no dilation, nice and soft....anytime?

[PookieMom]

Had a dr. appt. last week and got checked. First time the whole pregnancy, 36 weeks. Anyway, he said I was still closed but he could feel the head, that it definitely was a head, and that it was bouncy, and i'm "nice and soft".

Before we left he said, "ill see you in 2 weeks if not before, it could be any day now!"

Just wondering what "nice and soft" meant? And how he was able to feel the head if i'm still closed? (I feel like this is a dumb question, that as much as i read i should know this, but i really don't ) I should have asked then but i really didn't start thinking about it until later.

[appleseed]

Originally Posted by PookieMom

Had a dr. appt. last week and got checked. First time the whole pregnancy, 36 weeks. Anyway, he said I was still closed but he could feel the head, that it definitely was a head, and that it was bouncy, and i'm "nice and soft".

Before we left he said, "ill see you in 2 weeks if not before, it could be any day now!"

Just wondering what "nice and soft" meant? And how he was able to feel the head if i'm still closed? (I feel like this is a dumb question, that as much as i read i should know this, but i really don't ) I should have asked then but i really didn't start thinking about it until later.

Unfortunately, unless you're in labor... cervical dilation really is meaningless! You can go from 0 to 10 cm in ten hours, or you can walk around at 4cm and completely effaced for a full week... there's so many factors it depends on. The fact that your cervix is softer shows that some change is starting to take place, but I wouldn't count on ANYTHING... babies come when they're ready, there's no expiration label up there on your cervix that the doctor can look at I hope it's soon and quick for you, though- good luck, mama!

[MoonWillow]

I know that "bouncy" means that your fluid is good. Like he could bob the baby up and down because theres a good amount .

[PixelDust]

"Bouncy" might also mean ballotable -- i.e. the baby's head is not fully engaged, can still be "bounced" back up out of the pelvis.

Good luck!

[ekblad9]

My understanding of "bouncy" is that the baby is not fully engaged yet. My babies don't usually engage until labor begins. I've walked around for months at 4cm dialated and fully efaced in previous pregnancies and I've gone from 0 - 10 in a matter for four hours in other labors. It's just so hard to predict. I hate when dr's say "if not sooner" like they're giving you hope. It just makes me more crabby

[stretchmark]

I've been nice and soft, effaced and dilated for about 3 weeks now. It's nice to know something is happening but it is really messing with my impatience issue.