The burden resolution process is interesting for every expectant mother. Most multiparous women already know what they will face. Newly made future mothers before childbirth are in a state of excitement and suspense. In order for a baby to appear according to all the rules and in a natural way, a woman should fully open the cervix. It is about this process that the article will be discussed. You will learn the main stages and timing of the conversion of the cervical canal. You can also find out what it means when the cervix opens for 1 finger.
Reproductive organ
A woman’s uterus is a unique and very interesting organ. Inside, it is lined with a mucous membrane, which is constantly changing during the menstrual cycle. With the onset of conception, this so-called sac becomes a place where the fetus grows and develops.
The uterus consists of several parts. At the very beginning, it has an entrance, which is called the internal pharynx. A tube (cervical canal) comes out of it . This segment ends with another pharynx, only already external. This hole is the cervix. It is already in the woman's vagina. It is there during the birth and the future baby passes.
The cervix during pregnancy
During the bearing of the baby, this mucous pharynx is tightly sealed. A traffic jam is going in its inner space, which will come out only shortly before the birth. In this way, the baby is reliably protected from infection in his body.
The cervix during the second and subsequent pregnancies may be slightly ajar. However, the internal pharynx is still securely and tightly sealed. This warns the fetus against the occurrence of premature birth. When the time is right for the baby to be born, the cervical canal begins to expand gradually. This can occur normally after thirty weeks of pregnancy. However, most expectant mothers experience signs of cervical dilatation only a few days before giving birth.
Uterine Cervix
Immediately before the birth of the baby, there is an increased expansion of the cervical canal. Most often, this process is carried out in the period from the 36th to the 42nd week of pregnancy. However, in some cases, premature cervical dilatation occurs. You will learn more about him below.
A small expansion of the cervical canal is facilitated by training contractions. During them, a woman feels the tension of the front wall of the abdomen. The uterus becomes very hard and presses on the bottom. In most cases, such feelings do not pose any threat to the life of the child and the condition of the future mother. However, if training fights appear more than four times per hour, then it is worth notifying your doctor about this.
How is the opening of the cervix before birth? This process takes place in several stages. Consider how the expansion of the cervical canal is carried out (stages and terms).
Stage One: Slow
At this point, the woman's contractions are already quite regular. There is a contraction of the uterus with an interval of 7-10 minutes. The duration of one fight is 30-50 seconds. The woman notes that the sensations are painless, but there is some discomfort.
Usually, at the first stage of labor, the opening of the cervix on 1 finger is usually noted. Moreover, in primiparas, an expansion of the internal pharynx occurs first. Only after this is the outer hole transformed. Women who have already given birth undergo a simultaneous opening of the cervical canal along its entire length.
The first stage of the opening of the cervix can last from 4 to 12 hours. At the end of this period, drawing pains in the lower back join. Many women compare these sensations with menstrual pain.
Second stage: fast
During this period, the woman should already be in the hospital. Only in a medical institution can specialists make a healthy assessment of the condition of the woman in labor and, if necessary, provide her with timely assistance. The contractions during the rapid opening of the cervix are already quite painful. They are noted with an interval of one or two minutes. In this case, the duration of contraction of the genital organ can be approximately 3-5 minutes.
The cervical canal expansion rate at this stage is equal to one centimeter per hour. However, these data can be considered conditional. The body of each woman is individual, and the process can proceed in completely different ways.
Third stage: full disclosure
When the full expansion of the cervical canal comes, the expectant mother is already in the hospital. During this period, the baby’s head has already entered the pelvis and the baby is ready to be born. Doctors put the woman in labor on a special chair, called a table, and ask to push.
Full disclosure of the cervix always ends in childbirth. After this, the reverse transformation of the cervical canal and the genital organ of a woman occurs.
The fourth stage: narrowing of the cervix
The opening of the cervix to 1 finger remains after childbirth for about one month. In the first days after the process, the cervical canal can be expanded to five centimeters. The uterus remains enlarged and gradually shrinks in size.
By the end of the fourth week, the reproductive organ returns to normal, and the neck becomes the same as before childbirth. It is worth noting that in women giving birth, the entrance to the cervical canal has an oblong shape. While the representatives of the fairer sex, who have not yet become mothers, it is round.
Disclosure of the cervix on 1 finger: when to give birth?
