if your cervix is short what does this mean?

Question

im 27 weeks pg and i went for another ultrasound on friday to check my placenta . then he said my cervix is short and to lie down alot and no sex . some people telling me i probaly will have to have a c-section or if i dilate early i can have a natural birth. i want to carry him as long as possible but is this true what evryone says i dont really know about it. i rest alot and do what doc said is there a high possiblity i can go in to pre-mature labor cause of my cervix. doc really wouldnt explain it to me i know its alot of pg out there maybe that went through the same thing.

Answer 1

It is true that you it is possible to go into preterm labour with a short cervix if you are not careful. I had a few episodes of preterm labour while I was working and it did shorten my cervix.
As soon as I found out that my cervix was shortening, i went on bed rest, it may sound severe but what was most important to me is that I carried this baby until she could be delivered healthy.

A short cervix does not mean you will have a c-section. When pregnant but not in labour the cervix is high, hard and long. So what your doctor means is that your cervix is getting thinner making it easier for you to go into labour.

Hope this helps a bit, and it's true talk to your doctor about your concerns, if he says something you don't understand, ask him to clarify.

When I'm at work I always feel like a translator because the docs. tend to use medical terms, way over patients heads, I spend most of my time explaining what the doctor has just told them!

Good luck and take care of yourself.

Answer 2

No that means that you could deliver early and that is why you are on bed rest and no sex. Your cervix will harden and then a "plug", cork, of mucus will form at the beginning of your pregnancy, so the baby will be free from anything that could get into the uterus and cause damage to them. The cervix is the opening at the top of the vaginal canal and at the end of the pregnancy, usually the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy, it softens and you lose the mucus plug. The 2 stages that you go through at the end of your pregnancy is effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening) before the baby is able to come through. You have to thin out to 100% and dilate to 10 centimeters. You won't know if you will have to have a c-section until it gets closer to delivery, so don't listen to people about that. Now, when it comes to delivering, yes you could deliver early, but no one will know. Not even the doctors will know for sure until its time. Just make sure that you are following the doctors orders to the letter and try not to worry about it. I know that is easier said than done, but it does matter in this situation. Its not only you that could suffer in this. Its a child, your child, that could too.

Answer 3

Sounds like your frame is prepping itself! A thinned out cervix approach simply that. Effacement or the thinning of the cervix is quintessential for the child to be born. Along with dilation, effacement makes certain that the child has sufficient room to be introduced vaginally. Bottom line---it is a well factor and implies that your frame is doing what it's intended to do. Feeling stress along side BHs may be a high-quality signal that your frame is close to able. Going to the potty as a rule and feeling humorous on your legs would possibly point out that your child has dropped slightly and is now laying for your bladder and could even be stretching the muscle groups on your hips, reduce stomach and higher thighs inflicting unusual sensations-additionally now not a foul factor! So congratulations you will have to see your child someday quickly! Just do not forget that it nonetheless would possibly take a few weeks or longer however your frame is doing precisely what it's intended to.

Answer 4

The cervix is the hallway your baby travels through when leaving your uterus. The mucus plug is blocking this hallway. Before you deliver this hallway gets shorter and thinner. By having a short cervix, I am assuming your doctor means that you are prematurely thinning. Don't worry. They can go in and sew it closed if they are worried about the plug dislodging. You really need to form a relationship with your OB/GYN so that discussion about this kind of stuff isn't difficult. He should have explained it to you. Is there a local nurse line you can call?? Do you have "What to expect when you're expecting" book? It would be in there. Make sure you take care of yourself and have people waiting on you, if possible. You'll be in my thoughts.

Answer 5

INSIST that your doc explain what is going on. This is why you PAY him! Otherwise, find another caregiver who will be willing to answer your questions. If the guy won't answer your questions NOW, it'll be worse in labor!

If your cervix is softer and weaker than normal or is abnormally short to begin with, it may efface and dilate without contractions in the second or early third trimester as the weight of your growing baby puts increasing pressure on it. This condition — known as cervical insufficiency (sometimes called "incompetent cervix") — can result in second-trimester miscarriage; preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM), in which your water breaks before you're full-term and before you're in labor; or preterm delivery (before 37 weeks). It particularly increases your risk for early preterm delivery, which means giving birth before 32 weeks.

This is why your doctor has told you to rest a lot and to abstain from having sex.

Answer 6

The cervix is what cushions and protects the baby--or holds the weight so to speak--You just don't have as much holding the baby in as others and should defiantly take it easy and follow your doc instructions to a T. When it comes time it will be quick that is why you should take it easy if you over do it they will not have the time to stop a premature delivery.
Good luck with your new soon to be son you both should be fine.

Answer 7

I would take the doctors advice and TAKE IT EASY!!!!
I have never had the problem either but i know it can cause you pre-term labor and I would be VERY careful.
Also i agree with someone above me who said ask the doctor anything you have questions about that is what they are there and getting paid by you for..
GL and TAKE IT EASY!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I wish I could answer your question, but I have a strong suggestion. Do not be afraid to ask your doc any question you have at your visits. They have heard it all. Don't go home wondering what they meant by something. ASK !!!

Answer 9

I don't have experience with this, but I found a few links you can go to, to read about it. It's also called Cervical insufficiency (or incompetent cervix).

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/pregcomplications/1425796.html

http://www.drspock.com/faq/0,1511,8277,00.html

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_20201.asp