Cervical length?

JenLC99 · January 2012

Today I had an ultrasound to check cervical length and it was 3.04 cm. The tech and radiologist said it was fine and the report simply says "cervical length >3 cm and no funneling." But everything I had read says it should be 4 cm at this point. I have another ultrasound next week and an appointment with my MFM thereafter. Does anyone else know if this sounds okay?

13pickle · January 2012

my MFM won't check mine, they say it is unreliable, and not a good predictor, and if it is very short they can't really do much. so i would say if your doc isn't worried, you shouldn't be.

ninjabridemom · January 2012

Mine has consistently been between 3.3 and 3.7. My doc said they don't worry if it's over 3.

4 would be great, but it depends on where you started, too. If there was a 1cm decrease, to me, that would be more cause for concern than looking at the 3.04 measurement alone.

Also, PP, I'm really surprised they don't check your cervix. It's a good thing to check for PTL! Any warning is good warning, I think. JMO.

JenLC99 · January 2012

ninjabridemom:
Mine has consistently been between 3.3 and 3.7. My doc said they don't worry if it's over 3.

4 would be great, but it depends on where you started, too. If there was a 1cm decrease, to me, that would be more cause for concern than looking at the 3.04 measurement alone.

Also, PP, I'm really surprised they don't check your cervix. It's a good thing to check for PTL! Any warning is good warning, I think. JMO.

Yes, I just emailed my doc to find out if it is any different than previous measurements. I have never noticed the exact measurement until today.

Hunter22 · January 2012

Like PP said, if it is different and going down they are going to watch it. Anything over three is good, they usually start getting concerned if it goes down to 2.5, usually below 2.0 is more intervention (strict bedrest or hospital bedrest). Don't let the numbers freak you out though, the further you get in your pregnancy the cervical length will lessen a bit. Good luck!

2boys+twins · January 2012

My peri always says under 3 is when they start to watch it

tootlebug · January 2012

at 21 weeks mine was 4.7-5cm. at 25 1/2 weeks it ws 4.5cm. the drop in cm was normal and expected. my MFMs call my cervix "overachieving.". they say the average is around 3-3.5cm.

E&RMommy · January 2012

13pickle:
my MFM won't check mine, they say it is unreliable, and not a good predictor, and if it is very short they can't really do much. so i would say if your doc isn't worried, you shouldn't be.

That's not the normal consesus. There are several good randomized controlled trials showing cervical length in twin gestations in 2nd trimester and risk of preterm delivery.

My MFMs saved me preterm delivery by watching my cervix drop in length and pulling me from work at 23 weeks. I absolutely know it kept my kiddos in until 36 weeks.

To the OP: Cervical length does shorten faster with twin pregnancies but anything over 2.5 cm is still considered normal. Discuss with your doc. Plus you're only 18 weeks and the lower uterine segment and cervix are difficult to differentiate prior to 16 weeks. So now is the really the time to start watching.

reillyroowho · January 2012

13pickle:
my MFM won't check mine, they say it is unreliable, and not a good predictor, and if it is very short they can't really do much. so i would say if your doc isn't worried, you shouldn't be.

REALLY? This attitude would worry me. Not checking isn't very pro-active because there ARE things that you can do if your cervix begins to shorten. There are meds, bedrest, and other interventions that could take place. I would talk to your MFM about when they typically watch your cervix. My MFM does weekly intervaginal ultrasounds when they check on the boys. Mine is slowly shortening but usually longer than 3.5.

emschott · January 2012

What the PPs said. Mine was consistently above 4, and then suddenly one appointment it was 2.9. That concerned my doctors, but fortunately it has held there for a LONG time.

To the poster whose MFM doesn't check cervical length- I've never heard that on this board before. My MFM seems to be pretty relaxed (compared to one I saw 3 times while my regular guy was out of the country) but he still does cervical checks. Last week was the last one, but that's because I'm so close to the end that they won't prevent labor anymore.

AmyJoy728 · January 2012

Mine was always >3 (from 3.5 - 3.8). They said some fluctuations is normal. At my last appt it went from 3.8 to 1.8 in the matter of 2 weeks. From what I've heard, once it gets to 2.5 they ask you to stop working or be less active. Under 2 is worrisome. I'm on strict bedrest now, and if they weren't doing cervix checks I wouldn't have known to go to the hosp with contractions (I can't feel them).

angelfire02 · January 2012

13pickle:
my MFM won't check mine, they say it is unreliable, and not a good predictor, and if it is very short they can't really do much. so i would say if your doc isn't worried, you shouldn't be.

I would also be VERY concerned if I heard this from my MFM. There are interventions they can do such as cervical rest, or bedrest. I would check on your MFM because that sounds very irresponsible if that is what they are really telling you.

I get my cervix checked at every u/s which I am having every two weeks. Last time I was told my cervix was 4.2, which is still good, he told me anything over 2.5 if totally fine. I am having mine checked again tomorrow because two weeks ago it was over 6, so they just want to make sure it is not shortening.

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