High-Risk Pregnancy
citymama2012
member
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Cervical Length
citymama2012
member
My doctor just informed me that my cervical length is 2.8 and she wants me to have another u/s in 2 weeks to check it again. She is not very informative and she tried to play it off as not a big deal (I am changing doctors as soon as I move), so I left with some unanswered questions....
What is a normal length for cervix during pregnancy? When does it become "short" or a concern? Do some people have shorter cervixes normally?
What is done to control it? (From what I've read bed rest is an option or a stitch to keep it closed).
Should I be seeing a specialist to monitor it?
I am 17 weeks which seems early to be put on bed rest...
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Re: Cervical Length
There is a really good website www.keepemcooking.com that has a chart of normal cervical lengths by Gestational Week; I think at 17 weeks it should be between 4-5...
I went in for my A/S at 20 Weeks and my Cervix was measuring 1.8 down from 3.6 at 16 Weeks- They put me in the Hospital for 4 days to monitor for contractions and take daily measurements, I was sent home on Strict Bed Rest for one week- at the next check up I was measuring 1.3 and put back in the Hospital where they performed a Cerclage (the stitch) since then I've been on Home Bed Rest and my CL is stable at 2.5
When does it become "short" or a concern? Everyones Doctor is different; my OB doesn't like to see anything below 3.
What is done to control it? (From what I've read bed rest is an option or a stitch to keep it closed). Both of these! Research the Cerclage and talk to your Dr. about it- IMO. Also try to stay off your feet keeping pressure off the Cervix.
Should I be seeing a specialist to monitor it? I now see a Specialist and my Ob- but again that depends on your Doctor's recomendations.
GOOD LUCK!!! You and your baby are going to be just fine...it's really great that they measured you this early...Hang in there! Let me know if you have any other questions; I know how it is to be blindsided by all this!
It's great you got measured (and can hopefully get treated) early. You are definitely short for how far along you are, and you will likely get more proactive care w/an MFM.
I decided to go to one after they found my funneling on my A/S (CL 2.5cm, 1cm functional) and the OB wanted to see me only every two weeks. Not to freak you out, but had I waited that long to be seen again, I would have lost my babies. My MFM had me come in every three days and on my third check, I'd gone from short to long to dilating and had no idea (I was not having contrax). I was told I couldn't have the cerclage until then, but I know some will do it before. I've learned there is no such thing as too early for bedrest, it just depends on your body. Best of luck.
5 REs + 3 surgical hysteroscopies for septum/lap + 3 failed IUIs
IVF w/ICSI/AH & acu = BFP!, unexplained spontaneous m/c @ 8w2d (our little girl),
FET w/acu = BFP!, B/G twins!, lost MP @19w, dx w/funneling cervix @20w,
twins nearly lost to IC @21w, saved by rescue cerclage, 17P & 16w of bedrest
Our twins born @36w4d via CS when A came foot first
Thankful for every day
I had a leep a few yrs back and my dr said I would be monitored and will be monitored very close as I get further along. At my 6 wk appt my cervix wsa 4 I think, then at my 13 wk I think 3.8. I go in for my 16 wk Friday so hopefully all is good. My new dr (I moved out of the city and will GREATLY miss my other dr)- has ZERO concerns which concerns me!
From my understanding options are bedrest and a stitch...
My CL shortened b/w 20-23 weeks down to 2.5...at that time I was put on pelvic rest and had to cut down on lots of activity. I was monitored every two weeks and put on progesterone shots. At 27 weeks it shortened to 1.6 and that's when I was told I had to leave my job and was put on bedrest and procardia to stop contractions (that I didn't even realize I was having). I was still monitored bi weekly and the bedrest really helped and I stayed at a 1.6-1.5 until I delivered at 37 weeks.
I had the same concern as you early on about why I wasn't put on bedrest right away but my Dr did do that until it was below 2...I kind of put myself on a moderate bedrest myself b/c I was nervous but it still shortened and thats when the strict bedrest came. I couldn't get stitched b/c I was too far along but he offered me a pesury (spelling?) which pretty much takes pressure off my cervix. I ended up not getting it b/c we decided that as long as my cervix held steady we would wait it out. Once I got below 2 I was getting checked weekly
I was told that I had a dynamic cervix and that some people just have short cervix and it doesn't always mean it's weak...because it was my first pregnancy they couldn't really tell me what to expect b/c they had nothing to compare it with. When I shortened below 2 at 27 weeks they also found that I had dialated a little so that's why I was put on meds for contractions since I was having them and never knew it.
Make sure you really trust and like your Dr...my Dr was awesome and pretty much told me that if I was ever unsure about what I was feeling to go get checked. He didn't care if I was in L&D twice a day, he'd rather that then me waiting it out. I did end up there 7 times throughout my pregnancy but better safe then sorry.
Good luck and go with your gut...if you want something done to make you feel better or more comfortable..ask for it!