Soft cervix at 33w? Need some reassurance please!

[SaraSmiles13]

Hi ladies! Yesterday at my appointment (32+4), I told my doc how uncomfortable I'd been feeling and that I thought baby girl was really low already. I also had some pink spotting so he decided to check my cervix. Before he did, he felt my uterus and said she was head but floating. But then when he did the internal exam he said her head was very low and that my cervix was moderately soft but not dilated. I forgot to ask if that meant she was engaged. He seemed confident that I wouldn't go to 40w and that I should prepare for 36-37w. This is my second baby. I'm super nervous now worried that she'll come too early! I need her to cook at least another 4 weeks. Doc told me to take it easy but that I could continue my desk job. Told me to come to L&D if any contractions pick up or are regular and don't go away with rest/hydration.

So my questions are: can baby still be floating though she's so low? Is a moderately soft cervix at 32+4 really bad? Do you think my baby will be preemie? How easy do I need to take it? They said I could continue picking up my toddler but also told me to be lazy so I'm a bit confused..

Thanks so much!

 

[Missbb2591]

With subsequent pregnancies the head can go in and out of being engaged, if the head is floating it’s described as been free meaning that it’s not inside the pelvis at that point. It could well be that baby goes in and out though, my little guy is engaged at some appointments and free at others so it really changes a lot and might not properly engage until you are in labour.
As for the soft cervix try not to worry, with DD1 I was 4cm dilated from 33 weeks and I didn’t have her until 37 weeks. Provided you aren’t getting constructions just try to rest as much as possible and have a low threshold for getting checked if you begin to get regular tightenings.
Good luck.

 

[Eleanor ace]

It sounds like LO is low but not engaged, although that can change on a regular basis with your 2nd baby so I wouldn't worry about engagement either way. With my second LO my cervix was very soft and flat at 36 weeks, dilated to 3cm after a bout of contractions and spotting. I was told "you won't go to your due date" by my consultant and MW but LO hung out int here until 41 weeks. Talking to other mums it seems the majority were told the same, that they wouldn't go overdue or to expect LO to arrive within x amount of time, only for them to be wrong in most cases. I think it's done as a way of making sure we take it easy if we need to (it can't hurt to take it a bit easier whether LO is going to come early or not!), and reassuring us that we have hope of not going massively overdue.

I'd take it easy where you can but it sounds like the doctor is just erring on the side of caution, rather than actually worried, as you haven't been put on bed rest/modified bed rest. Hopefully LO will stay cooking for at least 5 more weeks

 

[WackyMumof2]

OP, thank you for this post. This is how I'm feeling at the moment with #4. I'll get those questions anwsered on Wednesday hopefully. I'm 33 weeks so I'm done. While I wouldn't NEVER wish a prem baby on anyone, I'd be happy if my LO decided 36-37 weeks was time to come. Wednesday's appointment will tell me if next week is my last week at work or the following as my boss and Sous Chef are concerned that I'm struggling (I think it's a combination of the heat and the fact I've seldom sat down in the last week or 2) and are urging me to finish up as a result.

 

[SaraSmiles13]

WackyMumof2, thank you for replying! Glad to know I'm not alone! please post what your doc says, if you don't mind! Reassurance is always helpful! ❤

 

[nordicpixie83]

Unfortunately cervix position etc isn't the best way to predict labor . My first at 39+6, my cervix was really forwards and was 3-4 & stretchy with bulging membranes and hadn't had a single twinge, my waters were broken the next day and baby Was here within 4hrs! !! . My second I labored for 12hrs on a hormone drip and my cervix was 1cm and really thick so ended up with an emcs . Baby three I had really strong BH from 20 weeks . At 37 weeks her head Was so low I could feel it internally , my cervix was soft and slightly open . I Was also HUGE but no sign of labour and I opted for an elcs at 38 weeks xx

 

[WackyMumof2]

WackyMumof2, thank you for replying! Glad to know I'm not alone! please post what your doc says, if you don't mind! Reassurance is always helpful! ❤

Didn't get the answers I was looking for. I had a trainee poke around my belly and they are damn gentle they don't tell you much.