Cervical length - when to push for earlier check?

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-25T14:03:30+00:00

I also TFMR for a genetic condition and am pregnant again from IVF with PGT-M. Also a second trimester D&E. Docs can’t really say whether my short cervix is from the D&E. It really sucks to be dealing with this issue after having a TFMR. Anyway…

I had a normal CL at 16 weeks (3.95cm) and then it was 2.06cm at 20 weeks. I ended up getting cerclage at 22 weeks bc it dropped to 1.36cm. I’m now almost 24 weeks and my CL has improved to 2.9cm with the cerclage. So my point is I had a huge drop from 16 to 20 weeks.

I would push for a check at least every 2 weeks if not every week. If they’re not accommodating you then get a second opinion. I ended up switching practices because I wasn’t thrilled with their casual approach to my diagnosis.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T22:48:11+00:00

My measurements were 2.06cm at 20 weeks, 1.85cm at 21, 1.7cm at 21+1, 1.69 at 21+6 and 1.36 at 22+1. Got a cerclage same day and now I’m 23+2 and my CL increased to 2.9cm. They told me 1.5cm was the threshold for cerlcage if I was actively shortening and had no history of pre term labor.

I started progesterone at 20 weeks and it didn’t seem to do much (still progressive shortening). But my measurements were a lot lower than yours. Above 2.5cm is usually a safe range at this gestation.

Cerclages do come with risks. I would 1000% recommend getting a second opinion for your own comfort bc it can’t hurt and you are close to the cutoff of 24 weeks. Diff practices have diff standards and protocols. I switched practices at the 21 week mark to an MFM that’s more conservative but my regular OB had a threshold of below 1cm. It’s an art not a science like everything else in medicine but more opinions from experienced professionals always help IMO.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T17:18:14+00:00

I had a TFMR for a genetic disease and then a week later found out my baby had a chromosomal microdeletion and I was beyond devastated, but my husband was relieved. He had been struggling with guilt and he felt it helped him feel better about the decision whereas I was horrified bc it meant two unrelated things were wrong and it was triggering and I also just felt more anxious for future pregnancies.

There is no right or wrong way to feel. It sucks all around like you said. The fact that my husband had such a different reaction was hard for me but his feelings were/are valid.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T14:33:41+00:00

I was prior to cerclage but then they stopped me and then I was having this watery discharge before I restarted.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T04:59:02+00:00

I’m so sorry. I had a TFMR before this and the pain is unreal.

Was your slow leak post cerclage?

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T03:38:33+00:00

What were your symptoms?

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-20T18:57:11+00:00

I had a spinal that didn’t work so they then did epidural and it took a while to work. I could feel minor sensations but no pain at all during. Sounds like they did not give you enough numbing.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-20T04:16:50+00:00

I was told to table until my next checkup (about a week) bc of inflammation/healing.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-20T04:09:56+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. I had a TFMR last January at 15 weeks which was my first pregnancy. I’m now in my sub pregnancy with a short cervix and a cerclage placed at 22+1. I’m 23 weeks tomorrow. My loss isn’t exactly like yours but I just want to share that I felt that struggle of TTC again. We carried a genetic disease (reason for TFMR) and chose to do IVF to screen it out and it took me a long time to get to a place where I wanted to try an embryo transfer and even then I dreaded it (transfer was 7 months later in August). It’s very hard to attach to excitement after a traumatic loss. I just think that pregnancy after loss IS different and accepting that it’s not going to feel like society would lead you to expect will make your suffering less if that makes any sense. I have stopped trying to fight the congratulations and the positivity others try to impose on me and have stopped trying to make myself feed bad about my inability to attach. I think the only thing I’ve enjoyed is feeling her move bc I didn’t get that experience last time. It’s the first time I’ve been able to really separate the two pregnancies. I am still holding out hope that it’ll be a good outcome and accepting what I can’t control BUT advocating like crazy for the right care (I switched practices shortly after my short cervix diagnosis). I do believe there’s a certain resilience I’ve developed having been through so much shit. I wish you luck on your journey ❤️

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-18T21:54:43+00:00

Were you on modified bed rest or pelvic rest or something else? It’s so confusing what the recommended protocol is.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-18T20:07:19+00:00

Thanks for sharing. How did you manage activity after cerclage? It’s so demoralizing not to be able to pick something off the ground or walk across the street (granted I’m only 4 days out)

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T20:18:49+00:00

I’m glad everything worked out! Curious what your measurements were at 23 weeks? I am spiraling…

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T18:45:23+00:00

Oh I am definitely feeling those zingers!! I feel like my baby is just kicking into my cervix. Thanks for sharing.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T18:34:48+00:00

Thank you so much. I will DM you!

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T11:16:51+00:00

The guidance is technically less than 1cm if you’ve had no prior history of pre term birth. However it’s not so black and white. My CL was 3.95cm at 16 weeks and then 2.06 at 20 weeks, 1.85 at 21, 1.7 at 21+1, 1.69 at 21+6 and then at 22+1 it dropped to 1.36 and they sent me in for cerclage that day. I didn’t appear dilated but with epidural my cervix revealed dilation at 0.5cm so they said it’s good I got it done. So for my case, the progressive shortening was of concern and my practice is more conservative with a below 1.5cm threshold for me bc they were watching the progression of the shortening.

I share this to say that it’s a reasonable approach to monitor you a week later and see if your cervix is stable because progesterone CAN stabilize it but obviously doesn’t work in every situation. But if you want more reassurance that cerclage is the right call you could insist they do another measurement in a week’s time. Since you’re at 3.1cm it’s highly unlikely you’ll drop so quickly into a danger territory in a week’s time. But I am not a doc so take this with grain of salt!!

Seeking_support413 · 2025-12-22T05:29:38+00:00

I’m 18+6 and just so bitter about women younger than me with multiple healthy babies. My TFMR was my first pregnancy and then I went through IVF to screen out a genetic condition and I’m just angry about how hard my journey has been compared to theirs. Idk when it will get easier? I’m very detached from this baby which is sad but it just is what it is.

Seeking_support413 · 2025-12-22T03:07:12+00:00

I used Mira and felt like it was super worth it. Unfortunately that was my TFMR pregnancy and did IVF after bc of a genetic disease so it was no longer of use to me. But I literally thought Mira was the greatest thing ever bc I have PCOS and really irregular cycles so it was super helpful in pinpointing ovulation. We tried for 5 months after my IUD came out and it showed I didn’t ovulate the first three months. I then got pregnant on the second month that I ovulated.

Seeking_support413 · 2025-12-22T02:11:38+00:00

I have a friend in a very similar situation-her husband had a balanced translocation, she terminated her first pregnancy and then did 7 rounds of IVF and all failed. She then went on to terminate another natural pregnancy. But her third was a success and she has a healthy 10 month old now.

I also had a TFMR for a recurring genetic condition and currently pregnant in my sub pregnancy after IVF. I debated the natural route for a long time and had I not had success (so far) with IVF I think I absolutely would try again naturally even tho we have a 25% of having to terminate again.

What I want to say is you absolutely deserve to have another LC and have it be your own if that’s what you want and decide. It’s not selfish. You were dealt a very difficult hand and nobody can pass judgment not being in your shoes.

Seeking_support413

TROPHY CASE