Contents:
- Medical Video: Doctor's Advice for Preventing Premature Birth
- What is the normal length of the cervix during pregnancy?
- The length of the cervix can determine whether a woman will give birth prematurely
- What affects the length of the cervix?
Medical Video: Doctor's Advice for Preventing Premature Birth
Premature birth is a premature birth, which is less than 37 weeks of gestation. This can happen to anyone. Which causes a lot, of various factors. One factor that increases the risk of premature birth is the length of the cervix (cervix). How could this happen?
What is the normal length of the cervix during pregnancy?
The cervix or cervix is the part that connects the uterus and vagina. The length of the cervix can change with the age of your pregnancy. The cervix is closed during pregnancy until the time before you give birth. As it approaches the time of birth, the cervix will open to be used as a way out for the baby.
Normal cervical length is 4-5 cm when you are not pregnant. Meanwhile, when you are pregnant, the length of the cervix shrinks. The length of the cervix is normal during pregnancy, namely:
- At 16-20 weeks gestational age is 4-4.5 cm
- At 24-28 weeks gestation is 3.5-4 cm
- At 32-36 weeks gestation is 3-3.5 cm
It can be seen that the length of the cervix which is getting shorter can mean that the gestational age is getting older and the time of birth is getting closer. However, if the length of the cervix is shorter and not suitable for gestational age, this can mean the risk of preterm birth.
The length of the cervix can determine whether a woman will give birth prematurely
Many studies have proven that the shorter the cervix (which is not in accordance with gestational age), the greater the risk of preterm birth. A study revealed that the average length of the cervix is 3.5 cm at 24 weeks' gestation. When the length of the cervix at the gestational age is less than 2.2 cm, then the possibility of premature delivery of pregnant women is 20%.
The study, published in the 2002 American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, also proved that the length of the cervix is less than 3 cm before the 16-week gestation is related to preterm birth.
Based on the two studies, it can be concluded that the length of the cervix that shortens rapidly can increase the risk of preterm birth. The length of the cervix at gestational age 20-24 weeks is the best predictor of preterm birth.
To find out the length of the cervix, you are advised to scan the cervix. Usually done at around 20 weeks' gestation. You need to do this, especially if you have had a miscarriage in a previous pregnancy, your baby is premature in a previous pregnancy, or you have had cervical surgery.
What affects the length of the cervix?
Before pregnancy, the cervix is usually closed and stiff. Meanwhile, during pregnancy the cervix will experience many changes. The cervix will soften gradually, shorten, and begin to open as your fetus grows in the womb.
If the length of the cervix is shorter, the sign that your baby will be born. However, if this event occurs faster than normal, then you can give birth prematurely. This might happen differently between pregnant women.
Various factors that affect the length of the cervix during pregnancy are:
- Biological differences between pregnant women
- A stretchy uterus (overdistention)
- Complications caused by bleeding during pregnancy
- Infection
- Inflammation of the uterus
- Cervical incompetence occurs when cervical tissue is weakened which increases the risk of preterm birth
