So I went to the hospital the other day I have a short cervix. Does that mean that I am for sure going to go into preterm labor or do I have a chance of making it till at least 37 week? Is this common?
Usually when you're pregnant your cervix will lengthen to help protect your baby.
Depending on just how short yours is.. not sure how much detail your doctor got into with you, but when the cervix is REALLY short, the risk of premature cervical effacement (thinning) and dilation, thus of premature labor, does unfortunately rise. :S
There's not a whole lot you can do for this condition, but sometimes a doctor might order strict bed rest towards the end of your pregnancy.
In extreme cases, when the cervix measures in at very thin levels, 15 to 20 millimeters, your doc may perform a procedure called a cerclage. (Essentially, the cervix is sewn together with a surgical stitch; the stitch doesn’t hurt, but, sadly, rules out sex for a while)
If you take precautions, you've got a good chance of making it close to term. Usually with short cervix, bedrest is ordered and oftentimes it's in hospital bedrest depending on just how short your cervix is. There is the option of a cerclage, but that doesn't always prevent dilation. It can slow down the process, but it's not a cure all. Take it easy and do what your doctor tells you, but still prepare yourself for possibly having a premature baby. If you're at really high risk for that, you'll get a tour of NICU and see what it's like in there and likely get a shot or two of betamethasone (a steroid) to "beef up" baby's lungs.
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Usually when you're pregnant your cervix will lengthen to help protect your baby.
Depending on just how short yours is.. not sure how much detail your doctor got into with you, but when the cervix is REALLY short, the risk of premature cervical effacement (thinning) and dilation, thus of premature labor, does unfortunately rise. :S
There's not a whole lot you can do for this condition, but sometimes a doctor might order strict bed rest towards the end of your pregnancy.
In extreme cases, when the cervix measures in at very thin levels, 15 to 20 millimeters, your doc may perform a procedure called a cerclage. (Essentially, the cervix is sewn together with a surgical stitch; the stitch doesn’t hurt, but, sadly, rules out sex for a while)
Hope it all goes well for ya!
If you take precautions, you've got a good chance of making it close to term. Usually with short cervix, bedrest is ordered and oftentimes it's in hospital bedrest depending on just how short your cervix is. There is the option of a cerclage, but that doesn't always prevent dilation. It can slow down the process, but it's not a cure all. Take it easy and do what your doctor tells you, but still prepare yourself for possibly having a premature baby. If you're at really high risk for that, you'll get a tour of NICU and see what it's like in there and likely get a shot or two of betamethasone (a steroid) to "beef up" baby's lungs.
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