How is my cervix related to my fertility?

Checking your cervix is part of testing your fertility. Typical cervical changes such as softening and opening are associated with impending ovulation but there are no early changes of the cervix in pregnancy.

Can checking my cervix tell me if I am pregnant?

You cannot determine simply from checking the cervix alone whether you are pregnant or not. Changes that are associated with the cervix after pregnancy has occurred usually do not happen until many weeks or even months after you miss your period.

Before you miss your period and before you have a positive pregnancy test, it's quite impossible to diagnose implantation or an early pregnancy by palpating the cervix. The position of the cervix during pregnancy does change but not at the same time in all women.

After ovulation, your cervix will drop lower in your vagina and feel firm, like the tip of your nose. During pregnancy, the pregnant cervix will rise a bit and become softer, but the timing of this happening will vary from woman to woman and making it impossible to diagnose pregnancy from examining the cervix. For some, this will happen shortly before their period is due, but for others, this will not happen until quite a while after their pregnancy has been confirmed. 

See photos of cervix changes throughout the month

More reliable ways to find out if you are pregnant are to take our online pregnancy test, take a home pregnancy test, or visit your doctor for a blood test.