Cervical Length and Preterm Birth: What Every Expectant Mother Should Know

According to World Health Organization (WHO), preterm birth refers to babies born alive before 37 weeks of gestation. In 2020, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born prematurely, which is more than 1 in 10 babies. Worldwide, preterm birth is the primary contributor to infant morbidity and mortality. Premature baby will have problem with breathing as the lung is underdeveloped and higher risk of infection as the immunity is low. Premature baby also has higher risk of learning disabilities and cerebral palsy. 

The signs of preterm labor may include vaginal bleeding, cramps or contractions, and vaginal discharge which can be watery discharge.  

There are few risk factors for premature labor. The risk of premature labour is higher if you have previously experienced a preterm labor, late miscarriage, or had cervical surgery to remove part of your cervix. Multiple pregnancy (twin, triplets) has higher risk of preterm labor compares to singleton pregnancy. Other risks include infection and placental disorders. Placental disorders are commonly seen as either intrauterine growth restriction or a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. 

A short cervix is also a significant risk factor for preterm birth.  What is considered a short cervix? Cervical length measures less than 25 mm is considering short cervix. A shorter cervix may not be able to sustain a pregnancy until full term, increasing the risk of early dilation and labor. If you have short cervix, your treatment options may include a cerclage, which is a encircling suture placed around the cervix to prevent early dilation, or progesterone hormone therapy, usually in the form of a vaginal tablet. 

If you have one of the risks for preterm labor, the Obstetricians will suggest you to do a cervical length assessment or scan. For asymptomatic women with prior preterm births, the optimal time for this scan is between 16 to 24 weeks of gestation. Usually, the scan will be performed together during the Anomaly scan. 

This procedure includes measuring cervical length, checking for signs of an incompetent cervix, and monitoring baby heartbeat and movements. The scan is performed transvaginally for better accuracy and visualization. We will obtain your verbal consent before we proceed with the scan. 

By taking the risk factors into account and detecting short cervix or cervical incompetency earlier, this allows the Obstetrician to recommend appropriate treatments and schedule an interval scan to monitor the cervical length. Thus, help to prevent preterm labor and improves outcomes of preterm labor for those at risk. 

If you are concern about having a short cervix or currently having symptoms such as vaginal bleeding and watery discharge, we can perform the Cervical length scan for you. The report is fast and the scan will only take about 20 mins. No special preparation is needed for this scan. You can call us at 01-9058733 or email us at [email protected] to book an appointment.