Cervical length at 21 weeks - 28mm. Worried

[sw25]

Currently 21.5 weeks pregnant and cervix measured 28mm at 20 week scan. I had a cone biopsy 10 years ago when a fair amount of tissue was removed.

I mentioned the cone biopsy right from the beginning - to my doc/midwife - and assumed that I'd be scanned regularly and kept a close eye on. At 16 weeks I still hadn't seen a consultant or had cervix measured so phoned midwife and asked to be seen ASAP. Seen by a junior consultant but still not offered a cervical measurement at this stage. He said they never do them until 20 weeks, which seems crazy to me.

Anyway, finally had it measured on Tues and came back as 28mm. Woman doing it would not discuss the result at all and said I'd need to speak to my consultant who I wasnt due to see for another month!!(I've since bought appt forward to next week). Phoned midwife who said 28mm is within normal limits - what, even if you've had a cone biopsy surgery?

My main concern is that because I wasn't measured earlier in pregnancy, I have no point of reference to know whether my cervix has been shortening throughout the pregnancy. Should I be insisting on weekly measurements? And what about having a cerclage? Isn't it too late now to have this done? Feel a bit angry that I wasn't measured earlier on. I was so ill with morning sickness for first 4 months that I wasn't really proactive about the while cervix thing and now feel guilty. I'm so scared of losing this baby that I don't want to get out of bed.

[MrsPear]

Hello

Firstly congrats on your baby. Sorry you are so worried and i think it is rather shit that you have had nothing explained. A cervix length of 28 mm is small normal. If it is less than 25mm at 20 weeks then is abnormal and there is an increased risk of pre-term delivery.

Let me tell you my story. And i hope you can see you are in a better place. My pfb was delivered at 30 weeks. When pregnant with my second i was measured (it was part of a study) at Kings at 12 weeks and was 17 mm. I was then sent for a further scan with a consultant at 14 weeks and was found to be 21mm. As a result i had a stitch at 17 weeks. I also had pessaries and a sex ban. The consultant hoped i would get to 34-35 weeks. I managed 31 weeks. DS 2 is fine as is DS 1. Infact must go as he is grumpy.

[sw25]

Bump

[diege]

Will be having a cervical scan today (18 weeks) so will feedback and let you know how I got on - plus any info' I manage to glean from the sonographer about measurements/thresholds etc.

[diege]

4cm today! . Am very reassured and consultant told me most women have 'dynamic cervixes' and that she sees 'upward measurements' a lot.
I asked a few Qs - bedrest isn't really indicated now as bad in pregnancy, even if cervix looking very short. 2.8 is very normal - they (on paper) will be concerned if under 2.5 but in reality 1.5 is the threshold for 'action' (ie, stitch) though does differ depending on history of woman/pre-existing risk factors. I said I as asked for 'my friend' .Hope this helps!

[sw25]

Bless you Diege, that's really sweet of you. You must be thrilled with your measurement, well done! I'm seeing my consultant today so hopefully she will alleviate some of my anxiety. I'd be much happier if my measurement was higher. Hopefully they will keep a close eye on me with regular scans etc. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. Just out of interest, why were you having your cervix measured in the first place?

[diege]

Hope today went well and allayed some of your fears .
I was having cervical measurements because of 2 very large LLETZs for pre-cancerous cells (CIN 3). Tbh it was only because I nagged my consultant that they even decided to scan in first place, though did agree that my 2.8cm at 13 weeks (done at fmc in London at my request as part of nuchal) warranted 'conservative' follow-up (ie. scanning at a later date).

[diege]

Oh I also gleaned from them yesterday that after cones, LLETZs etc a shorter measurement would actually be expected and that 2.8cm would indeed be 'good' taking into account the fact that some cervix has been removed.