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Anyone know what is a good Cervical length for 23 weeks pregnant?
Does anyone know what a good cervical length for 23 weeks is? I have been researching this and have found conflicting opinions -- and of course some OBs appear to be more cautious than others. However, seeing as I'm only 23 weeks it does looks like it is thin for this stage of the pregnancy. My cervix measured 3cm HOWEVER the technician didn't take any readings where pressure was placed on the cervix -- I have since read that this is important as the cervix is thinner when you stand, sit, etc., as the baby is putting weight on it.
I wouldn't be so worried but I have been getting daily contractions that have significantly worsened the last few weeks, and the last week in particular. I basically can't climb stairs, walk any distance or even get up from sitting in the evening hours without getting one. Am being referred to an OB and have been placed on bedrest in the meantime.
"Normally, in the late second and early third trimester the cervical length measures anywhere between 3 cm to 3.5 cm (30-35mm) and decreases progressively as the pregnancy advances, in preparation for labor." (source: Obstetrics and Gynecology Board Review Manual).
Several studies have indicated that the likelihood of preterm delivery increases with decreasing cervical length. A cervical length of 25–30 mm before 32 weeks gestation seems to increase the risk of preterm delivery. If examination and ultrasound show that you have an abnormally short cervix, and you’re less than 24 weeks pregnant, your practitioner may recommend “cerclage”, a procedure in which she stitches a band of strong thread around your cervix to reinforce it and help hold it closed. However, there’s a lot of controversy about whether cerclage should be used in this situation."
"What is Cervical Shortening (or Cervical Insufficiency)?"
source: Dr. Vijaya Krishnan
http://healthymother.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/what-is-cervical-shortening/
I wouldn't be so worried but I have been getting daily contractions that have significantly worsened the last few weeks, and the last week in particular. I basically can't climb stairs, walk any distance or even get up from sitting in the evening hours without getting one. Am being referred to an OB and have been placed on bedrest in the meantime.
"Normally, in the late second and early third trimester the cervical length measures anywhere between 3 cm to 3.5 cm (30-35mm) and decreases progressively as the pregnancy advances, in preparation for labor." (source: Obstetrics and Gynecology Board Review Manual).
Several studies have indicated that the likelihood of preterm delivery increases with decreasing cervical length. A cervical length of 25–30 mm before 32 weeks gestation seems to increase the risk of preterm delivery. If examination and ultrasound show that you have an abnormally short cervix, and you’re less than 24 weeks pregnant, your practitioner may recommend “cerclage”, a procedure in which she stitches a band of strong thread around your cervix to reinforce it and help hold it closed. However, there’s a lot of controversy about whether cerclage should be used in this situation."
"What is Cervical Shortening (or Cervical Insufficiency)?"
source: Dr. Vijaya Krishnan
http://healthymother.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/what-is-cervical-shortening/
I was also told i had an irritable uterus.. but once i was off work and on bedrest after 2 weeks, my contractions went down.. i went to having like 5 a day down from like 30.....
bedrest is hard... i trolled these boards so much during that time... i hope you make it through, i was not on bedrest nearly as long as you are.
bedrest is hard... i trolled these boards so much during that time... i hope you make it through, i was not on bedrest nearly as long as you are.
that's good news! glad to hear they think things are okay for now and are monitoring it.
my midwife has suggested we also monitor my cervical length and dilation via regular ulrasounds. go for another one next week.
my update: im still suffering with daily contractions, and they have been stronger and even painful some days. i've been diagnosed with 'irritable uterus' which means this could very likely be how the remainder of my pregnancy will be. it also does put you at an increased risk of preterm labour. the only treatment is bedrest and monitoring, and going to labour and delivery for checks when i have particularly bad day.
btw, does anyone know if there is a bedrest community on here? i've searched but haven't been able to find one. i'm definitely going to need some support/community to get through this.
my midwife has suggested we also monitor my cervical length and dilation via regular ulrasounds. go for another one next week.
my update: im still suffering with daily contractions, and they have been stronger and even painful some days. i've been diagnosed with 'irritable uterus' which means this could very likely be how the remainder of my pregnancy will be. it also does put you at an increased risk of preterm labour. the only treatment is bedrest and monitoring, and going to labour and delivery for checks when i have particularly bad day.
btw, does anyone know if there is a bedrest community on here? i've searched but haven't been able to find one. i'm definitely going to need some support/community to get through this.
