Self cervix exam different than sex?

jmcgra06 · May 2013

I talking to my two friends yesterday (both due in June) and one mentioned she was going to start doing self cervix checks to see if she was dilated. Aside from many people believing that they are not really an accurate way to see how soon delivery will come, the other friend freaked out and said how unsafe it was and how it could give the baby an infection from pushing bacteria around. I honestly hadn't thought much of it, but I sort of don't see how different it is than having sex at this point... at least Friend 1 was going to wash her hands and use a glove, I'm pretty sure DH isn't going to bother soaping up before DTD!

I'm not super-interested in the importance of doing the exams or not (at home or at your midwife/OB office) but if anyone knows why they might cause infection if sex is still okay. Thoughts?

Britt8058 · May 2013

There is a much greater risk of infection because our hands are nasty. There are so many germs even after washing with hot soap and water. Also, she would need to use sterile gloves and not just regular medical grade gloves. Not only could she cause an infection she could also accidentally break her water.
And while a penis has germs on it, there are far fewer than what could be found on your fingers. Also, our husbands aren't using their penis to feel around inside our cervix to see how open it is.

courty625 · May 2013

I think PP covered it. I don't think I'll be participating in any home cervical checks.

jmcgra06 · May 2013

Yeah, it's not my cup of tea, and I'm honestly not even sure I could reach at this point if I wanted to, just curious! FWIW, she has sterile gloves, and my OB has used boxed gloves to check me in the past, so I'm not sure how much difference it makes.

skio · May 2013

Ditto Britt. A guy's wang is not touching dirty doorknobs and ATM buttons and nasty keyboards and whatnot.

[lol, did anyone else just picture a dude touching all the things I just mentioned with his wiener? I'm twelve.]

Plus, a cervical check means actually inserting fingers into the cervix a bit to check dilation. Penises don't go into the cervix. Not to mention, if she does it wrong, she can bring on contractions and/or premature labor.

Self cervical checks are really dumb and irresponsible, IMO.

BLT20051 · May 2013

skio:
Ditto Britt. A guy's wang is not touching dirty doorknobs and ATM buttons and nasty keyboards and whatnot.

[lol, did anyone else just picture a dude touching all the things I just mentioned with his wiener? I'm twelve.]

Plus, a cervical check means actually inserting fingers into the cervix a bit to check dilation. Penises don't go into the cervix. Not to mention, if she does it wrong, she can bring on contractions and/or premature labor.

Self cervical checks are really dumb and irresponsible, IMO.

I totally pictured it and giggled. Just going to ditto you

ChristyD6 · May 2013

Bacon+lettuce+tomato:
skio:
Ditto Britt. A guy's wang is not touching dirty doorknobs and ATM buttons and nasty keyboards and whatnot.

[lol, did anyone else just picture a dude touching all the things I just mentioned with his wiener? I'm twelve.]

Plus, a cervical check means actually inserting fingers into the cervix a bit to check dilation. Penises don't go into the cervix. Not to mention, if she does it wrong, she can bring on contractions and/or premature labor.

Self cervical checks are really dumb and irresponsible, IMO.

I totally pictured it and giggled. Just going to ditto you

Haha me too and it's the funniest mental picture! No self checks for me.

Bonjuju · May 2013

skio:
Ditto Britt. A guy's wang is not touching dirty doorknobs and ATM buttons and nasty keyboards and whatnot. [lol, did anyone else just picture a dude touching all the things I just mentioned with his wiener? I'm twelve.] Plus, a cervical check means actually inserting fingers into the cervix a bit to check dilation. Penises don't go into the cervix. Not to mention, if she does it wrong, she can bring on contractions and/or premature labor. Self cervical checks are really dumb and irresponsible, IMO.

I totally pictured it and the doorknob image cracked me up the most.

LovestruckAJ · May 2013

Bonjuju:
skio:
Ditto Britt. A guy's wang is not touching dirty doorknobs and ATM buttons and nasty keyboards and whatnot. [lol, did anyone else just picture a dude touching all the things I just mentioned with his wiener? I'm twelve.] Plus, a cervical check means actually inserting fingers into the cervix a bit to check dilation. Penises don't go into the cervix. Not to mention, if she does it wrong, she can bring on contractions and/or premature labor. Self cervical checks are really dumb and irresponsible, IMO.
I totally pictured it and the doorknob image cracked me up the most.

Hahaha! Me too!

I used to check my cervix when TTC, but I'll leave checking dilation to the doc.