Cervical length measurement - transabdominal/transvaginal ultrasound, management of shortened cervix скачать в хорошем качестве

Cervical length measurement - transabdominal/transvaginal ultrasound, management of shortened cervix

Cervical length refers to the length of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that extends into the vagina. During pregnancy, monitoring the cervical length is important because changes in its length can indicate the risk of preterm birth. In a typical pregnancy, the cervix remains long and closed to support the developing fetus. However, in some cases, the cervix may start to shorten and open prematurely, which can lead to preterm labor and birth. Preterm birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation, which can be associated with various health risks for the baby. Doctors usually measure cervical length during routine prenatal ultrasound examinations. The measurement is done by assessing the length of the cervix from the external opening (the external os) to the internal opening (the internal os). The measurement is recorded in centimeters. A shorter cervix, especially if it measures less than 2.5 centimeters before 24 weeks of pregnancy, may indicate an increased risk of preterm birth. When cervical length is found to be short, healthcare providers may take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of preterm birth, such as recommending bed rest, prescribing medications like progesterone, or placing a cervical cerclage (a stitch around the cervix) to help support and maintain its length.