| Posted By |
Message |
KatieP
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/11 758 total posts
Name:
Katie
|
Cervix Shortening
My Dr. has been having me get my cervix measured every so often to keep an eye on it because it has gotten shorter in the past. I went about month ago and measured at 30. I'm 26 weeks now and went today and measured at 26. The tech called my dr's office to let them know about the decreased measurement. The office requested I take a test called fetal fibernectin (fFN) to be done ever other week until 34 weeks to mke sure I avoid going into pre-term labor. Anyone have this before??
|
Posted 3/1/12 9:53 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
cds58019
The loves of my life :)
Member since 6/08 4276 total posts
Name:
Candice
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
Yes I had FFN's with my twins and am having them now with this pregnancy because the twins came at 30 weeks so Im considered a higher risk for pret erm labor.
I go once a week. One week is a sono for my cervical length check and then the next week is a FFN. They alternate until 34 weeks.
Im sure your dr. explained them to you but basically you're hoping for a negative result. A positive result could mean that labor could start in the next week or two although not always definite. My dr. also said that if one comes back positive I'll probably get the steroid shot for the baby's lungs just in case. Not sure if every dr. follows that though.
Let me know if there's anything else you had questions about.
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:03 PM |
| |
|
MrsA714
Baby #2 is here!
Member since 8/07 8806 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
My DD was a preemie so this time around I am being monitored more closely. A few weeks ago I was sent to the hospital for some monitoring and they did do a fetal fibronectin test to check for preterm labor. The test is quick and painless, just a swab. From what I was told, a negative result is a very good indicator that you will not go into preterm labor within the next week or two. At this point (31 weeks) I have not been told I need to have the test regularly but my cervix length has been measuring ok so far. If that changes, I'm sure my doctor will want to do the same. Also, I know I have heard that the number they really don't like to see the cervix go under is 25 so being that your last measurement was close to that, I"m guessing that's why they want to play it safe. It can't hurt either way. Good luck! 
Message edited 3/1/2012 10:09:05 PM.
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:07 PM |
| |
|
KatieP
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/11 758 total posts
Name:
Katie
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
I actually didn't talk to my Dr yet bc i went to a tech in another building to get the measurements. I called the Dr right after I left to find out more. The lady at the desk said he'd get back to me by tonight - and no one ever did. I'm supposed to go out to dinner with friends in the city tomorrow - do you think I can? Or am i supposed to be taking it easy?
There actually having me go every other week and having the fFN first and then the sonogram for the cervical length immediately after
Message edited 3/1/2012 10:22:39 PM.
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:18 PM |
| |
|
cds58019
The loves of my life :)
Member since 6/08 4276 total posts
Name:
Candice
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
If nobody mentioned anything about bedrest then I would say you should be fine to go out to dinner. Maybe just try to take it easy during the day beforehand and maybe avoid any dancing.
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:27 PM |
| |
|
KatieP
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/11 758 total posts
Name:
Katie
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
At what point is under 25 mm not good? I'm sure at some point it's supposed to shorten when you're getting closer to the end right? Is there medication they can put you on to prevent it from happening - or what do you do?
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:27 PM |
| |
|
KatieP
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/11 758 total posts
Name:
Katie
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
thanks cds! im going to check w the dr again tmrw
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:30 PM |
| |
|
MrsA714
Baby #2 is here!
Member since 8/07 8806 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
Posted by KatieP
At what point is under 25 mm not good? I'm sure at some point it's supposed to shorten when you're getting closer to the end right? Is there medication they can put you on to prevent it from happening - or what do you do?
I'm not exactly sure. I just remember hearing that number referenced a few times by some staff at the hospital and I think I read it somewhere as well. Definitely double check with your dr.
As far as prevention, since my DD was what they call a 'spontaneous' preterm delivery I was considered a good candidate for a weekly progesterone injection this time around which has been show to help prevent preterm labor in some women. I have been getting the injection since 16 weeks and they will stop them once I get to 37 weeks. The only other thing I know they may do is suggest bed rest.
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:36 PM |
| |
|
KatieP
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/11 758 total posts
Name:
Katie
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
thank you. yeah when i looked it up 25 mm seems to be the number that keeps coming up to look out for.
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:45 PM |
| |
|
cds58019
The loves of my life :)
Member since 6/08 4276 total posts
Name:
Candice
|
Re: Cervix Shortening
Posted by KatieP
At what point is under 25 mm not good? I'm sure at some point it's supposed to shorten when you're getting closer to the end right? Is there medication they can put you on to prevent it from happening - or what do you do?
I think if at any point in a pregnancy you drop under 25 mm it's usually something of a concern. But keep in mind it also is constantly changing and fluctuating. If your dr. was really concerned the office probably would have told you bedrest too when they mentioned about getting the FFN's done. So it sounds like they're not too concerned yet, which is good. I saw you're about 26 weeks now (me too!  ) so if you shouldn't start to be shortening just yet so if it continues you'll probably be put on bedrest b/c there is no medication to stop it.
|
| Posted 3/1/12 10:51 PM |
| |
|
