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Specializes in L&D!.

Ok so we're roughly 3 weeks into our L&D orientation (we did mother/baby first) and I am HORRIBLE at exams. I can't tell what the heck I'm feeling for, I can't tell the difference between a cervix and any other tissues. My preceptor tells me "Don't come out until you have an answer," but I don't feel like doing a 5 minute exam on some poor woman in labor... Everyone just keeps telling me "When you feel it, you'll get it." Well, I'm getting frustrated and I'm not getting it. Anyone have any useful tips to help me out?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

HI and welcome to our forum!

I just take my gloved hand and GENTLY sweep along the small of the woman's back ----posterior lady partsl wall until I reach the end----which would be the cervical fornix in most people. When you do, you then gently move forward/anteriorly toward the pubic bone or front of the lady. Doing so, you will find the cervical os, or opening almost every single time. I must re-emphasize being gentle. And please, do this with very well-lubricated gloves.

It takes practice, but this technique will help you find the cervix----your fingers will literally "fall" into it----nearly every time!

Good luck!

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Why not try checking your own cervix to get a feel for what it is like? A non-pregnant cervix and a pregnant cervix are very different animals but it might give you an idea. I checked my cervix for fertility charting for a long time before I was a nurse and I think it helped when I started doing VE.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

personally I could not do that. it just was too uncomfortable for me.

but not a bad suggestion.

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