“When the cervix is open, its consistency will be much softer, and you may or may not be able to slightly feel inside the opening.” Try again. Don't worry if you can't find your cervix on your first attempt. This is completely normal, but don't be put off.
The cervix feels more like your lips than your nose, and the uterine is open to allow sperm to enter. Sometimes the cervix seems to disappear, which just means it has become so soft that it blends in with the vaginal walls and rises so high that the finger cannot touch it.
It's safe to check your cervix at home using just your fingers, although not everyone is able to do so. If you have a long vaginal canal, then you just might not be able to reach it. Similarly, if you're ovulating, then your cervix will be a little higher than usual.
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). Using lube may make this more comfortable. Seeing your cervix can be a little trickier, but it's possible.
If the cervix is not immediately visible, don't withdraw immediately: Consider angling the blades of the speculum (anteriorly or posteriorly) until it comes into view. If it is partially concealed, a swab may be used to bring it fully out (it is essential to be able to see its entire circumference).
Medical interventions can speed up labor, but there are other ways to encourage dilation. They include moving around, rocking on an exercise ball, using relaxation techniques, and laughing. Dilation is a term that describes the widening of the cervical opening.
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).
The texture of the cervix also changes in early pregnancy due to increased blood flow. If the woman has not conceived, the cervix will feel firm to the touch, like the tip of a nose. If she has conceived, the cervix will feel softer, more closely resembling the lips.
It's possible your contractions just aren't strong enough to pull the cervix open. If things aren't happening naturally, your doctor may want to induce labor.
If one fingertip fits, the cervix is considered to be 1 cm dilated. If the tips of two fingers fit, this means the cervix is 2 cm dilated. Depending on the distance the two fingers can stretch apart, it's possible to indicate further dilation. It is usual to refer to full dilation as 10 centimeters.
Was it hard or soft? Early in your cycle, your cervix feels firm (like the tip of your nose). Around ovulation, it gets soft (like your lips). If your cervix feels soft, you're in the luteal phase — and getting closer to your period.
During pregnancy, your cervix is closed at the lower end. It thins and opens before childbirth. When it opens too early in a pregnancy, it's called incompetent cervix (also known as cervical insufficiency). Complications linked to incompetent cervix can include premature birth and miscarriage.
Cervical stenosis can negatively impact fertility, directly and indirectly. Sperm passage blocked or limited: If the cervical opening is blocked or narrower than it should be, sperm can't travel up to the fallopian tubes (where they meet and fertilize the egg).
Squats open the pelvis and can encourage baby to put added pressure on the cervix, which helps with dilation. It's important to have good support when in a squatted position during labor, and to keep your feet as parallel as possible instead of in a "V" shape.
Try squatting with your legs wide open. Many people find this is the easiest position in which to access their cervix. Others prefer to sit or stand with one leg elevated on a table or other surface. If you need support, recruit a helper to steady you.
Try to achieve a deep squat with your legs in a “V” position. This position can really help to open up your pelvis, move your baby down, which can also help to dilate your cervix.
It might be hard to find
Usually the cervix sits straight at the top of your womb, potentially leaning forward toward your belly. However, some women have a tilted womb making the cervix lean more towards the back which can make it harder to see during a cervical screening (sometimes called a smear test).
The bottom line. If you're in the last stretch of your pregnancy and you are not having any symptoms of labor and aren't scheduled for a medical or elective induction, then there's really no medical reason to have a cervical check done and you have every right to decline.
Sometimes the cervix is not readily apparent when the speculum is first opened. When the cervix is not easily visualized, we recommend a bimanual examination to determine cervical location. If the cervix is deep in the vaginal vault and almost beyond reach of the examiner's fingers, a longer speculum will be needed.
Insert your index and middle finger and push your fingers deep inside as far as you can to reach your cervix. Be as gentle as possible to prevent bruising or complications. Assess dilation. You're considered 1 centimeter dilated if one fingertip fits through your cervix, or 2 centimeters if you can fit two fingers.
The cervix is always on the move throughout the menstrual cycle. As you approach ovulation and at the height of ovulation, the cervix moves up to its highest position. It may move so high that it's hard to reach or can't be found. As you near your period, the cervix drops lower.
An Average Cervix = 45mm (1.8″) – 55 mm (2.25″) from your vaginal opening to the tip of the cervix. A High Cervix = 55mm (2.25″) or higher from your vaginal opening to the tip of the cervix. If you can't reach your cervix you can safely assume it's high, but for accuracy, you may want to measure your entire finger.