Can't find my cervix?? Advice pls...

Cstarks2013

Found out that I won't get to see my actual OB till my 39 wk checkup. I'll be seeing her nurse until then and apparently, the nurse does not do cervix checks? I'm a data kind of gal, so I'd like to check my own cervix to see if I can feel anything. I tried. I can't frickin find it!? It just seems super soft up in there and I can't find anything. is there a trick I'm not aware of or did my cervix secretly move to a new spot?? I know this is somewhat of a SS post, but oh well... I'm looking for some helpful tips if anyone has any. Thanks.

Cstarks2013

I did. And google. Got some tips on what it should feel like but I can't feel anything. It just feels like a never ending vag...

LadyMacaron

Can I ask what you are looking for or hoping to find? Your cervix isn't going to tell you anything of much value at this point, which is why they aren't checking it. (Some might say that cervical checks never are of much value, if your are trying to predict when labor will start). And no, your cervix hasn't disappeared, it's still there.

puttyeast

Um my OB practice only checks at 36 weeks and 40 weeks because it isn't necessary to check often with risk of infection. And they are doing it in the clinic with sterile gloves (not to mention they are trained professionals).

You shouldn't be messing around up there. You are risking infection for no damn reason.

kimmyberly26

amoot890 said:

I don't think you are qualified (especially considering that the nurse wasn't) to do a self cervix check. I think you could end up hurting yourself/baby. Please stop. Also how have you not seen your OB in nine months?

My initial reaction to reading your post:

This exactly.  Data gal or not, its not worth risking something happening to me or baby.  I'm certainly not qualified to give myself my own checks.  And the other ladies are right, it doesn't mean anything. 

With my first, I was 50% effaced and not dilated at all at 36+5 when my dr checked me.  At 36+6, my water broke and my daughter was born at 37w.  I had a friend that was pregnant at the same time as me and walked around 3 cm dilated for 4 weeks until they finally ended up inducing her.

Leave it up to the professionals.  

Cstarks2013

Just to clarify, I have been seeing my OB regularly. I should have said that I won't see her again until I'm 39 wks. My plan was definitely not to be prodding around in there super aggressively, I just wanted to see if I could feel my cervix. My hands were washed and I did have a thin latex glove on. I can't help but wonder how sex is okay at this point, but putting a small sterile finger inside is not?? I'm not looking to start labor, so I guess I'll just leave well enough alone. Thx for the advice ladies.

MrsBHM

I've worked in L&D for years & have checked thousands of cervix. I don't think I could check my own right now if I wanted to!!

BabyCurtiss2014

My doc couldn't tell me if I am dialated or anything bc my cervix is pushed really far back. I would not try to feel your own cervix....

PressLove

I'm glad that you have decided to leave it alone.  From your OP, it sounded like you were planning to ram your fingers in your cervix trying to determine if it's open.  Thus, the concern from the board.

As someone who practices NFP, I had to feel my cervix all the time before my BFP and feel like its NBD.  Even at an early appointment I asked by OB why it felt that my cervix was so low. However, I only grazed the outside and dared not do more than that.  I haven't bothered it anymore since I was around eight weeks.

While I don't know what you should expect at this stage of the game, I am sure that your cervix is still there.  Your doctor will confirm this at 39 weeks.  If your finger felt something soft like your lip, that was probably your cervix.  It can also be as hard as the tip of your nose.  Please don't check it again, just think about what  you felt the first time.

HTH

ElTrain5

Well, first, a clean finger is no more of a risk then your husbands penis, so if your doctor is cool with you having sex and your water isn't broken, you aren't risking an infection. And unless your stabbing around with lee press ons, your not going to cause damage just by touching it.

@mrsdbc has a point though that if you've never checked it before, it'll be hard to assess how/if it's changed.

That being said, I would first google a picture of it so you kind of have an idea what your looking for. I checked mine as part if TTC, so I'm used to getting up close and personal with it.

It is pretty high, and especially if you are effaced it'll be even higher. It's basically the point where if your putting in a tampon, it won't go any further comfortably. At this stage I can still reach mine, it's easier with two fingers, I can get to it lying down (I usually checked in the morning right after getting my BBT) but I heard the one foot on the toilet seat position helps (similar to the lovely drawings on the side of a tampon box). Basically, it's a fleshy little nub about the size of your finger tip. It can be tricky it distinguish it from the sides of your vagina but it's generally a little more smooth. It ranges from feeling soft like the tip of your nose to really soft like the tip of your earlobe.

When I was ttc, I checked to see if it was "open" at all, which meant I just gently ran my finger over it to see if I could feel the opening (a teeny tiny little hole) or not.

As for checking for dilation, im really not sure what that's like since I've never felt it before. Mine still feels closed and soft like it did during TTC, but higher.

I don't find anything strange about checking out your own body, especially when, if you're sexually active, hands/body parts/vibrators are in that area anyway. Just be gentle and make sure anything introduced into the vagina is clean (it doesn't have to be sterile, I don't have DH sterilize his penis before sex and my doctor never suggested I do, and he certainly rubs up against it). That being said, do it out of curiosity, and for the interest in getting to know your body better, but don't be disappointed if you can't tell if any things going on dilation wise.

