38+1 weeks. Just had cervical examination - can anyone interpret please?

[FranTan]

Hi,

I'm 38 +1 weeks and just returned from a consultant's appointment where there was a possibility of induction due to big baby and polyhydramnios. Anyway, he said we would be waiting until 39 weeks due to potential breathing problems with a 38 week delivery.

Anyway, he examined me and my notes say the following:

"cervix closed, 1 cm long, anterior."

I get the cervix closed bit but the rest doesn't mean anything to me. Consultant doesn't have a great manner and I was disappointingly unassertive so I didn't request an explanation.

From this information, is it possible/likely I will go into labour naturally this week before my sweep next week? Also, how dilated do I need to be for a sweep to be possible?

Thanks

p.s didn't expect a simple examination to hurt quite so much! Bodes well for labour

Your cervix is 1cm long, they start off at about 3-4cm long so its shortening a bit.

How he can tell this if your cervix is closed I don't know. Your cervix has 2 ends though so maybe the external end is open and the internal end closed. Otherwise how could he get his finger in to work out the length?

Anterior means as you are on the couch the cervix is upwards, so more towards your tummy rather than lower down, more towards the couch/your back - which would be posterior.

Been anterior is good as they tend to start off posterior and then become central/anterior.

Oh and examinations, especially when not in labour or in early labour can be very, very painful. Don't be worried by that thinking if you found that painful then you won't manage with labour. Doesn't work like that - totally different feelings.

Thanks Viva

So could the remaining changes happen quite quickly on their own over the next week? I realise I could have been like this for weeks, as this was my first examination.

Not sure if it's relevant to speed but this will be my second birth.

You might not get any more changes till labour starts.

You might get a bit of dilatation beforehand.

Its so hard to tell, some people can niggle for ages with not much change and some people walk into l/w looking like they're not in labour and they're 8cm. Good luck.