22 weeks with cervical softening and dilation???

[BTS1022]

Okay, so last night I was having some very uncomfortable and slightly painful cramping in my lower back. It continued for about 2- 2 1/2 hours, and I decided to check my cervix when I went to pee for the 100th time. I noticed that my cervix is very short, very soft(slightly softer than the tip of my nose), and I could very easily get my middle finger inside the opening of my cervix. My cervix was still kind of thick, the wall is about 1/2 inch thick.

Anyways, this is my 5th baby I'm 22 weeks and 4 days. I'm wondering with these cervical changes what you ladies might think my chances are for preterm labor/birth? I'm due Dec 24th for those who haven't followed my pregnancy.

Is this a screening or test that can be done to check for the chances of preterm labor? I know a woman can walk around dilated for most of their pregnancy, but the only time I had anything remotely like this, I was a bit further a long. I walked around dilated 3cm and 30% effaced with Aiden from 33 weeks on until delivery, so this is a bit sooner than I had expected.

Any advice?

[alaysha]

Call your doctor and see if you can get a fetal fibronectin test. It'll say if you are likely to deliver within the next 3 weeks.

[BTS1022]

As far as checking myself....my doc didn't really say..yeah sure go for it lol, he legally can't do that. He just said if I'm going to do it, I will do it despite what he says, and with that being the case(i'm stubborn) he said I might as well know how to do it. I don't just go poking around, I keep my gloved finger very close on my cervical wall ...but I really don't want to go into detail with it because I don't condone it at all!! lol. Constantly checking the cervix can cause preterm labor, and I only do it to reassure me that things are okay. I have a slightly incompetent cervix, and have had a cerclage(stitch) done with Aiden....but I actually tore through it with dilation, which was PAINFUL to say the least, so I opted out of it with my last 2 pregnancies.

I haven't been having the pains at all since last night, I do think that my BH contractions are actually making me dilate when their not supposed to...if that makes sense.

[smjmekg]

Hmm...that's kinda crazy that the dr allows you to check yourself, I mean what if you accidentally broke your water not knowing what you were doing. (Obviously you may know what you're doing being that it's your 5th, but for someone else...) I don't know, with DS I didn't do anything like that until the end, I felt once or twice after they said I was 50% effaced 1cm, but that's out of curiosity for what it felt like. This time I only did it cause I was getting sharp pains in my cervix. I didn't try to stick my finger in there very far, I just noticed I could put it in some, and I didn't go any further than that. I didn't want to do anything to anything in there.

Maybe make an excuse to see the dr sooner, or just to be checked. OR you could tell them you've been having painful BH and see if they'll check you, or just go to urgent care/er. I'd rather be safe than sorry, Sept 20 is a long ways off still...

[BTS1022]

It's not just a finger tip that I can stick in...I can get to the middle of my knuckle on my middle finger....if all I could fit was a finger tip I wouldn't worry to much, but if my middle finger was a lot longer, I could probably touch the amniotic bag, so that's whats a bit freaky lol.

I know pre pregnancy my cervix is long, hard and closed almost fully. Pre pregnancy I would guess that I could barely get a pencil eraser through the opening. My cervix is so soft it's almost stretchy...I have been having a lot of lower back pain and cramping throughout my pregnancy so far, and I have had very uncomfortable BH contractions. I have an ultrasound Sept 6th, and my reg. OB appt on the 20th of Sept...I will ask to be checked then, I don't think this doc would be thrilled to know that I can check my own cervix lol. My reg doc in Michigan allows it as long as it's done in a sanitary (gloves on) way...which I do use gloves when I check myself.

[smjmekg]

OH! I should have clarified but when I asked the question is when I could do the finger thing and my cervix has been really high since the beginning of the pregnancy.

[smjmekg]

I asked the same question a few weeks ago, I'll be 25 weeks Thursday. I went last Thursday to L&D cause I thought I was leaking fluid and they checked me, they said I was long and closed. I could easily stick the tip of my finger into my cervix. I wouldn't worry too much, I've read that after the first child your cervix is never FULLY closed anymore.

[Majikat]

Yes you should call the dr.... That's really scary.... I was dialated to 3 cm for 3 months with my first son and I had him at almost 36 weeks

[waitn838]

my advice is to call your doc and have them check you to make sure...i know there is a shot called 17-P that can be offered for women who are at high risk of preterm labor (just learned about this)....

i just had my baby at 32 weeks and luckily she is healthy and doing well...preterm labor is very scary but i know there are medical options to help it...my doc discussed some things with me while i was in the hospital

best of luck to you...hope its not preterm labor