Ok, so I have only done 4 so far. I can find the cervix, but I didn't know it would feel so floppy. Am I supposed to insert fingers and stretch it gently to where they are dilated to? Of just feel around it and guesstimate? Or have I just got some unusually floppy cervix's?
I have some fairly good OB experience, but have never done cervical checks, and it is the one thing I am concerned about. I read through all the past threads about this, and I think the advice in them is the reason I can even find the cervix at this point! So thanks, and hopefully you guys will have some more advice for me!
BTW, at least I know what complete feels like, and can call the doc at that point, lol!
when you have a primip who "thinks she might me in labor" and "is not sure if I am having contractions or not" when you can't find the cervix....keep going. It is located somewhere near the tonsil area
LOL... yep, when I started this was my next challenge just after I figured out the mush....
When I first felt the mush, I was like "whoa" ... I was prepared to figure out the centimeters but had no idea they got that way & I'd have learn to distinguish it from the rest of the mush before I could even measure :) ... but I figured that out way faster than the 'up in China', closed cervix.
Oh boy do we ever! The doctors very rarely do cervical checks where I work!
Crissrn27, the cervical dilatation models come as posters too and we have them hanging on the walls of each of our L&D rooms, as a visual teaching aid for the patients and to help us nurses! It sounds like you are doing very well for only having done 4 exams! It took me a long time to get it right! Check with your nurse manager about getting posters for your L&D rooms! Good luck!
mitchsmom
1,907 Posts
LOL... yep, when I started this was my next challenge just after I figured out the mush....
When I first felt the mush, I was like "whoa" ... I was prepared to figure out the centimeters but had no idea they got that way & I'd have learn to distinguish it from the rest of the mush before I could even measure :) ... but I figured that out way faster than the 'up in China', closed cervix.