Shortened Cervix at 22Weeks? What does this mean?

Hi Everyone,

We had our level 2 ultrasound yesterday @ 22 weeks. Both baby girls (fraternal) are doing just fine and measuring around a pound each. However, at the end of the u/s, the doctor said that my wife's cervix was only at 2.8cm (it was 4.0cm 10 days ago at the OB). It was not funneling, so that was good. He said that she has to "take it easy" for a week, and return next week to be re-measured. Has anyone else out there gone thru this, and can you share your stories? What should/shouldn't she be doing this week? The doctor wasn't very specific.

Thanks so much,
Brian

 

Hi Everyone,

We had our level 2 ultrasound yesterday @ 22 weeks. Both baby girls (fraternal) are doing just fine and measuring around a pound each. However, at the end of the u/s, the doctor said that my wife's cervix was only at 2.8cm (it was 4.0cm 10 days ago at the OB). It was not funneling, so that was good. He said that she has to "take it easy" for a week, and return next week to be re-measured. Has anyone else out there gone thru this, and can you share your stories? What should/shouldn't she be doing this week? The doctor wasn't very specific.

Thanks so much,
Brian

 

Hi,
This basically means that your wife needs to take it very easy. Lie down/recline as much as possible. Doing this will take the pressure of the babies off her cervix. Thankfully it is not funneling meaning that it is possibly leading to preterm labor. It has been proven that lying down and recline takes the babies away from lying on her cervix (sitting on it) resulting in no more pressure. Doing so can actually help prolong the pregnancy and help prevent preterm. Good luck and have your wife rest as much as possible.

Min

 

Definately take it easy - have her rest/lie down as much as possible -drink lots of water...The more you stay off your feet - the better the chance is of it growing back and not continuing to shorten. If she feels anything - any pain, any tightening - I would call L&D or your doctor -

My cervix shortened very rapidly in a very short period of time - I was also having contractions that I was not able to feel...once I got to 2.5cm - the Peri's really started to worry - especially since I had been 3.5cm three days before - and I was already on modified bedrest. This was at 24 weeks.

I was also told to make plans to stay in the hospital if I got below a 2 - and that if it stayed that way I would be staying for the rest of the pregnancy. My cervix continued to go up and down over the next four weeks on bedrest - and then got to 1.6 at 28 weeks w/more contractions (these I felt) - I was hospitalized, put on mag, given steriods - and sent home after a week on nephedipine...three days later it shortened again to .9 and I was in the hospital for the duration - which was only three more days - as they couldn't stop the contractions.

The good news for you is that after I got to 2.5cm - I was still able to hold the boys in for another five weeks! So bedrest definately works! If you are not having contractions or funneling - I would think the prognosis is much better for you!

HTH

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

here is my situation - at my 30 week u/s my cervix was at 2.7 cm with some "beaking." at my 27 week appt., it was 2.8 cm. (no concerns from the dr.), at 24 weeks, it was 4.2 cm. i was admitted to the hospital for 2 days to get the steroid shots for the babies' lungs. i've been on bed rest at home for 5 and 1/2 weeks ever since with little to no BH contractions. lots of water and feet up...i think it's helped most of us here.

 

She should drink plenty of fluids and lay down/recline. Sitting puts just as much pressure on your cervix as standing.

I had a drastically short cervix at 16 weeks and had an emergency cerclage. I had no length left (0.2cm). With a lot of bedrest, 4 weeks of it in the hospital, I was able to hold on until 31 weeks. My cerclage was still holding strong, I just had a baby PROM at that point.

Make sure she takes it easy!

 

Like PP, I would highly suggest that she puts herself on bedrest, if her docs did not. Only getting up to use the bathroom, and a short shower a day. Bedrest works, it takes the pressure off of the cervix.

 

My Dr checked my cervix a week ago at 23 weeks and it only measured 2.5 cm. I've been put on bedrest (not strict) and am receiving weekly progesterone shots. I had my weekly checkup today and it was still at 2.5 so they're hopeful that this course of action will help me hang on for a good while longer. So, I would definitely suggest her taking it easy and laying down/reclining as much as possible.

 

Hi Brian!

My cervix was measuring that at 24 weeks and I was put on hospital bedrest (I also had some funneling, and I was contracting; had I just had the short cervix, it would have been home-bedrest). A week later I was sent home, on strict bedrest. Only a shower a day, and potty visits. Nothing else. No getting up for a snack, no throwing in a quick load of laundry. It was laying flat on my side, in bed or on the couch. That was it!!!

I had another stay in the hospital from 28-32 weeks (cervix was 1.8cm by then). The good news though, is that I delivered TWO very healthy babies at 34 weeks.

This is going to be a huge adjustment for you, and please know how important your role is. My husband was such a huge help. He packed my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for me every day. He had to take over ALL the responsibilities at home. It was a lot. But his support is what got me through it all.

 

Everyone, thanks for all of the stories and advice.....it seems like doctors are all over the place with recommendations when your cervix is below 3.0cm. Some recommend bedrest right away, while other recommend to 'take it easy' which is what our doctor said. My wife is taking it easy and trying to sit/lay down as much as possible. The problem is that her back starts to hurt her. Any recommendations on how to lay around, but stop your back from hurting? She has tried those body pillows but they don't seem to work. She also said that she feels slight cramping (like menstrual cramps) here and there. Nothing steady, or consistant or painful. She feels her belly and it is still soft, not firm. If this continues into tomorrow, we'll call the doctor.

 

Definately call the dr. if those feelings continue - better to be safe than sorry!

What helped my back the most - was getting one of those foam pads that go over your mattress - we found ours at COSTCO - it's about 1 - 2 inches thick - memory foam I think it's called? - but it was the only thing that worked for my back - it was a lot easier to sleep and lay down after we added that to our bed!

 

i'm finishing 6 weeks of bed rest and what i can recommend is a good recliner and placing pillows around her for comfort. my back rarely hurt in the recliner, but in my bed (which costs quite a bit more money), my back would start to ache. just my two cents.