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All About the Cervix

The Opening to the Womb

By Teri Brown

The cervix is designed to shorten and widen with your pre-labor contractions. If it does this without contractions it is said to be incompetent. If the cervix is unable to remain closed during pregnancy, this may cause preterm labor.

If a doctor decides your cervix is incompetent, he may suggest a cervical cerclage. This means stitches will be placed in your cervix to hold it closed. It is extremely rare; only about 1 percent of women have to have this procedure.

"When a woman is checked in labor, it is the cervix that is evaluated as well as the station presenting part [usually the head]," says Dr. Nardone. "The cervix is evaluated for its thickness and dilatation. An example is that a cervical exam reveals the cervix to be 5 centimeters dilated and 75 percent effaced, with the head in 0 station. Normal labor progress occurs when there are regular contractions along with progressive cervical changes. If these don't occur, the OB provider has to evaluate the woman's labor and progress and determine what the problem is, such as poor quality contractions, a baby that is too big, a very tense patient, etc."

Want to see more?

• Understanding the Uterus: A Main Player during Pregnancy
  and Beyond
• The Life Cycle of the Placenta: A Major Player in a Woman's Pregnancy
• At Your Cervix: A Lifetime of Cervical Health
• Talk about it!

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