Ask Our Expert - Opening of the Cervix in the Seventh Month

October 07, 2008

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Specializing in pregnancy and birth.


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Ask Dr. Greenfield Opening of the Cervix in the Seventh Month

QUESTION


Dear Dr. Greenfield, My wife is in the seventh month of her pregnancy, and the doctor told us there is a one-centimeter opening in the external orifice of cervical canal! I am wondering if this is normal or what? And what your medical advice is on this? And what's the cause of this opening? — Saleh in Regensburg, Germany

ANSWER	April 2, 2001


Dear Saleh, It is hard to know if your wife's exam is normal or if it is a sign that the baby may come early. Often, when we find a small change in the cervix in the third trimester, the pregnancy still goes to full term without problems. That said, the doctor should check often to see if your wife's cervix is continuing to open more. She should report to him if she has contractions (a balling up or tight feeling across her tummy) that occur more than six times an hour or if she has any leaking of fluid, which may indicate that her water has broken. Usually over the course of a few weeks, it becomes clear whether this is a real concern or just a false alarm. Good luck to you and your family-to-be! — by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D.

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