Insert one or two fingers into the vagina and feel for the cervix. If you can reach the cervix at just your first knuckle, your cervix is low. If you can reach it at the second knuckle of your finger, your cervix is a normal height.
Sitting on the toilet or squatting or standing with one leg on the edge of the bathtub are good positions. Use the same position each time you check your cervix. Gently insert one or two fingers into the vagina. Feel for the cervix – located in the upper front or top.
Low to a very low cervix – If you could feel the cervix by inserting your finger to the first knuckle closest to the fingertip, you have a low to a very low cervix. Medium cervix – If you could feel the cervix by inserting your finger to the second/middle knuckle, you have a medium cervix.
A soft cervix is what it sounds like — it feels soft to the touch. When firm, your cervix will feel like an unripe piece of fruit. When it gets soft, it feels more like ripe fruit. You might also hear that a firm cervix feels like the tip of your nose and a soft cervix feels like your lips.
The mucus is no longer clear and stretchy like a few days ago when your body was gearing up for releasing an egg and preparing a protective environment for sperm. What you may see now is a cloudy and rather thick discharge.
Before pregnancy, your cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina — is closed, long and firm. During pregnancy, your cervix will gradually soften. As your body gets ready for labor, the cervix decreases in length, and finally opens as you prepare to give birth.
Cervical penetration is not actually possible. The term refers to the stimulation and manipulation of the sensitive cervix. Although many women report having very intense and pleasurable orgasms as a result of this type of stimulation, not every woman enjoys it.
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 cervix itself may be pink and smooth, or it might be uneven, rough or splotchy. All of these are normal. If you are pregnant, your cervix might have a bluish tint; if you have reached menopause or are breastfeeding, it may be pale.
Around week 37 or 38, your cervix should begin to make its way toward an anterior or forward position to prepare for childbirth. This subtle shift is a signal that things are progressing, as the normal position of your cervix is posterior or pointed toward the back.
Pain as a sign of laborIn some women, lightning pain is the first sign that they're in labor. Some women can even feel their cervix as it dilates. If you're experiencing lightning pain and have any other symptoms like regular contractions, consistent backache, or any leaking of fluid, you might be in labor.
It is not uncommon for the cervical ripening to take up to 24-36 hours!! It is also not uncommon to use different techniques to ripen the cervix. You may feel contractions during this process. If the contractions become painful, you will be able to request medication to relieve your discomfort.
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. People may also find swaying or dancing to calming music effective.
Having a cervix or uterus that tilts back toward your spine is a normal variation of the uterine position in the pelvis. Most of the time, women with a tipped uterus don't have any symptoms at all. A tilted uterus shouldn't have any impact on your ability to get pregnant or deliver a baby.
Because of big time pressure put on the pelvic veins and the inferior vena cava from your growing uterus, constipation, and the hard core pushing you'll be doing to birth that babe.
Natural ways to induce labor
- Get moving. Movement may help start labor.
- Have sex. Sex is often recommended for getting labor started.
- Try to relax.
- Eat something spicy.
- Down a little castor oil.
- Schedule an acupuncture session.
- Ask your doctor to strip your membranes.
- Go herbal.
As the countdown to birth begins, some signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away can include low back pain, weight loss, diarrhea — and of course, your water breaking.
Women's vaginas are less elastic when they are not sexually aroused. They become more elastic — “looser” — the more sexually excited they become. A woman may feel “tighter” to a man when she is less aroused, less comfortable, and having less pleasure than her partner.
They can stretch to allow something to go in or out (like a tampon, finger, penis, or baby). When you're not sexually aroused, your vagina is about two to four inches long (or deep). When you're aroused, it can stretch to four to eight inches.
