Short cervix

lifeislove87

I was just diagnosed with a short cervix (2). It was funnelling but not open and I'm not experiencing any signs of preterm labour. I am almost 23 weeks and wondering if anyone else has this diagnosis or if and STM have experience with what I can expect. 

Xath

I haven't personally had this diagnosis, but I have friends who have, and we've always tracked the risk with my history of PTL.  In many cases they'll want to track your cervical length.  If it continues to shorten, you may need a cerclage (a stitch closing the cervix).  Some doctors will prescribe progesterone as either suppositories or P17 injections.  This has been shown to slow premature cervical shortening.  If these things don't work, the next step may be bed rest.  

Elyse1384

My SIL had to get a cerclage and was on best rest for much of her pregnancy.  Prior to the cerclage going in, she had been monitored quite closely (they caught everything pretty early).  Good luck!  Hopefully your cervix doesn't shorten anymore.  

lifeislove87

Thanks everyone, I was put on progesterone today. I was on it first trimester- IVF pregnancy- so it's nothing new. Apparently my cervix went from 3.8 to 1.8 from my ultrasound at 18 weeks until now. I just really want everything to be okay

jc_twomamas

With DS pregnancy, at the time of my abruption and preterm labor, my cervix was short at a 2 (this was 27 weeks). It basically stayed that way until we delivered at 37 weeks (they did say at 35 weeks it was slightly shorter, but baby was still looking great). I was on strict hospital bedrest that whole time, but no cerclage was placed because we were set to deliver no matter what happened due to my placental abruption. I hope yours just stays put too!! Take it easy and trust that your body is in control. Fx. 

ama7165

I don't have personal experience but I am being monitored for it. The plan is of my cervix shortens under 2 anytime up to 24 weeks then a cerclage would be placed. After that point they said they wouldn't place one but I am not 100% sure why.

lifeislove87

@devow27 thank you for that story I think it's easy to get sucked down the rabbit hole of panic 

jc_twomamas

@lifeislove87 it absolutely is! It's okay to feel worried and scared, but don't let those feelings lead or consume you. It was such a hard process for me to learn, but, really focus on trusting your body to know when it is ready and what it's supposed to do. The other thing that always helped me (my Doula told me this) was: Your baby knows when their birthday is. No matter what. Even if you think you're scheduling a c section...your baby knew to guide you that way. It sounds wacky and crazy, but for me it helped put the trust back into my body and the process--which is SO hard to do when you're worrying and it feels like you have unanswered questions. Hang in there and hopefully everything will work out just fine!