Expert: Dorothy H, LCCE - 11/17/2009

Question
Hey i have a few questions.
Im 23 weeks and my crevix went from 31 mm to 27 mm i just want to know what would cause this and what will happen. This is my first child Im also a young mother (19years old). I just don't know anything about this kind of thing and want to be prepared for my next ultrasound vist. there they will measure my crevix again and if its gotten any smaller(25mm) my doctor is planning on putting me in the hospt. i did have light spotting and i am having cramps and they were very bad and i still have been having them. if you can give me any info on this at all it will be great!

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

If your cervix is shortening, your doctor's concern would be that you might go into labor very early.

There isn't anything that you did that caused this - it just happens sometimes.

Your doctor may want to do a cerclage, which they stitch the cervix shut to prevent it from opening. This is done under anesthesia, so you would not be awake for the procedure.  Your doctor will explain it in more detail if this is their recommendation.

They may put you on bedrest also, so that way you aren't upright putting pressure on the cervix.  If you are put on bedrest, I would suggest checking out www.sidelines.org, which has a lot of resources dealing with bedrest and can connect you with someone who has been through the same situation as you are going through.

I wish you the best with the rest of your pregnancy, and I hope your cervix stays shut!  Hang in there!

Dorothy H, LCCE