What really is a short cervix and what do they do?

megwv3 · June 2014

At 21 weeks, my cervix was measure 3.9. At 25 weeks, it's measuring 2.66. My MFM didn't seem too concerned but that he definitely wants to re-check it in 4 weeks. I'm discussing this at an appointment with my OB. I don't really know what to expect and what's "short". Is there anything they do differently? More monitoring? If so, trans ultrasound?

glreding · June 2014

There is a procedure that can be done to stitch the cervix and basically add support to it, but it comes with risk, including infection and loss of the baby. The risk of a short cervix is that it could result in pre-term labor. I don't know the statistics involved.

JessaPrimate · June 2014

My drs consider anything below 2.5 to be short. Mine was labeled short at 28 weeks and the contraction monitor showed some activity (irritable uterus). Based on that, I was put on procardia and modified bed rest. It seems to be working because my measurements have increased.

They also tested me for ffn, which was negative. If things had gone the opposite direction, it would have meant hospital bed rest and steroid shots.

megwv3 · June 2014

JessaPrimate said:

My drs consider anything below 2.5 to be short. Mine was labeled short at 28 weeks and the contraction monitor showed some activity (irritable uterus). Based on that, I was put on procardia and modified bed rest. It seems to be working because my measurements have increased. They also tested me for ffn, which was negative. If things had gone the opposite direction, it would have meant hospital bed rest and steroid shots.

How often were you seen after they labeled yours short and what happened at your visits?

amwenz · June 2014

It is to late for the cerclage but as others said you might be on modified or strict bed rest depending on if it continues to change. Above 2.5 and close to 28 weeks most likely they're going to monitor. I was put on progesterone suppositories (crinone) at 21 weeks and modified bed rest. It went to a 1.9 to a 2.8 in one week of not having pressure and it was determined mine was not incompetent but from pressure. At 26 weeks my MFM stopped measuring it! Good luck and you're almost to 28 weeks!

megwv3 · June 2014

amwenz said:

It is to late for the cerclage but as others said you might be on modified or strict bed rest depending on if it continues to change. Above 2.5 and close to 28 weeks most likely they're going to monitor. I was put on progesterone suppositories (crinone) at 21 weeks and modified bed rest. It went to a 1.9 to a 2.8 in one week of not having pressure and it was determined mine was not incompetent but from pressure. At 26 weeks my MFM stopped measuring it! Good luck and you're almost to 28 weeks!

How often do you think it should be monitored? MFM seemed more concerned that it changed by a cm, not really that it was at 2.66. However, he's not seeing me for another 4 weeks. My OB is going to tell me her opinion this week.

TRS48 · June 2014

At 23wks 5 days mine was 1.6 cm. My high risk dr sent me to the hospital immediately for bedrest, steroid shots, magnesium IV (bc my uterus was irritable... Only I think bc I had nothing to drink all day since they wouldn't let me & they scared the crap out if us), bedpan, the works... It was obnoxious. I was there for a week and had zero contractions and babies were great so they finally discharged me and I've been on home bedrest since. No progesterone. My cervix measured almost 4 cm at my last check. It has gone up and down between 1.6cm-almost 4cm every check, never going in one direction or the other. I am so over this short cervix nonsense bc they seem to know nothing about it and scare the crap out if everyone. I was told my babies wouldn't make viability by a perinatal at 21 weeks when it measured 1.8cm & then was told by another perinatal there'd be no way I'd make it past 29 weeks. My OB told me 34 weeks would be the max I'd make it. Well here I am at 34+4 as living proof doctors don't know crap. Because you are so early I'd def stay on bedrest and off your feet as much as possible but don't let people scare you. I had no clue what a short cervix was either but a nurse told me "think of your uterus as a balloon, the cervix is the tie at the bottom", that's when it clicked. Supposedly, if you go into preterm labor with a short cervix, it will escalate rather quickly, according to my OB. Just stay in bed, stay hydrated, & try not to worry. Granted, every case is different, but after all I've gone thru, I've realized doctors don't know as much as they appear to. Good luck and my final advice is to listen to your gut!

