Question for anyone who checks their own cervix - sp TMI

[Amy]

Ok, now I'm curious. I'm used to charting cervical position from when I was
ttc, and know what my cervix normally feels like. After I had a bit of
spotting - 36 weeks - I wondered about my dilation/effacement etc. I've
tried to check myself, but I can't find my cervix at all! I've never had
that problem. I thought the only time the cervix was that high was during
ovulation or at the height of arousal. Usually even when I'm ovulating I can
find it, it's just a bit further back.
So now I'm wondering, is it possible it's in a similar position but just
very soft so I can't feel the OS? Is the cervix usually higher or lower than
normal when it is dilating/effacing favourably for labour?
I'm looking at induction in a couple of weeks, so I'm interested to know
whether the fact I can't find it is a good thing or a bad thing, obviously I
want it to be favourable. If I get curious enough, I might ask my midwife at
my next appointment.
Anyone have any experiences or know anything about this?

[Dagny]

"Amy" > wrote in message
...
> Ok, now I'm curious. I'm used to charting cervical position from when I
was
> ttc, and know what my cervix normally feels like. After I had a bit of
> spotting - 36 weeks - I wondered about my dilation/effacement etc. I've
> tried to check myself, but I can't find my cervix at all! I've never had
> that problem. I thought the only time the cervix was that high was during
> ovulation or at the height of arousal. Usually even when I'm ovulating I
can
> find it, it's just a bit further back.
> So now I'm wondering, is it possible it's in a similar position but just
> very soft so I can't feel the OS? Is the cervix usually higher or lower
than
> normal when it is dilating/effacing favourably for labour?
> I'm looking at induction in a couple of weeks, so I'm interested to know
> whether the fact I can't find it is a good thing or a bad thing, obviously
I
> want it to be favourable. If I get curious enough, I might ask my midwife
at
> my next appointment.
> Anyone have any experiences or know anything about this?
>
>

Probably you can't find it because it has flipped around and the os is
pointed toward your back. It does that during pregnancy.

[Amy]

"Dagny" > wrote in message
...

> Probably you can't find it because it has flipped around and the os is
> pointed toward your back. It does that during pregnancy.

Thanks Dagny - does that happen during late pregnancy? I could find it
easily enough early on.

[Dagny]

"Amy" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dagny" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> > Probably you can't find it because it has flipped around and the os is
> > pointed toward your back. It does that during pregnancy.
>
> Thanks Dagny - does that happen during late pregnancy? I could find it
> easily enough early on.
>
>
I'm not sure. Like you, I just remember looking for it and wondering where
it went. You'll see in cross-section pictures of a decent sized fetus in
pregnancy, they usually show the cervix pointed toward the back.

I asked my midwife last pregnancy when it would turn back around, and she
said something like, if it isn't turned around when I come out to the house
when you are in labor, I'm going home. That wasn't exactly the most useful
answer.
-- Dagny

[Amy]

"Dagny" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Amy" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Dagny" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> > > Probably you can't find it because it has flipped around and the os is
> > > pointed toward your back. It does that during pregnancy.
> >
> > Thanks Dagny - does that happen during late pregnancy? I could find it
> > easily enough early on.
> >
> >
> I'm not sure. Like you, I just remember looking for it and wondering
where
> it went. You'll see in cross-section pictures of a decent sized fetus in
> pregnancy, they usually show the cervix pointed toward the back.
>
> I asked my midwife last pregnancy when it would turn back around, and she
> said something like, if it isn't turned around when I come out to the
house
> when you are in labor, I'm going home. That wasn't exactly the most
useful
> answer.
> -- Dagny

lol @ your midwife!

[Cathy]

Dagny wrote:
> "Amy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Ok, now I'm curious. I'm used to charting cervical position from
>> when I was ttc, and know what my cervix normally feels like. After I
>> had a bit of spotting - 36 weeks - I wondered about my
>> dilation/effacement etc. I've tried to check myself, but I can't
>> find my cervix at all! I've never had that problem.
>
> Probably you can't find it because it has flipped around and the os is
> pointed toward your back. It does that during pregnancy.

I think this is what happened to me, and when my midwife examined me (I was
3 cm dilated) she somehow pulled it to the front. Very uncomfortable (and I
wonder if it was totally necessary).

Cathy

[Cathy]

Elfanie wrote:
> On Tue, 15 Jun 2004 14:04:28 +1200, "Cathy" >
> wrote:
>
>
>> I think this is what happened to me, and when my midwife examined me
>> (I was 3 cm dilated) she somehow pulled it to the front. Very
>> uncomfortable (and I wonder if it was totally necessary).
>>
>> Cathy
>>
>
> Not totally necessary...but it makes it easier to feel.
>
> the cervix is posterior throughout the pregnancy...getting more and
> more posterior as the baby grows.
>
> before your baby is born, several things have to happen..
> the cervix ripens/softens
> the cervix turns from posterior to midline to anterior
> the baby's station lowers
> the cervix effaces
> and the cervix dilates
>
> the cervix moving to anterior can happen before labor (like
> effacement and dilation can occur prior to labor), or not until
> labor...it really depends.
>
Thanks for that! I have only my discharge notes from the hospital, but
apparently there is more I can get, and my midwife is going to get them for
me. But I'm just starting to remember things from last time, and I want to
be a bit more prepared this time, especially as I am aiming for a home
birth.

Cathy
EDD 8 Dec 04