40w - internal exam

[Nixies]

I am 40w tomorrow, 1st pg and had a midwife appt today where she did an internal to see how i was progressing (at my request - was dying to know!)

She said my cervix is effacing and she could fit one finger, but this does not mean labour is imminent.
I've had slight period-pain like cramps since then and a brown discharge when i go to the loo (not much though). Is this just a result of the exam or does it mean anything more?
Or am i just over-analyzing and have days still to wait it out?!

Nixies - I had an internal at 40 wks and it gave me pains too. I was 1 cm at the time as well. I was booked for induction 10 days later, but felt sure that because i was already 1 cm it would progress before that. But it didn't, and after 2 attempts at induction i stayed at 1cm and ended up having a section.
I wouldn't take anything as a sign of anything to be honest. Just let is progress when it does.
I'm sure someone will come on in a minute and say that what you experienced is how their labour started. there is just no way of knowing.

good luck and hope you don't have long to go.

the cramps and bleeding are because the cervix has been fiddled with

the best things you can do to get things moving, is to try some nipple stim and lots of sex ! helps to ripen the cervix, make it softer, and to encourage contractions

for a first time mum, think of 41 weeks as the due date, only around 5 % of babies arrive at 40 weeks exactly

enjoy these last few days , and relax as much as you can, your body will let you know when it is time

thanks for the messages! I think the hardest thing is to not read too much into every little twinge at this stage, but i will ignore them again...