WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1997: 28 weeks pregnant & cervix question

28 weeks pregnant & cervix question

From: Noelle (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 14 Aug 1997 19:03:45 -0500 (CDT)

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Reply: janice: "Re: 28 weeks pregnant & cervix question"

Hi everyone,

I had my 28 week appointment on Tuesday and my midwife checked my cervix (routine at 28 weeks) and said it was "very soft". Also, the outer os to the cervix was open enough to allow a fingertip, although the inner os was closed. She estimated the length of the cervix at 2 cm, which she said was just fine, that she wouldn't worry unless the length was 1 cm or less. This is the same midwife who I've seen all along and who checked my cervix at 19 weeks -- so there's definitely been a change in the softness and opening of the outer os since then. The midwife says this is not unusual in subsequent pregnancies.

So *of course* even though my midwife says "no problem" I am worried! I haven't had any preterm labor that I know of and I don't have a history of it. We had to do a day of laminaria, a day of prostaglandins and 12 hours of pitocin to induce my son Ethan at 31 weeks -- definitely NOT an issue of preterm labor. (He had died a week earlier from unknown causes.)

Here are some of my questions:

I feel like I'm having contractions sometimes but I'm not always sure if they're really contractions or the baby moving most of the time. I can't seem to tell by putting my fignertips on my abdomen and so forth usually. Also, I have low back pain and pelvic pressure quite often so how can I tell if these are preterm labor-related????

Isn't "very soft" when it comes to the cervix at this point in pregnancy VERY BAD? I alsways link "hard" and "long" with good cervix condition at this point in pregnancy??

Is 2 cm long enough at this point? What's "normal"??

Is this opening of the outer os of the cervix necessarily a precursor to dilitation of the inner os? I never realized there was this distinction -- I thought opening was opening. My midwife described it as the "opening of a flower" at the outer os which makes me rather uncomfortable -- I used that kind of visualization during labor to help open up my cervix!!!

Could any of you docs and midwives give me insight here? how about any moms out there? Any experiences or responses would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

--
Noelle Haland
Mom to Ethan (stillborn 12/2/96) and Max (due 11/4/97)

Next message: Laura: "painful intercourse"
Previous message: Clyde: "Re: How is it possible to be pg. and continue to have a menstral"
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Reply: janice: "Re: 28 weeks pregnant & cervix question"

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