Cervix length, Is labour anywhere near?

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I am due today. 2nd pregnancy.
Ive been monitored last few days with high BP.And as Ive been having crampy pains for last few days midwife said she would check to see if anything was happening.
She said my cervix was very soft and still a bit long. It was closed but took one finger ( i am to believe that you have a small gap with 2nd pregnancy onward).
Do you have to wait ages for cervix to shorten before labour even starts, or can it all happen simultaneously?

the cervix softens, dilates and effaces over a time...it shortens as it effaces , i believe. and yes..after one birth, your cervix can remain 1 - 2 cm dilated........

softening is a good sign.....it is absolutely impossible to say how long it takes...!!

was your first baby on time or late?

My first, waters broke day after due date and born after 2 day labour.

So will i not go into labour until it has effaced?

In a subsequent pregnancy the cervix shortens and dilates simultaneously... so the fact that it is still a bit long could mean you are a few days away still... You can go very quickly once you start though... I would say cramps are a good sign.

Labour is what makes your cervix efface... as I said you may go very quickly - less than 6 hours once contractions start at regular intervals.

pupuce does know her stuff....!

4 days on, and 3 days overdue it isstill the same. No change and not even any cramps now

don't worry too much,.....things will be happening that you are not even aware of within your body.......

try some nipple stimulation, sex , and bouncing on a gym ball!

natural induction tips

these won;t necessarily start labour , but will help ripen the cervix and get the baby moving down in preparation for birth.....baby will come out....don;t be too disheartened.....xx