Short Cervix

BittyBabyRN · Dec 30, 2008

A usual cervix is between 30 and 40 mm long. If the cervix is short, then it is some percent effaced. This means that depending on how far along in the pregnancy the mother is, she may be close to delivery, threatening to deliver early, or even miscarry.

iteachob, MSN, RN · Dec 30, 2008

A short cervix can result in a phenomenon known as "funneling" (the cervix effaces from the inside)....which can lead to pregnancy loss, usually during the 2nd trimester when the cervix prematurely dilates resulting in loss of the fetus; also known as incompetent cervix. Usually these women are treated with what is known as a cerclage, which is essentially pursestring-like sutures placed in the cervix to hold it closed until the infant is ready to be born.

untamable07 · Dec 31, 2008

So it means the cervix starts to thin out from the inside out, instead of from the outside in, prematurely?

iteachob, MSN, RN · Dec 31, 2008

So it means the cervix starts to thin out from the inside out, instead of from the outside in, prematurely?

Yes....it can be seen on ultrasound.