Hesperian Health Guides
Chapter 3: A woman's body in pregnancy
In this chapter, we describe the parts of a woman’s body that are most affected by sex, pregnancy, and birth. We call these parts sexual or reproductive parts. We also explain how pregnancy happens, and how a woman’s body changes during pregnancy.
A woman’s sexual and reproductive parts
A woman's genitals (vulva)
outer lips
inner lips
opening of the vagina
clitoris
a very sensitive spot that can give sexual pleasure when touched
a very sensitive spot that can give sexual pleasure when touched
urethra
the opening that urine comes out of
the opening that urine comes out of
anus
the opening of the rectum and intestine, where stool comes out
the opening of the rectum and intestine, where stool comes out
The pelvis
| The bones below the belly are called the pelvis. |  |
The pelvis is shaped like a bowl with a hole in the bottom. |
 pelvis
pubic bone |
 | |
| During birth, the baby passes through the hole to get out. |
The womb, tubes, and ovaries
The womb (uterus) is a hollow muscle. It sits inside the pelvis. Monthly bleeding comes from the womb, and the womb is where the baby grows during pregnancy.
pelvis
The womb is in the woman's belly along with her other organs
heart
lung
liver
intestines
stomach
kidney
bladder
If you could see the womb inside a woman's belly, it would look like this:
womb
tube
The tubes connect the womb to the ovaries.
The tubes connect the womb to the ovaries.
cervix
The cervix is the opening of the womb into the vagina. It is usually closed and plugged with mucus.
The cervix is the opening of the womb into the vagina. It is usually closed and plugged with mucus.
ovary
The ovaries hold tiny eggs. Some people call eggs, "the seeds of the woman."
The ovaries hold tiny eggs. Some people call eggs, "the seeds of the woman."
vagina
The vagina is the
opening in the outside of the woman's body that leads to the cervix and womb.
The vagina is the
opening in the outside of the woman's body that leads to the cervix and womb.
This page was updated:05 Jan 2024