Check out some similar questions!

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 12:50 PM

This is my third pregnancy and I am almost 27 weeks pregnant I have had to have many ultrasound because of placentia previa well today I had another one and it showed that it is now considered just a low lying placentia which is a relief, but now they found that my cervix is getting shorter.
It measured 3.1 mm and when she put pressure on my abdomen it went down to 2.8 The midwive said that a normal cervix is 4.0
What does this mean and why does it get shorter with pressure?
Thanks

charlotte234s · Nov 9, 2007, 12:55 PM

I'm guessing that when the baby lays on the cervix, it presses it down, and causes it to become shorter, and if there were a problem the doctors would have told you.

Worst case scenario I can imagine is her pressing too much on the cervix and the doctors having to physically move her to prevent injury or pain for you, and I don't think that would hurt her any.

Mind you, I'm not a neonatal expert by any means, but I'm sure if there were a bad bad problem the doctors would have told you and tried to fix it.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 12:56 PM

Well they are sending me to the specialist because they said there is a higher chance that I will go into preterm labor.

charlotte234s · Nov 9, 2007, 12:57 PM

Oh well perhaps the cervix is weakened by the pressure and that's why they are sending you to a specialist. I'm pretty sure they will be able to help you so that your baby is healthy and you won't have any severe problems.

J_9 · Nov 9, 2007, 01:00 PM

Many women have placenta previa at your stage in pregnancy. It just means that the placenta is covering the internal cervical os, but most times during the pregnancy it moves upwards away from the cervix.

Sometimes a short cervix indicates that baby is going to come early. When the cervix is found to be short, it is best to err on the side of caution and the doctor should begin treating you as a high risk patient with possible expectations of preterm delivery. However, it could be normal for you, but the doc will just try and be a little more aggressive (that's a good thing) in your care.

You should avoid sex and exercise until told differently. Did your doctor put you on bedrest?

Were your first two babies full term?

Sweetie, these are questions you need to ask your doctor. When they tell you these things you need to say "what does that mean? Can you explain it to me in a way that I can understand." That is what the doctors and nurses are for.

You should NEVER walk out of the doctor's office not understanding what you have been told. If you don't ask, they assume you understand. It is your responsibility to ask and their responsibility to teach you.

J_9 · Nov 9, 2007, 01:02 PM

You may possibly need a cerclage, which is a little stitch in the cervix to help keep baby in as long as possible.

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:03 PM

My first two pregnancy were full term with no problems now this is happening and I didn't expect them to find this so I didn't get to ask to many questions.
I have read that it's common for some people to have it every time they are pregnant and may be normal for them but it didn't happen with my first two, so it really worries me.
I'm not sure what to expect.

charlotte234s · Nov 9, 2007, 01:05 PM

Yeah I don't know a whole lot about this, but I am not thinking it's really super dangerous. Sorry I guessed about the baby laying on the cervix, but If she's seeing a doctor, I am figuring they told her why it's happening.

Just trying to help her be calm.

Either way, your doctor should definitely tell you what you should do and what they are going to do. I hope you have good luck!

J_9 · Nov 9, 2007, 01:10 PM

Crystal, you know me by now, right? I don't want to scare you, I don't mean to scare you. That is not at all my intention.

Did you have placenta previa with your first two?

If not, then this should be of some concern to you. You mention being sent to a specialist. Until that time you need to take it easy... VERY EASY.

This can be a very serious complication, but without me being able to see your cervical os... without me being able to see the previa on ultrasound, I can only advise you to take it easy until your appointment when the specialist can give you the details for your particular situation.

I would rather be cautious and tell you to stay off your feet as much as possible, rest as much as possible, avoid sex, avoid exercise, etc. until you get direct orders from the specialist rather than telling you everything will be okay. Because I just don't know. Only the specialist who looks at your US will know for sure.

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:11 PM

Also why does it get shorter with when she presses, I asked the doctor if it would get longer and she said that it wouldn't only bedrest may help give me some time but it will get shorter not longer.

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:11 PM

Also why does it get shorter when she presses on the abdomen, I asked the doctor if it would get longer and she said that it wouldn't only bedrest may help give me some time but it will get shorter not longer.

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:16 PM

With my first it was great no problems till the end and had to have an emergency c section with my second I had to see the specialist for previa but it moved by 20 weeks this time I have had three ultrasounds checking the placentia all times but today showed it was partially covering so when I was told that it was just a low lying placentia I was thrilled (dont want to have another c section) then she measured the cervix (with a vaginal) and seemed a bit worried, she then put pressure on it and said that it was 3.1 without pressure but goes to 2.8 with pressure.
She has measured the cervix at every utlrsound and it hasent been any problem now it is.

J_9 · Nov 9, 2007, 01:17 PM

It's really hard to explain in terms that most people understand (maybe not for the doctor, but you know I'm still learning, LOL)

Think of a sponge, the cervix is like a sponge, when you press on a sponge, say in the center, it doesn't stretch, but it indents and actually gets slightly smaller when pressed in the center.

She did mention bedrest? Then follow her orders.

Whatever happened the other day when you thought you were "leaking?"

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:21 PM

Well I went to the doctor and she performed an ultrasound, she said that the fluid on top looked good but mentioned a "pocket" on the bottom, she seemed worried for a few minutes and went to get her tools so she checked for infection and fern, and it was all normal so she said to keep an eye on it and come straight to the hospital if it happens again. (This was the doctor, she performed the U/S and the test)
But she never told me why she was concerned about a pocket, she said to just keep my appt, for today and come in ASAP if it happens again.

J_9 · Nov 9, 2007, 01:31 PM

Okay, so there was no "fern" as I suggested earlier? Remember I said that ferning represented amniotic fluid loss.

Pockets tend to happen depending on the presentation of baby within the uterus. While there may be reason for concern with pocketing, there isn't always a problem. But, again, here I go with erring on the side of caution.

Please, hun, whenever you don't understand something you NEED to ask for an explanation. I do know that it is hard to come up with the questions right then and there, but keep your mind working. When they tell you something, just ask what that means.

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:34 PM

Well now I just have to wait till they call me with an appt for the specialist, they said that they would get the first one available.
So I'm going to take it easy till then, it justs stinks that after all that worring I did with the previa it finally moves and something else goes wrong...

J_9 · Nov 9, 2007, 01:41 PM

This can, and sometimes does, happen with previa. Just get your rest, stay in bed as much as possible until you are seen by the specialist. At 27 weeks they may be able to do the "stitch" in the cervix to help keep baby in longer.

If you have any complications, anything you feel that is strange or unusual, pick up the phone, call the doctor, don't come here for advice. While I can help you somewhat long distance, your doctor is your best friend right now as she KNOWS what is going on with you, KNOWS your history, and KNOWS firsthand how to help you better than we do.

While I love to help you and the other folks here, the health and wellbeing of you and baby may be at stake here and I would rather you get in touch with your doctor rather than to sign on here and possibly get misleading information.

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:44 PM

Thanks again J9 I'll let you know what the specialist say...

J_9 · Nov 9, 2007, 01:47 PM

Sweetie, keep me posted. I am very interested in you and your future as a nurse, LOL. You will get through this. Baby is now passed the mark of viability, so if anything happens, things will probably work out for the best. But you get your rest. Stay off your feet. Stay well hydrated. Get hubby to take care of you... but NO massages. LOL

crystalbivens · Nov 9, 2007, 01:49 PM

Dang, massages are the one thing I could defently use now, resting is going to be hard with a 2 year old, but if it has to be done I'll do it then I'm through with having kids. I can't take all the stress...