Moderately Panicked-Call Midwife?

[secretresistance]

Hi-

I'm about 30.5 weeks pregnant, and have been having more bh contractions than usual. I'd say about six per hour all afternoon and evening. I decided to see what my cervix felt like since I haven't been keeping tabs on it since I was charting. Well, it's really soft, and I can fit a fingertip in the opening with a little wiggle room to spare. I've been trying to look up information to see if this is normal third trimester stuff, or something to be concerned about, and I can't find much.

I know my midwife would be fine with me calling her, but I'm not sure if this is a case of first timer's paranoia or something more.

Thanks.

[Melaya]

Well I slowly started dialating and having contractions at about 30 weeks last time. I never needed best rest and my dd came out after 42+ weeks of me being pregnant. So it's not always a terrible thing. But you should call your midwife, at least she won't spaz like they will if you go to a hospital. At the hospital, they'll instantly start you on drugs to stop the contractions, whether or not they're leading to anything. A midwife will tell you to drink more, rest, and call her if it gets worse (unless of course, something really is wrong). She might also reassure you by telling you that everything is fine. Good luck :)

[memiles]

When in doubt, call her. It's your midwife's job to determine what is normal and what is cause for concern. She would want to know, and would want to hear from you.

[monkeymimi]

:yeah:

[TurboClaudia]

first, drink a big glass of water. maybe even two.

next, get the phone and lay down on your side.

and lastly, call your midwife.

the cervix thing sounds normal. pregnant cervices are usually pretty soft towards the end, sometimes even in the middle, of pregnancy. and the fingertip to one centimeter dilated thing is definitely within normal range.

but your midwife will listen and since she knows all the particulars of your pregnancy and health, she will be better able to judge what you might consider doing or not doing.

~claudia

[MyNameIsBen]

This is the original poster's boyfriend. Thanks for all of your input. She is asleep right now. I called one of those 1 800 nurse places, and they were pretty much completely unhelpful. She had several more BH contractions before she fell asleep. We will be going to a birth class tomorrow, so we will probably bring it up then.

Thanks again!

[mamaverdi]

If she has a midwife, why isn't she calling? What is a 1-800 nurse line gonna do for her? Nothing....as you found out.

Call the midwife!

[nichole]

i'm glad she is able to rest though!

[secretresistance]

Thanks for weighing in everyone.

I gave my midwife a call when I woke up this morning. She said that it wouldn't be uncommon for my cervix to be softening and open towards the front, but that it is probably funneled closed and I just couldn't tell. DP and I start our childbirth classes at the birth center this afternoon, so she's going to check me out then and make sure that all is as it should be.

Thanks again for giving me some late-night reassurance.

[Skrimpy]

I'm glad you called her and she's going to check you out. It's always best to call if you feel concerned. I was feeling a lot of downward pressure around 32 weeks with my last little one and my midwife was able to reassure me that all was well and normal :) Good luck at your birthing class!

[mother culture]

Rehydrate and I think any midwife would want to know. The weather has been warmer and you need more hydration. Rest.

[secretresistance]

I'm home from the class and being checked, and everything is just fine! I'm awfully relieved to hear that my cervix is being normal and cervix-y, and also to have the first class jitters out of the way.

Thanks to all.

[ShelFish]

I'm glad everything is OK. Still, don't ever hesitate to call the mw if you think it's warranted. Any mw worth her weight in salt will treat any concerns you've got with the utmost respect.

Good luck!

[homemademomma]

also cal/mag can help calm an excitable uterus. something with mag citrate, about 500mg. epsom salt baths can help too

[secretresistance]

Thanks for the tips! Excitable uterus sounds so...thrilling! :lol