opening cervix at 6 1/2 months pregnant?

Question

i am 26 weeks pregnant. 27 weeks monday. and i had to go to the hospital today because of problems with my side that turned out to be kidney stones and a kidney infection. but when the nurse checked my cervix she said it was open a fingertip, she could fit her fingertip in it. she gave me no further details on this just went on to put the iv in my arm. this is my first pregnancy and i am hearing different things about it. i am very small and scared that this could mean that the baby is already wanting to come out and could come out anytime now. i have been told to stay in bed and off my feet as much as possible by about 3 people. can you please tell me what is going on and what to be expecting with this problem?

Answer 1

This is a question that you REALLY need to ask a doctor about. Call your OB/GYN or the doctor who treated you at the hospital.

Answer 2

Please take what I am about to say seriously. You may have an incompetent cervix (premature effacment and dilation). As the baby grows it increases the weight pushing down on the cervix, it you have an incompetent cervix, your cervix will not be able to withstand the pressure and begin to open, if it opens far enough the amniotic sac may protrude through your opening cervix into the vagina. If this happens your risk for infection goes through the roof. As you are aware that would be bad for you and your baby. Just the very act of your cervix weakening may cause you to start contracting. A cerclage can be placed in the cervix (stitch to hold cervix closed) as long as you do not have an infection, are not contracting, and if there is enough cervix left to work with. I am not sure if you are too far along to get a cerclage but I would find out. I would question my OB and if I did not get the answer I wanted I would consult a parenatologist. Do not be poohpoohed and do not allow them to make you feel foolish. It is better to be safe then sorry. You do not want to have any regrets that you were not more pushy. I have been through this. Do not let anyone do a vaginal exam on you until you have had an ultrasound to see the condition of your cervix, this will reduce your risk of infection. I would throw a fit for the ultrasound if I had to. Call your doctor tonight to start getting some answers. Have the nurse put you in trendelenburgs (position the bed so that your head is below you abdomen, this will take the pressure off you cervix). If you start to go into labor remember that your baby is at a stage of viability. That is not to say it would be easy on the baby but the chances are increasing with every day you carry it. You may want to ask the OB about corticosteriods, these help increase the baby's lung maturaty. If I think of anything else I will edit my post. I am not trying to scare you I just want you to have all of the information that I did not when I was going through what you are. Good Luck!
P.S. I am in no way saying that you have an incompetent cervix, just that I would get check to make sure. Like I said better safe then sorry. I would look stupid a million times over if it would give me my baby back.

Answer 3

Hey don't even worry about that! You should let your OBGYN know that this happened and that is what the nurse told you so they can keep an eye on your dialation and effacing. I started dialating and effacing at about 6 months also and am very tiny as well. I made all the way to 2 days before my due date. I was 3 centimeters dialated and 90% effaced for about the last 2 1/2 months of my pregancy and was also very scared that my baby would be premmature but I ended up going all the way through! So i would say don't worry and just tell your OBGYN so they can just make sure and keep an eye on your progression just incase. But honestly in my experience although very nervewraching it's nothing to be worried about. Congrats by the way!!! :)

Answer 4

Some women can start to dilate early (which is what is happening to you) but progress stops until later in the pregnancy. It's also possible that your body will continue to make progress and dilate further, and you'll be put on bed rest soon to try to stop that progress.

Your baby is considered "viable" after 28 weeks... it can survive outside the womb, with a little help from the doctors. So don't panic yet.

And a fingertip isn't even 1 cm.

Answer 5

I started to dilate at 7 months and ended up walking around 3 centimeters dilated for 3 weeks before he was born. My doctor told me the baby and I were fine and we were. Every situation is different though so you need to call your doctor.I agree that you should take it easy, the kidney stones alone are enough. Add being pregnant to that and yes Mom you need to put your feet up until you can see your doctor and get rid of that nurse. I hope all is well.

Answer 6

with my second pregnancy i found out at 31 weeks that my cervix was slightly dilated like yours and i delivered my son at 35 weeks and 3 days i was also having contractions from the time i was 5 months and had to be on bed rest and do home monitoring 3 times a day to see if i was still contracting so just take it easy if you start getting crampy definitely get in touch with your doctor and you should ask your doctor just to be on the safe side and just so you know my first was born at 32 weeks and 3 days is now almost 4 and 100% normal and the second is almost 2 and also 100% normal good luck!!!

Answer 7

As a Father of five I can answer that for you. The cervix opening a little bit is normal. There is actually a plug there that keeps the fluid,(water) and the baby inside. Opening to about centimeter is normal. In a few months it will open more, the plug unplugs and the water comes out. This is known as "water breaks". The delivery process is then started. I hope you have a healthy baby.

Answer 8

first thing you should do is not panic...the stress is not good for you or for your baby..
it is normal for some women to dialate a little bit close to and into their last trimester.
ok, stop and think if you feel any cramps or pain in your lower back...
you didn't mention any bleeding so that is a good sign..
as long as the baby is moving and you are not cramping or bleeding i would say you are pretty ok,,you should stay off your feet as a general rule and do not lift anything more than 5-10 pounds.

if you do happen to go into labor, don't panic,,sometimes they can stop the labor with medications and bedrest..even at that if they can't don't worry,,my son was born 9 weeks early and is now 5 and healthy and happy..
best wishes and congrads

Answer 9

I had a kidney infection at 34 weeks and had begun to dilate. It is not the end of your pregnancy. Just stay in bed and take it easy. You should have a pregnancy book at this stage of the game. Send someone out to buy one and read it.

You should be seeing your doctor to check your urine for further infection. Ask more detailed questions then.

My daughter was born at 39 weeks and extremely healthy.

Answer 10

im very suprised the nurse didnt explain anything to you..i would call your ob just to be safe..and bed rest is probably a good thing if that is the case..good luck and congrats.