JessaPrimate · June 2014

megwv3 said:

JessaPrimate said:

My drs consider anything below 2.5 to be short. Mine was labeled short at 28 weeks and the contraction monitor showed some activity (irritable uterus). Based on that, I was put on procardia and modified bed rest. It seems to be working because my measurements have increased.

They also tested me for ffn, which was negative. If things had gone the opposite direction, it would have meant hospital bed rest and steroid shots.

How often were you seen after they labeled yours short and what happened at your visits?

The MFM saw me weekly. They did a FFN test followed by cervical measurement. By my third appointment, he was happy enough with my progress to wait three weeks to see me for an unrelated issue.

My OB did see me two weeks later, but didn't bother to check my cervix.

amwenz · June 2014

My MFM didn't check my cervix again after 26 weeks until just recently when I started cramping and contractions at 32/33 weeks. I think it depends on if you're having other symptoms. Google the march of dimes viability chart. I used it to get through each week seeing the babiy's chances increasing greatly. my MFM was completely confident in baby being ok at 28 weeks. Hang in there and feet up and pressure off your cervix.

jillianalmorgan · June 2014

I have a preventative cerclage. Thats a stitch in the cervix. This is my third pregnancy and my other two girls came at 36 weeks after 8 weeks home bedrest and 30 weeks after 6 weeks hospital bedrest. This baby is staying IN!! Ha! But yah, be careful and awareness is key with incompetent cervix

jillianalmorgan · June 2014

My girls didn't have cerclages by the way. Just steroid shots once they noticed I was thinning to get lungs developing. Just make sure they check you!!

suitern · June 2014

I honestly think it varies by Dr. on when they are concerned. With DS's pregnancy in 2011/2012, I was put on bed rest and progesterone suppositories for a 2.5 cervix and effaced slightly. I was having contractions that were clearly changing my cervix. This pregnancy, my cervix has bounced between 3-4 cm depending on the week. It is monitored every 2 weeks to see if all the contractions I am having changes the cervix at all. At 26 weeks, it was sitting at 3.5 cm so still well within range.

With my current MFM, they said they usually don't do much besides more monitoring with 2.5 cm cervix, but at 2 cm they will start FFN, progesterone etc. I pushed to be put on progesterone again this time (only on night 3) to see if it helps control any contractions. Good luck.

megwv3 · June 2014

amwenz said:

My MFM didn't check my cervix again after 26 weeks until just recently when I started cramping and contractions at 32/33 weeks. I think it depends on if you're having other symptoms. Google the march of dimes viability chart. I used it to get through each week seeing the babiy's chances increasing greatly. my MFM was completely confident in baby being ok at 28 weeks. Hang in there and feet up and pressure off your cervix.

Thanks. I'm nervous because they didn't really tell me to do anything different unless I have symptoms. I'm taking it easy. Just doing walks.

megwv3 · June 2014

suitern said:

I honestly think it varies by Dr. on when they are concerned. With DS's pregnancy in 2011/2012, I was put on bed rest and progesterone suppositories for a 2.5 cervix and effaced slightly. I was having contractions that were clearly changing my cervix. This pregnancy, my cervix has bounced between 3-4 cm depending on the week. It is monitored every 2 weeks to see if all the contractions I am having changes the cervix at all. At 26 weeks, it was sitting at 3.5 cm so still well within range.

With my current MFM, they said they usually don't do much besides more monitoring with 2.5 cm cervix, but at 2 cm they will start FFN, progesterone etc. I pushed to be put on progesterone again this time (only on night 3) to see if it helps control any contractions. Good luck.

Thanks. This sounds silly, but I don't really know if I have contractions? I've been having a "coming and going" cramping that goes from my bikini line to my ribs. It will only happen once or twice a week. However, my stomach doesn't get hard and it's not that painful.

Blueyed228 · June 2014

My cervix started to shorten at 24 weeks. It went to 2 and I was given a pessary (my MFM doesnt do a cerclage on twin pregnancies) and put on bedrest. It held for 6 weeks. I was being monitored every other week before the pessary because of other issues. Once I got the pessary, I was monitored every week.

