Cervix

What is the cervix and what is it responsible for?

BEFORE PREGNANCY

The cervix is located at the top of the vagina and is the lower part of the uterus. It is approximately one inch in length and is cylindrical in shape. During a menstrual cycle, the cervix will open slightly so that the blood can come out. After a woman ovulates, the cervix will descend into the vagina and it will feel firm. The cervix is typically pink or reddish in color.

DURING PREGNANCY

Once conception has occurred, the cervix rises upwards and will become softer than usual. The cervix will remain tightly closed to prevent infection. There will be a mucus plug covering the bottom of the cervix that acts as a barrier to prevent infection as well. The color of the cervix will change during pregnancy. It will go from a pink or reddish color to bluish or purple-looking.

LABOR

During labor, the cervix will change to get ready for childbirth. During pregnancy the cervix is thick and 0% effaced. The cervix will begin to efface, or thin out and shorten. Your doctor will speak of effacement in terms of percentages. When you are 100% effaced, your cervix is completely thin and ready for childbirth. The cervix will also dilate, or open. Your doctor will speak of dilation in terms of centimeters. Once you are 10 cm dilated, your cervix is completed dilated and ready for childbirth.

AFTER BIRTH

After childbirth the cervix does not look like it did before pregnancy. The cervix will remain dilated to 2 or 3 cm for approximately 3 days after delivery. If you were to have an internal examination at one week postpartum, the cervix would look very similar to the cervix before pregnancy. During the first four to six weeks after delivery, the cervix will begin to heal but it will not be completely healed until about 12 weeks postpartum. It is important to give your cervix and uterus time to properly heal before conceiving another child.

Comments: Cervix

Comments 1 to 11 of about 11.

luvababe - 98 days ago.
ok ot to sound nasty or anything...i went to bathroom cuzz im cramping and thought AF is here..so i washed and dried my hands and checked my cp...and cm...it is wayyy up here cant feel it and wet...sry tmi....i kw u cant go by that..but any thoughts!!!

clareroyal - 128 days ago.
I am new to this part, but from ttc a few years ago I got to learn about my cervix, now obviously the doc thinks that I am pregnant, but I am checking my cervix and I can feel like little spots by the opening. I know for me this is not normal but can anyone shed some light on what it could be,

yorkie puggle - 189 days ago.
Does anyone know if you can use pre-seed (cervical mucus aid) if the expiration date is expired? I have a few tubes from 2 years ago that are still unopened in the box and stored in a cool dry place. Could I use it today? The expiration is like 7 or 8 months over! Thanks for the help : ) Dana

2babys-under2 - 265 days ago.
This website is crazy. This lady is training to be a doula and she monitored her cervix for one whole cycle with pics (of her cervix and CM) and everything. It's interesting, but graphic. http://www.beautifulcervix.com/photos-of-cervix/

Diane-taketwo - 289 days ago.
Does anyone happen to know how long after conception occurs can you expect to see a change in your cervix?

phoebe1973 - 335 days ago.
Boneybum, thanks! I thought I was weird or something...mine is kinda hard, too! knowing other women experience that makes me feel less like a freak...

nevertooyoung19 - 345 days ago.
Tejay2- the same thing happend to me! but it wasnt soft it was hard. and it was 'long' i originally felt it because i felt pressure sort of like when i would sit down. It was so weird and i was alarmed but, then next day it was normal again. weird. i never asked my doc about it either. i forgot.

Tejay2 - 365 days ago.
Hi im 18 wks pregnant with my second...iv been feeling a bit of pressure down low an when i did a gentle workout on my crosstrainer i felt sharp kinda pulling in the cervix...just out of interest an because i felt like the baby was so low i had a wee check down there an was suprised to feel my cervix is right there an soft, like i didnt even hav to reach for it its just there, in my last pregnancy wen my midwife checked me late in pregnancy it was always right around the back..is this normal for it to be right there? i have a check up in a few days but ws a bit concerned.

JeniWalker - 366 days ago.
I was wondering if any of you had a pap smear at your first appointment that came back with abnormal cells? My Dr said that my pap smear came back showing that i had mild cervical dysplasia and need to have a folow up Colposcopy. I actually had the same thing done in April for the same reason and they usually take a biopsy of the cervix and this causes cramping and spotting. Im quite concerned because I dont want to end up having this cause me to have a miscarriage. This is also the same Dr which recommended i get a flu shot at my 8 weeks appt, which i later find out shouldnt be done in the first trimester. please leave a message on my profile!

Y-did-I-do-this-again - 374 days ago.
soontobemommy, I hate to disapoint you, but with my second I was at 3cm and 70 to 80% effaced for SIX WEEKS before the doctors finaly broke my water and started labor. The good news is that, these days, most docs won't let you go as long as I did before inducing. Good Luck!

jess6009 - 380 days ago.
i am 37 weeks and am meant to be induced at 39 weeks. They looked at my cervix a week ago and it's still high, thick, posterior and closed. I'm really worried that it will still be like that at 39 weeks, if it is can i still be induced????