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At Your Cervix

A Lifetime of Cervical Health

By Shel Franco

"Once the uterus is pregnant, the cervix acts as a sphincter and keeps the pregnancy enclosed within the uterus," says Dr. Nardone.

Th pregnant cervix can turn some amazing colors, as my midwife so joyously proclaimed. Purple or even blue cervixes are not unusual during pregnancy.

During the average pregnancy, the cervix remains relatively dormant until the last few weeks when effacement and dilation begin to occur. But for some women, the cervix becomes active far too soon.

"There is a condition in pregnancy whereby the cervix is 'incompetent' and does not remain closed throughout the duration of the pregnancy," says Dr. Nardone. "This is referred to as an 'incompetent cervix' and can result in the delivery of very premature fetuses that often die from their prematurity. Women who may be diagnosed with this condition may often have to spend most of their pregnancy in bed and may require a special suture in the cervix called a 'cervical cerclage' in efforts to prevent premature cervical dilatation."

Of course, the cervix's big "claim to fame" is dilation. If you do get the opportunity to view your own cervix, you will be even more astonished by the prospect of that hole opening wide enough to accommodate a baby's head. Full dilation of the cervix is approximately 10 centimeters, and according to the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it takes about four weeks for the cervix to close following childbirth.

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• Talk about it!