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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Third trimester - jabby pains in cervix

10 replies

LionRock · 08/03/2011 21:00

Just wondering if anyone else has had this. I'm halfway through the third trimester (1st pg) and have had these weird pains on and off throughout it. The fetal position has been head down from early days so I wondered if junior was checking out the escape route, almost moving in and out of the head being engaged perhaps? The pains are short, stabby ones like a knitting needle pressing around the cervix (or thereabouts) from above with general pressure from above. It's more "ouch" than "aaaaargh" and makes me walk in small steps or stop moving while it lasts (maybe a minute or so). I mentioned it to my MW from Jan and she thought it was Braxton Hicks, but there's no tightening / contraction-like sensation.

Any ideas?

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Cyclebump · 09/03/2011 09:12

I get this all the time! I'm 36+2 and my baby's head down and low. Again, my mw wasn't concerned, I described it as like 'having a smear done from the inside' and she said some women get that.

I sympathise though, I too have to stop and breathe through it sometimes when I'm out walking. I have a very large bump and you can see passers by worrying that my waters will break there and then!

DeeDee1977 · 09/03/2011 09:14

D'oh, I managed to reply to the wrong thread ?!

Here's my post:
Ive been having this every now and then for a couple of weeks, and have trawled the message boards for an answer on what it is. It feels JUST like baby is poking the cervix with a pointy little finger, doesnt it?! However, it cant be that, as baby's head's been engaged for a while, so I cant see how her fingers would get at it. Another theory I found was that it was simply the head rubbing against the cervix as it's getting engaged - but it doesnt feel like rubbing to me, it's definitely sharp and poky! Then at my last MW appointment, the MW was describing to me how in the last weeks before labour, the cervix actually moves from being quite far back, to facing forward and shortening, and I thought, maybe THAT is what these poky feelings are, it is my cervix moving and getting ready? Sorry for the long post, just another theory to throw out there!

Original poster

LionRock · 09/03/2011 10:03

Thanks for your responses- it does sound like a late-stage pg thing. I've a scan this week so might find out just where the head is and if it's becoming engaged! I'll update the thread if I find out any more as I'm sure we're not the only ones with this weird jabby/pressure sensation.

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mrsravelstein · 09/03/2011 10:05

i had weird jabby pains with all 3 of mine, and very noticeably with the 2nd and 3rd who were both breech for a while towards the end and were clearly doing riverdance on my cervix

maxpower · 09/03/2011 10:05

yep, I had exactly these with my second pg (had had no pain/discomfort at all with 1st) - good news is, my labour was super speedy and I'm convinced that all those pains beforehand were doing something good!

MagnumIcecreamAddict · 09/03/2011 10:14

Me too - for about 3 weeks before giving birth - felt like he was trying to poke/scratch his way out!

clouiseg · 09/03/2011 11:44

Same as mrsravel here!

Am 31w with dc4. Having a LOT of stabby sharp pains downstairs which make me jump! A friend described it as "looking like you've just had an electric shock in your fanjo"!

Growth scan on Monday showed baby as breech so agree with the river dance theory!! DD3 was breech and I had the same issue!

I do hope that the pains combined with the very strong BHs is NOT doing anything to my cervix....I simply don't have time to have this baby any earlier than planned . hahaaaa!

Cyclebump · 10/03/2011 07:15

My baby's engaged head down and I still get those pains, how unfair!

Original poster

LionRock · 11/03/2011 22:09

I'm updating in case this helps anyone else...

Today's US showed that the head is low although the sonographer couldn't say if it's engaged (she said a MW would need to palpate and confirm)

I then saw a consultant (about something else) and after a bit of discussion she said that the jabby pain and pressure are normal in this stage of pg esp with the fetal position being cephalic and el bambino being heavy etc.

Unfortunately though I added in some additional news - pain in and around the pubic bone over the past few days. Since this builds up over the course of the day and is worse in the afternoon and evening, the likely cause is (drum roll) SPD / PGP. Oh joy!

So the upshot is: jabby pain and pressure - normal
This plus pain in the pubic bone - the pelvis is under a bit more pressure than it can cope with and is beginning to separate.

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ShowOfHands · 11/03/2011 22:14

They're called crotch zingers... Technical term you know.

I think it's the baby bouncing its head off a nerve.

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