Every girl and woman knows well how her reproductive system is located and how. Organs such as the ovaries, uterus, vagina, etc., raise few questions. But no one really thinks about the purpose of the cervix . Although it is she who takes one of the important roles in bearing, conceiving and giving birth to children. An experienced doctor, just by looking at her, can determine for sure: the woman gave birth or not, whether she had an abortion, how soon she should wait for the next menstruation, and diagnose pregnancy with 95% confidence.
So what does the cervix represent?
The uterus is an unpaired female muscular organ; it is in it that the human embryo develops. The organ is located in the middle of the pelvic cavity . Gradually passes from below into the cervix.
The cervix is an organ that looks like a connecting tube that connects the vagina and the uterus. Her form, in most cases, depends on whether the woman gave birth or not. The length of this "tube" is about 3-4 centimeters, and the width is about 3 centimeters.
Changes during pregnancy and cervical dilatation before childbirth
During the period of pregnancy, the cervix changes and experiences many changes. Before pregnancy, it is light pink in color, and during pregnancy acquires a bluish tint. The color change is associated with the resulting dense vascular network and blood supply.
If at the initial stages abnormalities in the development or disease of the cervix are detected, then with timely treatment, pregnancy can be maintained. The fact is that premature cervical dilatation is very dangerous. It is it that causes a spontaneous abortion - a miscarriage. In order to avoid miscarriage, in diseases that cause the cervix to open early, doctors use various methods to “strengthen” the cervix, up to suturing it, which is removed before the birth itself.
By the end of pregnancy, the cervix changes, becomes softer, and “matures”. Thus, the female body prepares for childbirth. Before their onset, the cervix smoothly passes into the region of the center of the small pelvis, its length decreases from 3 centimeters to 10 millimeters. The channel gradually opens by 6-10 cm. The transition of this cervical canal to the lower segment itself acquires smoothness.
At the end of pregnancy, before the birth, the expansion of the internal pharynx and short contractions with a second sensation of pain suggest the onset of labor. At this time, the cervix opens gradually and, as a result, it has a diameter of about 10 centimeters. It is this pronounced effect of the neck that allows the fetus to exit through the birth canal.
It happens that the opening of the cervix is not enough and it is not enough for the passage of the child, therefore, the organ ruptures. This gap can happen not only for this reason, but also because of the rapid labor activity, a large fetus, due to childbirth with weak early attempts, etc.
Therefore, if the water in the woman in labor has already passed, and the opening of the cervix is still not enough for the birth of the baby and / or weak or completely absent contractions, then usually in such cases the doctors decide to stimulate labor. To stimulate labor, special medicines are used.
A woman, if you listen to your feelings, it is easy to feel the opening of the cervix, the symptoms in this case arise as follows:
- Unpleasant sensations at the location of the neck, as if instant tingling with a needle.
- The back (lower back), hips begins to “whine”.
- Vaginal pain, similar to cramping.
After childbirth, the doctor must examine the patient, check her cervix. If he finds tears, he will stitch. Sutures on the cervix are usually imposed with special self-absorbable sutures.