[4under6]

I had a checkup today, and my first cervical check, and was found to have a mushy cervix that has started to efface. I am 28 weeks today.
My appointment was with the Nurse Practitioner, and she is making me see my OB tomorrow to get a second opinion.

Anyone have softening/effacement of the cervix early?What did you do?

I have been having LOTS of BH contractions since about week 18 or so. With my other three, I either didn't have them or had them at the end of pregnancy. Also, I sometimes feel quite crampy with the BH's....not quite painful, but more menstrual-like crampiness. I am also much more active this time around...I wait tables three nights a week.

 

[Periwinkle]

OK, I read this and alarm bells went off. I don't want to scare you, but I want to answer your question honestly and try to be as truly helpful as I can...

I think you're experiencing preterm labor. Meaning, it sounds like you are having contractions (that crampy feeling + "BH contractions since 18 weeks") and if they are changing your cervix, it's labor. The good news is preterm labor can go on and on and on. It doesn't mean you're going to deliver tomorrow. The usual remedy is complete bedrest and/or tocolytic (anti-contraction) medicines like terbutaline. Go to your OB tomorrow and get that second opinion.

I went through pretty much exactly what you are at 28 weeks -- even though I didn't have any cervical change, I was contracting up to 13x/hour. I managed to hold out for 4 weeks, but.... I had twins. With a singleton you could go much longer.

Good luck. Please post back and let us know how you're doing. I am going to send prayers your way that your OB says it's all hogwash and that you're 100% fine!

 

[frognladybugmama]

well, if the bh contrax's aren't regular, i'd not be alarmed - and i'm told (by midwives) that it's normal to feel the bh's earlier and stronger w/ each subsequent pg...this is my 3rd and i notice them a lot more than w/ my other two pg's and have some that definitely are uncomfortable. that said, i would have a problem with a vaginal check at 28 wks for no other reason than crampiness. there's no reason to go messing around w/ stuff "up there" and stimulating it more yk? or introducing any funky bacteria/infections...maybe too personal, but have you had sex lately? after orgasm/sex have you noticed a change in the contrax's? usually that's my tell tale sign of whether or not they're bh's or something more...
good luck!

 

[Liba]

I also start having cervical changes at 28 weeks. I was having a lot of what I thought were braxton hicks contractions and my baby was head down pressing on my cervix. My cervix was still closed but soft at that point and starting to efface. At 29 weeks I was starting to dialate and was effaced more and ended up on bedrest. I am now 33 weeks, have been on bedrest and have had some more effacement, but not in the last couple weeks. I am 80% effaced and 2cm dialated and likely to go early but bedrest (no medication) has kept the baby in for this long.

Have you dialated early with your previous pregnancies? I hope all goes well for you!!

 

[msrog]

Eek, Danielle, get thee off of thy feet immediately!!!

I know you guys want the extra money, but it will all be wiped out if your baby comes early and has to spend time in the NICU. PLEASE don't risk it! It sounds like it's time to stop working, like YESTERDAY. Then maybe you can avoid being on bedrest, but still take at least once nice nap a day and keep your feet up at other times.

Your symptoms sound very much to me like preterm labor, especially since you never experienced them with three other pregnancies.

 

[4under6]

I was kind of wondering why she wanted to do a cervix check at 28 weeks anyways. This was before ANYTHING was mentioned to the NP about BH contractions or anything (though I know my Doc has noted the BH's in my chart isnce I have mentioned them to her at past appointments). I don't know why I didn't question it!
It is way too early to do standard cervical checking; I think the "standard" is 36 weeks?
Ugh.
I called my sister who has been a labor & delivery nurse for about 25 years, and she was also wondering why the heck a cervix check was done. She said not to let them freak me out; this is my 4th baby after all, so that could be part of it. The menstrual crampiness that I have been getting this time around is a little worrisome to me, but it comes and goes, and doesn't last long. Nothing regular at all about it. A couple times a day, sometimes more, sometimes less.
With my third, I was 50% effaced, and 3 cm dilated from 36 weeks on. I gave birth at 39 weeks exactly, but it was a very precipitous labor (1/2 hour!).

Well, we'll see what the doc says tomorrow, I guess.

P.S.-
Savannah, you are an angel! I'll keep this one cooking, if you keep your twins cooking...deal?

 

[Caroline248]

I told you in oue thread that I had this too..and I am effacing now with some major contractions, but no dilating. I have been on "pelvic rest" (as you know) and have been taking it really easy..I would say waiting tables is OUT!!! The money is not worth it....

Caroline

 

[frognladybugmama]

i agree that rest is best whenever a pg mama feels crampy, etc...i know about waiting tables pg and it's not an easy job to be on your feet that long, perhaps your body is revolting against that much strain/stress?
but truly, i wouldn't worry if the crampy feeling is only after you're working - i get that too - just a reminder to slow down and rest! is it possible for you not to work? i can understand if it's not.
and typically, i don't have a vaginal check until 36wks when they do the gbs test, then not again till i go into labor unless i request one.

 

[Wabi Sabi]

3under3...

Any news yet? Hope everything checked out okay today with the OB!

 

[4under6]

Everything checked out ok!
She said my cervix is indeed soft, but closed and baby is high.
She said to drink more water, and seing as how this is my 4th baby, it's not unusual for a very soft cervix this early. She will see me every two weeks now, which I'm not crazy about, but it's ok.
Thanks for everyone's thoughts!