Cervical Ripeness: Signs & What to Expect in Pregnancy

Question
im 28. this is my 3rd pregnancy im nearly 35 weeks. my youngest child is nearly 1. oldest is 5
The part of my cervix that protrudes into the vagina is open, i can insert 3 fingers. I can reach to the top that i presume opens into the uterus. I can feel what I think is the bag of waters. I have also been having lots of thick mucus discharge for a while, with some pink mucus. does it sound like i have a ripe cervix?  

Answer
I can't tell if your cervix is "ripe" without examining it myself. An examiner has to determine if the "internal" cervical os is dilated or if merely the "external" cervical os is dilated. A ripe cervix is softer than an unripe cervix. If this is your third pregnancy, it is common to be dilated up to 3-4 cm prior to starting labor. When you start to have contractions at the level of your belly butto that occur every 6-8 minutes (from the start of one to the start of the next) and each contraction lasts for 45 seconds, you should be checked by your care giver. If you are dilated more than 3cm, you will be admitted to the hospital.