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During pregnancy, the cervix thickens and produces a mucus plug to seal the uterus. Towards the end of pregnancy, the cervix thins and dilates, allowing the mucus plug to fall off for delivery. Hormones cause physical changes, and blood flow increases to support the fetus. Women can ask their doctors to show them changes in the cervix during prenatal appointments.
During pregnancy, several changes occur in the cervix, the structure between the vagina and the uterus. Every pregnancy is slightly different, and women may experience these changes at different rates. In the cervix during pregnancy, a mucus plug will form as the cervix thickens, and towards the end of pregnancy, the cervix will thin and dilate, allowing the mucus plug to fall off so the baby can be delivered. These changes occur in concert with a number of other physical changes associated with pregnancy.
The first change seen in a pregnant woman’s cervix is thickening as the cervix starts producing more glandular cells. These cells emit mucus, forming the mucus plug that will keep the uterus tightly sealed during pregnancy. The thickness achieved will vary from patient to patient. The cervix may also appear red or inflamed during tests, and sometimes bleeding or spotting will occur.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the cervix will begin preparing for delivery. The cervix during pregnancy needs to be thick to protect the uterus, but it will begin to thin out in preparation for delivery. Eventually, the cervix will begin to dilate and the mucus plug will be lost. In some women, these changes can occur weeks before giving birth. In others, they only begin to occur when labor sets in. Looking at the cervix will not necessarily provide insight into how close a woman is to giving birth.
Blood flow to the cervix during pregnancy increases, accommodating an increased need for blood. A woman’s circulatory system also routes more blood to the uterus to support the developing fetus and provide a source of nutrients and a pathway for expressed waste products. The physical changes associated with pregnancy are often caused by changes in hormone levels, which fluctuate during pregnancy. Hormones act as signals to initiate various physical changes during pregnancy and in the labor and delivery process.
Women who are interested in seeing changes in the cervix during pregnancy can ask their doctors to show them during prenatal appointments. The doctor may hold a mirror to make the area visible and describe the changes they see. It’s also possible to watch the cervix at home, a practice some women may already be familiar with from monitoring cervical mucus production. Tracking mucus production is a tool used by some women who are trying to get pregnant, allowing them to choose the best time during ovulation to try to conceive.
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