2.1.2  Cervix

Immediately after the delivery, the muscular walls of the cervix are relaxed, thin and stretched. The cervix may also appear swollen and bruised from the delivery, and it may have small breaks where the tissue was torn as the baby passed through. But within the first day the cervix has usually narrowed and regained its normal muscular consistency. On vaginal examination with a gloved hand, you should find the cervical opening about two fingers in diameter by 24 hours after the delivery, and by the end of the first postnatal week the opening narrows to one finger width.