Cervix length

I just had my first trimester screening with the peri on Tuesday. I am 13 weeks both babies looked great and the results came back negative which was awesome, but the dr said that he was worried about the length of my cervix. He said anything under 3 cm they start talking bed rest. YIKES......I have so long to go. I can't remember my exact measurements but they were right around 3.5cm. Anyone have this conversation with their dr that early. I go back in two weeks and then again in another two weeks so they can keep an eye on it. Just wondering what your experience is.

 

I had mine checked at 20 weeks with a length of 3.5cm. My doctor wasn't worried about it though. As far as I know & remember, it seems that anything below 2.5cm is a cause for big concern.

I was worried about it for a whole month before we checked because I didn't want to be at higher risk of PTL and stuff, but I did make sure I was in bed most of the time. I had some spotting in my 4th week, but that subsided after bed rest & some medication. I think that was the only issue I had for this pregnancy so far. So I think as much as we really dread the doctor's order, bed rest can really make a great impact on how long you can carry those babies. Every single day in the uterine environment is good for them!

Ever since my 20th week check my doctor has never talked about another cervical length check, but I've been thinking about it.

 

My doctor indicated they wanted to see over 2 cm. 3.5 sounds pretty good to me- just make sure you do what you can to keep it there. Rest as much as possible.

 

I had a similar issue around the same time. I don't remember exactly what my length was, but it was around 13 weeks that we started to watch it closely. I started going in every other week for them to check.

It was stable for a little while, then around 21 weeks it shortened a lot within that time frame. I went back a few days later and it was shorter again.
So I did end up getting a clerclage and being on bed rest.

I think the best thing would be to stay off your feet as much as possible. (Which can be hard if you're working, I know.)

 

I think your doc is a bit cautious (not a bad thing, IMO). They were concerned if mine dropped below 2 cm. I went from 4cm to 1.7cm between 26-28 weeks. I cut back on hours at work, started working at home and started couch rest where I would get up for an hour, but commit to laying down for the next 2. My cervix lengthened to 1.9cm. I didn't dilate especially early and went into labor at 37w 5d. I credit it to resting and taking calcium/magnesium supplements to ward off contractions.

 

I would rest when I could, but I wouldn't be concerned with 3.5cm. Mine was no more than that at 12 weeks. When he checked again at 17 weeks, it was less than 2 and I was put on bedrest for the remainder. It had shortened to .7cm by 25 weeks and I was told that I'd be lucky to make another week. Well, I heard that over and over and at almost 32 weeks I was still pregnant, but was delivered due to pre-e. My nothing of a cervix held tight (on bedrest)! I didn't have much to start with though. My Dr knew this would be an issue with me because he always told me that I hardly had enough cervix to even get a pap on! It may not shorten any, so at leasty until next time, I wouldn't worry. See what it looks like then. Good luck, I hope you have no problems with it.

 

I have had hx of PTL... My dr checked my cervix at 16 weeks due to a lot of BH contractions and it was 4cm. He told me that 3-4 was normal. I have another u/s at 19 weeks and then cervical checks every 2 weeks. In my past pregnancy my cervix would shorten but then with rest (both pelvic and physical) it always seemed to improve. Try to put your feet up several times a day for at least 30 min and don't be afraid to ask for help! I am sure it will all be fine!! Good Luck!

 

Thank you ladies. I feel much better about it. I have to go every two weeks and he said anything under three they start talking bedrest. Fortunately I don't work and have the ability to rest most of the day. So taking it is easy is what I will do.

 

I think this all sounds wierd because my Dr. just checked my cervix for the first time EVER and I'm 35.5 weeks!!!! Why are they checking you so soon?? My doc was afraid to stimulate anything to happen in the cervix, so they always wait till 35 weeks at least. Does everyone else's doc start checking soon? Just curious.

btw, I was 3cm dilated and still thick and long.

 

I had mine checked at 20 weeks as my OB wanted to determine if I was at a higher risk of getting PTL. It was done through a trans-vaginal ultrasound so I don't think it would've aggravated anything in the cervix. Wasn't given instructions for bedrest nor warned of bleeding.

 

It was the peri who did it. He only did a belly ultra sound and then because it was at 3.5 he is going to check it again in two weeks and then two more weeks after that, vaginally. They did this as part of the first trimester screening where they took blood and measured the babies spines to test for chances of down syndrome. My dr does this with all patience not just twins. So we will see what happens.