heaviness- worried about incompetent cervix

[SaraL77]

I'm 18+2 and over the last week or so have experienced a 'heaviness' down below, like the baby is really pressing on my cervix and theres some tenderness when I pee (I think it's the muscles that you use to pee that are a bit sore) I'm sure it's nothing but I know about incompetent cervix and now I'm worried. It feels like the baby is too heavy to stay in there somehow- and it's only going to get heavier!

this is my 2nd pregnancy and I didn't have this problem before. maybe my pelvic floor just isn't as strong this time round?

anyone had this experience?

Incompetent cervix doesn't usuallyhave any symptoms.

I would imagine it's because everything is loose and you are more sensitive having had a baby before.

As far as I know, an incompetent cervix would have been discovered in your first pregnancy, so as this is your second I'm sure it's not that.

I don't remember having the sensation you are describing but do sometimes feel like the baby is trying to escape though my bum (26 weeks and second pg as well)

I had the same sensation as you from about16 weeks. This is my second pregnancy and I had not felt the general heaviness and pressure in that area the first time round?? Was worried about incompetent cervix as well after reading about it but now at 33 weeks I'm thinking what I felt before and continued to experience on and off since is vulval varicose veins!! I know it sounds horrendous but I didn't realise what it might be until at about 29 weeks I noticed a small sort of blood blister on my right outer labia. Sorry TMI but it evetually went away didn't burst but did sort of bleed on and off slightly. Its now gone but Im still getting the pressure feeling occassionally and think that might be why. When I asked my doc about the heavy feeling at my 20 week scan they just said in your secong pregnancy the muscles etc are slightly looser so you would feel much more. I also had a huge baby DS first time 9lb 12oz. Hope this helps talk to your midwife though put your mind at ease.

thanks for your comments, yes I think you're right regarding the incompetent cervix, I was fine first time round.

I managed to get hold of my midwife yesterday. Sassie23, funny you mentioned that, my midwife she said it was most likely one of 2 things, she mentioned varicose veins (I never knew you could get them there!) and the other possibility was a weak pelvic floor. Thanks for your input it's good to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. I'm having a urine test today to rule out an infection, otherwise she said to do lots of pelvic floor exercises to see if it'll improve, but if it's varicose veins there's not much anyone can do.

I just thought that if the baby gets heavier what's it going to feel like in a few months?! The joys of pregnancy!

It is poss to have incompetent cervix second time round - I'm testament to that (1st DC induced 40 weeks and 2nd born at 26 weeks) But it didn't feel like 'heaviness' in my case when my cervix opened - more like a v. strange constipated feeling combined with a feeling that if I pushed too hard the baby would fall out. Turns out I was nearly right:( but it was also quick - from beginning of the weird feeling until I was bluelighted to hospital with prolapsed membranes was barely 12 hours. So if it's been going on a week I'm sure you're fine. If you're still worried though you could always ask them to have a quick check of cervix at your 20 week scan? (btw DS has just come home from hospital, tiny but well, four weeks before his due date!)

Apparently if you do the pelvic floor muscle exercises it will help with the veins and unlike theones you get in your legs they do go away after birth thank the lord good luck

libelulle So glad to hear your DS is ok. 26 weeks is sooooooooo early!

thanks guys,

I do think it's probably the veins, I feel the dragging/heaviness as soon as I've stood up after sitting, then it feels a bit better again. Will keep doing the exercises!

Libelulle- poor you that sounds quite traumatic especially as the midwife told me I don't have incompetent cervix as it would have happened in my first pregnancy- something I think most people think was the case. Glad to hear DS is well, you must be so glad to have him home