Many women who are preparing to become mothers hear a similar diagnosis. What does it mean?
Gynecologists and obstetricians always measure the expansion of the cervical canal in the fingers. The full opening of the genital organ forms a hole of 10 centimeters. One finger is approximately two centimeters. If you have found the above position of the cervix, then you can assume that the hole in the cervical canal has reached about 2 cm. When can we expect the onset of labor? It all depends on the woman’s body. Consider several popular situations.
Childbirth will begin in a few hours.
If the expectant mother has an opening of the cervical canal of one centimeter, then childbirth may well begin within a few hours. In this case, you must also take into account the position of the cervix. It must be direct. It is also necessary to determine the length of the cervical canal. This distance does not exceed one centimeter. If these indicators are distinctive, then most likely the woman is not yet quite ready for the birth of the baby.
A few weeks left before delivery
How to determine cervical dilatation? Very simple. An obstetrician or gynecologist can do this during a routine examination. With the expansion of the cervical canal to one finger, a woman may well pass a few more months before giving birth. Often in multiparous such indicators are found already at the 32nd week of pregnancy. However, the fairer sex safely carry the baby laid 40 weeks.
If with such an opening there are no contractions, pains or spotting from the vagina, then the woman is usually released home. However, if the term of labor has already approached, and the neck is still not ready, then doctors carry out stimulation. It consists in the introduction of certain drugs that contribute to the speedy expansion of the cervical canal and the onset of labor.
Can the cervix open prematurely?
It also happens that a woman reveals an opening of the cervical canal by one centimeter, but the gestation period is still quite small. In this case, we are talking about premature expansion of the cervix. In this case, there is a threat of abortion. Treatment is most often carried out emergency. In this case, the state of health of the woman and the position of the fetal bladder are necessarily taken into account.
If a cervical dilatation of 3 cm is detected, then saving the pregnancy is still quite realistic. Usually, the expectant mother is sutured on the external pharynx or a pessary is placed. These devices allow you to carry the baby before the due date and prevent further expansion of the mucous membranes.
When the opening of the cervix is quite large and the fetal bladder has already lowered into the pharynx, there is practically no chance of carrying the baby before the due date. In this case, the expectant mother is prescribed complete rest and bed rest. At the same time, drugs are introduced that contribute to the rapid development of the fetus and the beginning of the work of its respiratory system.
Cervical dilatation: sensations
Is it possible to feel that the cervical canal has expanded to one finger? The opinions of experts on this subject are very controversial. In most cases, a woman does not feel this process. It is asymptomatic and painless. However, many expectant mothers note the presence of training fights. So the reproductive organ prepares to expel the fetus from its cavity.
One can feel the disclosure of the cervix on one finger quite clearly when the water has passed from the woman in labor. At the same time, the baby's head falls into the small pelvis and strongly presses on the internal pharynx, causing it to expand. A woman begins to feel regular cramping pains in the lower abdomen, which subsequently spread to the entire abdominal cavity.
Another sign that the cervix has opened on one finger is the passage of the mucous plug. However, it may not come out completely, but only partially. With a stronger expansion of the cervical canal, the lump departs completely.
What to do if the opening of the cervix is set to one finger?
Everything will whistle on how long your pregnancy is. If the expectant mother is already ready for childbirth and the fetus is full-term, then nothing needs to be done. Most likely, in the near future, fights will begin, which will end in natural childbirth.
If a few more months remain from the burden before the expected day of resolution, then it is necessary to assess the condition of the future mother soundly. In some cases, correction with medications and bed rest are required. Other situations do not cause concern, and a woman may well lead a familiar lifestyle.
At the beginning of the process of opening the cervix, it is necessary to carry out a particularly careful observation. The expectant mother should be examined on the armchair at least at each appointment. In some cases, additional visits to the gynecologist are prescribed for diagnosis. Ultrasound may also be recommended to accurately determine the state of the internal pharynx.
Summarizing
You now know how the cervix opens during childbirth. You also found out the features of the situation when the cervical canal is expanded to one finger. Remember that if the opening of the cervix begins, the fetus may become infected. That is why it is worth avoiding unprotected sex, bathing in the bath and public ponds. Visit your doctor more often and follow all appointments. I wish you a successful birth!