Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of clinical bacterial strains isolated from the cervical secretions of parturient women .Methods A total of 239 bacterial strains were isolated from 1 519 cervical specimens of parturient women .These strains were identified and tested by Kirby‐Bauer method for their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents .Results Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria ,accounting for 34 .3% .The bacterial strains were more or less resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents .Conclusions Various bacterial species are identified in the cervical secretions of parturient women ,primarily Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus .Bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are important for clinicians to take appropriate measures to reduce the incidence of mother‐to‐child infections .