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Original poster

assessing own cervix?

19 replies

spots · 12/05/2004 08:03

I am 5 days over my due date at the moment and want to find out if there's anything going on; have had the period pain-y cramps but nothing else. Somewhere along the line have picked up notion that a 'ripe' cervix feels like a lip and an unripe one feels like a nose. Has anyone tried assessing their own? or is it all forbidden territory, risk of infection etc.?

can I even reach?...

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Nimme · 12/05/2004 10:24

I don't think you can tell from your cervix if you're pg or not.

It should feel softer around ovulation so I guess lip versus nose not bad comparison. I tried to assess when charting to get pg - found it quite hard to determine difference and stuck to temp and cervical mucus which did the trick. You should be able to reach if you squat and prod about a bit - just remember to wash hands before and after.

Hope this helps

SpringChicken · 12/05/2004 11:24

Nimme Spots is already pregnant
Think she is wondering about when she is going to go into labour.

I haven't got the feintest idea Spots btu would be interested to know, so will keep an eye for the responses.

Egypt · 12/05/2004 11:25

hi spots - i keep wondering whether to check or not. dont think i will be able to reach around the bump either! surely its something you'd be able to tell if you're used to the feel of it, but don't know about the infection thing. sure it's ok - we can still have sex

are they going to do a sweep on you? do you want one?

NomDePlume · 12/05/2004 11:39

My God ! I couldn't even reach the outside of my bits and pieces when I got past 25 weeks ! Would be v impressed if you could, though

SpringChicken · 12/05/2004 11:41

EGYPT How the devil are you?

Good point about the reaching around bump - may be too much info but whilst on the toilet last night noticed i was started to struggle with the wiping cos bump was getting in the way - Don't think DP will want to help out on that front though

Egypt · 12/05/2004 11:49

Hi springchicken i'm fine - 5 days to go and fed up really. anyway, poor spots, 5 days overdue. at least you know you'll be next - more than likely

yes springchicken, i know what you mean, i find it hard to wipe myself too!! its more of a strrreeeeetchhhhh, quick wipe, phew.

spots, had a search on net and couldnt find anything about assessment own cervix. not q sure what words to use for the search - but failed

Nimme · 12/05/2004 16:02

Springchicken - yes it would help if i read the quetion properly - durr..............

Nimme · 12/05/2004 16:02

And if I could type

Original poster
spots · 12/05/2004 16:11

yeh just realised the concern about infection sort of stupid if you're still having sex... Sweepwise think they may offer me one tomorrow but hell, mebbes do that myself while I'm at it eh? unless you're offering egypt

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Egypt · 12/05/2004 17:21

HA! ok, got me marigolds....

vivat · 12/05/2004 22:42

spots - am in the same position (5 days late that is, not the other !) Refused a sweep today and now wondering if i've done the right thing. Not sure if i'm feeling flexible enough, but hey ho....

Original poster
spots · 13/05/2004 08:24

Well I did check... in case anyone's interested... ??! have to say it all feels quite different up there from last time I visited and I couldn't actually tell which WAS my cervix. Don't know if this means it's ripe and therefore more difficult to differentiate from rest of muscle tissue up there. Or if I'm just a dipstick who can't find her own cervix (but I'm SURE it was there last time I looked). Ho hum. Would still be interested to know if anyone can offer any tips on 'self assessment' (no tax bods need respond).

OP posts:
Branster · 13/05/2004 08:37

i've never heard of this notion of assessing own cervix. am ipressed though you've managed to reach there in your condition. from what i know though, there's this sort of 'plug' covering the cervix whilst pregnant (to stop infections) and it comes out when you have a show. i was 1 week late with dd and went to hospital when i started having contractions. my waters didn't actually broke, the mw had to do that for my during the labour. so i would imagine that's why you can't find the cervix because of this 'plug' thing, it must feel different. you're a brave girl for trying!

Egypt · 13/05/2004 11:11

righto spots - going to check mine now. how did you do it? just shove one up there????? sorry. ahem..... shall report back soon, like in 2 seconds when i've realised i can't actually reach!

Egypt · 13/05/2004 11:13

that was quick! can JUST reach the tip of it, but cant properly feel it as it seems to be very high. either that or my stomach is in the way. oh i dont know

windmill · 13/05/2004 13:43

I know someone who didn't like vaginal examinations and her midwife advised her to examine herself. Midwife said you can't normally reachit yourself when in late pregnancy but in labour you normally can and it feels like a ring.

Infection wise, even when done by a mw or doctor is a risk of infection, which presumably is why they use hibitane instead of ordinary lubricant like ky jelly. Just make sure you wash your hands before you do it.

Wallace · 13/05/2004 15:31

I remember checking my own when i was pregnant. It was a while ago, but I think I remember it being flatter and wider, with a hole big enough to stick a finger in

Egypt · 13/05/2004 17:03

was that when you were starting too dilate wallace? by the way, spots has had a checkup and is 2 cm dilated!!!!!

Wallace · 13/05/2004 19:07

I think it was at least a few days before I went into labour, but must have been starting to dilate. I wish I could describe properly what it felt like...or draw a picture...
good luck to all!

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