Does anyone know what it means that your cervix is long and soft?

[FoxintheSnow]

At my appt yesterday my ob said I am a finger dialated and that my cervix is long and very soft.

What does that mean?

I was too distracted by ds playing with the chair to ask lol.

[MonP'titBoudain]

I believe it just means that your cervix is ripening. Earlier in pregnancy you want the cervix high and tight and short. So when it's long and soft that means things are beginning to move towards go. But, it doesn't necessarily mean imminently, just soonish

[takasmom]

I would say it means that your practitioner didn't detect any effacement (that is measured in percentage) but like PP said you are squishy--"ripe"-- and, apparently, 1 cm dilated.

[avasmomleigh]

MW said the same about me-1cm and soft and long-and told me on a 2nd it doesn't mean much, cause effacement/dilation can happen pretty quickly. she said i could easily go at least 3 more weeks. Dang.

[taraknyc]

I thought your cervix is supposed to shorten the closer you get to delivery. Isn't that what effacement is? I could be totally in left field on this one though!

[takasmom]

yep, it does shorten. the mw saying the cervix is still long means it is not effacing (shortening) yet. but according to my mw's, measuring anything before labor has started...or even DURING labor for that matter...doesn't tell you anything except where you are at that exact moment. it doesn't mean you're going to start labor soon or won't start soon or your labor is gonna be long/short or anything really.