rupture the membranes and you have just had your fingers up there. The last thing you want is your waters breaking and infection already lingering up there for baby. I would hold off checking until you are at least full term. Here in the UK they only tend to check if doing a sweep or you are in labour. Even if you fear you are in labour early they are only allowed to check so many times in a week. My friend has been having contractions since she was 25 weeks. She is now 36 weeks and her midwife doesn't want her going to the hospital with them anymore until they are 5 minutes apart because she doesn't want her having any more unnecessary internals xx
 
As you've had a baby before the opening should feel like a slit but with first babies it's round. The cervix itself if fairly round.

You'll find it hard to tell how much you're effaced unless you check reguarly to feel the difference. The cervix should be very pronounced at the moment but as you become effaced it 'shrinks' until it's eventually flat which is fully effaced.

Try not to feel around there too much though as stretching the cervix can release prostoglandins which will only make things worse if you're in pre-term labour.
 
I cheeck my cervix i did with my last and i do with this 1. atm mine are very very soft and open to about 3cm. the see if you are effaceing it is the thinkness of the cervix wall mine is getting really thin now but still about 1cm long.
 
But by the way, I have been told that my cervix would feel like lips and this is my second so a slit does sound right xx
 
I asked a similar question yesterday and then found this one! Im so glad I found it too! Mine didn't feel round at all, totally like a slit. When I started dilating it felt like a tight rubber band and was more circular. I still am not sure what I am feeling at all and could be completely wrong. Who knew one could get so lost in a vagina!
 
I asked a similar question yesterday and then found this one! Im so glad I found it too! Mine didn't feel round at all, totally like a slit. When I started dilating it felt like a tight rubber band and was more circular. I still am not sure what I am feeling at all and could be completely wrong. Who knew one could get so lost in a vagina!

I saw your post and was stalking it for replies. I read something about a rubberband sensation when dilation is more advanced. I guess my main question at this point is does it open much top to bottom, or just width wise?
 

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