Braxton Hicks and Dialated?

awusana · January 2014

Im 32 +4 weeks, (first time Mum) and been having braxton hicks randomly, like just a few a week. But today I've had 15-20 and am now 1cm dilated I think (self check).
I think I lost (part?) of my mucus plug a couple of weeks ago, but no bloody show.
Has anyone else had this this early?
I Don't really want my little boy here just yet!!

benevolentforce · January 2014

If I were you I'd call my doctor stat. Everyone is different, and one person's BH contractions are another person's real contractions. Better safe than sorry.

avigailandcharlie · January 2014

I thought I was having hb but at my appointment on thurs they hooked me up to the monitor and they were real contractions. I had no idea. They have me a pill and monitored me more and they stopped so they wrote a prescription for it and told me to take it if I get 4+ in an hour. I don't know how to even test if I'm dilated and am not sure how accurate the self check is, but def call your doc and tell them you think they're BH, but their frequency increased and you're not certain, can they monitor you.

sebullows · January 2014

Was in L&D at 30 weeks exactly bc I was having painful close together Braxton hicks. I was 1cm and "long" and "thick". The long and thick part is what made them not worry. They said I could stay at 1 for months. And sure enough, two weeks and lots of BH later, I was still at 1, long, and thick. I go weekly to get checked but she assured me that being thick is what they look for.. My cervix is still firm and won't start thinning until closer to the date. That's just my case though, everyone is different.

laurenann89 · January 2014

Call your doctor! Better safe than sorry and that's what they're there for. And keep us updated

SassyFlats · January 2014

Laura8388 said:
I'm curious as to how people "self check" their cervix?

Same way the doc/nurses do- with your fingers! But you could be wrong if you're not familiar with your cervix and dilation.

I'd call the doc asap!

rockopera · January 2014

The internet can't help you here. You need to call your doctor if you have concerns.

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

you should probably call your doctor. And just to warn you they are going to advise against doing self checks

#1 you are not medically trained to do them (are you??)

#2 every time you reach your fingers into your cooch (even if you washed) you are introducing bacteria which is bad for you and baby

#3 you could accidentally do some damage reaching up there, especially if you are doing it often...hence the not being medically trained.

Good Luck and i hope everything is OK

memo9 · January 2014

If you're familiar with your cervix (via charting or FAM) then there is no reason you can't check your own. However, ptl is not something you need to be guessing at especially if you don't have baseline to judge your actual dilation. Call your OB with your concerns.

ETA: If you are paranoid, a hypochondriac, or a skittish first time mom, please leave all the cervical exploring up to your Dr.

SassyFlats · January 2014

Laura8388 said:

SassyFlats said:

Laura8388 said:
I'm curious as to how people "self check" their cervix?
Same way the doc/nurses do- with your fingers! But you could be wrong if you're not familiar with your cervix and dilation.

I'd call the doc asap!
Like standing over a mirror? Or what? Cause I most certainly can't see all the way into my cervix when I try to look (in the mirror on the wall, with a leg up on the counter )

By feel, not by looking! Haha!

I'm making an assumption based on my experience with fertility awareness method when we were using it for TTA (you chart how firm/soft and open your cervix is each day), and what a L&D nurse described in one of our classes along with a little example tool of what your cervix feels like at each centimeter.

But I wouldn't be doing self checks while pregnant!

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

Just curious...do you charge yourself a co-pay when you check your cervix?

memo9 · January 2014

FarmBoysWife said:

If you're familiar with your cervix (via charting or FAM) then there is no reason you can't check your own. However, ptl is not something you need to be guessing at especially if you don't have baseline to judge your actual dilation. Call your OB with your concerns.
Checking your cervix for FAM is different than checking for progress in labor. Just saying.

How is it different? https://www.babble.com/pregnancy/can-i-check-my-own-cervix-to-see-if-im-dilated-2/ (Not saying this is a resource you should turn to before your Dr. or that you should self check for preterm labor, as I already mentioned).

memo9 · January 2014

FarmBoysWife said:

FarmBoysWife said:

If you're familiar with your cervix (via charting or FAM) then there is no reason you can't check your own. However, ptl is not something you need to be guessing at especially if you don't have baseline to judge your actual dilation. Call your OB with your concerns.
Checking your cervix for FAM is different than checking for progress in labor. Just saying.

