August 28, 2010

Desperately Seeking Cervix

[Disclaimer: If you are a dude who does not like to read about lady bits, then you should not read any further. That is, assuming the title didn't already warn you and you actually made it to this disclaimer. Or that the following picture doesn't scare you off.]

A funny thing happened at the first appointment with my midwife last week…

Let me set the scene. There I was, feet propped up in stirrups, dress pulled up above my waist while my midwife snapped on latex gloves explaining that she needed to look for my cervix. Adam sat nervously in a chair next to the examining table, averting his eyes as the midwife proceeded to poke around inside of me.

“Hmmmm…..” she said, after a few minutes of work, looking up at me. “I seem to be having a hard time finding your cervix. I’m just going to go a little deeper.”

“Ummmm…okay?”

A few more painful and silent moments go by as she palpates, what feels like, all of my internal nether regions. I keep telling myself to breathe, that I’m quite confident I actually have a cervix, and that I’m sure she’ll stumble upon it at any minute.

“This is embarrassing, but I can’t seem to locate your cervix. Have you had other doctors say something about the position of your cervix before?”

“Well, I did have one Ob/Gyn that told me my cervix was shy.”

{Side note, if you’re going to have an adjective associated with your cervix, shy isn’t a bad one. It could be worse. You could have an angry cervix. Or a stubborn cervix. What about a dirty cervix?}

The mid-wife smiled a bit.

“Of course, I don’t really think my cervix is shy. I just think she needs a few drinks before she comes out of her shell and warms up to people.”

The mid-wife looked confused.

“Yes, I have heard that about my cervix before. But seriously, I just had an ultrasound last week where we saw my cervix on a small screen, so I’m pretty sure it’s still there.”

She apologized again, telling us that this kind of thing never happens. Like normally, she’s an award-winning cervix-sniffing superstar.

My husband didn’t say much.

The mid-wife grabbed my chart, looked at my ultrasound and told me I was right. They had not only captured my elusive cervix in the picture of the ultrasound, but they had even measured it.

“You have a long cervix. That’s a good thing.”

(Although also a bad thing, because it meant that she couldn’t find it. You would think something long would be easier to find, but then again, I’m no scientist.)

So I guess this story does have a happy ending.

I do still have a cervix and it’s long. Both of these things are going to be pretty crucial in the delivery of my child, I’m thinking.

But, then, after my appointment, I couldn’t stop wondering…what if my cervix had been missing? Where might it have run off to? So I present to you, the top five places you could probably find my cervix:

  1. The Bermuda Triangle.
  2. That kegger up on the Hill.
  3. Celebrity Rehab.
  4. FBI Witness Protection Program.
  5. The first van that looked good.

{Photo notes: I stole all of these images off the internet but at least I’m honest about it. Additionally, in case you’re wondering, none of the cervices pictured above are mine. And finally, how awesome is it that the first picture of the cervix at the top of this post was created by an organization with the same name as my husband?}

  • Markpell
    dont find this funny at all when people r looking 4 serious answers
  • Found you on mile high mamas, you are cracking me up! Glad to know there are others not too shy talking about their own vagina.
  • That last picture cracked me up! The thing about my cervix is that it is not, nor ever has been, shy. It used to be all up in the doctor's face, proclaiming itself out and PROUD.

    It has been so horrifically abused by my three robust sons and a LEEP procedure (to eradicate some nasty hitchhikers), though, that I think it has gone into hiding forever.
  • BOSSY
    Bossy didn't want to say anything, but yeah, she saw your cervix on a barstool.
  • Not a surprise, Bossy. Although shy, my cervix does like to get around.
  • Designhermomma
    you are pretty much hilarious. Glad you found that shy girl....
  • Tall Tara, tall cervix, hey, you're just staying true to your brand!
  • Casey, thanks for reminding me of the obvious. It's ALWAYS about branding.
  • Soooo, your cervix is shy and long. Like a lemur? ROFL! You're hilarious, lady.
  • Exactly like a lemur.

    Although I doubt that my cervix is as cute as lemur. Or that anyone would want it as a pet. But I could be wrong.
  • I'm just still laughing over here...but glad it has been located (in the van)!
  • See how I turned those lemons into lemonade...
  • Ummkay.

    "Did anyone ever tell you your uterus is shaped a little strange?" - asked my PCP a few years back, who, by the way, had already performed three pelvic exams on me.

  • It's amazing to me that so many men have easily found your vagina, yet one woman couldn't find your cervix. WOMEN.
  • Well...most men have easily found my vagina. There was that one guy, freshman year, who thought he had found it, but in reality...hadn't.
  • I had an OB/Gyn have this problem with me and then he actually had to go get another doctor to do my pap smear while I was 7 months pregnant. You're handling things much better than I did.
  • Humor is the only way I can deal with such things. Well, that and alcohol, but since that's currently not part of my diet...I make jokes.
  • mary
    I kind of wish I couldn't have found mine, because it is the point of pain. Less pain is good. I LOL at this.
  • Shy cervix, huh? Ya learn something new every day. :)

    Also, I know this is going to sound strange, but I think that picture of the cervix is awfully cute. :P
  • Amy, glad I could make your day with a picture of cute cervix. Also? Never thought I would type those words together in a sentence.
  • It's at the kegger, guaranteed. It's probably doing a keg stand right now as I type. Let it play, it has some hard work ahead.
  • If I'm not drinking, then I'm glad my cervix is downing a few for the both of us.
  • greeblemonkey
    I can't find the cervix in the van. Maybe I can qualify as midwife backup??
  • Greebs...the cervix is IN the van, with the free candy.

    Regardless, you can totally be my midwife backup.
  • Eatplaylove
    My initial concern is are you interviewing other midwives and did this one come highly recommended??? Let's say I went to an eye doctor, but she couldn't locate my pupil, I'd be a bit nervous...

    Midwife can't find cervix, I'd be a bit nervous. Even if my cervix has been shy in the past.

    thank you for explaining the adam thing, I was wondering why your husband was getting a little props under those diagrams.
  • Thanks for your concern. I'm going to keep an open mind and fortunately, there is a whole team of midwives available for my choosing.
  • Maybe your cervix is still at the Hilton in New York City, sniffing around for swag?
  • Sounds about right. Just one more Hillshire Farms coupon...
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