Experts think this pain is related to your baby growing larger and dropping down into your pelvis before birth (a process called engagement). With your baby's head lower in your pelvis, there's more pressure on your cervix and the nerves around the lower part of the uterus.
During the latent phase the neck of your womb (cervix) thins and opens up (dilates) to 4 cm. As the cervix stretches and fits around the baby's head you will experience some sharp pains - this is normal.
Termed lightening crotch because it feels like a sudden shooting pain, this vaginal pain sometimes occurs due to pressure on nerves. As baby engages lower into the pelvis, they are likely to apply pressure to the cervix. While this can occur long before labor, sometimes it is a sign of early dilation.
Expecting mamas usually experience lightning crotch later in the third trimester, when baby is larger and has moved down into the pelvis. When baby's head is low in the pelvis, also known as "engaged," the resulting pressure on the cervix and nerves lower in your uterus can cause this sporadic discomfort.
As labor begins, the cervix starts to soften, shorten and thin (efface). You might feel mild, irregular contractions or nothing at all. Effacement is often expressed in percentages. At 0% effacement, the cervix is at least 2 centimeters long, or very thick.
#3: Cramping and backache
If they occur low down, just above your pubic bone, this can be a sign your cervix is dilating. It might feel something like the cramping ache you have just before, or at the start of your period. You might also feel a dull ache in the lower part of your back, which comes at regular intervals.
During labor, your uterus pushes the baby down and stretches the opening of your uterus (cervix). Each time the uterus muscles flex, you may feel pain like a strong cramp. As your cervix and vagina stretch and open, you may feel a stretching, burning pain.
Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include: Baby drops. Cervix begins to dilate. Cramps and increased back pain.
Dilation of the cervix
Occasionally, cervical dilation is to blame for sharp, shooting vaginal pains in the final stages of pregnancy. This is a perfectly normal process that helps the body prepare for labor and delivery. But should the pain present in the lower abdomen, consult a doctor right away.
If the pain is acute in onset with or without other associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, vaginal bleeding or discharge and is not relieved on taking one or two doses of simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, then she should seek immediate medical help.
If you have acute pain, make sure to get in to see a doctor as soon as possible. If it's a sharp pain or a sudden pain that really hurts, head to the emergency room to make sure it's not something dangerous.
This is the prelabour phase. Feel the tip of your nose: it's firm and resists your touch. Now feel your lips: they're soft and stretchy. Your cervix starts out firm like your nose, and has to become soft and stretchy, like your lips.
Know the signs
contractions or tightenings. a "show", when the plug of mucus from your cervix (entrance to your womb, or uterus) comes away. backache. an urge to go to the toilet, which is caused by your baby's head pressing on your bowel.
Some people's cervix will be firm and closed right up until active labor begins. For others, they may be slightly effaced and dilated for several weeks. One thing is for sure: You have to get to 100% effacement if you want the next stage of labor to begin.
You at 36 weeks pregnant
You might even feel baby's head putting pressure on your cervix, which can be quite uncomfortable. You'll probably need to go to the toilet even more often.
The bruised cervix feels like being poked on the inside with a hot poker, and women can also experience cramping and abdominal pain that is worse than the worst period pain ever experienced. The painful cramps lead to nausea, sweating, and vomiting.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help reduce swelling that leads to pelvic pain. Acetaminophen can also ease painful symptoms. Make time for exercise. Even though you may not feel like moving, exercise helps increase blood flow and may help reduce your discomfort.
Problems with the cervix (opening to the uterus): The penis can reach the cervix at maximum penetration. Therefore, problems with the cervix (such as infections) can cause pain during deep penetration. Problems with the uterus: These may include fibroids that can cause deep intercourse pain.
The pain may last for a week or two after the procedure. Applying an ice pack at the site, 20 minutes off and on, may help relieve the pain. You may feel some temporary numbness where the needle entered your skin. The risk of complications from RFA is very low.
You can't feel your cervix thinning, but you might pick up on a few cervical effacement symptoms. When your cervix effaces, you may feel pressure down there, Thiel says. You might also notice an increase in cervical mucus or discharge. “It may feel kind of crampy,” Cackovic says.
The timing is different for every woman. As you get closer to your due date, your cervix may start to dilate without you knowing it. Dilation is a gradual process that, for some can take weeks, even up to a month. Others will dilate and efface overnight.
Is it possible to dilate and not lose your mucus plug? You can dilate to a certain degree and not lose the mucus plug, but it will come out eventually. All pregnant people will have a mucus plug protecting the uterus from bacteria. It will always fall out before the baby is delivered.
Your Week 37 Checklist
Work on your "nest" if you'd like, but don't over it. Continue Kegel exercises and perineal massage. Take some time for yourself before the baby arrives. Make a list of last-minute labor and delivery questions.
It is not uncommon for the cervical ripening to take up to 24-36 hours!! It is also not uncommon to use different techniques to ripen the cervix. You may feel contractions during this process. If the contractions become painful, you will be able to request medication to relieve your discomfort.