For all you cervix checkin pros!

[Sunkissed19]

So, i got the mirena put in last week and your supposed to check the opening of your cervix for the strings that hang down once a month to make sure its still in place. Easy enough right? WRONG. I have no idea what the hell im feeling around for....its like trying to find a needle in a hay stack for me. I am embarrassed and ashamed to say (after having a baby!) that i have no freaking clue where my cervix is. To be blunt, i stuck a clean finger up there thinking (oh this will be a snap...just reach up and feel for the knots on the strings)......UM, yeah right! I didnt find jack. I dont want to jump a gun and say that it fell out or perforated my uterus because i probably just dont know what the H-E-double hockey sticks im doing. BUT, i kinda figure this is pretty important to learn if im gonna have the mirena.....i KINDA need to know if its still in there lol.
So please, please be as descriptive as you can because i feel all kinds of things in there and i dont know which is which. Just tell me how it is, straight and simple!
The doctor who put it in was all "have you felt your cervix before?" me like an embarrassed hot shot just blurts out "pssht yeah, no prob" really? no prob? im an idiot. Honestly though, i thought, how hard could it be? haha jokes on me i guess!
Help a sister out....

[mom2ariana]

your cervix feels like a pair of lips that are puckered up for a kiss. its easiest to find it while sitting on a toilet. you basically have to put your whole hand up there... its going to be REALLY far back but when you feel your vagina start to curve up, its kinda on that back wall...if that makes sense.

[Sunkissed19]

Thank you very much! thats really helpful...i will check out that site, i think knowing what it looks like might actually help!

[littlelady2010_kaitlyn]

It can be very difficult to check your cervix, especially when its higher up, at different points in your cycle, its higher or lower. Usually a couple days before AF is suppose to come, its easiest to find, it will be harder and lower. Although your cervix might not change as much seen as you have had the mirena put it. But the best way, is sitting on the toilet, put your finger straight up. You may have to kind of crouch over on the toilet to get your finger high enough, it will feel a little squishy, like the tip of your nose, and there will be a tiny slit in the middle of it. Once you find it, you will know it, its my guess you just haven't been able to reach high enough yet. Most women have trouble with it because you have to really strain to reach up high enough. My obgyn is all about women knowing there own bodies, so I was taught how to check my cervix when I was trying to get pregnant with my first, she actually showed it to me with a mirror, I was uncomfortable and embarrassed with it all at first, but its nothing to be embarrassed about. Oh and make sure you don't use a really strong scented soap, when you wash your hands before u do this. Scented soaps can cause problems. Lol hopes this helps I understand how confusing it can be! Lol good luck, u will get the hang of it! Oh also, I know this sounds gross, but if you don't know what a cervix looks like, its harder, google my beautiful cervix project. My obgyn recommended for me to check out this site. It has real pictures, again I know, weird but it might help you.

[Sunkissed19]

yeah, they did show me what the strings feel like...i was also wondering if maybe my cervix was just super high up atm. I also have a problem with my vaginal walls swelling at certain points in my cycle (my doctor says its normal) so its kind of hard to find the cervix for me since the walls stick out quite a bit in there too (sorry tmi). I just cant tell the difference between that and where my cervix is supposed to be. Is it just straight up? Like if im sitting on the toilet and i reach straight up is that where it is or would i have to reach back? im just so lost lol
I dont think there's a problem with perforation or anything like that either, i just havent figured it out yet. I think i'll wait a week and check again. and more than once until i figure it out...ive only checked once so far and got all frustrated and flustered haha

[Clysta]

I'm not terribly great at checking mine, but I also had to learn after I got my IUD in as well. Don't be embarrassed. :) At first my cervix was up really really high, to where I could hardly touch it. (I also have small hands and short fingers which might make it harder) Did they show you what the strings feel like? If so, that might help some. If they didn't, it feels like fishing line. When you go to feel the cervix (for me personally) it was kinda squashy feeling, like your nose or ears. There might also be a small slit or hole that you'll feel and the strings should be in that area.

I don't think it's perforated or anything (it hurts quite a bit) but when you go to your next checkup--I assume you have one so they can make sure it's in proper place--you can bring up any concerns.