[DoulaLC]

They never said anything about effacement to me, but they did say it was closed and long. How do I know if the cervix is softened? I know it must sound like I am complaining a lot but I am not trying to come across like that, I am uncomfortable and nervous. We don't have the option of having a midwife at the delivery, and most of the doctors that do deliver babies in this city are men. The only good thing is the nurses that are present at the delivery they are so nice.

I know of some midwives that will show you how to do exams, but the vast majority of midwives and doctors would not be thrilled with you doing home exams. The concern is mostly for possible infection if you don't know what you are doing. If it would make you more comfortable, you can ask about having a couple of exams in your last visits with the doctor so you can know where things stand... might give you some peace of mind.

It really doesn't matter much anyway, unless things are starting too early, and since your contractions have now settled down, that is not likely the case. Obviously watch how things go if they start up again. Your cervix can be closed, firm, and long and you go into labor two days later... you can walk around 3-4 cm dilated for the last couple of weeks.

Since they have subsided, try your best not to worry about it. Take it easy, keep your fluids up, pay attention to how active you are and whether your body responds with increased uterine activity then act accordingly. Best not to even try to get things going until your due date comes and goes... in most cases you and baby are better off letting things happen in their own time. Hopefully, all of this practice will have your cervix ready to go when it is time and you'll have a smooth and quick labor... no guarantees, but you can hope!. :)

Try to enjoy these last several weeks... pamper yourself... maybe splurge for a pregnancy massage, finish last minute projects, visit with family and friends, read up and prepare for labor and birth, take advantage of any extra sleep you can get.

[davejag]

The contractions have settled down and I feel much better today just tired that's all. I do feel like I did too much house work last week so I think that caused a lot of issues. I am going to enjoy the last 5 weeks and just relax, thank's to all for the great answers it always helps.

[Rn20yrsplus]

So on Tuesday night around 10pm I went to bed with cramping, woke up at 2 am with sever lower abdominal cramping and lower back cramping ( it felt like menstrual cramps). So of course the husband was out of town and I couldn't drive my self to the hospital, so I waited till today to see my doctor, I told him about all my symptoms. He did a vaginal exam and said well your not dilating so lets do an ultrasound, of course at this point I am in so much pain.
I go do the ultrasound and the radiologist sends me to Labour and Delivery because he can't see anything wrong on the ultrasound. My doctor gets called he comes in feels my belly looks at the monitor and says hmm I don't know, walked out of the room to the nurses and says I have no idea what's wrong with her.
He then said she has had pain through out her pregnancy but other wise it has been healthy, well I say that's not true considering how many times I have been in the labour and delivery.
Then the nurses laughed and said well what you want us to do, he said no idea, till the nurse finally said call a specialist in. He came in said I was contracting but my cervix was still closed, so no dice on having the baby at 34 weeks. When I asked him why I was in so much pain he said, well I am not sure but you know some demurral will take care of it, well they were wrong. I still had the pain plus the spotting and after 9 hours I ended up leaving the hospital still in pain and still spotting. Now when I go to the bathroom and wipe my tissue paper has either red spots or its a peach colour, and yes I am still in pain. So ladies and gentle man what do you think is wrong? I just can't go on like this anymore in pain and spotting.

Sounds like labor to me, the pinkish dishcharge could be the mucus plug. You may not be dialated yet but may be getting close. If you have had the baby let us know how it went.