How is it different? https://www.babble.com/pregnancy/can-i-check-my-own-cervix-to-see-if-im-dilated-2/ (Not saying this is a resource you should turn to before your Dr. or that you should self check for preterm labor, as I already mentioned).
---------------------------------------------- I'm not taking any medical advice from The Mouse. Edit: because FAM you're looking at fertility for conception. Checking yourself for how dilated you are is asking for infection. They rhyme, I understand one's misunderstanding. However you COULD rupture your amniotic sac and cause preterm labor and make your lo spend weeks in the nicu because your are a bumbling baboon fisting yourself. This is why doctors do membrane sweeps and cervical checks, not say "go home if you haven't started labor by Tuesday sweep your membranes. If you can't reach have DH do it but only if you can get 7 fingers into your cervix"

Did you read the article?

"As Canadaian midwife Gloria Lemay puts it, “I think it’s a good and empowering thing for a woman to check her own cervix for dilation. This is not rocket science, and you hardly need a medical degree or years of training to do it. Your vagina is a lot like your nose- other people may do harm if they put fingers or instruments up there but you have a greater sensitivity and will not do yourself any harm.”"

Like I said numerous times, I don't think self checking should be a replacement for an experienced caregiver when there are concerns like preterm labor. I do think it's silly to think that we as women can't have any idea about what's going on with our own bodies and that only a Dr. should/can be familiar with our own anatomy.

memo9 · January 2014

Don't know why the link isn't working. Link

Despite the source, it still has some valid information. I absolutely think the OP should call her Dr., but I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who is full term to check their own cervix. I think it could be a valuable tool in instances of false labor or when trying to decide if it's too soon to go to the hospital.

memo9 · January 2014

Blonderedhead781 said:

I didn't even bother reading the article. It's not a reputable source. Sorry. If you check your own cervix at this point in pregnancy to self diagnose how dilated you are, you're an idiot. Call. Your. Doc.

Did you read anything I posted at all? You have now reiterated twice what I have said in my posts. I am not advising OP to diagnose her own pre term labor. I'm just saying there's no reason a woman can't be aware of what's happening to her own body.

Kristen61607 · January 2014

I used to check my cervix for TTC, but I would never EVER check myself while pregnant. A) I really don't know what I'm checking for and that seems like a good way to freak myself out and

that seems like a really good way to introduce bacteria where it shouldn't be, even if you're super clean.

ALSO - When I WAS in actual PTL with my twins at 31 weeks, after the initial check to see that I was 3-4 cms dilated in triage, My OB avoided checking me after that. I think she did it one more time when I was like 34 or 36 weeks. She said it can "stir things up" which is not a good thing with a sensitive cervix anyways.

So, like everyone else, call your dr. Contractions are contractions. "BH" or "real" they have the potential to change your cervix...or not!

Andreabills · January 2014

MegMo10 said:
Don't know why the link isn't working. Link

Despite the source, it still has some valid information. I absolutely think the OP should call her Dr., but I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who is full term to check their own cervix. I think it could be a valuable tool in instances of false labor or when trying to decide if it's too soon to go to the hospital.

Despite the source? The source is a MAJOR issue. You aren't handing out articles from ACOG or medical journals or any other reputable source. You are citing unverified, unreviewed information from Disney as a reason why self checking is okay.

I reject your premise that the information is sound "despite the source!" Find that same information from a reputable medical source and I might consider your POV.

OP, call your doctor and stop doing self checks unless you are trained to do so!

memo9 · January 2014

Blonderedhead781 said:

Blonderedhead781 said:

I didn't even bother reading the article. It's not a reputable source. Sorry. If you check your own cervix at this point in pregnancy to self diagnose how dilated you are, you're an idiot. Call. Your. Doc.

