Cervix Position in Early Pregnancy: What It Feels Like & What It Means

The cervix is a tube-shaped organ that connects the uterus to the vagina. Sperm make their way down this passage to the cervical opening. It is firmer pre-pregnancy and becomes soft after pregnancy (1). Did you know that the cervix placement in early pregnancy is different than what it is in pre-pregnancy or even in menstruation? Yes, the cervix changes its position based on the phase of life. Yes, during menstruation, it sits lower in the vagins and during ovulation, it sits higher in the vagina. In pregnancy, it moves much higher in the vagina and starts to change from firm to soft in texture due to increased blood flow. Understanding the cervix position in pregnancy helps medical experts monitor the pregnancy and address any hidden complications.

What Is the Cervix and What Is Its Role?

The uterus and vagina are connected by the cervix, which is the lowest, narrow portion of the uterus. It measures 3 to 4 centimetres in length. The cervix’s lining layer is home to glands that secrete hormone-dependent mucus. The mucus thins during ovulation, making it possible for sperm to reach the egg. The mucus thickens during pregnancy to shield the uterus from dangerous microorganisms. It is critical for supporting a pregnancy to term so that the fetus is able to develop fully (2).

Early in pregnancy, the cervix’s location and texture, as well as the consistency and colour of the cervical discharge, change.

Why Does the Cervix Change Position?

The cervix is not a static structure but a dynamic organ that softens, swells, opens, and closes as a reaction to hormonal signals throughout life. Each change in the position happens in response to different phases in the menstrual cycle or hormonal changes, including pregnancy.

During menstruation, the cervix is positioned lower, feels firm, and is slightly dilated and open to allow the menstrual blood to pass from the body. At the ovulation stage, the cervix moves towards the uppermost border of the vagina. At this time, it becomes softer and moister as the consistency and volume of cervical mucus change. After ovulation, if the egg is not fertilised, the cervix drops again, firms up, and closes again for the coming menstruation phase.

But why does it change position?

During ovulation, the estrogen levels rise, which causes the uterine lining to thicken, making your cervix feel softer and causing your cervix to rise to the top of your vagina. During pregnancy, the ligaments that support the uterus stretch, which allows it to shift positions in the body.

Moreover, certain health conditions can also result in the formation of scar tissue that tugs on the uterus, causing it to change its orientation.

The cervix can also change position during vaginal intercourse, resulting in it moving from higher to lower.

Cervix Position During Menstruation

The cervix keeps changing its position throughout the menstrual cycle. When menstrual bleeding commences, it’s low, open and quite hard. Once a period is over, it remains low and hard until ovulation, while the uterus’s opening remains closed.

Cervix Position During Ovulation

As you approach the ovulation phase, the cervix pushes itself up, grows softer and moistens. This happens so the sperm can easily access the uterus and the egg. The opening is so soft that it cannot be distinguished from the vaginal walls. Once ovulation is over, the cervix grows hard and closes the uterine opening again. 

Cervix Position During Conception and Early Pregnancy

The ideal time for conception during ovulation is when the cervix is high, soft and open. Does the cervix change during early pregnancy? Yes, the cervical position during early pregnancy will be high, soft, and closed. Your mucus plug will prepare itself for pregnancy. Mucus is usually thin and colourless. When it starts becoming a plug, it grows thick and white (2). This stops anything from entering the uterus and protects you and your baby from infections (3). While some women feel this change in the early stages, others might experience it only in the later stages.

How to Monitor Cervical Changes During Pregnancy?

Throughout the pregnancy, your doctor will monitor your cervix. Your provider can use a vaginal ultrasound or a pelvic exam to check the cervix (4). In fact, you can also monitor cervical changes during pregnancy:

1. Regular Self-Checks

You can check the position of your cervix yourself. First, you need to be able to locate it. The cervix is about 3-6 inches inside your vagina and generally feels like a small doughnut with a tiny hole in the centre. To check the position of this, firstly, remember to wash your hands properly with soap. You could even do it straight after coming out of the shower. Also, remember that you don’t want to have long nails as this may cause injury. 

Once you’ve done the above to avoid transmitting bacteria, get into a sitting position and move your longest finger into your vagina. You may have to insert your finger up a few inches before you can feel your cervix.

2. Routine Prenatal Cervical Checks

A cervical exam can also be done by a medical expert during pregnancy and labour. Cervical examinations will give your doctor plenty of important information, like the health of the cervix, how close you are to giving birth, and dilation and effacement (5). Cervical checks typically begin around 36 weeks of pregnancy, though if you show any signs of early labour or bleeding, they may be performed earlier.

However, unnecessary or too many cervical checks during labour should be avoided as they could increase the risk of infections, such as clinical chorioamnionitis (6).

3. Ultrasound

Doctors use a transvaginal ultrasound to measure the cervix and monitor health, and learn whether the cervix length has changed during pregnancy.

4. Pap Test

In the cervical pap test, cells from the cervix are scraped and tested for any signs of cancer.

Can the Cervix Position in Early Pregnancy Be Misleading?

