29 weeks with cervical pain?

Question

I am almost 29 weeks pregnant and today have been experiencing what I can only describe as cervical pain. It is centered very low in my abdomen and feels very deep. They are very sharp, stabbing pains that last only a split second each but are painful enough to startle me, stop me in my tracks, make me suck in my breath or double up. I would say that I am feeling these stabs several times per hour. Laying down, sitting, walking, standing, whatever... I still feel it. These are not round ligament pains, mind you, as I know *really* well what those are like! ;) This pain is in the exact same spot, right smack in the center of my low belly. It is sometimes accompanied by a heavy feeling of pressure that lasts a little longer.

I have had days like this before earlier in the pregnancy (around 20 weeks and 24 weeks). It began happening around 20 weeks, at around the same time I started getting Braxton Hicks (which I get daily). It happens for a day or two and then stops. The last time it happened at 24 weeks, it ended one day before a doctor appt., and he checked me to make sure that my cervix wasn't changing. Everything seemed fine and it hasn't come back again until today. He said to chalk it up to the normal aches and pains of pregnancy.

I do get concerned about preterm labor, but this is my first child and I have no reason to think that I would be at risk. Is it possible to have small changes in the cervix that feel this way? Could it be my baby's movements? Could it be that my baby is turning and putting pressure on nerves or my cervix? Any ideas or feedback?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I had these same pains that I thought I was going to die. They start with me around the same times that they have started with you. I went to the ER because I was scared to death. My doctor told me that she doesnt know why but its just something that some women have while pregnant. It doesnt mean labor or anything. She said that she was search and can not find a reason on why this happens. If I was you I would call my doctor and tell her this just to let her know but I had it and it got so bad with me I cried for like two straight days. I hope you feel better soon. I know what you are going through!!

Answer 2

I also had a stabbing pain in my cervix starting around 30 weeks... The doctor told me that it was the pressure of the baby moving lower into the birth canal. I would talk to your OB at your next appt or call now and talk to the doctor!  

Answer 3

i had the same thing with both my children. my daughter is now 7 months old and i still get it! its completely normal! my mom is an ob she hears it all the time but no real answer to it, we just chalked up to a sensitive cervix. however just recently i found out i have endometriosis and the pain is what caused me to get it checked out after the baby was born. maybe there is a correlation. best to ask your doctor and see what they say!

Answer 4

These sharp pains are not common but they are not unknown either. In some women, the cervix is quite sensitive while others feel very little in that area. When the baby comes into contact with it, nerves could be stimulated or if there is any scar tissue in the area, pain can be generated.

I am almost sure that this cervical pain had nothing to do with the knot in the cord or with the loss of your baby.

With this pregnancy, you should be followed with ultrasound, doppler flow studies if that is available and non-stress tests and biophysical profiles. Any one of these tests could detect indicators of fetal distress while there is still time to do something.

You should be doing fetal movement counting on a daily basis after 28 weeks (10 movements should be felt in 1 hour or less while lying on your side after supper).

If the pain occurs again, I would request that an ultrasound be performed as soon as possible to reassure yourself that all is well and there is no evidence of any premature separation of the placenta.

Your distress is understandable and I hope you are getting the professional and personal support that you need at this time. Let us know how you are doing.