Cervical Lengths

[SassyPants150]

During your twin pregnancy, what was the trend of your cervical lengths? At my 22w appointment, CL was 4.1cm. Today at 26+5 I was at 2.8cm. The MFM said it was still in normal range but concerned about the large jump. He wants me back in 2 weeks instead of 4 to make sure that it is not the start of a shortening trend. Now I'm anxious...everything had been smooth sailing up until then.

[carrotcake]

I was only checked once, at my anatomy scan. When I asked at a growth scan down the road, I was told it's not typically checked bc it can fluctuate and without other factors (contrax, pain, etc) it wasn't a good indicator of anything.

I'm sure they're just being extra cautious.

[blueberries8]

I had mine checked by transvaginal ultrasound every 2 weeks between weeks 14-30 this pregnancy. With DD, I had cervical length checks weekly. I had PPROM/PTL and lost both babies at 20 weeks in my first twin pregnancy which is why my cervical length has been the subject of such scrutiny. In both my pregnancy with DD and this current pregnancy, there was a definite variation up and down throughout. I don't think it's that I have a dynamic cervix that really fluctuates so much, I think there is just a margin of error depending on who's doing the ultrasound, positioning, etc. Strangely, in both pregnancies I started off between 3-3.5cm, got a couple of lower measurements (2.7-2.9cm) between weeks 16-18 that got us a little nervous, and then got many measurements in the 4-5cm range. At my final check which was earlier this week, I was at 3cm with funneling (the top mouth of the cervix is open about 2cm). I've been told at this point that some shortening and funneling is normal.

If there is a consistent trend downwards, it probably means something, but it also entirely possible things will hold steady for you or your measurement while even increase when you have the next check. I've been told that after 28 weeks cervical length is no longer considered a good predictor of preterm labor because at 28 weeks and onwards it is normal for your cervix to start to shorten. In short, I wouldn't be too worried about it, but it's definitely a good idea to get it checked again in 2 weeks.

[ashb62]

Feb 11, 2015 21:41:58 GMT -5 carrotcake said:

I was only checked once, at my anatomy scan. When I asked at a growth scan down the road, I was told it's not typically checked bc it can fluctuate and without other factors (contrax, pain, etc) it wasn't a good indicator of anything.

I'm sure they're just being extra cautious.

This was my experience, too.

My doctor was always more concerned about funneling than actual length.

[anotherdreamer]

If it's over 2.5cm it's still considered good. Funneling is more concerning though. The cervix actually changes a lot throughout the day, and depending on the tech/machine you can get very different results, for example if I recall correctly my OB's lab measured me at 3.8cm once and the MFM office measured me at 4.5cm a few days later. I've always been overly cautious so in your shoes, I'd probably take it easier though just in case. It's probably nothing to worry about though.

[mrsf0831]

Feb 11, 2015 21:41:58 GMT -5 carrotcake said:

I was only checked once, at my anatomy scan. When I asked at a growth scan down the road, I was told it's not typically checked bc it can fluctuate and without other factors (contrax, pain, etc) it wasn't a good indicator of anything.

I'm sure they're just being extra cautious.

I asked my tech last friday what my cl was nd her response was that don't check it on twin pregnancies . which annoyed me bc my last 2 techs DID check mine and tell me

[SassyPants150]

Feb 12, 2015 11:31:32 GMT -5 anotherdreamer said:

If it's over 2.5cm it's still considered good. Funneling is more concerning though. The cervix actually changes a lot throughout the day, and depending on the tech/machine you can get very different results, for example if I recall correctly my OB's lab measured me at 3.8cm once and the MFM office measured me at 4.5cm a few days later. I've always been overly cautious so in your shoes, I'd probably take it easier though just in case. It's probably nothing to worry about though.

Funny you mention the u/s machine. The running joke is that they are going to put my name on the door because I always end up in the exact same room at the MFM!

