Cervical measurements every week?

I just went in for my second growth scan after twin diagnosis and when I asked the tech what my cervical measurement was she said that they only "visualize" the cervix and do not start to measure unless anything looks abnormal. Is everyone else getting regular cervical measurements, or did you guys only start because of PTL/TTTS etc? Should I be requesting that they be done?

 

They started measuring mine at 22 weeks(by u/s), and it was every 3 weeks until 28 weeks, then every 2, and after 34 they didn't check anymore. I had a few PTL scares after 28 weeks.

 

My peri started measuring them at 17w, I was a bit surprised to have this done so early, but they said it was standard with a twin pregnancy. Now I am glad they did.

 

I had mine measured via ultrasound at 20 weeks but never after that. My peri told me it's not very useful for the majority of women so she didn't do it much unless there were other risk factors for PTL or something like that.

 

I started having mine measured starting at 14 weeks because I was at risk for IC and also because I was petrified that I had it. Women's intuition wins, at 18 weeks I measured long and closed at 4cm and at 20 weeks, I was dilated to a 3, wide open. Never felt a thing. Are they "visualizing" it with a transvaginal u/s or just an abdominal one? I might ask about having transvaginal ones done if you are having doubt. It doesn't hurt to be too cautious. Hope it goes well for you...

 

I didn't start having mine measured until preterm labor due to TTTS at 23 1/2 weeks. Now they will check it every 2 weeks.

 

Hi,

I started having mine measured at 11 weeks. I had a previous ptl and short cervix with my ds so they wanted to keep an eye on it. Luckily I am 23 weeks and it is 3.5 cm, yay! It seems like every Dr/Peri is different but if it would make you more comfortable I would ask that they check it with a transvaginal ultrasound. Hope that helps!

Marisa

 

QUOTE(lovelylily @ Jun 3 2008, 09:18 PM) [snapback]808534[/snapback]
Women's intuition wins, at 18 weeks I measured long and closed at 4cm and at 20 weeks, I was dilated to a 3, wide open. Never felt a thing.

Wow, this is basically my story too. At 20 w I was over 4cm and at 23w6d I was down to 1 and 2cm dilated with a foot right there. Never felt a thing and actually felt great. I was not considered high risk except that I was a twin pregnancy. My first pregnancy went to 41w. So I am very glad they did these measurements so early.

 

I had mine measured via abdominal u/s starting at 12wks. I had an u/s every 4wks til I was 32wks...then every 2wks. My cervix didn't even get below 4cm til 34wks which I was happy about. I had to demand them though b/c of fear that it would shorten with a twin pregnancy. It was very calming to me, and now I realize I have the cervix of steel! Plus with the abdominal (had to have a full bladder) it wasnt disturbing anything.

April

 

QUOTE(lovelylily @ Jun 3 2008, 08:18 PM) [snapback]808534[/snapback]
I started having mine measured starting at 14 weeks because I was at risk for IC and also because I was petrified that I had it. Women's intuition wins, at 18 weeks I measured long and closed at 4cm and at 20 weeks, I was dilated to a 3, wide open. Never felt a thing. Are they "visualizing" it with a transvaginal u/s or just an abdominal one? I might ask about having transvaginal ones done if you are having doubt. It doesn't hurt to be too cautious. Hope it goes well for you...



They are just using the abdominal. So far I have not had any complications though but I will ask my OB about it next Wednesday.

 

They only measured mine because we were getting weekly scans to monitor our TTTS anyway. It was never measured before we were diagnosed at 19 weeks. They only measured my cervix once during my entire singleton pregnancy.

 

I've never had a doctor say anything about measuring the cervix, and I'm over 35 weeks now. (And if it was getting shorter, I would be cheering!) Maybe it makes a difference that I have no other risk factors, no sign of PTL and two previous full-term pregnancies; I don't know.

 

I had weeklies starting at 21weeks due to TTTS and a history of weak cervix. (I ended up with a cerclage and am in hospital.) But they quit checking at 28 weeks. I think they'll check me again next week as they are trying to decide when to deliver the babies.

 

They started doing mine in the second trimester. It was to be every 3 weeks, but the first measurement showed that I had no cervix left. So I had an emergency cerclage, and then it was measured weekly for a while, then bi-weekly, and then they stopped because it had shrunk again and they had me on hospital bedrest. They didn't want to mess with my cervix any more than necessary.

Not all doctors do this, and not all twin moms agree with it. But I feel that you should be measured via T/V U/S every 2-3 weeks, starting in the second trimester. More often if the cervix length is shortening. It's a simple measurement and can catch a problem before something terrible happens. Hopefully it will not show anything and just be a precaution.

 

I think they looked mine at abt 19 wks via u/s, not sure if they measured it. Then monday (23 wks) when they did another u/s I asked the doctor about some pain I've been having that I was thinking wasn't my cervix, but still a little worried it was (yes, I'm paranoid) and when the dr came into to talk to me I asked about and he measured it. By then I had already emptied my bladder and he sounded really surprised when he said "Your cervix is really easy to see!" I still don't know what he meant by that, but he said everything looked fine. But I think I'll start asking about it more. I see my OB next in a few weeks.

 

My doc started checking the cervical length around 15 weeks, but only because I was having contractions. I never did have a problem with it though.

 

I was having mine checked every 2wks from 16-24wks, b/c of a previous leep procedure. Now I have it checked every week b/c of ptl.

 

im 20weeks and they havent started measuring me yet

 

They started measuring mine at 20 weeks......and they measure via a transvag u/s every two weeks........I had a TTTS scare at 21 weeks.

 

They have been measuring mine every 2 weeks at peri appt since I first started seeing him regularly at 16w. I don't have any risk factors that i'm aware of....other than a twin pregnancy.

 

I had mine done weekly because of my history of MC and PTL

 

I went in to be evaluated a couple days ago d/t extreme pelvic pressure and lower back ache and they did a cervical check-My vervix was still long, firm, and closed so that gave me a peace of mind for the time being. I see my OB on Wednesday so I will ask her how she plans on checking my cervix in the future and how often. Thanks for all of your input.

 

I only had mine checked via U/S and really quickly. They would have my drink lots of water and then take a look. If everything was okay. I would go pee and then come back in to check out the babies. They did it at every u/s which was once a month until I was 8 months and it went to twice a week when I would get non stress tests.