Did you read anything I posted at all? You have now reiterated twice what I have said in my posts. I am not advising OP to diagnose her own pre term labor. I'm just saying there's no reason a woman can't be aware of what's happening to her own body.
----------------quoting on mobile sucks!------------ As a matter of fact, I did read your posts, just not an article that has no relevance due to the source it was cited from. You contradict yourself by saying don't self diagnose but it's okay to perform diagnostic procedures on yourself. Don't be an idiot and potentially harm yourself or your baby by trying to be your own doctor. There are so many things wrong with doing self checks at this point it's not even funny.

Actually, I said from post #1 that she should call her doctor if she has concerns about pre term labor. When I said checking yourself could be useful, I thought I made it clear that it would be at a point considered full term.

jennybean80 · January 2014

As an L&D nurse: PLEASE DONT CHECK YOUR OWN CERVIX!! There are other things that may be going on during early or preterm labour that would make this a bad idea. Contact with the cervix can cause an increase in prostaglandin release and can put you in to labour early on. If you are slightly dilated and the bag of membranes is prolapsing through the cervix you can easily cause them to rupture! Not a good thing! If the membranes stay intact but the cord is nearby, you can send the cord into spasm just by touching it, cutting off blood flow to baby.

Also, even familiarity with your body (due to FAM, whatever) kind of goes out the window with labour. There is more going on than just dilation. The cervix has an internal and external os ('mouth' in Latin) and it is possible for the external os to be open even 3-4 cm while the internal os remains tightly closed. This would still be considered a closed cervix. The length, texture and position (starts off pointing to your back, rotates through labour to point to your vaginal opening) of the cervix also indicate different stages of labour.

I have had a few patient come in who had 'checked themselves at home' or had their partner do it, and I have yet to have on who was even close to accurate. Even though I check cervixes myself every day I work, and am familiar with my own, I wouldn't check mine at home while pregnant because if I think it needs to be checked, I should be getting seen by a medical professional!!!!!

memo9 · January 2014

Andreabills said:

Don't know why the link isn't working. Link

Despite the source, it still has some valid information. I absolutely think the OP should call her Dr., but I don't think it's unreasonable for someone who is full term to check their own cervix. I think it could be a valuable tool in instances of false labor or when trying to decide if it's too soon to go to the hospital.
Despite the source? The source is a MAJOR issue. You aren't handing out articles from ACOG or medical journals or any other reputable source. You are citing unverified, unreviewed information from Disney as a reason why self checking is okay. I reject your premise that the information is sound "despite the source!" Find that same information from a reputable medical source and I might consider your POV. OP, call your doctor and stop doing self checks unless you are trained to do so!

I am not citing this article as the end all, be all, authoritative voice on self checking. Just merely stating that some of the information is valid and that it obviously isn't some barbarian practice that the OP has just fabricated for the heck of it. It's not really in an OB's best interest to promote self awareness, is it? That's not what brings in the big bucks.

But alas, that's a different discussion for a different day. I tend to be cynical when it comes to the typical way of treating pregnancy and birth.

memo9 · January 2014

Blonderedhead781 said:

Blonderedhead781 said:

Blonderedhead781 said:

I didn't even bother reading the article. It's not a reputable source. Sorry. If you check your own cervix at this point in pregnancy to self diagnose how dilated you are, you're an idiot. Call. Your. Doc.

Did you read anything I posted at all? You have now reiterated twice what I have said in my posts. I am not advising OP to diagnose her own pre term labor. I'm just saying there's no reason a woman can't be aware of what's happening to her own body.
----------------quoting on mobile sucks!------------ As a matter of fact, I did read your posts, just not an article that has no relevance due to the source it was cited from. You contradict yourself by saying don't self diagnose but it's okay to perform diagnostic procedures on yourself. Don't be an idiot and potentially harm yourself or your baby by trying to be your own doctor. There are so many things wrong with doing self checks at this point it's not even funny.

Actually, I said from post #1 that she should call her doctor if she has concerns about pre term labor. When I said checking yourself could be useful, I thought I made it clear that it would be at a point considered full term.

