this may sound weird, but............

[borntobemummy]

is it possible to check your own dilation when in labour, I just don't think i could reach that far when full term, let alone any time.

We are planning to stay home until i absolutely have to go into hospital to help ensure i get a VBAC, so it would be helpful to be able to tell how far I am.

My doula said she can't do it, but can instruct me at the time how to do it myself. I'm thinking DH might have to do it (as embarrassing as it would be with the doula there:o )

Anyone with experience?

[the_queen]

I don't have experience but I have definitely heard of women doing this during homebirth.


And yay for you - good on you for trusting your body, :fingerscrossed: you get your VBAC! :D

[WeThree]

If you can instruct DH on how to do it, there is no reason why your doula cannot just leave the room whilst he checks. I think its one finger per cm or something like that? So one finger equals one centimetre dilation? I actually have no idea to be honest, I think I saw that on an Ab Fab episode! :laughing: :o

[borntobemummy]

thanks. I don't really have a choice:) I hope my body cooperates!

[defaipe]

hmm this may be a weird q but wouldnt it be hard to reach??
im hoping to stay at home for as long as possible before having bub at hospital so im intrigued.. no doubt my partner would love to help :laughing:

[aardvark]

The biggest issue would possibly be that your partner might be worried about causing you discomfort, and therefore declaring that he can't do it.

I think you'll find it is possible with the right approach to do it yourself, especially with guidance from your doula.

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

I used to get df to check my dialation when preggas with dd,i think i may have done it with ds too.

[phineas]

I've heard of women checking themselves :yes:

Also of their partners doing it for them - have a chat to him and see what he thinks about it.

I can't imagine being able to reach that far though! When you are close to your due date maybe you should practice in the shower so you are confident and comfortable when you are in labour :thumbsup:

[Ffrenchstar]

You can definately do it...if you know what your cervix normally feels like, you will be able to tell as it changes:)

[Mamaduke]

I think I saw that on an Ab Fab episode! :laughing: :o
Somehow I don't think Pats and Eddy are the ones you'd want to be taking birthing advice from!!!! :laughing:

[iluvmeboyz]

:laughing: :laughing:

[Lirael]

I couldnt do it, sounds gross. and I doubt very highly my DP would have done it.

maybe ur hubby will do it for you:confused:

[borntobemummy]

My DH seems to be ok with it, though hesitant because he knows how important staying home means for the VBAC. I'm scared because he has big hands and I remember with DD the internals were worse than contractions by far!! Thanks for the advice, we will look into it some more.

[stellarella]

YES you can!! I was checking my own dilation.....HOWEVER....in the midst of an intense and very long labour my brain went a bit fuzzy...I thought I was only about 2 cms when I was actually 5!!:rolleyes:

Yeah....it can be a bit difficult to make a clear judgement....

[stellarella]

Just thought id add....its hardly embarassing...I mean your about to squeeze a watermelon out of your vagina FGS....

I would do it myself rather than let DP though....it could get uncomfortable with someone else doing it...its not hard to reach either...

[WeThree]

Somehow I don't think Pats and Eddy are the ones you'd want to be taking birthing advice from!!!! :laughing:

Really?? why not??? :confused: :p

[becca74]

as the others have said, yep, you can definately check yourself, I know a few women who have done this....

I was nervous about the idea, and wanted to have none whatsoever, but my MW did one when I hit transition, as by then my curiosity finally got the better of me....

if there is a next time, I wouldnt want any VEs, even from myself, as checking dilation gives me performance anxiety :laughing: ....but on the other hand, I loved reaching inside and feeling the top of his head, and I felt his head come down, with my hand on it....wow this was motivational and gave me more ooomph to carry on!

I had my hand on his head when he crowned, and when again when his head was out....but due to his shoulders being a bit stuck, I had to be on all4s so wasnt able to catch him myself....but would if I coulda, iykwim...

go for it.....how empowering :yes: you can probably ask some free-birthers how to do it: http://www.purebirth-australia.com/

[nats]

if there is a next time,

:detective: Hhhmmm Next time eh? Are we to presume that your family is not complete yet after all ??? :D