Do I need to freak out? Or stop googling?

[GingerRodgers]

2nd dc, 27 weeks and I'm pretty sure I'm 1cm dialated already.
Is this ok?!
Really trying not to freak out.
Cervix is easily reached, soft tip and feels open a fingertip.

Fine, you'll have had a slightly bigger os since your first baby. It's called a "multip's os" and is normal.

But for goodness sake stop prodding it!

Knotty, I think I've freaked out as it's definitely 'opened' more from a few weeks ago? Has felt very closed since Bfp.

I'm very careful to make sure my hands are thoroughly clean and I'm not prodding, just having a feel.

It is an infection risk even if you have washed your hands - that's why hospitals now generally use speculum for early examinations. If you have concerns, see your midwife, but stop feeling about up there!

Step Away from Google.

Ok I'll stop!
Dumb question but how come it's still ok to have sex?

Step away from the internet.

And also stop fingering your own cervix

I can't reach my own cervix. Blimey!

Why are you checking your own cervix???

Because your husband's willy isn't a sledgehammer.

Always have since ttc dd. It's not particularly tucked away and I don't have giant long fingers!

ok, serious answer: you should still have a fat mucus plug acting as an infection risk barrier in there. Midwife could explain.

Yes, yes, but.... why?!

When ttc it was for cervical position, mucus etc.
Then I checked a few times when pg for closed and position.
It's not something I do on a daily basis and collate information on a spreadsheet

Had cervical treatment before dc which has made me super paranoid about prem labour so I guess that's partly why.

Sledgehammer!! He certainly doesn't but how come it's safe to have a willy near your cervix but not a finger?

In my opinion a willy has far more potential for infection than freshly washed fingers. I'd ask midwife. Surely if sex is okay, fingers are okay.

Maybe the rules are different if you're a little dilated? (Unless it's normal on 2nd preg in which case they'd say no one was allowed sex in 2nd pregnancies)

Have to say though, I'd feel a bit squeamish about touching my cervix! (I'm a pansy though)

Well, your partner's penis isn't fishing about right inside the cervix.

But, AFAIK, also, sex can be an infection issue if there is a problem. It's just that there are good reasons for having sex. And normally it is fine because of the mucus plug. There really is no reason to be fishing about with your finger. And presumably you are more likely to be examining yourself if you think there is a problem.

I'm not fishing about inside it! It's just the os felt a lot more open than normal. Way too scared to be putting fingers inside it

Out of interest, is the mucus plug on the inside or outside of the cervix?

But, but, if you can feel it is open you kind of are fishing about. Not just, erm, brushing past the area like a penis.

I suppose... Having sex once a day is a one off exposure each day which the vagine is well designed to handle, and most heavily pg women probably don't have sex once a day anyway. But if OP is checking cervix daily it's got moot benefits & provides a slight risk.

I doubt you're doing any harm by poking around, OP, but if anything went wrong you might end up worrying you did harm for no gain.

Be careful 'fiddling' with DC 3 and 4 I had long bouts of early contractions and had to be admitted. Both times the midwives would only have a look to see if I was dilated and told me off when I said I thought I had had a feel and thought I was dilated as it may have started labour.

Just realised I missed a comma in my first sentence

Really don't examine yourself. You are increasing the risk of it dilating further if you prod around. Midwives won't examine anyone under 37 weeks because of the risks. Even a dr would only use a speculum to look to reduce the risks.

Yonks ago I read that internal exams were normal at each & every antenatal appointment in the USA (e.g. discussion). I never understood why, but it seems some obstetricians believe that the benefits outweigh the risks.

they probably do it with sterile gloves & in a certain way, though.

Ok I'll stop poking around but it's at the most once a month and more touching the opening than having a feel iyswim?
Anyway! Thanks for putting my mind at rest. 2nd dc and big mucus plug. Must stop worrying and self examining