Checking your own cervix.

[flubdub]

What do any midwives (or anyone really) think about this?
Is it do-able? Or even safe?

Its doable, but helps to know what you're trying to feel and Gloria describes how to rather well.

Most important tho - never, ever if placenta is lying low down in uterus - can trigger a lot of bleeding.

Also, not if membranes ruptured - mostly because you don't really need bugs heading up to baby, particularly if you want to wait to go into labour naturally.

If yo go overdue, mwife will offer a "sweep" where she pretty much does what is described.

Methinks more use to be had by practicing perineal stretching!

Umm the thought of sitting on the toliet and putting one foot on the toilet scares me am I the only one (38+4) who can just about roll out of my bed let alone having my foot up by my bum But will give it a go.......thud (sound of TLSM tumbling off the toilet with one foot doen it)

I was quite familiar with my cervix before pregnancy (when ttc, not just idle fumbling!) and so tried to work out what was happening when 39+5 with DS. MW couldn't reach for a sweep and I thought I might have more luck. Over that next 24 hours I became aware of it getting lower, and opening. I thought "hey, this is finally it and it's not false labour anymore". Until I couldn't feel the opening anymore and thought I'd got it wrong and gave up hope it was the real thing. Went to the hospital to ask them to stop the false labour. Turns out I was 7cm dilated and it was the bag of waters I was feeling .

Had a fumble around with DD but never trusted my judgement again on that one!

Well Im 38+4, and tried this morning, but couldnt really reach. I could feel it, but not enough to know what I was doing, iyswim.

I have tried just sitting on the toilet and leaning back then pushing like I need a poo (that seems to bring it lower) also once you touch it it seems to drop and way I can get two fingers (sorry if TMI) inside - I was told at 36 weeks I was 2/3 cm dilated but it seems really long and never ending I would say I can get my fingers up 2 inches inside it and not reach the top - how long should the inside of the cervix be before you hit the waters?

All depends - if its your second/more baby, your Cx will stay long until you go into labour. For first time mums, the "drawing up" bit happens b4 labour.

Its normal for cervixes to point backwards, just makes midwives life v difficult when we're supposed to reach them for said "sweeps" . I'd be SO delighted to work with women/mums who are familiar with their intimate bits - so many of my clients just cringe at the thought of touching themselves.

But why would you do it? To bring it on?

i had to do this alot with ds... they did a smear test at 20 weeks (without telling me the risks, they insisted ) and i had some bleeding and alot of braxton hicks. after googling and finding some really helpful stuff i checked my cervix regularly to make sure i wasn't dilating.

then at the end of preg and during labour i checked alot to see if anything was happening

I checked half out of nosiness and excitement, and half because I'd had so much false labour I thought I wouldn't realise when it was the real thing. Which I didn't really!

Good luck PotPourri - Im 38+4, and am v fed up.

I am 38+5 so know how you feel flubdub I have the worse back ache couldnt sleep last night I also have had a false labour at 36 weeks had contractions every 3 minutes for 10 hours but they only lasted 30 seconds a go so did nothing then stopped I want to make sure that when the time comes it really is the time (if that makes sense)

Also whats wrong with checking your own body I never understand people who are like why would you want to do that ummm because I want to feel in control!

Anyway this morning I have checked and my cervix is so soft I cant get a finger near the inside because its too squshy what does that mean Kerry help?

It can be very far away pot pourri. Though lowers a lot in labour. If it's any consolation, my mw couldn't properly reach mine 36 hours before DS arrived and declared me "weeks away".