[aurora1181]

Mine was checked every two weeks and then every week until delivery. I started around 3.. then it dwindled slowly.. I was put on modified rest- no more than 2 hours a day standing- and progesterone suppositories when it went to 2.5. I was put on hospital bedrest when it went down to 1. I delivered 2 weeks later from something (preeclampsia/HELLP) completely unrelated to my cervix.

[serejane]

Mine was never checked until my water broke at 33 wks.

[rayray007]

I was checked at the a/s and when I asked about it at a later appt she took a quick look but said they don't normally unless there's some cause for concern.

[Deleted]

I'm only 19 weeks but they started doing cervical length checks at my 16 week growth scan. The tech didn't tell me my measurement she just said it looked good. They will do one at every ultrasound every four weeks now. Did anyone else have them mimic a contraction to check how their cervix reacts? It hurt like a mother but I guess they want to make sure it stays closed?

[SassyPants150]

Feb 13, 2015 20:46:14 GMT -5 @sassycassieb said:

I'm only 19 weeks but they started doing cervical length checks at my 16 week growth scan. The tech didn't tell me my measurement she just said it looked good. They will do one at every ultrasound every four weeks now. Did anyone else have them mimic a contraction to check how their cervix reacts? It hurt like a mother but I guess they want to make sure it stays closed?

They do a little push on my lower abdomen. It's only uncomfortable if my bladder has already started to fill back up.

[Deleted]

Feb 14, 2015 9:49:14 GMT -5 SassyPants150 said:

Feb 13, 2015 20:46:14 GMT -5 @sassycassieb said:

I'm only 19 weeks but they started doing cervical length checks at my 16 week growth scan. The tech didn't tell me my measurement she just said it looked good. They will do one at every ultrasound every four weeks now. Did anyone else have them mimic a contraction to check how their cervix reacts? It hurt like a mother but I guess they want to make sure it stays closed?

They do a little push on my lower abdomen. It's only uncomfortable if my bladder has already started to fill back up.

Mine seemed like a big push! But I'm sure it's standard. 

[mrsf0831]

Feb 14, 2015 12:03:56 GMT -5 @sassycassieb said:

Feb 14, 2015 9:49:14 GMT -5 SassyPants150 said:

They do a little push on my lower abdomen. It's only uncomfortable if my bladder has already started to fill back up.

Mine seemed like a big push! But I'm sure it's standard. 

Never had this done to me

[ashb62]

Feb 14, 2015 12:51:51 GMT -5 mrsf0831 said:

Feb 14, 2015 12:03:56 GMT -5 @sassycassieb said:

Mine seemed like a big push! But I'm sure it's standard. 

Never had this done to me

+1

[anotherdreamer]

Feb 14, 2015 9:49:14 GMT -5 SassyPants150 said:

Feb 13, 2015 20:46:14 GMT -5 @sassycassieb said:

I'm only 19 weeks but they started doing cervical length checks at my 16 week growth scan. The tech didn't tell me my measurement she just said it looked good. They will do one at every ultrasound every four weeks now. Did anyone else have them mimic a contraction to check how their cervix reacts? It hurt like a mother but I guess they want to make sure it stays closed?

They do a little push on my lower abdomen. It's only uncomfortable if my bladder has already started to fill back up.

They did this to me once or twice, not super hard, to make sure my cervix didn't funnel or shorten in reaction. I can't remember exactly what it's called though.

[breezyweezer]

I get mine checked every 2 weeks. I went down between one appointment and then went up at the next..went from a 5 at 18w to 3.5 at 20w. Stayed almost the same 3.4 at 22w. Last appt. at 24w I was a 4.3! Mine has been all over the place and they said it is normal for it to change a lot depending on the position of the babies, and a bunch of other factors etc. I wouldn't worry yet but that is good that they are going to check you more frequently.

[macchiatto]

Mine was somewhat similar. I went from over 4 to a little below 3 pretty fast in the late second tri. I still made it to my scheduled induction fine though with no PTL.

[macchiatto]

And blueberries8 is right; somewhere around 29-30w they stopped checking my cervical length.