------------------------------------------------------- And as previous posters have said, it can cause infection. I don't care if your full term or even past your due date. The advice you gave is not good advice.

Do you feel the same way about an OB doing a cervical check?

memo9 · January 2014

Jenstwins said:

As an L&D nurse: PLEASE DONT CHECK YOUR OWN CERVIX!! There are other things that may be going on during early or preterm labour that would make this a bad idea. Contact with the cervix can cause an increase in prostaglandin release and can put you in to labour early on. If you are slightly dilated and the bag of membranes is prolapsing through the cervix you can easily cause them to rupture! Not a good thing! If the membranes stay intact but the cord is nearby, you can send the cord into spasm just by touching it, cutting off blood flow to baby. Also, even familiarity with your body (due to FAM, whatever) kind of goes out the window with labour. There is more going on than just dilation. The cervix has an internal and external os ('mouth' in Latin) and it is possible for the external os to be open even 3-4 cm while the internal os remains tightly closed. This would still be considered a closed cervix. The length, texture and position (starts off pointing to your back, rotates through labour to point to your vaginal opening) of the cervix also indicate different stages of labour. I have had a few patient come in who had 'checked themselves at home' or had their partner do it, and I have yet to have on who was even close to accurate. Even though I check cervixes myself every day I work, and am familiar with my own, I wouldn't check mine at home while pregnant because if I think it needs to be checked, I should be getting seen by a medical professional!!!!!

I agree that if you don't know what you're looking for, your assessment is likely to be inaccurate.

BUT..

Do you think a self check could be used to asses cervical changes?

For example... not saying "I am x centimeters dilated" but "since these contractions have started, my cervix has gotten softer/shorter/more open." And then at that point you could say "yes, these are productive contractions and I should go to the hospital/birth center." Instead of showing up too early?

LiFeIsAmIrAcLe · January 2014

FarmBoysWife said:

MegMo10 said:

FarmBoysWife said:

MegMo10 said:
If you're familiar with your cervix (via charting or FAM) then there is no reason you can't check your own. However, ptl is not something you need to be guessing at especially if you don't have baseline to judge your actual dilation. Call your OB with your concerns.
Checking your cervix for FAM is different than checking for progress in labor. Just saying.

How is it different? https://www.babble.com/pregnancy/can-i-check-my-own-cervix-to-see-if-im-dilated-2/ (Not saying this is a resource you should turn to before your Dr. or that you should self check for preterm labor, as I already mentioned).

----------------------------------------------

I'm not taking any medical advice from The Mouse.

Edit: because FAM you're looking at fertility for conception. Checking yourself for how dilated you are is asking for infection. They rhyme, I understand one's misunderstanding.

However you COULD rupture your amniotic sac and cause preterm labor and make your lo spend weeks in the nicu because your are a bumbling baboon fisting yourself.

This is why doctors do membrane sweeps and cervical checks, not say "go home if you haven't started labor by Tuesday sweep your membranes. If you can't reach have DH do it but only if you can get 7 fingers into your cervix"

Lol @FarmBoysWife thanks for this. I needed the laugh. Omg I'm still chuckling.

memo9 · January 2014

bandteacher said:

@megmo10, I sure the hell would trust my OB not to cause infection or break my water over myself. I can't even believe you're advocating this, full term or not.

Oh gosh, really? I have heard of some really rough OB's. Not to mention the ones who strip or rupture membranes without consent. I'm like FBW, I want minimal checking during labor.... especially at a hospital.

Andreabills · January 2014

@megmo10 said
Do you feel the same way about an OB doing a cervical check?

You mean my OB who has gone through 8 years of medical training and has 32 years or private practice under his belt on how to treat and diagnose women's health issues? That OB? No, I tend to not be "cynical" and trust the health care provider that I have chosen to take care of myself and my unborn daughter! If I didn't trust him to know the proper way to prevent infection I wouldn't have continued to see him throughout this pregnancy.

You have issues with the medical system, I get that, but stop giving out your opinion and backing it up with "information" from a Disney website!

