Short Cervix and Preterm Labor
by Bradley G. Goldberg, M.D.70 Comments
Q My doctor told me that I have a short cervix and that there is a possibility for me to have a premature baby. I am only 19 weeks and this is very frightening for me if there is any advice you can give me please do so.
A Until recently the only way to determine if a woman was at risk for premature labor was for the doctor to manually check her cervix.
The data from these ultrasound studies is still growing, and we are constantly trying to decide the best ways to both monitor and treat this condition. We do however, have a good idea as to what length a pregnant woman's cervix should be by these ultrasound measurements. When the cervix shortens significantly from these normal values, treatment can be considered but it is highly individualized.
Newer tests, such as the "fetal fibronectin" test are also sometimes used to augment the predictive value of these ultrasound measurements, but these tests also are new and not yet available in all locations.
Possible treatments for a shortening cervix depend upon how far along in the pregnancy a woman is. These treatments include placing a "cerclage" or stitch in the cervix to help prevent further dilitation. Also, use of 'tocolytics" which are medications to decrease contractions are sometimes used; and for pregnancies between 24 - 34 weeks, administration of steroids to aid in the development of the baby's lungs can also be considered.
In my opinion, some of the greatest advances in modern medicine have been in the fields of Obstetrics and Neonatology. We have significantly reduced the risk of maternal mortality (which is the risk of a mother dying in childbirth), and our ability to successfully care for premature infants improves every year. Unfortunately, there are still many questions to be answered as to what causes premature labor and what we can do to prevent it. For now, your best course of action is close monitoring with your Obstetrician, and possible consultation with a perinatologist which is a doctor who specializes in these high-risk pregnancies.
Bradley G. Goldberg, M.D.
Coffee Women's Center, P.C.
http://www.coffeewomenscenter.com
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Click here to Ask Dr. Goldberg your pregnancy questions.
Dr. Bradley G Goldberg is a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Goldberg is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Goldberg is Chief of Staff of Coffee Regional Medical Center. Currently, he is serving as Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and he is the Chairman of the Perinatal Committee. Dr. Goldberg graduated from the University of Florida in 1989 as a member of The Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He received his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, and completed his internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta.
Dr. Goldberg is a contributing author to OBGYN.net, the largest women's health site on the Internet. In addition, Dr. Goldberg is the author of an article on "Urethral Carcinoma," which is in press with the Journal of Urology, and he co-produced an instructional video on Norplant removal that he presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Goldberg is a member of the American Medical Association, The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, The Medical Association of Georgia, and The Atlanta Medical Association. Dr. Goldberg's wife Kimberly is a pediatric nurse. Together, they enjoy traveling and spending time with their family.
.Further Reading
Short Cervix and Preterm Labor
Progesterone May Help Pregnant Women With a Short Cervix Avoid Preterm Labor
My Doctor said I have a Short Cervix
Preterm Labor & How To Avoid Preterm Labor
Preterm Labor
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My first ultrasound showed that my cervix is only 2.5,by the week 20 of my pragnancy it came down to 0.8cm i was addmited to hospital and had my stich done. by week 35 my stich couldn't hold any longer, and my dr told me that i should rest and take it day by day . week 37 had my baby girl, healthy,3.4kg she is almost two years old today. good luck with u pragnancy and i hope everything goes well for u.
Hi ladies,, am going tru the samething i am currently 25 weeks and had just went for a cervix routine check up and was told my cervix was shorter than the last time i went so the doc decided to send me to labor n delivery and get the steroid injection to help baby lungs develop faster just in case i deliver i am scared because i had my 2 previous kid at 34 and 31 week .. but i knoe god is there with us n will guide us :) we just leave it in his hands..
I found out a while ago about my shortened cervix an been having pains shoot threw my beelly into my legs for some reason my doc said its normal along with the spotting ive been having im also breech so i guess that dont help anything either im 33 weeks an 4 days an i just feel harable what should i do.....
I am 33 weeks tomorrow and i have been having contractions for 9 days now. at 31 weeks my baby weighed 5 lbs 9 ozs and they were asking if i had gd which i dont but im concerned about the contractions so i went to the hospital and the said my cervix had shortened and that i was having more contractions then i should be. im not dilated and my water hasnt broken but they are getting worse. what should i do?
I am 33 weeks tomorrow and i have been having contractions for 9 days now. i went to the hospital and the said my cervix had shortened and that i was having more contractions then i should be. im not dilated and my water hasnt broken but they are getting worse. what should i do?
I'm 20 weeks. i was called in to my dr.'s office last week after my ultrasound results came back, showing my cervix had shrank down to 1cm. i was referred to a specialists at north austin medical (st.david's) and within 2 hours my iv && medications were in. i was really worried why this was happening. my dr didn't even understand why because i had never had children before. anyways, long story short.. lol i went to the hospital tuesday afternoon, had my cerclage at 5pm wed. && was able to go home the next afternoon. i have to say i was really scared that they were going to put me under lol but a simple spinal was all that was needed. i'm still on bed rest till 28 weeks, then we'll see how things are going. i'm also going to transfer to the hospital the specialist is at because it is amaaaazing! && everyone there is very nice && care for you well. good luck to everyone else on bed rest! we will get through these boring times! lol && it will all be worth it when our beautiful healthy babies arrive!
Hi,i am 23 weeks 5 days today, had cerclage on 15 week ,now lenght is 1 cm ,taking progesterone per vaginally, complete bedrest at home ,weekly prenatal visit ,hopefully admit next week for steriod shot.
I am 23 weeks and 5 days and i am having a little boy. and i have a cervix and there is only one centimeter left. i have been in the hospital since friday and i am on strict bed rest. they watch me closely they are positive its coming early. they have given me steroid shots to help the babies lungs develop faster so when it comes early it will have a chance of surviving. i know it gets boring sitting in the bed all day but its for the best for you and your baby.
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I was told around 20 w that my cervix is short( 13mm) and might go in early labour. i did indeed had my girl at 27 w, my question is why if they knew i had 4 miscarriages before did not check my cervix to have any treatment ??? they are spending so much money to care for preterm babies, my opinion is that they have to try to do proper checks before pregnancies. i went to a recurrent clinic, but the procedures are so limited , no checking of my cervix was done, i believe it could have been prevented. and i am not the only one!!! i am sure many women have to go through the trauma of having a preterm baby, not saying nothing about what these babies are going trough , they are crying, a lot, no one can say what they feel, all the stress. i am trying to say that, as with everything is better to prevent than to treat!!!
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