Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: ICE ON SWOLLEN CERVIX !

[Marilyn Kleidon]

Just some info on ice: most women are not temperature sensitive in the vagina and cervix: we just don't have those particular sensory nerves there. So, all of those "sexy" movies with people putting ice in their vaginas: for most of us just hype. I always say "most" as for sure someone will feel it???? Then, an anterior lip is not that big just one small piece of ice held by a sensitive midwife would be sufficient with mum in hands and knees. But not too long as remember the mum will not feel ice on her cervix and so the midwife would have to be the judge. That being said, I have not done it. Personally, I don't like manipulating cervixes. If the swollen cervix resolves it does so with the woman in hands and knees position resisting pushing and it is spontaneous: suddenly the baby is on view. Just a little more time is all. But, if you have had/seen success with manipulating cervixes then, I suppose you feel comfortable doing it.   marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: Laraine Hood To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 4:20 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: ICE ON SWOLLEN CERVIX ! I have been told about it, never actually seen it done although I was asked for ice once by another midwife for this reason, but it was not applied.  My concerns were, the effect on the vaginal tissues of the ice (big enough to grasp but not too big or sharp corners as to damage vagina), the manoeuvring required to actually apply the ice  ( ie fingers or fist in the vagina) to the correct area and maintain it there long enough to have any effect, the effect upon the temperature of foetal scalp & fontanelle that surely must be pushing against the lip of cervix, potential for infection as with any VE to say nothing of the effect upon the mother. You'd have to make sure she knew exactly what you were doing and why and be coherent which can be tricky around transition!  Maybe if a brave research oriented mw could try it on herself first and report ???? Sorry I'm a bit busy for research at the moment. Cheers (or should it be chills ?) Laraine ----- Original Message ----- From: Robyn Borgas To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 5:17 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Re: ICE ON SWOLLEN CERVIX !   Has anyone tried applying 'ice on a swollen cervix' with a LABOURING WOMAN ? Does this really work ?