Pregnancy And Baby Care Conditions During Pregnancy Cervix Changes In Pregnancy

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The cervix changes in pregnancy. Cervix change during pregnancy is characterized by a softening of the cervix and the cervix begins to drop a bit. This action is triggered by the increased levels of the hormone – progesterone and the changes begin to show within a week of a missed period. By a month and a half from the last menstrual period, the neck of the cervix becomes soft and velvety and feels like it is not a part of the uterus. The change in cervix during pregnancy is also accompanied by a color change. During pregnancy, the cervix goes from being pinkish or reddish in color to a bluish or purplish shade. However, it is not possible for a woman to recognize these changes as they occur within the body. Only those women, who have been keeping a track of the position of the cervix at different phases of the menstrual cycle, prior to conception, will be able to identify cervix change in early pregnancy.

Cervix Thickness During Pregnancy

The cervix normally thickens during pregnancy to a minimum of 3cm.

This is to make sure that the cervix is strong enough to support the weight of the growing baby thus minimizing risks of preterm delivery. However, due to no apparent reason, some women face the problem of a thin or short cervix. In normal conditions, the cervix begins to thin on nearing the due date to facilitate dilation and delivery. Hence, a thin cervix increases chances of preterm labor. On the other hand, some women have a long cervix that also has the ability to pose a problem at the time of delivery. These women are prone to experience a failure to progress during delivery. Prolonged labor caused by this increases the risk to both mother and child. Hence, in such cases delivery through a caesarean becomes inevitable. However, the size of the cervix is only an indicator of a possible pregnancy complication and many women go on to have normal full term pregnancies and deliveries