Soft cervix @ 30 weeks

britleann26 · April 2014

My body has decided to go into 'boot camp labor' mode. I have had consistent BH for a week now. My DR checked me yesterday and my cervix is extremely soft. She thinks it is strange for it the happen at 30 weeks but isn't concerned too much about it. She just wants to see me every week and to do a growth u/s.

My question ... the friends of mine who have had kids had perfect pregnancies and deliveries and I can't ask my mom if she experienced any of this since she has passed away. Have any of you been through this or know someone who has? I have read on here it is pretty common to be dilated for weeks without going into active labor, is it the same for my cervix being soft this early on? (And bonus dumb question - the stage after soft cervix is dilation, correct? and does my water break before I start dilating?)

I respect my DR and if she isn't concerned, then i'm not either. I just don't know anyone who has experienced this before. Kinda feel like my body is being a complete jerk to me and my pregnancy emotions/irrational fears.

ElTrain5 · April 2014

I checked my own cervix at around 25 weeks when I was having some minor contractions and compared to my TTC cervix checks, it seemed incredibly soft to me then. Like...earlobe kind of soft as opposed to tip-of-the-nose type soft prior to being pregnant. Not sure if that's normal or not either. I'm all sorts of helpful over here.

britleann26 · April 2014

@CDK211 Eek to pre-term labor!! I can imagine that was scary. She didn't mention if it was long or posterior. She just said it was closed but extremely soft. What does long and posterior mean? Should I ask her about it next week? Completely clueless FTM here

ElTrain5 Maybe contractions trigger the cervix to become softer? I have never checked on my own before but she was pretty surprised by it so I'm guessing it was earlope soft? Did your contractions stop and did you notice it become more firm?

Rosebud2587 · April 2014

I've said this before on a different post but I had a soft cervix and started dilating at 33; however DD managed to hang in there until 42 weeks.

Some women's water breaks early on in labor, or before they even know they're having contractions, but for many women (including me) the dr. breaks their water at some point while they're at the hospital. For me it was when I was dilated to 8cm that the dr. broke my water. An hr later and I was ready to push.

ricecakes1216 · April 2014

I've had a soft cervix since 17ish weeks. I was told that as long as my cervical length was good, I wasnt dilating and contractions were not consistent than they aren't worried. Doctor said that it can be a warning sign that something can be wrong but it doesn't always indicate that. I was also told that the chances of seeing 40 weeks is very slim.

britleann26 · April 2014

@Rosebud2587 I always thought there was a process to labor like step 1 - baby is here. But hearing all the different stories tells me anything can happen. Thanks for the insight!

@CDK211 The website you gave was very helpful. I am always afraid to google this stuff since Mr. Google tends to make the situation worse with the most awful things that can happen

I will ask more about the cervix specifics next time around to get a better feel for what is going on.

@Rachel5130 I didn't know about it either! And the explanations given to me on the board made me realize my FTM is REALLY showing! May need to start reading my books about it.

@ricecakes1216 I hope LO stays in as long as possible. My DR already mentioned she didn't think I would make it to 40 weeks due to my high blood pressure but I think the soft cervix and constant BH kinda reaffirmed it.

BrunoBabies · April 2014

My Dr. won't even do cervical checks unless something is wrong before 38 weeks. He says it's pointless, because everyones bodies change differently. I agree with pp, if the length is fine I wouldn't worry.

aleher15 · April 2014

Mine has been super soft since 28 weeks the dr said they don't worry unless I start to dilate as well

BabyCurtiss2014 · April 2014

My doc has not yet mentioned anything about checking the cervix and I'm 32 wks...guess that's ok?!?

shellbell813 · April 2014

I would suggest doing some research on the labor process - what will happen, what to expect, etc. (I don't mean that bitchy, just that I am learning about it now in my birthing class and it really has helped put me at ease.)

The cervix will thin and dilate. They don't necessarily go thin and then dilate. The thinning has to do with the length of the cervix and the dilation is the size of the hole getting larger. I'm sure that doesn't make a whole lot of sense without pictures.

I'm not completely sure about the softening of the cervix, but I would guess that they tend to get soft to make the thinning/dilating easier? I think it's a pretty normal thing.

Water breaking doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the cervix either... except that I would imagine there has to be a little dilation before the water can break... but that is really a guess.

efino87 · April 2014

@britleann26 I believe what your doctor is saying is on par with what my doctor is doing with me. I have had cervical lengths since week 18 and they have never mentioned softness to me. They just check for length and dilation and don't mention much else. I have had a previous preterm birth with PPROM. Keep drinking that water. Thinking of your family and hoping you make it to full term!

Danischn · April 2014

I'm 30 weeks with a very soft cervix and dilated 1 cm. I've had cervix lengths checks and was cleared at 24 weeks. I have been having BH for awhile as well. Dr didn't seem too concerned as some women can be dilated for several weeks. Did an ultrasound to check fluids and all was good. I also had an NST which showed no labor contractions. (I had this only because the also heart rate dipped a bit). If your doctor isn't too concerned I wouldn't worry but if I would make sure to ask more questions at your next visit to make you feel better.

VeniVidiScripsi · April 2014

I am a STM but not an expert either

My cervix started thinning a few Weeks ago so my Dr sent me to the hospital for steroid shots as a precaution. So I'd guess your length is ok which is why your Dr wasn't worried. I could be mistaken but I think a soft cervix is just one of the many component and of all of them the safest (vs thinning and dilating), baby's head also has to come down and sit in the birth canal too (which mine is doing as well, sneaky little guy). Anyway I hope everything continues to go well for you

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