Hi! I am 39weeks and 5 days. I am just curious if anyone’s midwife or ob doctor has told someone the same thing.

I asked for my membrane swept at my last appointment on Wednesday and she told me she could only get a fingertip in, which confused me because I was told I was 3-4 cm dilated at my last appointment.

She then explained there’s two part of a cervix, the external and internal. She said I was 3-4 cm dilated external and a fingertip or 1cm internal. And 50% effaced.

What does the internal and external mean??? I’ve read a little bit thru the Internet and she tried explain but I just have no idea without a visual representation of my own lol.

Anyone’s doctor or midwife tell them something similar? Or could anyone explain it to me better?

Thank you so much❤️