QuestionI keep getting these pains in my cervix kind like a pokes but sharp and painful. Also sometimes my stomach gets really hard I'm not sure if its a contraction or the baby pushing against my belly how do you tell for sure if its a contraction? and also are those pokes I get in my cervix apart of a contraction or something else entirely. plus I notice when I walk I get cramps in my legs like a weird sort of pain coming from my vagina area going down can you help me understand what this is about? not to mention sometimes my legs get a weak feeling in them when I have those pains go through them.
AnswerIt sounds like you have a few different issues going on, all of which are pretty common and normal in late pregnancy.
First, the pains in your cervix could very well be from the baby bumping or punching your cervix. The cervix has lots of nerve endings, and if you happen to have a baby that likes to get down onto it and wriggle around, you're going to feel it. But the pain could also be coming from your bladder, especially if you feel it more when standing up or changing position. The bladder is very sensitive to pressure, and it is located right next to your cervix. Baby pushing on your bladder can cause sharp, stabbing pains that feel like they're coming from your cervix.
If you think you are having a contraction, feel around your belly. It should feel harder all over. If it feels harder on one side but softer on the other, then the hard part is just your baby's back, not a contraction. You might also feel a "sinking" feeling with a contraction, or downward pressure, that will go away gradually as the contraction does. It's normal to have these practice contractions throughout the last trimester, and they will gradually increase in intensity and frequency until you go into labor.
The pain your describe shooting down your legs from your vagina may be coming from your pubic symphysis joint. This is an area in the front of your pelvis that is connected not by bone, but by 1-3mm of ligaments. Your body produces relaxin during pregnancy to loosen these ligaments, allowing the pelvis to stretch and bend during birth so the baby can pass through more easily. Sometimes, though, the relaxin does its job too well, and the loose pubic symphysis joint throws off the stability of the pelvis, causing the pains you feel when you walk. You may also notice pain when you lift one leg (like to get in and out of the shower or to put on pants) and when you roll over in bed. There isn't much that can be done about this except for being careful in your movements and visiting a chiropractor. A chiropractor experienced with pregnancy and Webster techniques will be able to help keep your pelvis as aligned as possible, minimizing the amount of discomfort you feel. You should be very careful during delivery not to be on your back while pushing, and especially not to be pulling your legs up. This will put extra stress on the already fragile symphysis joint, and can do permanent damage, especially if you have an epidural and cannot feel any warning pains. The best positions to deliver in are squatting or hands-and-knees, but even lying on your side is preferable to lying on your back.
As always, if you are concerned about any pains or the frequency of your contractions, consult with your care provider to make sure nothing is wrong.