At my 30w appointment my cervix had gone down to 0 and I was starting to dilate. A few hours later I was in labor. They stopped it at 4cm. I was admitted and told I had to stay until I delivered. It was strict bedrest. Only getting up to pee. I was given the first steroid shot while I was in labor and the second 24 hours later.

I was allowed to go home a few weeks later as long as i stayed in bed. I ended up getting induced at 38w. Just take it easy.

suitern · June 2014

megwv3 said:

suitern said:

I honestly think it varies by Dr. on when they are concerned. With DS's pregnancy in 2011/2012, I was put on bed rest and progesterone suppositories for a 2.5 cervix and effaced slightly. I was having contractions that were clearly changing my cervix. This pregnancy, my cervix has bounced between 3-4 cm depending on the week. It is monitored every 2 weeks to see if all the contractions I am having changes the cervix at all. At 26 weeks, it was sitting at 3.5 cm so still well within range.

With my current MFM, they said they usually don't do much besides more monitoring with 2.5 cm cervix, but at 2 cm they will start FFN, progesterone etc. I pushed to be put on progesterone again this time (only on night 3) to see if it helps control any contractions. Good luck.

Thanks. This sounds silly, but I don't really know if I have contractions? I've been having a "coming and going" cramping that goes from my bikini line to my ribs. It will only happen once or twice a week. However, my stomach doesn't get hard and it's not that painful.

I've heard cramping type contractions can occur without tightening (never had those), but the contractions that I have are just a tightening where my uterus feels rock hard, but I get way more than the allowed 4-6 per hour to be considered normal for Braxton Hicks. I think sometimes people just end up with a short cervix from the pressures of the baby, etc...not necessarily contractions. I know that I had ALOT of pressure with contractions with my first pregnancy and I wonder if that is why is shortened, where as this time it hasn't since I haven't had alot of pressure?

I do think if they recommend bed rest to try to stick to it-I really do think it is what helped me make it to 38 weeks with DS!

megwv3 · June 2014

I've been having back pain and cramping for 2 days. I'm going to call if it doesn't let up. It's not unbearable or anything, but I just don't know what my cervix is doing. I feel some pressure. Just like a heaviness.

AnonnAni · June 2014

It really depends on your Dr., and if you have had a previous lose due to IC or if you have any other issues going on (bleeding etc. My Last MFM didnt worry about the numbers on the length of the cervix till it was below 2... My first Dr., was concerned when it was 2.7 this Dr. for this pregnancy is totally different and really only cares about the numbers from 16 weeks to 24weeks since at that point even with out cervical issues your cervix is supposed to start to change so after that she wont even check it. So it really is based on a lot of factors and the dr's comfort level with everything else going on in your pregnancy.

If your feeling pressure you could go in and get checked as a precaution if your feeling nervous but in general the further along you are the more pressure you do have.

suitern · June 2014

megwv3 said:

I've been having back pain and cramping for 2 days. I'm going to call if it doesn't let up. It's not unbearable or anything, but I just don't know what my cervix is doing. I feel some pressure. Just like a heaviness.

Were you able to go in and get checked? Hope all is well.

megwv3 · June 2014

suitern said:

megwv3 said:

I've been having back pain and cramping for 2 days. I'm going to call if it doesn't let up. It's not unbearable or anything, but I just don't know what my cervix is doing. I feel some pressure. Just like a heaviness.

Were you able to go in and get checked? Hope all is well.

Yes, thank you. I'm more confused. I went to L&D as instructed by my OB. Everything was fine. Just unexplained cramping. They measured my cervix and it was at 3.4. Then today it was rechecked at my normal appointment and it was at 2.6. The perinatologist said she wasn't concerned because it can fluctuate but that's a huge difference, in my opinion. I'm going to ask my OB about this. Can it really vary that much in that amount of time?

Patch89 · July 2014

I had no idea I had a short cervix until I had a cerclage placed due to IC . it was only after when the consultant came and told me that she had to ' really pull down on my cervix' to just get the cerclage on! So i have a weak cervix as well as a short one! it did grow a little a few weeks later. I had my cerclage out last week and the dr is surprised that i haven't dilated at all! typical ! x

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