Cervical length?

Aurora1181

I'm 13w4d with twins. At the MFM yesterday my cervix measured 3, and the doc said that 2.5 would mean strict bed rest and maybe a cerclage. I'm only 13 weeks! We go back in 3 weeks to check again and discuss it further but in the meantime I'm supposed to sit all day at work (I'm a teacher) and then come home and be on couch rest.

I'm pretty freaked out by all of this.. I know that today everything is okay but his warnings definitely scared me. I thought "3" was pretty normal. I have had a LEEP and a colposcopy., and a poly removed from my cervix, so maybe that's the reason for such caution?

Does anyone else know a recent "normal" cervical measurement? Is mine on the low end of normal? How much does the length fluctuate? Does it ever get thicker?

Thank you!

healz413

I can't answer all of your questions but we are 11 weeks with twins and my partner's cervix measured 3.7 cm at our last appointment. Since she's also had a leep, she's concerned about cervix length and asked the midwife about it. Midwife said as long as it's over 3 she's happy (I would think 3 would also count) and that she would only be concerned if it got under 2. She also said that she wouldn't necessarily cerclage route (although it would be the high risk OBs call with us) because a cerclage stimulates the cervix and can end of being more of a problem. That doesn't mean a cerclage isn't a good call just that you shouldn't let someone pressure you into it if you have doubts and should feel entitled to a second opinion.

Good luck!!!!

amwenz

At my 19 week a/s mine measured 2.9 and within a weeks a half it was down to 1.9. I was put on modified bed rest- no more teaching for me this year- and progesterone suppositories Nd a lot of sitting and it is now measuring 2.9 again! Now, we are watching for preterm labor because my MFM determined it isn't an incompetent cervix. Are you having a lot of pressure or back trouble? I had both and just thought pregnancy stinks but it was a sign my body needed me to be off of my feet. Good luck and sit in that chair. Bed rest stinks but will be worth it in the end.

Aurora1181

@amwenz‌ thanks for the info!!! What kind of suppositories did they put you on? And when you say, "pressure" what do you mean? Pressure where? I've had some cramping and feelings of fullness.. But I thought it was related to constipation or gas.

Aurora1181

healz413 said:

I can't answer all of your questions but we are 11 weeks with twins and my partner's cervix measured 3.7 cm at our last appointment. Since she's also had a leep, she's concerned about cervix length and asked the midwife about it. Midwife said as long as it's over 3 she's happy (I would think 3 would also count) and that she would only be concerned if it got under 2. She also said that she wouldn't necessarily cerclage route (although it would be the high risk OBs call with us) because a cerclage stimulates the cervix and can end of being more of a problem. That doesn't mean a cerclage isn't a good call just that you shouldn't let someone pressure you into it if you have doubts and should feel entitled to a second opinion.

Good luck!!!!

Thanks! And thanks for the info about the cerclage. I had no idea it could do that. Definitely something to read up on. We have an OB appt in a week and so they'll check again then. I think I'll relax some if it stays at 3 then.

FutureMrsW9

Is it possible to ask if they can check it sooner?  3 weeks in pregnancy world is a long time to wait if something is wrong....

katekat8721

I have been told normal length is between 3 and 5. So at 3 you would be at the lower end of normal. I would just do whatever your doc says and take it really easy! I do know it can go back up with proper care, so there's always hope hang in there mama!

Aurora1181

FutureMrsW9 said:

Is it possible to ask if they can check it sooner?  3 weeks in pregnancy world is a long time to wait if something is wrong....

Agreed. I have an OB appt with ultrasound in one week to check, but I don't go back to the MFM for 3.

amwenz

My uterus just felt very heavy at times of walking and movement. I would also get crampy and some of that was constipation-my MFM fixed that with magnesium pills. Magnesium also relaxes my uterus because it would be so tight and hard. As it got larger the tightness got more noticeable. I am on crinone (progesterone) every night. My MFM chose not to do a cerclage because he felt that the pressure I was having could actually cause contractions if we sewed my cervix up. A few weeks later I am glad his thoughts were right. I'm not sure what grade you teach but I left 3rd grade unexpectedly. I would begin preparing a bit in case it happens and you can't go back in like me. I know twins are even more demanding on the body. Rest up and find the best MFM that puts you at ease.

CameraBug131

thank you for posting about this. i am preggo with twins and had a leep in the past, which makes me very nervous. good to get more info.

Aurora1181

CameraBug131 said:

thank you for posting about this. i am preggo with twins and had a leep in the past, which makes me very nervous. good to get more info.

Me too. I have biweekly ultrasounds with ob and every three weeks with MFM. Ob just said they would watch me very closely. Has yours said anything?

Aurora1181

amwenz said:

My uterus just felt very heavy at times of walking and movement. I would also get crampy and some of that was constipation-my MFM fixed that with magnesium pills. Magnesium also relaxes my uterus because it would be so tight and hard. As it got larger the tightness got more noticeable. I am on crinone (progesterone) every night. My MFM chose not to do a cerclage because he felt that the pressure I was having could actually cause contractions if we sewed my cervix up. A few weeks later I am glad his thoughts were right. I'm not sure what grade you teach but I left 3rd grade unexpectedly. I would begin preparing a bit in case it happens and you can't go back in like me. I know twins are even more demanding on the body. Rest up and find the best MFM that puts you at ease.

Thanks again for all of this info. I do like this MFM, but I think he did the opposite of putting my mind at ease. Now I'm worried about what could happen! I teach 10th and 12th, English. We end on May 24th, thankfully, so I'm hoping my cervix cooperates at least another month!

CameraBug131

Interesting updated about cervical length…

I am having twins and have had a LEEP in the past. My OB won't refer out for high risk unless you have something extremely severe. They have a mixed reputation in the area. They checked my cervical length on Thursday and told me it was 4.11. 

My sister works at a local hospital and got me the name of a high risk dr. I wanted to go for a second opinion. When she measured my cervical length on Friday, she said it was 2.6. She said there was no physical way it could be over 4 after a LEEP. She was not at all concerned about the 2.6. She said the real issue is that when you have a LEEP, it removes the part of the cervix that has the glands to make the mucus plug. She said the more important factor is the cervical opening because that's how infection can enter and cause preterm labor. She said 2.6 is my baseline and the cervix was closed. She said if it drops below 1.5 she will put in a cerclage to prevent cervical opening but if I have a strong cervix it won't be an issue. 

Just thought it was interesting! Made sense to me! 

PS - won't be going back to my OB. High risk dr sees about 15% of her patients as a reg OB and high risk - said she would take me on full time.