*SS*Cervical Length ( Longer than average?)

LilyGracesMommy

So yesterday at my growth sono and OB appt. I was told that I " Have a really long cervix" it measured 5.2cm and apparently pre-pregnancy 4-5cm is on the high end of normal, depending on what reference you look at. 

I guess my question is if any STMs have any experience with this. I have had to be induced at 41 weeks with both previous pregnancies ( with little effacement and 0- 1 fingertip dilation) and wonder if the length of my cervix is any reflection of why. Or maybe if I should start the primrose capsules now to give my cervix more time to "do it's job"

Obviously none of you are my OB, and the NP I saw when I asked if there was a correlation, sort of brushed it off; but I can't help but wonder if there is some connection...

edit: grammar is hard

efino87

I would talk to your provider and wait closer to term before taking anything. You don't want it to work too well and end up in preterm labor. With my DD my cervix was long and looking great two weeks before I went into PTL and gave birth. For some reason everything changed quickly. I have had lots of cervical lengths this time and have been told that anything between 4-5cm was good.

I suppose I am saying that I don't have a for sure answer, but I would not mess with anything until 37 weeks and getting an all okay from the doctor.

LilyGracesMommy

@lyracelesti  Aww thanks, hah. I would gladly share! 

Its like hair, height, etc. you always want what you don't have.

I wanted to add that I very much want a full term baby and this is not to be interpreted as " I want to dilate an have baby today"... or even weeks from today, just would love to be able to go into labor on my own without and induction, and with my history of being induced and not doing much as far as dilation and effacement on my own without pitocin, just curious if any of you ladies have any insight

LilyGracesMommy

@Loherrim maybe I can cut a cm or 2 and cure yours of its complex?? 

And again, I did not post this with any intention of hurting those who have had issues with their cervixes being incompetent divas, but have a question that google is not very helpful on because apparently my amazonian cervix is alone in sea of cute petite ready for birthing babies cervixes(sp?)

curlylocks3

I certainly wouldn't start anything to soften your cervix until at least 37 weeks and with the clearance of your doctor.

LilyGracesMommy

@curlylocks3 I was given the OK to start the primrose at the standard 36 weeks (per the pamphlet we receive when starting OB care at this practice). 

I think its one of those things that works really well for some and not at all for others ( which I am in the latter camp, as I did both orally take and insert them starting at 36 weeks with both previous pregnancies and still ended up with an induction) 

Honestly without the official okay, I think I would be too worried that **this** time it would work too well, and start something sooner than wanted, I just would really like to have the experience of going into labor on my own since this is **probably** my last pregnancy...

oh well I will be more than happy to get a healthy baby, whatever way she decides to come

curlylocks3

@Lilygrace48‌ if you were cleared to start sooner than 37 then that's cool too
Your OP does raise an interesting question for me though as to if that's why you needed inductions in the past, but I don't have an answer for you. If your OB/midwife does, I'd love to hear it.
Personally, in the past I have been told that my cervix is "very nearly stenotic" and they had a great deal of trouble putting in my IUD and doing my HSG test even after giving me Cytotec and spending a lot of time manually dilating my cervix. My IUIs and embryo transfer went a little better but still not as easily as expected.
Anyways, I had asked my OB if preterm labor was less of a concern since apparently I don't dilate easily. She told me not to count on it, and to not underestimate what the pressure of two babies pushing down can do.
I've now been contracting steadily for a month and while I am almost 100% effaced, I've only dilated to 1cm, and you'd expect more as often as I contract.
So....I guess my point is that I've been wondering something similar to you, that maybe my cervix just will not dilate. So if you get any answers, I'd be curious to hear it