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For the people saying you cant reach your own cervix,, i dont know where yours is placed because i can feel mine just fine. I'm only 34 weeks, but i check myself,,and as a matter of fact, my cervix just softened up a few days ago.

Em, That is funny. So your doctor says ppl that can feel there own cervix must have abnormally long arms. Wow! I would find a new doctor. What is yours checking for? You do realize when they do a pelvic exam they only introduce there fingers in your v____a and not there whole hand or arms right. Can you please give me the name and location of your doctor. I would love to know. So your doctor must find the rest of the medical profession ignorant right. My cousin has fertility problems and her doctor recommended her checking her cervix to see if she maybe ovulating. And I have average length arms and was able to check myself without a problem at all. The point I want to make again, if you don't agree, you think its ignorant or whatever DON"T DO IT. Why get on here and say it is impossible. It maybe for some due to weight or whatever but not for all ppl. I encourage you people go to the midwife forum. Ask the midwifes they are happy to help. I didn't think I was gonna respond anymore. But it is so funny to hear ppl say there dr said it is impossible or you have to have abnormally long arms.... etc, etc, etc. These would not be a dr I personally would see. However, we all know what opinions are like. but you can ask 10 doctors the same question and get 10 different answers. Some may be simular as others maybe way off. Thus the reason most ppl get a second opinion. Anyways Em good luck. You must be getting anxious. Happy birthing all.

I don't think it's that stupid of a question if you didn't know...the only stupid question is the one that goes unasked.

you should just say you are having labor pains and go to the hospital...they wear gloves and everything is so sterile...why check yourself when people are getting paid to check for you??besides you dont want to put infection up there.i dont think it was a dumb question...just maybe the wrong people to ask..before attempting to do anything that involves downstairs and your pregnany ask your doc...

I am due in ten days and I have to say that I have been wondering the same thing about being able to check myself. Take it from someone who has been heving contractions for over two weeks straight and has been to the hospital twice and been sent home no where near in labor. It is very frustrating not knowing what is going on with my own body, and not really getting the awnsers I would like from my OBGYN. I am young and this is my first baby so I ahve no idea what to expect. I believe that if I knew how to check myself it would be alot easier on me than being in the dark all the time. My OBGYN is a good doctor but sometimes there are things that you just want to know for yourself. I feel for the girl who posted the question, as I know exactly what shes going through. Hope she had a good delivery and a healthy baby. Hope I do too.

Actually to all of you who think this is a stupid question its not. Everyone is different as you should know. Many women can touch their own cervix to determine dilation. My mother is a midwife. When my husband and I were trying to get pregnant she encouraged me to chart and to check my cervix then. Now that I am 39 weeks she encourages my husband to check my cervix. Anyone who says that one cant check ones self or have a partner check them is a closed minded idiot.

I just want to say that for anyone who would like to ask perfectly valid questions like this without fear of being attacked by people "smarter" than you <rolling my eyes>, you should check out the forums at Mothering.com. You can ask anything you want there, and people will be thrilled to share the information with you and won't think you're stupid for asking. :)

Linda, that's a great suggestion. I even think Jenny and company should at least go there and read. I'd hope that they'd refrain from posting until they learned not to attack other posters, but the mods could handle that.

This is not a stupid question!!! Everyone has the right to ask questions. In fact a person can check herself for dilation and effacement; there is nothing wrong or emoral with that. I am a certified childbirth educator and labor doula; so I guess this means I know more about the subject than these ladies that thought the question rude and stupid. This woman is going to be more gentle with her own body than some other person; even if that person is a doctor, or midwife for that matter. Women have to take responsibilty for themselves -waiting for someone to tell you what to do is not always best. We have options; and responsibilty to ourselves and children to know what these options are. Start educating yourselves regarding childbirth now while you still have a chance.

I know how to check my own cervix, and also dialation, because I found out the info for myself, because I plan on delivering my own baby by myself. I urge you to educate yourselves also!

The only ignorance I see in this thread are from those attempting to make derisive comments about the OP. Depending upon cervical position, v____al length, and agility of the woman, checking one's own cervix can be quite possible. It is,however, not advisable, as doing so can introduce bacteria into the cervix. It is also possible , albeit a bad idea, to rupture the membranes. It can be extremely dangerous (risk of infection, elevated risk of cesearan...etc). I have known of a few cases where this has been done (and I'm surprised the women admitted it).

to og back to a point made by an earlier poster....does this whole thing about introducing infection also mean that as pregnant women we should demand that our husbands "disinfect" themselves before engaging in the labor speeding technique of having s_x to induce contrations? washing your hands should be enough (although i am not saying that wearing gloves is not a good thing to do)....but guys can be quite dirty (or at least smelly) esp "down there". lets get realistic and just let it go :)

Colleen, yes, I make him use that hand sanitizer every time LOL ;) a__suming that women wash their hands PROPERLY, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. Unfortunately, most people don't wash their hands (and under nails) properly. I honestly don't have an issue with anyone checking themselves (I'm oh so guilty as well), as long as you're very very careful. It's the rupturing of the membranes that bothers me. I have had women admit to sharpening a fingernail and snagging a bulging bag on purpose.

I personally think Jenny was being rude. Even though you know that you can't check yourself does not mean Tee does. No question is a stupid question! There really is no need to call people stupid or a moron, I mean seriously, not everyone is a smart as you THINK you are!!! People who act like b___hes because someone else doesn't know something really p__s me off. Why be mean to someone just because they don't know something?? Shows how mature you are!

Oops, guess I should have read how long ago the post was!!!

Christina, GET OVER IT! It was like 2 months ago. And besides, Jenni wasn't the only being rude, tons of people have been rude...and as you can see, she hasn't posted in almost one month, so do you really think your comment matters? Seriously ladies, this is so old now, if you want to talk about dilation and checking yourselves then go ahead, but to dwell on people's comments that are so old is bordering pathetic. Girls can be so caddy...