The cervix is a circular band of muscle that separates the uterus from the vagina. The cervix changes at different points in the menstrual cycle and throughout the stages of pregnancy. In this article, we look at how the cervix and cervical discharge change in the early stages of pregnancy. We also discuss how women can check their cervix for changes.
The cervix undergoes various changes throughout the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy, which we discuss in the following sections. When a woman is not pregnant, the position of her cervix changes throughout the stages of the menstrual cycle:.
If a woman has conceived, the cervix will remain higher in the vagina, with its position being similar to that during ovulation. The texture of the cervix also changes in early pregnancy due to increased blood flow.
If the woman has not conceived, the cervix will feel firm to the touch, like the tip of a nose. If she has conceived, the cervix will feel softer, more closely resembling the lips. The consistency and color of cervical discharge change in different stages of the menstrual cycle.
Some women use the consistency of their discharge, or cervical fluid, to track the stages of their menstrual cycle. This technique is one component of natural family planning.
Understanding the typical cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle can help women identify early pregnancy:. A woman who has conceived during her cycle may notice cervical mucus increasing instead of drying up after ovulation.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , light bleeding or spotting may occur around the time of implantation, which is generally 1—2 weeks after conception. Feeling the cervix offers clues regarding early pregnancy, but it is not a sure way to detect pregnancy. Cervical changes may be subtle, and not all women will be familiar enough with their cervix to pick up on the changes. The only guaranteed way to check for pregnancy is with a pregnancy test.
However, women can check their cervix at home. To do this, they should clean the hands thoroughly before placing a finger into the vagina. The location of the cervix is in the top wall, nearest the stomach, and it should feel like a small bump.
It will open again just before and during menstruation. You'll want to notice if your cervix's position high, medium, or low? As you approach ovulation, your cervix moves up and back. It may be so high that you can't reach it. You just have to wait until you can take a pregnancy test. When you're checking your cervical position, you should also pay attention to your cervical mucus. The same hormones that change your cervix also affect cervical mucus. Also known as cervical fluid or vaginal discharge, your cervical mucus changes as you approach ovulation.
Paying attention to several ovulation signs is the best way to detect your most fertile time. Research has found that having sex when you have fertile cervical mucus may be the best way to time sex for pregnancy. If you're pregnant and getting close to your due date, you may be hoping to determine when you'll go into labor by checking your cervical dilation.
Some women hope they can determine if they are going into labor. It's true that many gynecologists check the cervix at every well-check appointment in the last month of pregnancy. They may tell you how your cervix is changing, along with the baby's "station. You might assume these are signs you'll go into labor soon—but actually, they're not.
You can be dilated 3 centimeters for your last three weeks but not go into labor until your due date or later. And you can also have no cervical dilation until the day you give birth and then dilate to 10 centimeters quickly. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. The structure and function of the cervix during pregnancy.
Translational Research in Anatomy. Genitourinary infections after a routine pelvic exam. J Am Board Fam Med. Antibiotics for prelabour rupture of membranes at or near term. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Ovulation, a sign of health. Linacre Q. Curlin M, Bursac D. Cervical mucus: From biochemical structure to clinical implications. Front Biosci Schol Ed. Cervical mucus monitoring prevalence and associated fecundability in women trying to conceive.
Find a comfortable position — you may prefer to squat, or stand with one foot up on a chair or the side of the bath. Insert one or two fingers into your vagina. You'll probably notice that the walls of your vagina feel soft and spongy. Your cervix is deep in your vagina, usually slightly tilted towards the back wall.
It should feel noticeably different, usually firmer and smoother. Some people compare it to feeling the tip of your nose, or lips puckered up for a kiss. You may also be able to feel a slight dent or opening in the middle of your cervix.
If you like you can use a little lubricant to make the process more comfortable. About one in five women have a tilted womb retroverted uterus.
This can make it a bit trickier to find your cervix. If you have a tilted womb, you're more likely to find your cervix tilted towards the front wall of your vagina, rather than the back.
It's worth trying this technique several times at different points in your cycle, so you can get used to how your cervix changes throughout the month. You may like to keep a note of how it feels at different times. Enter your due date or child's birthday dd 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 mm Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec yyyy Trying to conceive?
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