When does the cervix open

Between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, the cervix tends to shift forward, pointing toward the front of the lady parts. It gets softer and starts to widen and open (also known as dilating), and thin (or efface). If this isn’t your first baby, the cervix is already softer and a little more open than a first-time mom’s.

“Pressure from the baby’s head produces prostaglandins, which signals to your body that it’s time to go and start contractions,” says Brichter. These prostaglandins also soften and open up the cervix.

In the first stage of labor, the cervix will dilate to 10 centimeters (cm) in width. Dilation is typically gradual, but the cervix can widen rapidly over 1 or 2 days. A few different factors can influence how quickly dilation occurs.

First you need to be able to locate it. The cervix is about 3-6 inches inside your lady parts and generally feels like a small donut with a tiny hole in the centre.