my cervix is 'soft looking' is this a sign of early labour?

Question

i have just been to the hospital to have my antenatal check up, the midwife said my cerivx is closed but soft looking, she can see alot of red blood vessels coming to the surface. does this mean i will go into labour in the next few days? im due 28 dec. (first time mum) and any sign of labour is a god send. anyone out there know the answer??????

Answer 1

Hi, i'm a bit concerned, why was you having an internal examination? you should only be having internal examinations if there is a problem such as bleeding or unusual discharge. When you become overdue your midwife will offer you a membrane sweep, which is where the midwife will insert two fingers into your vagina and sweep around the bag of water surrounding your baby. Every internal examination carries the risk of infection, and we know internals can stimulate the cervix encouraging labour.

During pregnancy the cervix is firm, towards the end of pregnancy it does soften but this does not mean you are going to have your baby sooner rather than later. Majority of women go overdue. The first stage of labour can take weeks this is where your cervix soften and dilates to 4cm. The second stage is much quicker, this is where your cervix goes from 4cm to fully dilated, this stage on average goes about 1cm per hour, but everybody is different. Your first labour tends to be the longest as your body has never experienced these hormones before and your body has to figure out what to do. Also your muscles have never stretched before to allow a baby through, so the first stage can take a while.

Full term pregnancy is between 37 and 42 weeks gestation, if you are between these two weeks then sex is the best thing to start labour ( I know you might not feel like it) the penis can stimulate the cervix just like a membrane sweep and sperm contains a hormone called prostagladin which if you go overdue and the hospital start your labour off they will use a hormone called prostagladin, but they use a much higher dose than what sperm contains. After you have had sex you need to lie down for about a hour afterwards allowing the hormone to work.

Nipple stimulation can encourage the uterus(womb) to contract, this is the same when breastfeeding your uterus contracts and the uterus goes back to its pre pregnancy state quicker.

Rasberry leaf tea can help as well as pineapple (although there is no research to support these).

I hope I have answered your question.

Answer 2

Labour is different for every woman, and pinpointing when it begins is not really possible. It's more of a process than a single event, when a number of physiological changes in your body work together to help deliver a baby. If you're truly in labour, one or more of the following five things will happen: • Your cervix will become progressively thinner and softer (also called effacement) and dilated - up to 10 centimetres. • Contractions occur at regular and increasingly shorter intervals and become longer and stronger in intensity. • You may have persistent lower back pain, often accompanied by a crampy premenstrual feeling. • You may notice the appearance of a bloody show (a brownish or blood-tinged mucus discharge). If you pass the mucus plug that blocks the cervix, labour could be imminent - or it could be several days away. Still, it's a sign that things are moving along. • Your waters break, but only if it's accompanied by contractions. You, your doctor and midwife have probably talked about what to do when you think you're in labour. But if you think the time has come, don't be embarrassed to call. Doctors and midwives are used to getting calls from women who are uncertain if they're in labour and who need guidance - it's part of their job. And the truth is that your doctor or midwife can tell a lot by the tone and tenor of your voice, so verbal communication helps. Your provider will want to know how close together your contractions are, whether you can talk through a contraction, and any other symptoms you may have. If your bag of waters break, or if you suspect you're leaking amniotic fluid, speak to your doctor or midwife. You should also let her know if your baby is moving less or whether you have any vaginal bleeding (unless it's just a small amount of blood-tinged mucus), fever, severe headaches, changes in your vision, or abdominal pain. BabyCentre has a list of other pregnancy symptoms you shouldn't ignore, in case anything else is worrying you. During early labour, it's very important to drink plenty of fluids. Alternate between walking and resting, or try taking a warm bath or shower to ease any aches and pains. And if you can, try to get some rest to prepare you for the work ahead. in false labour if your cervix doesn't dilate (your doctor or midwife can confirm this during an examination), contractions are erratic and don't feel increasingly intense, and any pain you may feel in your abdomen or back is easily relieved by a warm bath or massage. Although you're probably blissfully unaware of all that's going on, your body starts preparing for labour up to a month before delivery. By the time true labour begins, for some women, the cervix has already started to dilate and thin. Other signs of labour include: • Lightening (when the baby's head begins to drop into position in your pelvis) • An increase in vaginal discharge • The appearance of bloody show (a brownish or blood-tinged mucus discharge) • More frequent and noticeably more intense Braxton Hicks contractions i wish you all the best and hope for you to be holding your little one very soon good luck

Answer 3

It's not a sign of early labor. It's more a sign of the beginning hormonal changes that will eventually lead to labor. A sign that labor might happen in the next week would be the baby being low, being about 50% effaced (cervix thinned out), and being 2 or 3 cm dilated. I suspect your midwife was wanting to give you some encouragement that your body was beginning to get ready as you approach your due date. If it is your first baby, statistically you might be more likely to deliver sometime the week immediately AFTER your due date. (sorry!)
A nutritional supplement, gamma-linoleic acid, can help boost levels of the hormone which softens and thins the cervix, without risk of preterm labor. It is contained in evening primrose oil and borage oil. Ask your midwife about whether or when you can start taking this, and amounts.

Answer 4

You have to remember that your "due Date" is just an estimation. Allow 2weeks before and 2weeks after to have your baby. By the sounds of it you may go soon but a woman can start dialating and stay at 2-3 inches for a lil while. Good luck! and congrats

Answer 5

when i trained as a midwife we where told that before conception and in early pregnancy your cervix should feel like the tip of your nose to the touch, but throughout pregnancy it softens and feels more like your bottom lip to the touch!!

Answer 6

It could be a sign that your body is getting ready , but yes your cervix softens throughout pregnancy. hang in there .

Answer 7

not always a few days or any thing like that it may take two weeks or a day its your body makingf the desion. you can always try things to speed it up by many things like walking alot, drinking castor oil, rosemary tea, more things to.

Answer 8

i have always understood that your cervix should be soft looking during your whole pregnancy........???????