Physiotherapy/treatment

Every year, on average one in 100 women suffers from a so-called cervical insufficiency (cervical os weakness). The cervix is then soft and open. There is not only the risk of germs penetrating the embryo, but also an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

In such a case, strict bed rest is prescribed for the sick women. It is best if the affected women lie on their sides with an elevated pelvis. Unfortunately, the pregnant woman’s body quickly loses muscle mass during this lying position, so that many pregnant women have little strength after the birth to stand or walk for a long time.

Physiotherapy can help the pregnant woman to maintain or rebuild her muscle strength before, but especially after the birth. If the cervical insufficiency already occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, surgery is often necessary. A cerclage (= plastic band) is placed around the cervix of the pregnant woman to mechanically constrict it.

Alternatively, the outer cervix can be completely sutured. Both measures must be reversed at birth. These topics may still be of interest to you in this regard:

Physiotherapy during pregnancy
Physiotherapy after pregnancy
Recovery gymnastics

Cervix feels hard

During pregnancy it is perfectly normal for the cervix to feel hard. This is a good sign and means that the cervix protects the embryo well from the penetration of germs. However, it can happen that the cervix remains hard at the time of the upcoming delivery, even though the first contractions have already started. In such a case, a tocolytic (= contraceptive) drug is used. These drugs relax the muscles so that the cervix becomes soft and opens.

Cervix is very soft

Normally, the cervix does not become soft until the baby is ready for birth. This is the case around the 39th week of pregnancy. Then the first weak and irregular contractions begin.

A plug of mucus, which had previously blocked the cervical canal tightly, is released with a slight smear of blood. The midwife then checks the diameter of the cervix at regular intervals. If two fingers pass through the cervix, the cervix is open by about 2-3 cm.

If the midwife can form a “V” with her two fingers, the circumference is about 4 cm. Only when the cervix has reached a width of 8 cm does the active birth phase begin. At 10 cm the baby’s head can be seen and a big step towards birth has already been taken.