Is your cervix open or closed if pregnant?

Answer 1

Closed. It is one of the ways your body helps to protect your baby. The cervix only opens slightly to allow the sperm in during ovulation, then if pregnancy occurs it closes and what is known as a "Mucus Plug" fills in the rest of the gap. As the woman gets closer to delivery, one of the signs of early labor is when she loses her mucus plug.. that occurs when the cervix is begining to dilate. At full dilation the cervix is open only 10 cm. There is one caveat to this, sometimes the cervix is "weak" or "incompetent" when it begins to dialate BEFORE approx 36 weeks. In this instance there is a procedure available called Cervical Cerclage. It is when the cervix is stitched shut to prevent miscarriage or early delivery of the baby. for more info on this procedure please cut and paste this link. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cervicalcerclage.html

Answer 2

Your cervix should be closed and I don't recommend poking around to find out. It is said that a never pregnant cervix feels like the tip of your nose, and after being pregnant it feels like pursed lips. It will feel the same pregnant as non-pregnant so if it is your first baby it will feel like the tip of your nose. If you have a speculum and have a look at your pregnant cervix it will look more blue than when you are not pregnant due to the increased blood supply. The above is not true: your cervix is different depending on what part of your cycle you are on. When you are getting ready to ovulate it should be soft, high,open,wet.(SHOW) your cervical mucus changes throughout this process as well. Your cervix will not feel the same pregnant/not pregnant. If you are pregnant it will usually be high and soft and closed. When your period is almost due your cervix will drop down and become firm. If you decide to check your cervix make sure your hands are clean!!!

Answer 3

The Cervix is similar in appearance and structure to a penis, and hangs down into the vaginal cavity. The opening of the cervix is called the "Os." When attempting to check your cervix make sure your hands are washed and your nails well trimmed. Squat with your buttocks on your ankles, gentle insert a finger into the vagina up towards the belly button, the opening of the cervix is located near the front of the vagina. Sometimes it helps to use a mirror.

An open cervix will feel soft, high, open, and wet.

An open cervix feels soft much like your cheek, while a closed cervix feels more hard and rubbery, like your nose.

High means it's farther back. During ovulation the "Os" lifts allowing the let down of vaginal secretions and allow sperm to enter.

Open, it will feel like there is a hole, or small opening, that you can almost stick a finger tip into. If you are pregnant and you can stick a finger tip into an otherwise ridged cervix, you are beginning to dilate. When you are not fertile, and the cervix is closed it feels like a hard dimple.

Wet just mean that there is cervical mucous. Cervical mucous is usually described as "egg white consistency" because it is white and stretchy, much like egg whites.

You can check your own cervix, some women do it frequently to determine their fertility, and if you are doing it frequently you'll be able to notice any changes. Just make sure your hands are clean, you don't want to introduce any bacteria into the vagina that could cause infections.

If you are pregnant and your water has broken you should NOT check your cervix, there is too much of a risk of infection that could harm not only you, but the baby. It's best to allow a doctor, nurse, or midwife to check your cervix from here on in.

Answer 4

The cervix is closed during a normal pregnancy. It dilates (begins to open) when you go into labor. How much it opens is measured in centimeters, with 10 cm being "fully dilated".