Good luck!

steprozz

ugabamafans said:

This has gone so much better than I would have expected.

my thoughts exactly.

ElTrain5

As a side note, I always get really confused when someone says their doctor/midwife couldn't or had a hard time "finding" their cervix during a check. I mean, the average vagina is only like 5-6 inches long with a cervix at the end....it's not like a labyrinth in there? Plus don't they do that kind of thing every day?

tbmadeamistake

What ElTrain said.  I check mine because I'm curious.  That said, if you can't find it, it's probably still just way up high.  Also, nothing about how dilated/effaced/high/posterior you are will tell you anything about when you'll go into labor, so if you can't find it, I'd assume high and still closed and go with that.

flerlgirl

Find a Banana Republic… 

katekat8721

Even if you find it, you won't know what you're really looking for. Then you'll just have more questions and wig out until your next appt. I'm like you where I like to know as much as I can, but in this case, you may need to pull an Elsa and let it go.

BabyCurtiss2014

The gifs really made me crack up! Thanks!! Haha! The UPS I don't know but that was just too funny probably because of all this lack of sleep lol oh and the WTF cat!! Yes!!

Cstarks2013

Thank you for the advice ladies. I appreciate it. I have indeed decided to just leave my cervix alone. @flerlgirl‌ , I'm much too large to be shopping at Banana right now but I look forward to resuming my shopping ways once this baby comes.

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ElTrain5

shiggybop said:

Risk of infection is not worth it. Leave your cervix alone!

There's not a risk of infection just by putting clean fingers in your vagina. Same risk as having sex or masturbating. As long as you are cleared to do those, it's the same thing.

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sparklenshine_89

I'm amazed by the flexibility. It's hard enough for me to put my pants on at this point.

ElTrain5

If your fingers are long enough to reach INTO your own cervix....you really need to find a job where you can make money on that. Professional stuff-behind-the-couch grabber? Harpist?

Rules for feeling your cervix:
1) do not use fingers, knitting needles or crochet hooks to reach into cervix.
2) do not dip hands into public toilets prior to touching yourself.

MorganW24

I'm with eltrain on this one. As long as you aren't shoving something pointy and sharp up into your cervix there's no harm. A lot of women feel their cervix when ttc, this isn't any different. Wash your hands and feel away. Personally, I find it interesting to feel the changes that happen the closer I get to delivery. OP sometimes your cervix can be pointed back until things really start to get ready for delivery... Don't stress about not being able to find it, it's there!

ElTrain5

I love that there's teams. We need uniforms. What's the appropriate mascot for team cervix?

tbmadeamistake

jshrop

I feel like this is better left to professionals.... And I'm with @emilyh107‌, this whole conversation is making my vag hurt

katiebartton

I'm team cervix, if you are flexible enough check it out. I must have t rex arms.. I have enough problems reaching around my stomach to shave down there,

ElTrain5

@lilygrace48 I love "surprised"! "Exhausted" looks like it might need some antibiotics...

@jshrop embrace the beauty of the cervix! I'm just cracking up that you keep getting "cervix convo" notifications everytime someone comments

steprozz

I didn't know it was possible to check your own cervix. my OB gets way up in there, mine is always high, so I don't think I could even if I wanted to.

ElTrain5

I've got a legit question for @mrsbhm I keep hearing when a cervix is "high" it's hard to check.....but if effacing just thins if out...wouldn't it be, like...super super high during that stage and then just kind of disappear? I only ask for curiosity purposes

becomingmommyagain

I'm with @ElTrain5 on this one.  If you are still cleared for sex, then there is no reason not to explore things.  

I honestly believe "self exploration" is the only reason my last baby was born in the hospital and not on the side of the road.  I was not contracting and only felt some pressure.  After taking a shower I did some exploring and was quite surprised to find that my vag wasn't as empty as it should be.  A quick visit to the doc (who was reluctant to do a pelvic since I was only 32w3d) revealed I was already 6cm dilated and my son was born a few hours later.

If you're going with ungloved hands, make sure to scrub up first and trim your finger nails.  Your cervix will feel like a tiny donut.  Don't freak if you can't reach it, it may still be high and tight and difficult to reach around your giant belly. 

izzetoot

Ummmm.... I can hardly wipe my own ass at this point.  And i was totally expecting this thread to be way more entertaining.

jshrop

@izzetoot‌ wins!

MrsBHM

ElTrain5 said:

I've got a legit question for @mrsbhm I keep hearing when a cervix is "high" it's hard to check.....but if effacing just thins if out...wouldn't it be, like...super super high during that stage and then just kind of disappear? I only ask for curiosity purposes

Not necessarily. I've seen all kinds of cervixs (what the heck is the plural of cervix anyway?!) Some high and thin, some thick and low, etc. I don't think I'm answering your question though... But the cervix doesn't disappear until right before you deliver...you can be totally effaced but still be closed. Does that make any sense or help at all?

ElTrain5

@mrsbhm thanks lady!

ChristineBaker23

Did you look everywhere? Under your desk? All around?