Visible Cervix @ 32+4 Weeks?

[caterpillarbee]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently 32+4 with my 3rd pregnancy and have been having what feels like fluid leaking out over the past couple of days. It mostly happens when I’m lying down. I initially assumed it was just an increase in watery discharge at this stage of pregnancy (or maybe a bit of pee!), but it’s happened even after I’ve just been to the toilet.

Most of the time there isn’t enough to make it to my underwear. Earlier today it happened again and I got curious, so I had a look with a mirror while lying in bed. To my surprise, I can definitely see what appears to be my cervix when I spread my labia! It’s very clearly sitting there about 1–2cm up. It doesn’t look any more than 1–2cm dilated, which as far as I’m aware can be normal at this point, especially since it’s my 3rd pregnancy.

I also had quite painful Braxton Hicks from last night through until this morning, to the point that they woke me up. That said, this has happened before and turned out to be nothing. I tend to get a lot of pains and tightenings when baby is lying in certain positions. Today I’ve only had a few uncomfortable tightenings, but I’ve had constant period like pain in my back and lower tummy. Again, I’ve experienced this before during this pregnancy and it’s ended up being nothing, so I’m trying not to read too much into it.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it normal to be able to see your cervix so far down like that? I’m not particularly worried at the moment because it doesn’t appear significantly dilated, and I have a growth scan tomorrow morning so I was planning to mention it to my consultant then.

For background, I had an emergency C-section 10 years ago and then a precipitous vaginal birth 4 years ago.

Thanks!

I am a midwife OP, please go to triage and not asking on the internet. You shouldn't be able to see your cervix and if it is leaking amniotic fluid at 32 weeks you need to be seen in hospital for a plan immediately.

First post nails it with bells and whistles.

I came on to say exactly what the first reply said. Please contact your hospital and get seen.

Thank you. I completely understand this is something I should be asking triage rather than the internet. The main reason I haven’t rung straight away is that I have a growth scan with my consultant tomorrow morning, and I know they’ll be checking the amniotic fluid levels then. Also, because the leaking isn’t actually making it to my underwear most of the time, I haven’t been overly alarmed by it.

I did go in around 20 weeks because my underwear kept getting wet and they tested to see if it was my waters, but thankfully it wasn’t. I was also checked again around 26 weeks due to regular tightenings and that came back negative too. Being my 3rd pregnancy, I think my pelvic floor muscles probably aren’t what they used to be 😂, so I worry I’m being a nuisance/drama queen.

That said, I completely appreciate that it’s better to be safe than sorry especially when my cervix is visible but I wasn’t sure if that was normal at this stage, I haven’t thought to look down there before during my other pregnancies! 🫣 My appointment is at 10:30am tomorrow morning, do you think this is something that really needs checked urgently tonight rather than waiting until then?

I think the midwife advice is what you should listen to.. I would be surprosed if any midwife reading that would give you any other advise apart from 'come in and let us examine you'.

I guess as I’ve been lucky enough to have had no issues in this pregnancy or either of my previous ones, I’ve probably been second guessing myself a bit and wondering if I was overreacting. I’m going to give triage a ring now and see what they advise. Thank you!

Yes OP, you need to be seen now.

I have never seen a cervix like you describe in all my years of practice. I cared for a woman the other day who had had 6 vaginal births and she had no signs of a visible cervix. It should be high and posterior at this point. If it is low and protruding then it is no longer doing its job and is prolapsing. It is quite alarming to be honest.