Cervix scan at 20 weeks, should I be worried? Advice please!

[Love1712]

I had my cervix measured privately a week ago on Saturday I was 19w6d and the measurement was 3.5cm.

But today a week later for my 20 week NHS anomaly scan this morning on the NHS (20w5d), the sonographer took a quick peek at my cervix and found it to be between 2.4cm - 2.7mm! She also thought she could see funneling, so called a colleague in, but the colleagues opinion was that it was probably due to me experiencing Braxton Hicks at the time.

This measurement was described as "nice and long" - but from Googling, that seems on the short side. Please I'd appreciate any advice, or experience I'm really worried to death!

The most accurate measurement of the cervical length is done by internal scan (transvaginal scan) they should not quote a length taken from an abdominal scan. An empty bladder is required as a full bladder will press on the uterus and give a false measurement. Braxton hicks are seen quite frequently at 20 weeks.
I won't quote you a measurement as all hospitals use a different measurement that the consultants use / prefer.
Why did you pay to have your cervix measured? Have you had a previous issue or a lletz procedure done ?

Hi Love1712,

Try not to worry too much. If there is funnelling then it can still stop or reverse. My current cervical measurement is 2.1 (although I had an elective suture at 17 weeks) and generally they only worry at 2.5 and below. I believe you can have an emergency suture if the funnelling get too close. There is a lot they can do for you should you need it, but at the moment they seem to think you are okay. When is your next scan? Can you try to get a consultant appointment through your MW? Just to ask questions and get another measurement done? I think it would be a good step to reassure yourself.

Thanks worley. The private scan was because I had previous damage to my cervix with my last vaginal birth (I have 2 children both vaginal births), and because I later had a D&C to remove retained products and a also a late stage termination for medical reasons. I've had lots of contractions and sharp cervix pain with this pregnancy so I wanted the reassurance.

I asked the sonographer at the 20 week scan if she could take a look for me, she noted that my bladder was empty and said I might need to have something to drink - but in the end she did it anyway.

I'm just fearful now because a week ago I felt I had nothing to worry about and their non-fussed attitude about it all has left me feeling very anxious, as I'm a fair distance away from viability.

212smj Thank you, no they weren't worried at all, and told me I wouldn't have any further scans with them unless a referral was made. I guess it's really Googling that has given me the info about safe measurements around the 20 week stage.

I'll try to contact my midwife in the next few days and see if I can get any other opinions on the length. I think there is so much extra anxiety with this pregnancy because I now have only one tube + PCOS and this is a much wanted baby!

I've had very very different measurements with abdominal versus internal for cervical lengths - you can't trust an abdominal one at all! It gives you a ballpark number, no more.

All the same, the length (if that was the true length) isn't dire at 20 weeks. It's not great obviously, but it's not terrible. It's the sort of length that should require regular monitoring, perhaps a follow-up next week and then every 1-2 weeks after that for a bit depending on the measurements. I think it matters a lot less after 28-30 weeks or so. The NHS may well not agree with the idea of scans quite so regularly, so you may end up paying out of pocket (as I have done in the past) for your own more regular cervical length checks privately for your own sanity.

Sometimes cervixes are dynamic and increase and decrease in length all the time, even over the course of a scan, and in fact the cervix is plenty strong enough really. Did they get you to cough or bear down at all? That's one way of detecting funnelling.

Hopefully though it's just an incorrect measurement! Good luck

Thanks CrispyFB you were 100% right.

Just to update the thread, I ended up having a mini breakdown and booking another private scan after having an evening of cramps and random pains.

I'm very pleased to say that my actual length via transvaginal ultrasound is 3.6cm - 3.7cm, with no funelling! so I'm very very pleased. My length has stayed pretty much consistent for the past month or so, so crossed fingers I can relax a bit now!

*Or fingers crossed rather! hehe