Can i check my own cervix to see if i'm dilated and how do i do it?

Question

I am 8 days overdue with my second child, been having regular contractions allday, getting closer and stronger but don't want to go to the hospital because when i had my first child i was having regular contractions but was only one cm dilated when i got there.
does anyone know if i can check myself if my cervix is dilated?

Answer 1

Even if you could, unless you had felt other cervixes at dilation you wouldn't know what you were feeling anyway.

Answer 2

OK, I'll admit it's physically possible as all women can reach their own cervix, BUT!! it's not something I think everyone should do.

Reasons? Fiddling around with the cervix can speed up labour (by releasing more of the hormone prostaglandin) and/or rupture the membranes (break the waters). You could end up with contractions coming thick and fast and then a journey to hospital in a lot of pain, or even an unplanned home birth! Once the waters are broken, things will definitely speed up, plus there's a risk of infection. NEVER try to check your own cervix if you suspect your waters might have gone, you need sterile gloves to prevent the introduction of harmful bacteria.

Also, do you really know what you're feeling for? It takes quite a bit of "hands on" experience for a student midwife to be able to translate what she's feeling into cms of dilatation.

My other concern is that you're a second time mum. In my experience working on Delivery Suite, second mums place too much store on their first, lengthy labours and often arrive at the hospital a bit too late (some of them even gave birth in the car or the hospital lift!!). Forget about what happened first time around, in most cases labour is much, much quicker second time and women sometimes find they are wanting to push way before they were expecting. Second labours can also shift gear quite quickly rather than the slow but steady progress first time round.

If I were you I would leave well alone, and go into hospital as soon as you are sure that you are in established labour (contractions 5 mins apart is a good rule) and/or your waters break. And get a qualified midwife's opinion, not people off yahoo answers, LOL! Good luck.

Answer 3

Talk about De-ja-vou!!! Almost same thing happened to me! First time round, in agony, get to hospital only 4 cm dilated, 18 hours later baby finally arrives! Second time round (and worried sick), 11 days late and been induced! Spent all night on my own in hospital in bloody agony thinking the pains going to get worse and if I call anyone I'll only be a few centimeters so I hung on in there (plus it was extreamly painful when the midwife checked me!) Anyway, by the time it got so unbearable, I called the midwife over and I was 8cm!!! They whipped me down to the delivery room and an hour later, job done!
You go girl I bet your almost there! Don't suffer all night like I did, go and get some gas and air!!!!!!

Answer 4

Its better not to check your own cervix as you are not trained to do this,it takes alot of practice to do this and its hard to tell yourself. You definitely do not want to introduce any infection or bacteria down there which could cause problems with the baby, after the first pregnancy most women tend to dilate quicker with future pregnancy's so you could have the baby coming out quicker, i think it would be safer for you to go to the hospital where they can keep an eye on you and the baby.

Also when the cervix dilates quickly the baby can drop down and this may cause problems with the baby's oxygen and breathing and the umbilical cord can get wrapped around baby, its better to be safe.
Please go to the hospital if you need to. good luck

Answer 5

I'm curious how'd you do that! When I was pregnant there was no way I could get down there to see. You have to be careful of infection, don't go poking around there. It's not safe. You'll know when the time is right to get to the hospital.

Answer 6

Yes you can!

Stand with one leg raised (on bath tub or toilet seat usuallu works) and insert a finger. You should be able to feel your cervix. A soft cervix feels like your lips, a hard cervix feels like the tip of your nose.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Vaginal and cervical self exam help women learn what is normal, allowing women to more quickly recognize changes that occur. Vaginal self exam does not replace your annual professional pelvic exam.

Difficulty Level: hard Time Required: 20 minutes

Here's How:

1. You will need a strong light, such as a flashlight; a mirror; a vaginal lubricant, antiseptic soap or alcohol, and a plastic speculum (get a speculum from a pharmacy that sells medical supplies).
2. Find a place to relax. This can be the floor or your couch, wherever you can feel comfortable.
3. Lie back.
4. Bend your knees, with your feet wide apart.
5. Lubricate the speculum, and insert it into your vagina in the closed position. Experiment to find the most comfortable position for inserting the speculum.
6. Once the speculum is inserted, grab the shorter section of the handle and firmly pull it toward you until it opens inside your vagina.
7. Push down on the outside section until you hear a click, while keeping a firm hold on the speculum. The speculum is now locked in place.
8. Place the mirror at your feet so that you can see your vagina. Move the speculum, while shining the flashlight into the mirror, until you can see your cervix and vaginal walls in the mirror.
9. Take note of the color of your cervix, as well as any vaginal secretions.
10. Remove the speculum, after your examination is complete, either in the closed or open position whichever is most comfortable for you.
11. Thoroughly wash the speculum with antiseptic soap or alcohol and store for your next self exam.

Answer 8

You need to go to the hospital to get checked. If you aren't far enough along they will send you home, but that is much safer than you attempting to do this yourself. For the sake of your health and that of your child PLEASE go to the hospital.

Answer 9

i dont think you can. i wouldnt go poking around up there as there is a risk of infection!

talking of infection, if your waters have broke you need to go to hospital straight away, if not then hang in there a bit longer. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Why would you want to?Just calm down,they will take it soon enough.You're already 8 days late,How long is this doctor going to make you wait to get that thing out?