self checks

[Ashie8149]

Have any of you done self checks for dilation? Ive tried but im too huge to get a good angle. What angle worked for you ladies? Ive been wanting my hubby to check for me but hes been having crazy overtime at work so ive been asleep before he gets home =\

[Ashie8149]

Plus like i said ive done it through each of my pregnancies (this is #3) and no infections from it

[Ashie8149]

It will only cause infection if you have a dirty hand or something like that! Please tell me how there is a difference between me putting my fingers up inside me and my husband putting his penis inside me?! That is exactly what my dr told me when i asked about it. So unless you have some nasty fingers when youre doing it there is no greater chance of infection than there is during sex!

[butterflyxx123]

**nurse

[butterflyxx123]

You shouldnt be doing self checks. It can cause an infection...im a nursr, trust me...let your dr. do it please.

[Ashie8149]

The way i read about and had been doing says to sit on the toilet with one foot flat on the floor and the other flat on the toilet seat and pit your fingers back towards your butt but its not like it hangs wayyyy down so youre feeling for the puckered lips more than something dangling. But the earlier in pregnancy the cervical opening will tilt backwards so the further along you get the easier it will be to check since it wlil begin to angle forward more

[paisleysept8]

I sat on the toilet in a straddle position, when I reached the top it felt spacious, like my finger was going into a black hole.. did I not go up far enough or does this mean Im Dilated?

[Ashie8149]

And there is nothing wrong with that mamabear everyone is different and has different comfort zones. Im just sooo anxious and really wanna know if my EPO is working or not

[mamabear8911]

Seems difficult,  i don't feel comfortable doing it on myself.. I'll let my dr do it

[Ashie8149]

Its empowering to not have to rely on someone else (dr or midwife) to tell you what your own body is doing. Like i said its only a fingerTIP and youll be fine. I mean you have the mucus plug protecting the sac as well so youd have to really jab in order to break your waters but once you do it youll get the hang of what youre feeling. I did it my whole pregnancy with my first 2 this time im bigger but ill have to try the angle that misshatchetfantasy recommended!

[paisleysept8]

Omg.. I want to try it but I'm scared

[Ashie8149]

Once your up inside youre going to feel a bulge "hanging" down but its actually a funnel shape but the cervical opening feels like a bulge with almost like puckered lips and each fingertip you can fit between the "puckered lips" is 1cm. But do not just jab the fingers in there as you may rupture the amniotic sac/break your waters

[MissHatchetFantasy]

I used to do self checks. Stand with one foot on the toilet as if putting in a tampon.
And if your not dilated it will feel like a small dimple. 1cm is when ur fingertip can fit inside the cervix.
I'm 35w and doc checked me yesterday and confirmed I'm 1cm & 50%

[taianasmum]

I have no idea how you check. I wouldn't recommend it too often simply because you can bring bacteria into your vaginal area. make sure you wash well and wear gloves if you can

[paisleysept8]

How do you check your cervix?? I'm a ftm and curious, like what do I look for?

[Ashie8149]

Actually checking yourself will not send you into labor. Its highly recommended that women keep in touch with their bodies by checking their cervix even when your not pregnant your cervix can tell you a lot about your body. And im 3 days shy of 36 weeks anyways so even if you want to believe thst it can send you into labor im already in the clear...

[m_mari]

How far along are you? If you check too soon you can send yourself into preterm labor. Personally I don't check myself I leave that up to the Dr.