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

Re: 28 weeks pregnant & cervix question

From: janice (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 24 Aug 1997 06:58:15 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Noelle: "28 weeks pregnant & cervix question"

At Thu, 14 Aug 1997, Noelle wrote: >
>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)
>

-- Dear Noelle:

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. I've have a problem with my cervix as well, it sounds as though you may need a cerclage. I am not a doctor so I could be wrong, but reading the letter you posted it reminded me of my situation. I had to get a cerclage due to the fact that my cervix was weak, at 17 weeks my cervix had opened and I was due to get yet another stitch further up the cervix which I believe is called a Abdominal Cerclage. Im not saying you should do this, but please consult with your mid-wife and ask her if you may need a cerclage. I hope I have helped you in this matter,please email on how things are going.

Sincerely, Janice

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Previous message: Barbara: "Re: Hysterectomy Re: Uterine Prolaspe"
In reply to: Noelle: "28 weeks pregnant & cervix question"

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