question about feeling the cervix...and conratactions...

[Dansta]

i'm *hopeing* this is the right place to ask...becuase...well...it just seemed like it...ok?

when dilation starts, does the cervix 'drop' or can it stay high? becuase i know im still over a week away and i know that i may not dilate untill AFTER my EDD but i've read here how to 'check' myself in that regard. and i know that my cervix used to 'drop' eather before AF or ovulation - i cant rember so now im wondering if it'll 'drop' before and how long...or if its possable to stay 'high' - and the midwives havent checked...they may do on wednesday at my appt...

and this is the question you can all giggle at me for, because believe me...im not just red in the face 'cus its HOT!

Conractions. i understand the uterus contracts...it kinda hurts...but can you PHYSICLY feel them? like BH...can you feel them? all i feel is blips bum move and make my belly into an egg shape, and im thinking that its all it is...blip bum dancing. so im not sure if i dont know what a BH feels like being my frist or what. two weeks ago i had priod type pain...and its not come back...but i do get like 'electric' shocks on what im guessing in my cervix...but im fairly sure thats normal....so will i ever "feel" conractions (as in the utrerus concracting) or just the 'pain' of them...

Thank-ing you in advance

[Mumma&Bubba(s)]

Hi there baby blip,
I'm not entirely sure what you're asking but I'll try and answer as best I can!

Concerning cervix dilation:
I don't actually think it is entirely recommended to feel around your cervix as your uterus is currently a sterile (bacteria free) environment - as soon as you go poking around your cervix you may introduce harmful bacteria (pathogens) to your bubs and that could possible cause an infection. You honestly don't need to feel how dilated you are - that's your midwife/OB's job for when you are in labour, but even then it's not entirely necessary. So it really is best to not feel yourself as you may cause a lot of unnecessary damage.

Regarding contractions:
It varies from person to person, but at least with me (and I've heard a lot of the same elsewhere) I had strong period type pain - they can either be in your lower abdomen or your lower back. You will definitely know when they are contractions - you will just know! Don't worry about not knowing when it is time because your body will! So really to answer your question contractions are like cramping - a squeezing of the uterus. When it comes time to push the bubs, your body will know that too - as horrible as this sounds it feels like needing to go to the toilet to empty your bowels (I know that sounds odd, but it's true!).

Good luck with your birth honey, I hope you have a quick labour and above all a beautiful healthy bubba

[Trillian]

I agree with not going poking around in there too much - dilation isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to birth - you can be 5cm's one minute and then 10 the next. Plus if you don't really know what you're feeling, there's not much point to doing it.

As for contractions, yes, you will feel them physically. Your stomach will go rock hard with each contraction. You'll feel the *pain* mostly down low, as that's where all the action is as each contraction is helping to firstly thin and efface the cervix before dilating it, so try to visualise each contraction pulling open your cervix. So you won't feel as much of the contraction up high on your bump, but it will go hard. BH's are different in that they are a constant pain, they don't have the distinctive peak and ebb of a contraction. They are usually quite a different sensation too. Your stomach generally doesn't go hard during BH's, but sometimes it can.