Can't reach cervix ?

[NewMummy29]

Hey Ladies

Really need some advice/help

I am quite clueless when it comes to labour and all that. (Labour phobia) so ignorance is kinda bliss for me right now... however, I am 39 weeks+1day, from what I can remember baby has been in birth position since my 37 weeks app with MW.
This couple of days I kept feeling the baby is just too low and whenever I walk or stand up feel like the baby is ganna drop, and had sharp pain down there like stabbing pain, and some weird urge to push. So decided to call triage and told me to come in went into midwife unit thing, think was delivery suite... mw said she will examine me, she put her finger in, but said she can't reach cervix. She went off for nearly half an hour to get advice from her boss, she came back and explained baby head is really low, my utters is really low and she couldn't reach cervix at all....

I am so confused to what's going to happen next, baby's head is really low and it is so uncomfortable i can't even walk properly I had to walk with my legs crossed!! This is my first pregnancy so I am sorry if I sound silly... but if they can't find my cervix does that mean I will have a c section? I am 39+1 and absolutely knackered, really can't imagine going over ☹️☹️

Thank you ladies!

[Bue]

It means your cervix is still far back (posterior). It needs to move forward before it starts to dilate. Sometimes when baby's head is really low like yours is, the cervix gets pushed waaay back behind it so it can be very difficult to reach (midwife here). It doesn't mean you will have a Caesarean, it's a good sign that your baby is so low but your body just has some more work to do before it is ready to labour. Hang in there!

[GuessWho04]

This happened to me, when it was around due date with my 2nd, midwife tried to do a sweep but she could not reach my cervix, too, but I was always feeling scratching pain, dull pains below. Two days later I went into labour, what helped was the day before I went for a really long walk, and then kept as active as possible! But as pp has said, your nearly there your body just has a little bit more to do.

Good luck.

[NewMummy29]

@Bue @GuessWho04 thank you Ladies!
I think it might be because I been sitting around not been as active as I should be, I will start going for walks today maybe that will help.

Also, I been focusing on being positive about vaginal birth, but last night when I was in the delivery suit, the min I laid in bed to be examined, it all became too real for me and i actually got so emotional and teary☹️ how do I prepare myself more, I found it so painful and uncomfortable just being examined so how the hell am I going to give birth!!

[GuessWho04]

You'll be fine, I promise. Just make sure you do lots of reading, educate yourself about the process of giving birth, and why it hurts, there's a great video on you tube about the balloon and giving birth, really focus on your breathing . I found with my first I really lacked the knowledge. Your body will do what is right for you. Have no expectations upon yourself.

[Casmama]

I would suggest staying as upright as possible during labour - birthing balls are great and they will probably have some. I gave birth on all fours and felt far more in control than I would have done on my back. I know it sounds daft but lying on my back felt more painful and immediately made me feel like a patient.
All the best.

[Shhhhhh2018]

@NewMummy29 I found it more uncomfortable when I was being examined etc simply because it meant I had to lay on the bed. Once moving around its much much easier

[Bue]

OP a lot of women worry about that. However having a vaginal exam feels nothing like contractions or like pushing a baby out. It's a totally different feeling!

[KimmySchmidt1]

GEt some meditation spa music to play while you’re In labour, read about what contractions are, practice big slow deep breaths as these help manage the pain, don’t scream high in your throat, make low breathing noises pushing all the air out down your body - practice making these noises so you don’t feel embarrassed. If you have time download some pregnancy meditation coaching from iTunes - Katharine Graves is very good, she explains what your body is doing and gives you reassuring phrases to repeat to yourself to help you feel more confident and relaxed.

Keep moving around when in labour as long as you can - don’t lie on your back if possible as that’s stops you’re tail bone from arching outwards to let baby’s head through. Get on all fours, wave your hips from side to side to help loosen your muscles, do whatever you can to loosen your body up and help any get in the best position!

[LambMadras]

Hang in there. My midwife couldn't reach my cervix to do a stretch and sweep on me with my DS2. She told me labour was not imminent.

I gave birth that evening.

[Cutesbabasmummy]

I have no idea how I manahed a vaginal birth as it was highly likely due to other medical issues that I would end up woth a section. The pain is another level but you just do it. And you get the best reward!

[1sttimeunicorn]

I had this. Agree with the others! Get moving and good luck!

[AriadneThread]

Hey OP, I had birth phobia too. No one can tell you what your labor will be like but for me I found untapped strength I didn't know I had, and even during labor I was thinking that it hurt but it wasn't possible that would stay with me- it wasn't traumatic pain. I completely agree about the lying down comment. For me it was far less painful when not lying down. And the pushing phase did not hurt at all-again this is just me. I dislike vaginal exams and refused all but 2 exams. They didn't hurt at all but it made me feel much more in control. You have rights to decline anything. Stay strong.

[NewMummy29]

Thank you ladies! I feel much relaxed now.

@AriadneThread thank you Hun, I hope I discover all the strength I have that I didn't know about lol. I am 40+1 today and no sign of baby but I have been going for daily walks so hopefully that will help! Although it been quite uncomfortable since baby's head is really low!!

[AriadneThread]

Walking is great at this stage! As best you can. Remember average for first baby is around 40+8 so you are not overdue!