Yes. Your cervix could be in a typically pregnant position when you’re not, and vice versa. For some, the body takes a while to change with pregnancy. During the menstrual cycle, your cervix will be soft and positioned higher. But it will not be as high or soft when pregnant. It is soft because it is swollen with blood due to increased estrogen in your body. If your cervix doesn’t show the signs of pregnancy, give it some time and try checking with a doctor or a home pregnancy test. Your body is unique, and thus, this means of checking for pregnancy is not reliable.

Why Is Checking the Position of the Cervix Useful?

As we mentioned above, the cervix fills with mucus when pregnant. It also keeps changing its position from high to low and vice versa. So the position of your cervix and the amount of mucus around it can help determine if you’re carrying a tiny being.

How to Check Your Cervical Position?

Your cervix is generally 3 to 6 inches in length and above your vagina. Here are some steps to check your cervix position after ovulation.

1. Wash Your Hands

Ensure your hands are clean to avoid transmitting bacteria to this sensitive area. The best time is after a shower.

2. Cut Your Fingernails

Long fingernails can cause injury.

3. Position Yourself

Squat and insert your middle finger into the vagina. You may have to go a few inches in to find your cervix.

4. Feel Around for an Opening

Use your finger to feel whether your cervix is open or closed.

5. Record Your Observations

Once done, you should record your observations in a journal or on a fertility app.

You can determine the position of your cervix based on how far you need to insert your finger.

When Shouldn’t You Check the Position of Your Cervix?

It’s prudent to refrain from checking your cervical position if:

• You have a urinary tract infection (UTI) or yeast infection.
• You’re pregnant, and your water has broken.
• You’ve just had sex.

Checking the position of the cervix isn’t a reliable method to check for pregnancy. Don’t be disappointed if your cervix hasn’t moved into a pregnancy position. It’s also possible to get a positive pregnancy result before the cervix moves into this position.

If you want a reliable answer, visit a gynaecologist or take a blood test.

Tips for Keeping Your Cervix Healthy

It can many times be tiring and overwhelming to even think about the health of your cervix. But if you want to keep your cervix healthy for the long run, you can keep a few lifestyle tips in mind that will help you stay proactive and keep your cervix healthy.

1. First, get the HPV vaccine: The HPV vaccine protects against various strains of HPV, which are responsible for causing the majority of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is recommended for young girls at age nine (7).

2. Have safe sex: Use condoms to protect yourself from unnecessary STIs and reduce the risk of HPV (1).

3. Avoid tobacco: Tobacco is one of the leading causes of cancer, and smoking also weakens the immune system, thereby making it easier for HPV strains to rest in the body. Furthermore, it has been concluded in the research that tobacco use increases the risk of cervical cancer (8).

4. Stay active and eat healthy: Did you know that obesity may increase the risk of cervical cancer in women? Thus, it is highly essential for women to maintain a healthy weight as well as take care of their diet, which should be rich in protein, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants to strengthen the immune system. 

Sleep well: Make sure to sleep well on time and for a minimum of 8 hours. If you are not able to sleep well, have light sleep, or have insomnia, exercising, yoga, or meditation can be helpful.

FAQs

1. Can your cervix be high and hard in early pregnancy?

Your cervix will become high and soft in the early stages of pregnancy. This is one of the first events following fertilisation. Afterwards, your cervix will harden but remain high. The cervix will get softer, shorter, and dilated as your pregnancy progresses, facilitating birthing (9).

2. How does your cervix feel in early pregnancy?

The cervix will continue to be higher if you’ve conceived. This feeling of the cervix is the second discernible change in the cervix. If you haven’t conceived, the cervical position during the cycle will feel stiff, like an unripe fruit. Conversely, your cervix will feel soft if you are pregnant.

3. How to Determine If Your Cervix Is Low or High?

By putting one or two fingers into the vagina and feeling for the cervix, you can determine if your cervix is high or low. Your cervix is low if your first knuckle can reach it. Your cervix is average height or high if you can reach it by or beyond the second knuckle of your finger.

4. How Can You Tell What Position Your Cervix Is In?

Reach within your vagina with your finger. Use your middle or index finger and slowly move it as far as you can in an upward motion. If you think of your vagina as a hallway, your cervix is the door at the end.

Also Read:

Cervical Length during Pregnancy
Cervical Cancer during Pregnancy
Cervical Incompetence during Pregnancy

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Sources References

1. Planned Parenthood – Cervical Health 101: Exploring Your Cervix for Health and Pleasure

2. ScienceDirect – The mechanical role of the cervix in pregnancy

3. ScienceDirect – Cervical alterations in pregnancy

4. ACOG – Routine Tests During Pregnancy

5. UPMC – What Is a Cervical Check? What to Expect During a Cervical Dilation Exam

6. AJOG – MFM – Incremental risk of clinical chorioamnionitis associated with cervical examination

7. National Cancer Institute – Large Study Confirms that HPV Vaccine Prevents Cervical Cancer

8. Government of Canada – Tobacco and Cervical Cancer

9. NIH – What are some common signs of pregnancy?