Edited because triming quote trees while mobile is freakin impossible.

jennybean80 · January 2014

In my first labour my cervix was never checked. Why - because I was significantly preterm and they didn't want to cause things to progress. They did a speculum exam to do an FFN test and could see (without touching) that I was 4cm. This was confined by translabial u/s. Then no one touched me until I said I needed to push. Since they could see the membranes I started pushing.

This pregnancy I have been checked, but only because I have had signs of progressing and we are trying to decide when I might need to be moved to the OR to deliver twins.

memo9 · January 2014

Blonderedhead781 said:

Jenstwins said:

As an L&D nurse: PLEASE DONT CHECK YOUR OWN CERVIX!! There are other things that may be going on during early or preterm labour that would make this a bad idea. Contact with the cervix can cause an increase in prostaglandin release and can put you in to labour early on. If you are slightly dilated and the bag of membranes is prolapsing through the cervix you can easily cause them to rupture! Not a good thing! If the membranes stay intact but the cord is nearby, you can send the cord into spasm just by touching it, cutting off blood flow to baby. Also, even familiarity with your body (due to FAM, whatever) kind of goes out the window with labour. There is more going on than just dilation. The cervix has an internal and external os ('mouth' in Latin) and it is possible for the external os to be open even 3-4 cm while the internal os remains tightly closed. This would still be considered a closed cervix. The length, texture and position (starts off pointing to your back, rotates through labour to point to your vaginal opening) of the cervix also indicate different stages of labour. I have had a few patient come in who had 'checked themselves at home' or had their partner do it, and I have yet to have on who was even close to accurate. Even though I check cervixes myself every day I work, and am familiar with my own, I wouldn't check mine at home while pregnant because if I think it needs to be checked, I should be getting seen by a medical professional!!!!!

I agree that if you don't know what you're looking for, your assessment is likely to be inaccurate.

BUT..

Do you think a self check could be used to asses cervical changes?

For example... not saying "I am x centimeters dilated" but "since these contractions have started, my cervix has gotten softer/shorter/more open." And then at that point you could say "yes, these are productive contractions and I should go to the hospital/birth center." Instead of showing up too early?
-------------------------------------------------------- To answer your question above, yes I do feel that way. That being said, if my doctor (who is a medical professional and has been practicing obstetrical care for quite a few years now) told me that it was necessary to check, I would be fine with it. Because he is a OBGYN WHO IS QUALIFIED TO DO THE PROCEDURE. Are you an OBGYN or a L&D nurse? If the answer is no, then you have no business performing a diagnostic procedure. ETA: hit submit too soon. The answer to your question to @Jenstwins is also no. You are not a medical professional so your findings are not relevant.

This is really a serious question that I'm curious about... not just about cervical exams.

Why do you feel like you can't be an authority over your own body? Why do you have to be a medical professional to evaluate yourself?

memo9 · January 2014

Blonderedhead781 said:

@MegMo10, you want to be stupid and do the checks, fine. Be a moron. Do not come on here citing an article from an irreputable source telling other posters it's okay to do something stupid and dangerous.

I never said I was doing the checks or that I planned to stick my hands up in my vagina every time I dropped my drawers. (which is approximately 1235876 times a day right now) To call me a moron just because you don't agree with my stance isn't really advancing your cause. Can you find a reputable source that says a woman shouldn't check their own cervix?

memo9 · January 2014

FarmBoysWife said:

MegMo10 said:

Blonderedhead781 said:

Jenstwins said:

