Soft and thin cervix 29+ weeks

[bragabit]

Here is a short History:

4th pregnancy started as twins...second sac was gone by 15 weeks.
Preterm Labor 15 weeks, switched to OB.  OB found funneling and prescribed Procardia as needed.

Infrequent painless contractions, OB does Transvaginal u/s at 25 weeks and finds cervix 24mm.  Put me on light activity and not exertion

More contractions and cervix is soft, finger tip dialated, thinner and baby's head is down.  At 26 weeks put on full bedrest.

Prior to this I had 3 healthy 'big' babies ranging from 8lbs 4oz to 9lbs 4oz.  No prior history of Preterm labor except for Mother and Grandmother who lost many babies after their 3rd child.

So here are my questions:  I am in somewhat good heath right now and on bedrest.  I have severe varicose veins with reflux.  The veins are being treated with compression hose now and will be surgically repaired after delivery.

My OB says I can come off of bedrest at 34 weeks.  That seems early but at the same time I can see my muscle tone and health decreasing the longer I am on bedrest.  With preterm labor when bedrest is prescribed when is the restriction lifted?

Also my doc is very concerened with how soft my cervix is.  I am not really familiar with that.  I understand dialation and effacement, but what role does the super soft cervix play?

Thanks

[Michele, Katy, TX]

The cervix opens prior to you going into labor; well I guesss technically that's part of labor.  Like when you go into labor and you start bleeding (in normal labor) that's the cervix thinning.  That's why when your dr. checks you, he may say "cervix is closed".  It has to be open for the baby to come out.  And since yours is thinning, it sounds like your body is preparing for you to go into labor.  My sister in law was going to be induced with her first.  They put her in the hospital the night before the induction was scheduled to give her something to thin her cervix.  The next morning, she had my nephew without having to give her anything to induce the labor itself.  Thinning the cervix did it.  Good luck!!

[Jame0223]

My mom had the same problem with my older brother. She was 24 weeks and started to go into labor...they put her on bed rest as well. She was on that for 11 weeks total and then went back into labor and they couldnt stop it and he was born but everything was fine! And that was over 20 years ago. Hes now a healthy, extremely smart 22 year old. I would be worried too if i were in your situation but everything should be fine if youre sticking to bed rest like you should be. I'm not really sure about the soft cervix thing..just really take it easy. I know it has to suck but just stick to it for the baby's sake! Good luck!

[amberd5191]

A soft cervix means its starting to thin out. I've had the same problem since around that time too I'm now 34 weeks all is going well, I hope you can keep your baby in for that long!