Cervical length - 3cm

[Nellynoo182]

I had my first cervical length scan today at 17 weeks after having a premature baby last year. My cervix was measuring 3cm which the consultant seemed happy with but to me this sounds quite short if I am only 17 weeks and anything below 2.5cm requires intervention?

Please can I ask for any others people’s experiences? If you had a low measurement early on did you manage to go full term or did you require intervention? Thank you

I required intervention.
This was with my first born and I didn't get measured until 22 weeks and length had gone down to 1.7cm.
It was too late for the stitch therefore I had a Araban pessary (Does same job as stitch)
I did bedrest from then (22 weeks) Till 37 weeks.
I was dilating and shortening in the mean time but just about made it to full term and all was well.
My understanding was if you had a previous prem birth, for the next pregnancy by 16 weeks you would have had a preventative stitch rather than the watch and wait route.
If they did choose watch and wait then the cut off for stitch was 2.5cm as any less than that it's quite risky.

Did they start you on progesterone?
This you should ask for immediately as there are really good success stories with this alone keeping length "stable"
My current pregnancy I have had just progesterone and it really has been a miracle worker x

First pregnancy I had a shortening cervix, went from 3.4 cm to 2.4cm in the space of a week at 23 weeks ish. Combination for progesterone pessaries and bed rest, did start to dilate once I stopped the pessaries at 36 weeks, but didn't go into labour until 40+5.

Second pregnancy checked from 14 weeks, had progesterone pessaries from 14 weeks also, measured 3cm, and had no issues at all with shortening. Was induced at 39 weeks.

1st pregnancy I lost twins at 19+3. Waters broke and then went into labour a few hours later. They didn't know the cause but I had cervical length monitoring next pregnancy as a precaution.

2nd pregnancy cervix measured fortnightly from 14 to 24 weeks and always between 3cm and 4cm. No intervention needed and struggled to dilate with induction so ended with a C section.

3rd pregnancy cervix measured 2cm at 14+5 so progesterone started immediately and stitch put in less than 48hrs later. I was 1cm dilated on stitch removal at 37 weeks but didn't deliver until 41+5.

Thanks for sharing your stories and I am so sorry to hear about your loss @Wrongsideofpennines

They aren’t sure why my waters went early in my first pregnancy so monitoring for everything really. My consultant said they would only provide me with progesterone if I went to 2.5cm so I suppose we will see what happens in a couple of weeks. Is having the stitch as painful procedure as it sounds…? Thank you everyone!

That sounds fine, it’s going to be more important what happens at your next scan if there’s and shortening or funnelling. Over 2.5cm is considered ok so try not to worry too much at this point

Just an update - I had my second cervical scan today and it has measured at 5.6cm?! How can it be so much longer! Couldn’t seem to get a direct answer off the consultant and MW as to whether the original scan (or this one) was incorrect or why it would be measuring so much longer but they wanted to discharge me. I insisted on being scanned again in a few weeks in case this scan is inaccurate but it all seems a bit bizarre. Anyone else heard off anything similar?

@Nellynoo182 That’s great that it’s got longer, mine did too on both of my last two pregnancies. Seems completely normal for it to lengthen, it’s just shortening you need be be aware of.

Thank you @PickledScrump - I didn’t realise it might get longer! A good bit of news then.

Cervix can change length throughout pregnant, getting longer and shorter, but that does seem like a big jump! I had my first son at 27 weeks due to suspected issues with my cervix shortening too soon. This pregnancy I measured 31mm at 16 weeks and my consultant gave me the choice. I went for an preventative cerclage (on NHS as usual) just to know I had done everything I could. I’m not being measured now but 25 weeks and all seems ok I think! Just to say, if you want more treatment make sure you push for it. It’s your body and your baby.