As an L&D nurse: PLEASE DONT CHECK YOUR OWN CERVIX!! There are other things that may be going on during early or preterm labour that would make this a bad idea. Contact with the cervix can cause an increase in prostaglandin release and can put you in to labour early on. If you are slightly dilated and the bag of membranes is prolapsing through the cervix you can easily cause them to rupture! Not a good thing! If the membranes stay intact but the cord is nearby, you can send the cord into spasm just by touching it, cutting off blood flow to baby. Also, even familiarity with your body (due to FAM, whatever) kind of goes out the window with labour. There is more going on than just dilation. The cervix has an internal and external os ('mouth' in Latin) and it is possible for the external os to be open even 3-4 cm while the internal os remains tightly closed. This would still be considered a closed cervix. The length, texture and position (starts off pointing to your back, rotates through labour to point to your vaginal opening) of the cervix also indicate different stages of labour. I have had a few patient come in who had 'checked themselves at home' or had their partner do it, and I have yet to have on who was even close to accurate. Even though I check cervixes myself every day I work, and am familiar with my own, I wouldn't check mine at home while pregnant because if I think it needs to be checked, I should be getting seen by a medical professional!!!!!

I agree that if you don't know what you're looking for, your assessment is likely to be inaccurate.

BUT..

Do you think a self check could be used to asses cervical changes?

For example... not saying "I am x centimeters dilated" but "since these contractions have started, my cervix has gotten softer/shorter/more open." And then at that point you could say "yes, these are productive contractions and I should go to the hospital/birth center." Instead of showing up too early?
-------------------------------------------------------- To answer your question above, yes I do feel that way. That being said, if my doctor (who is a medical professional and has been practicing obstetrical care for quite a few years now) told me that it was necessary to check, I would be fine with it. Because he is a OBGYN WHO IS QUALIFIED TO DO THE PROCEDURE. Are you an OBGYN or a L&D nurse? If the answer is no, then you have no business performing a diagnostic procedure. ETA: hit submit too soon. The answer to your question to @Jenstwins is also no. You are not a medical professional so your findings are not relevant.

This is really a serious question that I'm curious about... not just about cervical exams.

Why do you feel like you can't be an authority over your own body? Why do you have to be a medical professional to evaluate yourself?

Because half the women on this site have their brain's fuzzied by the parasites that are feeding off their bodies and brains. In such a state they become hypochondriac's and think that they are dying when they have a bit of extra discharge. Every morsel of food is scrutinized and contemplated to the extent that Gallelo contemplated the flatness of the earth. And every ache and pain is a sign that something is wrong with their babies.

Sorry, but pregnancy is not the time to be sitting there trying muster up years of experience and training. That's why all maternity care under the ACA is 100% covered, because it produces healthier babies.

AND how many women who have been practicing FAM months after pregnancy get KU accidentally because they didn't read the signs right since their bodies had changed from the previous 10 years they were doing FAM? Hmmm?? There is no way for one to take the collective intelegence of a doctor or midwife and self diagnose.

To recap:

Three strikes
1) lack of training on how your body is working in this pregnancy.
2) brain suck
3) paranoia

Haha, I'll agree with you on that! The amount of dumb is so overwhelming sometimes. I think I forgot my audience.

Maybe I should go back and preface my posts with a warning...

jwls84 · January 2014

If you think you are having contractions that are causing you to dilate, call your doctor.
If you are to the point that you are doing self cervical checks, you obviously think you are in labour, go get checked!

memo9 · January 2014

I really didn't think about all the nut jobs who will probably stick their hands up their vaginas and then rush off to L&D, sure that they are dilated and in labor. I've been spending most of my time on my facebook due date group and there aren't any first time moms. Sorry y'all.

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

MegMo10 said:

This is really a serious question that I'm curious about... not just about cervical exams.

Why do you feel like you can't be an authority over your own body? Why do you have to be a medical professional to evaluate yourself?

You don't have to perform medical procedures that you are untrained to in order to be an authority over your body. There is a safe line.

Being an authority over your own body =\= performing medical exams on yourself.

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

maybe on Tuesday we can debate which is worse...performing self cervix checks or drinking wine or eating McDonalds.

SassyFlats · January 2014

Laura8388 said:

I'm not going to try, because even my doc won't look up there again due to the risk of infection - but - I'm still flabbergasted by the way some people can shove their whole hands in there and be able to feel their cervix! I feel like I know nothing about my body, and need to remember this for when I am not preg!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT THINK PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD DO THEIR OWN CHECKS.

