Well I just Checked my self I can fit 2 finger tips and it said you could feel the babies head which I did I'm soooo excited I'm 39 weeks and 4 days I bought my castor oil in fingers crossed it works :DDD
Do I just reach straight in? or do I have to bend my finger any certain way?
Each fingertip is approximately 1 centimeter. However many fingers your can fit is approximately how far you are dilated.
@christine_95 before pregnancy your cervix is generally hard and elongated and you cannot feel an opening on the tip of it. When you start to dilate and efface your cervix will feel thinner and softer. Wash your hand and gently insert one finger into your vagina, if you can fit one fingertip into the tip of your cervix and it's softish you're one centimeter dilated. Each finger
How do you do a self check?
@doulamommy and everyone else thank you for your input :-) I'll keep y'all posted as to how things work out.
I think the reason your doctor made such a big deal is because they themselves (drs) dont really like to check the cervix a lot because it increases the chances of infection. I learned this when my sister gave birth last month. So I would just leave it to your doctor to be safe :)
@ash060115
Do you know what your cervix feels like/where it normally sits? There's a hundred tutorials on the internet that explain it step by step.
@brandeyy
If you feel more comfortable leaving it to a pro, awesome. But checking your cervix is kinda like picking your nose or cleaning out your ears. You're far less likely to do damage than if someone else tries to do it, because it's your body and you know what you're feeling. It's impossible to "hurt the baby" by getting your cervix checked unless your water is broken, in which case *nothing* should be inserted into your vagina because it increases your risk of infection.
Can anyone tell me how to check?
Well I personally think it is best to leave it to your doctor. And if theres something that you think she should double check,then ask her. Eventhough you have training, she is your doctor and has the license to do it. You might accidently do something to harm yourself or the baby..just let the doc do her job and you can try and relax and not stress yourself by checking if you are dialated :) best wishes to you and your bundle of joy!!
Oh and I've been 1 cm for about two months and I'm 37 weeks now. I checked for the same reason you did, cervical cramping.
Umm are you not allowed to insert anything into your vagina? Her reaction might make sense if you were on strict pelvic rest. But I've checked myself quite a bit this pregnancy. The one time I've asked my midwife to check so far (since I was undressed for the gbs test anyway) she basically just confirmed what I already knew. About a cm and 50% thinned. The only thing she told me that I hadn't known was that baby was a -1 station, but I already knew baby was engaged, just not the extent.