What does it feel like to open the cervix?

The feeling of opening the cervix varies from person to person.

In the early stage of opening the cervix, there may be only a slight feeling of swelling or discomfort similar to the lower abdomen before menstruation. This is because as labor approaches, the cervix begins to change, gradually softening, shortening and expanding, but at this time the degree is lighter, so the feeling is not obvious. As labor progresses, the cervix further expands, there will be more obvious pain and strong feeling of swelling. This pain may radiate to the lumbosacral region and perineum, making people feel unbearable. The contractions are also frequent and intense, exacerbating this discomfort. Pain and distension peak when the cervix is nearly fully opened, and may be accompanied by a strong feeling of defecation, as if something is about to rush out. This is caused by the pressure of the fetus descending on the rectum.

It should be emphasized that everyone has different thresholds for pain and discomfort, and the specific feelings during labor are affected by many factors, such as fetal position, labor force, and the mother's psychological state.