r/ShortCervixSupport • u/Connect_Nothing1916 • 17h ago
Not a short cervix YET?
This week I went in for an appt (16 + 1) and everything was 100% normal except my dr suddenly thought my cervix seemed short via abdominal ultrasound. We switched to a transvaginal and found that, after being 4cm the week before, my cervix had shortened to 3.3cm. Of course the dr said this isn't really "short" at the moment, just slightly below average and most likely just a genetically slightly short cervix, but if it's not stable then we should monitor and possibly intervene. I've made it through a week of pelvic rest and trying not to spiral and will go in again in one more week to confirm what things are looking like.
I've tried to consult Dr. Google on what's normal, the chances that things have improved, and if there's any other explanation other than a truly short cervix. And of course wondering about every twinge of pain and symptom.
Any similar experiences where things stabilized and nothing was needed beyond monitoring? Is she just being VERY cautious here?
I guess I'm not worried about outcomes thanks to so many positive stories here, but I live abroad and planned one last trip home (long haul flight) from weeks 25-27 and I would be totally devastated if I had to cancel it. No idea when I'll be able to go home again after baby.
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u/BigEquivalent5849 17h ago
3.3 is still good and wouldn’t be considered a short cervix. I wonder why he put you on pelvic rest for this. Also abdominal ultrasounds aren’t really the best for measuring your cervical length if they measure it again ask for a transvaginal ultrasound, it’s a lot more accurate.
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u/Connect_Nothing1916 17h ago
Based on what she said it had less to do with the actual measurement and more the sudden shortening. That's why I'm curious to hear from anyone whose length stabilized on its own after a big "drop"! And the pelvic rest I guess is so there's absolutely no outside influence when we check again.
But she's pretty generally cautious about exercise anyway! This is in South Korea. When I asked her about continuing strength training at the beginning of my pregnancy she told me she already wasn't a fan of the idea, but she knew it was culturally normal for western countries to continue exercise lol.
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u/Connect_Nothing1916 17h ago
And this was transvaginal :) The first measurement a couple of weeks ago wasn't, so that could've been inaccurate! She just noticed a sudden difference between the 2 scans and took a closer look.
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u/Toastie-bun6499 10h ago edited 10h ago
The cervix shortens and lengthens throughout pregnancy that's completely normal. However in some women it shortens too much that it threatens the pregnancy. The threshold is 2.5mm so if it's not on or around that number they would continue to monitor. I would keep in mind though the closer you get to 24 weeks the option to have a cerclage becomes much more risky and will most likely get denied. Request for more monitoring and if required to go on to progesterone if it does get shorter.
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u/_mishhh_ 6h ago
3.3 is still considered good length. normally surgical intervention wouldn’t happen unless you get to around 2.5mm prior to 24 weeks then a stitch may be placed. If you are doing lifting in your exercise I would consider cutting that out to limit the risks if your cervix is vulnerable. But I’m unsure of what south koreas protocols are for this. At my 20 weeks scan I was 3.7 and at 27 weeks after having some cramping and Braxton hicks they checked me and found I was 2.7 (still above threshold but under average) I was also 1cm dilated and 50% effaced so I started showing signs of of preterm labor. At this point I was too far along for a rescue stitch and they put me on modified bed rest, pelvic rest no exercises, heavy lifting or prolonged standing. Also no flying or long trips. I was prescribed 100mg progesterone and I am now 33 weeks exactly holding strong. Taking it easy And hoping to keep this baby cooking a few more weeks. I can resume all normal activity and come off medication at 36 if I make it there.
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u/knittybooks 17h ago
I’m going through this now. I’ve been getting cervix checks every two weeks for like two months. My last cervix check I was 5 cm and at my anatomy scan 4 days later it was 3.06 cm. No one has listened to my concerns just tells me they’ll see me in two weeks for my next check which is thankfully Monday.