I need some help with this

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

This is not meant to sound weird but I honestly believe it was valid and I hope no one think I am crazy for even asking something like this but I am concerned. I may decide to go into OB at the end of my senior capstone experience that I will be doing in the OB area starting May 25th. However, I have a concern about checking for how far the woman is dilated and checking the effacement. How long did it take you to learn that? Was it difficult? I am more than willing to learn but I was really wondering about that. This is not my biggest concern the biggest concern I have is that my hands are NOT incredibly small but they are small woman hands. Will that have a bearing on anything? Does anyone here have small hands or know of anyone who have small hands? I know this sounds weird but like I said it is a valid question for me and I have learned in life that the only dumb question are the one's you are too afraid to ask and never ask.

If someone can please help me that will greatly be appreciated.

I finally ordered some OB books and here are the one's I decided on and finally have: 1) AWHONN Core Curriculum For Maternal-Newborn nursing and 2)Fetal Monitoring and Assessment by Susan Martin Tucker.

[AlaskaKat]

Checking cervixes has more to do with technique than hand size. Mine are medium and have had no problems, a doc I work with has very small hands and no problems. It does take some time to learn, but if you want to do it then do it!

[ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN]

When I was learning, I had a great preceptor who would have me check first, and then she would re-check. I know, I know, those poor women! It took me a few, ok several, tries before I even FELT a cervix, but once I did, I had it down!

When I was teaching someone, and she was having a very difficult time, I drew her a picture, and then demonstrated with my hands the technique used. It helped.

Then there are those cool plastic charts that 2 years later I still use to double check dilation.

I have very large hands and long fingers and I have, at times, been able to get to a cervix when noone else could reach it. But really, if it is that high, you can pretty much bet that they aren't in labor. I once worked with a doc who wouldn't "dig" for it, and would just chart it as "high" in those situations.

One trick I learned was if the cervix is very high or posterior, make sure the bed is completely flat, and have the woman tilt her pelvis by putting closed fists under her buttocks.

Good luck!