[Waiting ...]

Hi ladies

I am 31 weeks pregnant and noticed yesterday that my cervix seemed to be slightly opened, as well as being extra soft. I didn't want to check it out too much but should it still be closed at this stage?

Will of course mention to my OB but she is on holidays so I won't see her for another week.

Thank you!

[soontobegran]

Is this your first baby?

[Waiting ...]

Yep it is my first. I probably could have put the tip of my finger into the opening but it freaked me out that it seemed open so didn't want to examine it any further!

[soontobegran]

Being able to admit one fingertip into the external os is not usually so much of an issue and the cervix does soften in the last trimester but it is hard to know whether it is a worry unless you knew what it was like a week or so earlier.
Did you have a reason to do your own internal? Were you having increased loss or contractions?

The cervix has an external os and an internal os and often the external one can be several cms open yet the internal os closed and this is the one that would be more telling about the likelihood of prem labour.

I would imagine that all is okay if you have no other symptoms but having said that it might pay to ring the midwives of the hospital you are delivering at and let them choose whether they want to check you out. Your Obstetrician doesn't have to be there and if there is some concern he/she will have a colleague covering for them.

Lots of luck OP.

ETA--I wouldn't be doing another self exam at the moment until you've been checked out.

This post has been edited by soontobegran: 31/12/2012, 09:29 AM

[=R2=]

Firstly, get your fingers outta there!

Secondly, if you're concerned with any period-like pains, blood loss make sure you take this up with your OB/hospital you are booked at instead of poking around up there.

[cordyline]

Excuse my ignorance but how is putting a finger up there any different to having sex.

I'm just worried now because dh and I have continued to have sex and I'm due on Sat (all the books say ok as long as no blood loss etc) and I am sure a penis is more *ahem* invasive/bigger/longer than a finger? So why is it not advisable to poke around with a finger but sex is fine?

OP - my cervix has "felt" soft and open since about 34wks. But I haven't self examined just felt like things were different down there. Having read what soon to be gran said I suspect it has just been my external one.

My OB said fine to carry on as normal (swimming etc) as long as no blood loss, or significant changes to mucous etc.

[soontobegran]

Cordyline suprisingly enough a penis is much cleaner than a finger and fingernail, it is also lubricated
A penis is also soft and round with little chance of cutting the cervix or depositing bugs into it from under the fingernail. Women have accidently ruptured their own membranes from self examination.

I am not telling anyone to not do their own VE but there is little to learn unless you know what to feel for and what is normal and really we just don't need to keep checking.

[Corella]

I wouldn't worry about it - your cervix today doesn't tell you anything about it tomorrow or next week. Until you've got contractions making a change it's just part of your baby's position that dictates in part where your cervix is. And there are two os and the external one can be a little open with the internal one not, like a bit of a cone. If you're curious wash your hands first .

[Waiting ...]

Haha, thank you ladies ... I actually wasn't trying to self-examine my cervix but noticed it because it was so low.

Thank you for the advice though ... I didn't even realise there were two openings so I learn something new about my vagina on here everyday! Haha

I haven't had any other symptoms so will just let my OB know when I go and if they need to check me further am sure they will.

Cordyline - on a totally different note ... best of luck to you! How exciting!!!!

Thanks again