How is such a small baby so well protected?

Our body is truly extraordinary.

From the first weeks of pregnancy, there are several mechanisms working together to protect your baby as they grow inside the womb.

One of them is the cervix. To make it easier to visualise, think of a light bulb.

The glass part corresponds to the uterus and the base represents the cervix, a structure that usually measures about 4 to 5 centimetres.

Throughout life, the cervix changes in position and consistency according to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and, later, labour. During pregnancy, it generally remains long, firm and closed, acting as a true protective door.

In addition, a mucus plug forms

A kind of "natural plug" that helps create a barrier against microorganisms entering the uterus. Together with the membranes and amniotic fluid, the cervix helps to create a safe environment where your baby can grow protected.

Only when labour approaches does the cervix gradually begin to soften, shorten and open, allowing the baby to pass through at the moment of birth. Until then, its role is precisely to keep that "door" closed and protect the pregnancy.