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Soft Cervix During Early and Late Pregnancy

The cervix is the neck of the uterus which connects the uterus to the vagina. It can either be cylindrical or conical. During pregnancy, the expectant mother’s body goes through a lot of changes. Apart from changes in her uterus or womb, her cervix is also undergoing change. A soft cervix in pregnancy is very common. The cervix of a woman who is not pregnant is hard, whereas in a pregnant woman, the cervix is like a ripe fruit; it is tender and there is increased blood flow to this region.

Therefore, a soft cervix during pregnancy is hardly a reason to worry about. It is the body’s way of preparing the mother for childbirth and this starts early on. The softness increases as the pregnancy advances. Soft cervix in early pregnancy and slight rising of the cervix is experienced by many women. However, these minor changes in early pregnancy may not be common to every woman. More so, the exact time when these changes occur may differ from mother to mother. During pregnancy, although the cervix softens out, it remains closed. The cervix secretes mucous like discharge and this forms a mucus plug which acts as a protective barrier.

A soft cervix in late pregnancy is extremely common. As the due date approaches, the cervix undergoes what is called effacement or thinning out. It also dilates gradually. This may sometimes happen even a few weeks before actual labor can begin. For some women, the cervix remains hard and this can lead to a painful and difficult delivery. The cervix needs to be soft, flexible and dilated for easy delivery. In still other mothers to be, the cervix may remain hard during the few weeks before delivery and at the time of labor may start softening.

Cervical exams are common during pregnancy. Early on, they are done to confirm the pregnancy and later on during the final stages of pregnancy. Effacement and dilation of the cervix is measured. Zero per cent effacement means that the cervix is very thick and hard; whereas 100 per cent effacement indicates a very soft cervix. Cervical examinations are also conducted to check how the baby has positioned itself at the time of delivery. If the baby’s position is head down and the cervix is sufficiently dilated, then it is a clear sign that childbirth is just around the corner. If however, the baby is in the breach position, with its feet towards the cervix, a vaginal delivery is not possible.

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