dr said cervix is soft, does that mean baby can come anytime

nervousgal · Apr 6th, 2010, 17:44 PM

The doctor checked my cervix and she said that its soft. She wasn't really clear about it when I asked her. Does it mean I can go into labor soon??

madasa · Apr 6th, 2010, 17:52 PM

In a word, no. Your cervix can be soft/effaced/dilated for WEEKS before labour starts. There is no medical advantage to routinely checking your cervix during pregnancy; it only increases the risk of infection. Did your dr say why they did this check? I am going to make a massive leap here and assume you're in the US.... routine VEs are not done in pregnancy in the UK, where most exams would be done by a MW, not a dr

LogansMama · Apr 6th, 2010, 18:39 PM

What MAdasa says is True - but soft is a good sign that things are PROGRESSING! So - don't feel disappointed! Yes - it could still be weeks, but you are making progress in the right direction!

I would jump up and down for joy if my doctor would tell me that....I just want some indication that there is SOME hope I may go into labor on my own!

madasa · Apr 6th, 2010, 18:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LogansMama

What MAdasa says is True - but soft is a good sign that things are PROGRESSING! So - don't feel disappointed! Yes - it could still be weeks, but you are making progress in the right direction!

I would jump up and down for joy if my doctor would tell me that....I just want some indication that there is SOME hope I may go into labor on my own!

True, it's progress

You can also use evening primrose oil to help ripen your cervix... I;ve never done that tho

You know you can do self-exams, right?

nervousgal · Apr 6th, 2010, 20:16 PM

I'm from canada. That was the first time the dr. checked my cervix. She said the purpose was to check if I was dilated or something like that. Man it was uncomfortable.. How am I ever gonna handle a baby coming out of there if I cant handle a dr's finger poking around up there

& no, I didn't know you could do self-exams. I'm not sure would like to try that though..

madasa · Apr 6th, 2010, 20:22 PM

If you don't like it, you can always tell her you don't want a VE. Even if she finds out you are dilated, it still won't tell her anything useful;.... like when you are likely to go into labour. I have heard of some drs doing a sweep without telling you... "while they are in there". So I would def be telling them: Hands out! But that is just me!

There is a link somewhere on self exams. I will see if I can find it :-)

PS - a baby coming out does not feel anything like an exam. Relax into it and trust your body and your baby. Privacy and confidence help a lot. In the right circumstances, your body will spit the baby out without too much trouble.... it's nothing like being "invaded" by a dr, honest!

LogansMama · Apr 6th, 2010, 20:24 PM

Madasa - BTW - I am from the US, and I had a VE at 35+6 weeks also - but only because she was doing my GBS test. I don't think I'm getting a check tomorrow (36+4) - but maybe.

I kind-of want one - just to KNOW if anything is changing in there, but at the same time - I'll be disappointed if nothing is happening, so maybe its better off if I don't know!

WhosThatGirl · Apr 7th, 2010, 00:31 AM

My cervix has been VERY soft since 26 weeks. I'm now 39 weeks and still very much pregnant.

Apr 6th, 2010, 17:44 PM	#1
nervousgal Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 334	dr said cervix is soft, does that mean baby can come anytime The doctor checked my cervix and she said that its soft. She wasn't really clear about it when I asked her. Does it mean I can go into labor soon??

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Apr 6th, 2010, 17:52 PM	#2
madasa Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 3,152	In a word, no. Your cervix can be soft/effaced/dilated for WEEKS before labour starts. There is no medical advantage to routinely checking your cervix during pregnancy; it only increases the risk of infection. Did your dr say why they did this check? I am going to make a massive leap here and assume you're in the US.... routine VEs are not done in pregnancy in the UK, where most exams would be done by a MW, not a dr

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Apr 6th, 2010, 18:39 PM	#3
LogansMama Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,841	What MAdasa says is True - but soft is a good sign that things are PROGRESSING! So - don't feel disappointed! Yes - it could still be weeks, but you are making progress in the right direction! I would jump up and down for joy if my doctor would tell me that....I just want some indication that there is SOME hope I may go into labor on my own!

Status: Offline

Apr 6th, 2010, 20:16 PM	#5
nervousgal Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 334	I'm from canada. That was the first time the dr. checked my cervix. She said the purpose was to check if I was dilated or something like that. Man it was uncomfortable.. How am I ever gonna handle a baby coming out of there if I cant handle a dr's finger poking around up there & no, I didn't know you could do self-exams. I'm not sure would like to try that though..

Status: Offline

Apr 6th, 2010, 20:22 PM	#6
madasa Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 3,152	If you don't like it, you can always tell her you don't want a VE. Even if she finds out you are dilated, it still won't tell her anything useful;.... like when you are likely to go into labour. I have heard of some drs doing a sweep without telling you... "while they are in there". So I would def be telling them: Hands out! But that is just me! There is a link somewhere on self exams. I will see if I can find it :-) PS - a baby coming out does not feel anything like an exam. Relax into it and trust your body and your baby. Privacy and confidence help a lot. In the right circumstances, your body will spit the baby out without too much trouble.... it's nothing like being "invaded" by a dr, honest!

Status: Offline

Apr 6th, 2010, 20:24 PM	#7
LogansMama Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,841	Madasa - BTW - I am from the US, and I had a VE at 35+6 weeks also - but only because she was doing my GBS test. I don't think I'm getting a check tomorrow (36+4) - but maybe. I kind-of want one - just to KNOW if anything is changing in there, but at the same time - I'll be disappointed if nothing is happening, so maybe its better off if I don't know!

Status: Offline

Apr 7th, 2010, 00:31 AM	#8
WhosThatGirl Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle,Washington Posts: 1,911	My cervix has been VERY soft since 26 weeks. I'm now 39 weeks and still very much pregnant.

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