@Laura8388 when NOT pregnant (!!!!) my experience is that it doesn't take your whole hand to reach your cervix! I could reach mine easily with a finger to assess open/closed/firm/soft. Of course, every woman's body is different... but I never had to "fist" myself to check (WHEN NOT PREGNANT!!!!).

I do think we can be authorities on our own bodies. I do not think that means poking around a sensitive area, which could lead to infection or cause PTL is a good idea AT ALL.

Also-- this thread and everyone's reactions and points of view and warnings makes me want to keep my legs crossed 24/7. Not that DH and I have had any sex anyway (yay, pregnancy killed my libido!), but I can't imagine how a penis bumping up against your cervix can be THAT much safer... I understand that's why women with risk signs may go on pelvic rest... but what if you don't know that anything is happening and you just go about sexy times and it does whatever everyone is afraid their finger would do???

I mean... I'm just saying.... I'm glad my DH is okay taking care of business himself because I am a paranoid, hormonal FTM and not only does sex not sound appealing or comfortable... it should downright dangerous now. Awesome.

memo9 · January 2014

SassyFlats said:

Laura8388 said:

I'm not going to try, because even my doc won't look up there again due to the risk of infection - but - I'm still flabbergasted by the way some people can shove their whole hands in there and be able to feel their cervix! I feel like I know nothing about my body, and need to remember this for when I am not preg!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT THINK PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD DO THEIR OWN CHECKS.

@Laura8388 when NOT pregnant (!!!!) my experience is that it doesn't take your whole hand to reach your cervix! I could reach mine easily with a finger to assess open/closed/firm/soft. Of course, every woman's body is different... but I never had to "fist" myself to check (WHEN NOT PREGNANT!!!!).

I do think we can be authorities on our own bodies. I do not think that means poking around a sensitive area, which could lead to infection or cause PTL is a good idea AT ALL.

Also-- this thread and everyone's reactions and points of view and warnings makes me want to keep my legs crossed 24/7. Not that DH and I have had any sex anyway (yay, pregnancy killed my libido!), but I can't imagine how a penis bumping up against your cervix can be THAT much safer... I understand that's why women with risk signs may go on pelvic rest... but what if you don't know that anything is happening and you just go about sexy times and it does whatever everyone is afraid their finger would do???

I mean... I'm just saying.... I'm glad my DH is okay taking care of business himself because I am a paranoid, hormonal FTM and not only does sex not sound appealing or comfortable... it should downright dangerous now. Awesome.

I was thinking that, but I wasn't going to go there.

SassyFlats · January 2014

Just being honest! Body parts, friction, pressure........ I mean, I'm totes paranoid about that.

ifr8955 · January 2014

Should you leave money on your own pillow after "touching yourself?" lol jk and being immature.

Obviously it's silly to check your own progression.

karacakes98 · January 2014

Seriously? I just can't even respond to some of the posts on this board right now. The ignorance is astounding. SMH

jennybean80 · January 2014

Again, I would NOT recommend checking your own cervix even to assess progression from a previous exam.

Here's why: first you would need a baseline to know what your cervix was originally. So say you doc checks you and says 'you are 2 cm, long, firm and posterior'. Now you have to check yourself to know what that feels like (unnecessary check #1). A week later you think you're having cramping. You check yourself at home (unnecessary check #2) and decide nothing has changed. The next morning you are still uncomfortable and check again (#3) and think you have changed so go see your doc. Based on you saying you think you've changed doc checks you (#4), even though your cramping doesn't sound like labour, because he/she wants to reassure you nothing is happening. You are still 2, long, firm and posterior. You recheck to make really sure you know what that feels like (#5). Etc, etc, etc.

Now at any one of these unnecessary checks by you or your doctor there is a potential for infection, rupture, cord spasm or cord prolapse. Since your doc probably has checked thousands of cervixes they are less likely to screw things up than you are!! Just leave it alone!

If you wouldn't encourage your SO to stick 2 fingers up his ass to screen for prostate cancer, why would you stick 2 fingers in your vagina to assess dilation!! You don't know what you're looking for and what is and is not a problem! HANDS OFF please!

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