Tips for learning vag exams

buster4 · Jun 9, 2011

that is all u will feel for a while, how long don't know but i remember that "mush" feeling.. but i can't remember how long it took (this was 21 years ago), but i remember the mush!!! but it takes time..... and practice practice!!

JeneraterRN · Jun 9, 2011

Here's how I explain it to new nurses and students- close your eyes and make a fist with one hand, and feel the side of your hand where the fingers curl with the opposite hands middle finger. It gives you a mental image of what the closed cervix should feel like. Good luck!

nurseynightnight · Jun 9, 2011

My advice has always been to check your own cervix.

queenjulie, RN · Jun 9, 2011

I agree with @Nurseynightnight--if you are a woman, check your own! It changes texture and depth every few days as you go through the menstrual cycle, and it can help you get to know how your own body is working, not to mention making it MUCH easier to know what to feel for in your patients.

88nurse2010 · Jun 10, 2011

Thanks! Hadn't thought about checking your own cervix...

I guess it's just another one of those nursing skills that takes time. :-)

passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 15, 2011

I'm sorry but yuck to checking your own cervix. To each his own I guess...

I am also a nurse new to OB and what helped me with vag exams was getting my preceptor to check before me.

I always chose a epiduralized patient that doesn't mind and only do this once but I have the preceptor check first and then guide me by telling me where to go---posterior, more to the right etc. It actually helped me go in and locate and when I first "found" the cervix I was elated and never forgot that feeling.

Now learning stations is another story - having trouble visualizing ischial spine and counting cms!

MKS8806 · Jun 18, 2011

I agree with passionflower. I've had 1 year experience and when I was learning, I found it was easiest to check after my preceptor. They could tell me where to find the cervix and then I had something to compare my check with. Our facility also has charts that I still use religiously, especially for anything after 4 cm! I'm right handed, so I check with my right hand and compare to the chart with my left hand.

Whitefoxx · Jun 20, 2011

I'm new to L&D been working for about 2 months.

One of my coworkers gave me the best advice in helping me find that little elusive critter. That is to have hob flat and have them raise their hips, also to remember that sometimes the cervix may present to right or left not always straight back.

nurseynightnight · Jun 20, 2011

it is sad to me that you "passionflower" feel it is "yuck" to check your own cervix but you will have to check complete strangers daily at your job. There is nothing wrong with knowing your own body and it will give you a great example of what a thick, closed, firm cervix feels like. That way effacement will be easier for you to judge along with position of the cervix. Your own cervix changes shape and become more posterior during your cycle and softer at other times.

And not to mention if you have any of your own children you can check your own cervix when you are in labor and know when to head to the hospital.

good luck to all of the new L+D nurses!! It is a wonderful career!

sdg13 · Jun 22, 2011

I agree with the PP. It's a lot less 'yuck' to check my own cervix than to check that of a stranger! I've had to do much more 'yuck' things than that in my career! lol :)

passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 24, 2011

I just think that as an L + D nurse you get plenty of opportunities to do vag exams. Why necessary to go digging around in your own cervix? Just don't like the idea as much as you all do I guess and would rather not.