Cervical exam help

JaneyW · Jul 12, 2005

I am a new nurse in L&D and I need help with my cervical exams. I heard about a tool being sold in the internet to help practice with measuring cervical dilation and effacement. Does anyone out there know the website of such tool?

I wouldn't waste my money, IMO. Just get opportunity. I understand that not all patients (those ruptured, those without an epidural) should have a bunch of hands in there, but you will learn best by experience. I have been doing it for about 2 1/2 years, so I remember well when I was learning. Women are soft and although roughly the same can all feel very different as well. I still call for someone to second my exam sometimes when it just doesn't make sense to me--like the ones that come in rim +2 and don't even seem to be in pain!!! (OH, if they were only all like that---think of the lower amount of paperwork!!!).

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 12, 2005

don't waste your money. The best teacher in this case is experience.

For a quick reference, use fetal monitor paper-----each one minute "square" is 3cm. Just a hint!!!! You don't need those cervical charts, if you use that rule of thumb.

And effacement assessment comes with experience and time.

jrring1019 · Jul 13, 2005

I am a new nurse in L&D and I need help with my cervical exams. I heard about a tool being sold in the internet to help practice with measuring cervical dilation and effacement. Does anyone out there know the website of such tool?

I used something like that at the hospital where I learned l&d and although it was comical, it did not help at all. It was a HARD plastic thing with a slit for an opening and a fake cevix about an inch in and you couldn't even budge your fingers apart...... Just ckeck everyone you can, dilation is easy, station and effacement take time. At first your preceptor should check her and you should check right after, with the pts consent (and best with epidural, so you can get a good feel with the pt relaxed) and you will know exactly what your preceptor felt.

amber1142 · Jul 13, 2005

I'm going to start at a major teaching hospital, and I was told that the nurses don't generally do cervical exams because there are so many interns and residents around vying for their turns. I was a little disappointed because I'd like to learn.

Pixie Dust · Jul 16, 2005

The website is pocketdilationguide.com It's a great tool to have in your pocket for reference if you just want to check after yourself and also a great tool to bring out of your pocket to show those primes in very early labor just how much progress they've made when they're discouraged. I can't tell you how many I've sent home a little more reassured about they're progress when they can see it visually. And in my experience Murphy's law applies to those dilation charts. When you're not looking for one they're right on the desk. When you're looking for one you can't find them anywhere.

jamerss · Jul 16, 2005

The website is pocketdilationguide.com It's a great tool to have in your pocket for reference if you just want to check after yourself and also a great tool to bring out of your pocket to show those primes in very early labor just how much progress they've made when they're discouraged. I can't tell you how many I've sent home a little more reassured about they're progress when they can see it visually. And in my experience Murphy's law applies to those dilation charts. When you're not looking for one they're right on the desk. When you're looking for one you can't find them anywhere.

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. I will order one soon.