Just updating yall that my appt went great and my cevical length is great for now! They aint letting me off the hook though weekly checks to make sure theres not any changes! And the placenta is sitting on top of my cervix i dont know about all that but they said it should move by 20 wks. so i hope so otherwise my sis was reading i might need a C-section! My baby was a lil bugger though he turned sideways and then proceeded to stick his rump in the air he was done with all their testing lol he didnt want anymore but we did get some very cute pics of him ( well we think hes a boy)!
Hi Ashelen, no, its my second baby. :) I did go 40 weeks with my first which indicates that I *could* go that long with this baby BUT that was 10 years ago. My body has changed quite a bit since then: I've now got fibroids and have had a few gyn surgeries since. Also, I NEVER had contractions like this with my daughter. I'm thinking positive though, and being careful just in case. :)
Mine was 3.3cm at about 20wks with this pregnancy, but this is my third child and my first two have gone to 40wks (or close enough) so they said that it was fine....I would definitely urge them to keep an eye on it, this is your first, right?
I will let yall know they said i have to get it checked every 2 wks till im 20 wks to make sure everything is good! im fine w getting the cerclage if i need it i just want the baby to get here safe!
I'm not sure about what length it should be at 12 weeks but its worth talking to them -- would assume it should be 4 to 4.5cm based on the references above.
I don't know very much about this but I've heard that cerclages give women with cervix issues much more freedom during their pregnancy and can really help to preserve the duration of gestation. Good luck -- let us know how it goes!
I don't know very much about this but I've heard that cerclages give women with cervix issues much more freedom during their pregnancy and can really help to preserve the duration of gestation. Good luck -- let us know how it goes!
Hey ladies! @Petite, Yeah, I'm thinking being careful is the way to go. Will see what the OB says and keep with the bedrest. My situation is not dire -- thank god -- but not ideal. When you look at the options -- continuing to work and run around and experience contractions that *could be changing my cervix*, and relying on medications etc (which do pose a risk on their own) to prevent labour if it progresses, bedrest is definitely the smarter and lesser evil. Did your doctors even determine why you were getting contractions? So far mine seem to be reacting to stress and activity level.
i know mine was 1.9cm at 31 weeks but it didnt change with pressure.... i didnt end up delivering early either and like you had started having contractions around 19 weeks....
yours appears a little bit short.. are you going to be remeasured soon so they can determine how fast change is occuring.. i know with mine, i was measuring really short but i didnt make any change again until 37 weeks...
It could have been the bed rest but who knows
yours appears a little bit short.. are you going to be remeasured soon so they can determine how fast change is occuring.. i know with mine, i was measuring really short but i didnt make any change again until 37 weeks...
It could have been the bed rest but who knows
what about if im 12 wks? im getting checked next week for this I had a Leep done years ago and they wanna make sure i dont thin out or need a circlage! im kinda nervous but i havent had any problems so far just this is the first time i ve been able to get pg and im not sure what to expect!
Also worth noting:
"The length of the cervix is expected to shorten as a pregnancy progresses, but a length of 3.0 cm to 3.5 cm isn't expected until 32 to 36 weeks:
At 16 to 20 weeks, normal cervical length is 4.0 to 4.5 cm
At 24 to 28 weeks, normal cervical length is 3.5 to 4.0 cm
At 32 to 36 weeks, normal cervical length is 3.0 to 3.5 cm
Most doctors will schedule women for a transabdominal ultrasound around 20 weeks. Ask the sonographer to take note of your cervical length at that time, and write it down for yourself as well. If the length is below 4 cm, ask the sonographer to do a transvaginal ultrasound to get a more accurate measurement. It is standard to take the measurement three times over the course of several minutes. If the length is below 4 cm and you experience ANY signs of preterm labor in the weeks that follow, request a transvaginal ultrasound so a current measurement can be compared to the previous measurement."
"The length of the cervix is expected to shorten as a pregnancy progresses, but a length of 3.0 cm to 3.5 cm isn't expected until 32 to 36 weeks:
At 16 to 20 weeks, normal cervical length is 4.0 to 4.5 cm
At 24 to 28 weeks, normal cervical length is 3.5 to 4.0 cm
At 32 to 36 weeks, normal cervical length is 3.0 to 3.5 cm
Most doctors will schedule women for a transabdominal ultrasound around 20 weeks. Ask the sonographer to take note of your cervical length at that time, and write it down for yourself as well. If the length is below 4 cm, ask the sonographer to do a transvaginal ultrasound to get a more accurate measurement. It is standard to take the measurement three times over the course of several minutes. If the length is below 4 cm and you experience ANY signs of preterm labor in the weeks that follow, request a transvaginal ultrasound so a current measurement can be compared to the previous measurement."
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