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Ask A Midwife

Q. My husband and I have been trying to gett pregnant for about 5-6 months. We have not been keeping track of everything that we probably should but, the other day I noticed that one part of my ccerix is a little hard. Like a dry fruit kind of gets. I hope this is nothing bad and was wondering if there is any way to tell from the size, shape, position of the uterus if you are pregnant.

Tammi

A. Tammi: it is good you have been relaxed and not worrying about getting pregnant. For the first year couples try they should be relaxed, take good care of their health, and only very generally keep track of things like ovulation.

I recommend the book: Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, which explains the question you asked and lots more.

In answer to your specific question, a firm cervix (like the tip of your nose) is normal. A soft cervix usually accompanies pregnancy, so you might notice a difference. The book I mentioned can give you more specifics on how to check your cervix, and might help you achieve pregnancy.

Pat Sonnenstuhl is a semi-retired nurse midwife with over 30 years of experience in health care (first as an RN, then as an ARNP, CNM). She has experience with hospital nursing/midwifery and home and birth center midwifery.

Two areas of special interest to her are GBS and nutrition.

She is about empowerment, and helping folks find their own answers, what is right for them, not what is right for her. But, she wants you well informed.