Any Midwives on MN-I have a few questions about what actually happens to your cervix in the run up to labour?

[Astarte]

How long is it supposed to be before it prepares for labour?

What generally happens first? Thinning? dilating? shortening?

If my m/w checks to see whether I'm favourable for a S&S at 39 weeks, what is she looking for exactly?

Do BH do anything to your cervix or are they simply toning the uterus?

What does 'station' mean?

Any answers to these would be greatly appreciated. I'm still quite happy to be pg btw at 38 weeks, but was pondering this subject today and found no clear answers on Google.

This is my 4th pg so I understand that the info will be slightly different than if I was a first timer.

bump for you

Hi Astarte

To answer your questions in order:

Don't understand the 1st question - do you mean how long is the cervix pre-labour? It is usually about 2cm long.

At the beginning of labour it usually thins and shortens together and then it starts to dilate.

Your midwife will not usually examine you prior to 40 weeks to do a s&s. She is not examining you to check if you're favourable for S&S but to see if you're favourable for induction. If she's putting her hand up there at all pre-labour at term then it is wiht the purpose of doing a S&S. Whilst doing this she is checking:

• The position of the cervix (posterior, mid or anterior, ie far back, to the middle or towards the front)
• The consistancy (firm or soft/stretchy)
• The dilatation if any
• The Effacement (thinning)
• The Station (the position of where the baby's head is in relation to a landmark of the pelvis, used to measure descent of the head

The question re BH's is a difficult one but in the main they are just "practice contractions" which for some will tone the uterus but later in pregnancy and depending on how strong/regular they are they may actually make some chances to the cervix with regard to shortening/thinning.

Quite often, in women who have had babies before, when examined they can actually be 3cm+ dilated when not even in labour and their cervix will feel very soft and stretchy and there is a common thought when told this information that you are imminently about to go into labour. Unfortunately this is just a normal cervix for a woman having had children before.

Good luck with the birth!

Fabulous Howdie , that answers everything brilliantly.

It's funny what you muse on when bored and struggling to sleep

Thanks.