How wide is the opening of the cervix?
The cervix makes up the lower third of the uterus and connects to the vaginal canal. It isn't very large, only about 3-5 centimeters thick and 2-3 centimeters across.
Cervical Opening
The opening is tiny—no more than a thin slit. It will open again just before and during menstruation. 4 However, during your period, the cervix will be lower in the vagina (and not higher, like it is before ovulation). If your cervix always feels slightly open, don't worry.
Meet Your Cervix
It can feel like the tip of a nose with a dimple in the middle, and it kind of looks like a tiny donut. You can feel your cervix by gently putting one or two clean or gloved fingers deep into your vagina (make sure you don't have any sharp or jagged edges on your nails).
The opening itself may feel smooth or have a more jagged-edged feel. If you feel around with your fingertips, the external portion of the cervix, called the ectocervix, bulges out into the top of the vagina. The "dimple" at the center is known as the external os.
When the average woman is unaroused, it's 3 to 4 inches deep. For someone who has a high cervix, it's 4 to 5 inches deep. For someone with a lower one, it's less than 3 inches deep. Keep in mind that the vagina lengthens when aroused.
The texture and position of the cervix change throughout the entire menstrual cycle. The cervix, when ovulating, is soft, open, more wet, and high. The acronym for this is SHOW: soft, high, open, wet cervix. The cervix feels soft, like your lips, and the opening of the cervix is open so that sperm can pass through it.
Almost all women find childbirth painful. During the first stage of labor, the opening to the uterus (called the cervix) slowly opens. Pain usually is felt in the abdomen or back during contractions (labor pains).
Feel in the middle of your cervix for a slight dent or opening. Doctors call this the cervical os. Note your cervical texture and if your cervix feels slightly open or closed. These changes can indicate where you are in your menstrual cycle.
With your palm facing up, guide your longest finger carefully into your vagina (lube can come in handy here). Feel for a round, raised circle with a dimple in the middle — it's most likely to be at the top of the front vaginal wall (closer to your belly button than to your back) (1, 5).
- Acupuncture.
- Breast stimulation.
- Castor oil.
- Enemas (injection of water or liquid into the rectum to clear the colon).
- Herbal supplements.
- Hot baths.
- Sexual intercourse.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
What is the most painful part of childbirth?
While slightly more than half said having contractions was the most painful aspect of delivery, about one in five noted pushing or post-delivery was most painful. Moms 18 to 39 were more likely to say post-delivery pain was the most painful aspect than those 40 and older.
The cervix looks a little bit like a donut. When it's closed, the hole looks like a dimple, but it opens during ovulation to let sperm in, explains Ronald D. Blatt, M.D., gynecologist and chief surgeon and medical director of the Manhattan Center for Vaginal Surgery.
Evans advises to not check your own cervix for dilation. It's difficult to do and you may cause an infection. “It can be difficult to check for cervical dilation, even for trained professionals,” she says. “Self-checking your cervix while pregnant is also very difficult due to your growing uterus.
Castor oil
Drinking a little bit, like only 1–2 ounces (29.57–59.14 mL) of castor oil stimulates prostaglandin release, which can help ripen the cervix and get labor started. It's recommended that this be done under the supervision of a midwife or doctor. People should be careful not to drink too much.
Getting up and moving around may help speed dilation by increasing blood flow. Walking around the room, doing simple movements in bed or chair, or even changing positions may encourage dilation. This is because the weight of the baby applies pressure to the cervix.
The cervix also begins to soften. If you were to feel your cervix when pregnant, it would feel like puckered lips. During labor, your cervix will become so soft and thin that you won't be able to feel it at all.
The cervix looks a little bit like a donut. When it's closed, the hole looks like a dimple, but it opens during ovulation to let sperm in, explains Ronald D. Blatt, M.D., gynecologist and chief surgeon and medical director of the Manhattan Center for Vaginal Surgery.