Pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks, and throughout this journey, specific evaluations are performed to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and the baby. One of these essential assessments is the cervical length measurement. In pregnancies with a potential risk of preterm birth, the length of the cervix is a crucial indicator for predicting that risk.
What Is Cervical Length and Why Is It Important?
The cervix (the lower part of the uterus) remains closed during pregnancy, keeping the baby safely inside the womb. However, in some cases, this structure may begin to shorten prematurely. When cervical length falls below 25 mm, especially before the 24th week of pregnancy, the risk of preterm birth increases significantly.
Measurement of cervical length through transvaginal ultrasonography is both accurate and comfortable. Screening performed between 19 and 24 weeks of gestation allows early prediction of preterm birth risk in both low-risk and high-risk pregnancies.
Who Should Undergo Cervical Length Measurement?
Previously, this evaluation was recommended only for women with a history of preterm birth. Today, however, it is advised for all pregnant women, because:
- Approximately 50% of women who go into preterm labor have no identifiable risk factors.
- Detecting a short cervix enables timely medical intervention to prevent preterm birth.
Progesterone Therapy: An Effective Early Intervention
Research has shown that vaginal progesterone therapy significantly reduces the risk of preterm birth in women with a short cervix. This treatment has proven beneficial:
- In women with a previous history of preterm birth, and
- In women with no known risk factors but a short cervical length identified during screening.
Therefore, cervical length measurement is not only a screening test—it serves as a key decision point for preventive intervention.
Our Clinical Approach: Personalized Monitoring, Proactive Management
At our clinic, cervical length measurement is an integral part of standard prenatal care for all pregnancies. We:
- Perform the measurement routinely between 19 and 24 weeks via ultrasound,
- Provide personalized treatment plans and counseling when a risk is identified.
Our goal is not only to protect pregnancies already identified as high-risk but also to closely monitor all expectant mothers—enhancing the likelihood of a healthy, full-term delivery for every patient.
