Could use your thoughts - cervix length revisited

[Tellera]

I am 21 weeks tomorrow. This is my second pregnancy, first carried to term.

I had an u/s at 19 1/2 weeks where they checked cervix (I had no idea they were going to do that). I was 2.1 cm. They were concerned at the radiology center.

I decided to have my mw do an internal check a week later rather than sonogram. Didn't appear to be any change in length, but my cervix is soft.

This was not checked with my prior pregnancy, and no notes in my gyn records of having a short cervix normally.

I have occasional BH contractions, maybe one a day.

My question: If I decide to continue checking my cervical length every 2 weeks, which would be preferable in the respect of least invasive/damaging: A) u/s or B) MW checking manually?

I don't like the idea of so much u/s and also with random radiologists who scare me, but then I also don't like the idea of fingers in my vagina every two weeks by my midwife. I am considering doing nothing. I am also considering doing the Fetal Fibronectin test at 22 or 24 weeks.

Thanks for your thoughts on this, or on my situation overall, if you have any.

[Tellera]

bump

[kate3]

Sono is far more accurate.

[Tellera]

Thanks, Kate. I realize it's more accurate, but at the length I'm at, I'm not sure I'm concerned about that, since the MW measured close to the same length digitally when she checked me. I would be more concerned when I'm a lot shorter, I think.

My question surrounds risks of repeated u/s vs risks of repeated digital checking, I suppose.

[kate3]

My question surrounds risks of repeated u/s vs risks of repeated digital checking, I suppose.

If I was going to have some kind of vaginal exam every few weeks I would go with what is most accurate, hence the sono. It is the standard of care for checking cervical length. A cervical length of 2.1 will set off red flags for providers, so I'm not surprised that the radiology dept was concerned. Most like to see a cervical length of 4, definitely over 3. It would also be important to know if this was a significant change for you or if your cervix is just shorter but not shortening.

Good luck.

[wumanh]

How about checking your own cervix? (if you can reach it!)
Using visualization to see your cervix keeping the baby in until it's ready to be born.
Who knows- cervixes may do all different things that we don't know about. It's good that your first baby was term. This tells me that likely what your cervix is doing may be a normal variation.

I think focusing on nourishing yourself well, being unstressed rather than continually checking for something wrong might be beneficial. Be watchful but not fearful and expecting problems.

[annanicole]

Are they going to check again in 2 weeks for change? And if there is change, then what are they going to do?

What they did with me. When I was having contractions at 25 weeks, they did a transvaginal cervical length US. The ulatrasound checks the length of the cervix. They then did this 2 weeks later. To get an idea of what was changing. Then everytime I started contractions again they checked again. At 30 weeks I was less then 2 cm's long, so they upped my anticontraction medication. But that was 30 weeks to be as far as you.

I would stick with the US, it's very quick and nothing touches your cervix. As soon as my cevix was touched I began contracting. So that's my vote. PM me if you want to talk.

Good luck at keeping the baby in. I was put on Procardia for contractions.

[Tellera]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I think at this point I'm stopping thinking about it and trying to focus on growing my baby.

I've tentatively scheduled a FFN test for 24 weeks, where I'll also decide if I want to be checked again.