Doctors follow the process of carrying a baby very closely. To do this, they assign the expectant mother a whole range of different studies. One of these examinations performed during pregnancy is cervicometry.
What it is?
By cervicometry, experts mean a method of ultrasound examination of the cervix. Using this method, doctors can estimate both the length and other parameters of this organ. Also, using ultrasound, you can evaluate the size of the external and internal os of the cervix.
The examination is carried out using a transvaginal probe. Thanks to this method, it is much easier for a specialist to assess the necessary parameters. As a rule, this diagnostic procedure is painless and well tolerated by a pregnant woman.
This method is widespread. It is based on the reflection of ultrasonic waves from various biological structures of the body. This research is widely used in various countries. It is important to note that it can be carried out not only in a hospital, but also in a regular clinic.
Often, other research methods are needed to identify various pathologies. One of them is doppler. This auxiliary research method allows you to assess blood flow through the main blood vessels of the uterus.
The use of this examination is necessary in order to identify pathologies of the blood supply to the reproductive organs at the earliest stages of their formation. Doppler ultrasonography makes it easy to determine the fetal heart rate.
If the doctor reveals any significant changes during the diagnostic procedure, then in this case compulsory compilation of a set of recommendations will be required. This is necessary so that a pregnant woman can bear and give birth to a healthy baby.
Indications for
This research method is carried out for certain medical indications. The decision on the need for its appointment is made by a gynecologist who observes a woman during pregnancy. In some cases, the specialist may prescribe the expectant mother to undergo cervicometry even several times.
This study is shown for women who carry several babies at once.... In this case, a more thorough medical control over the condition of the cervix and the width of its canal is required.
If a pregnant woman has recently undergone some kind of surgery on the genital organs, then in this case, she will also need cervicometry. It is especially important to conduct this examination for women who have had surgery or underwent laser treatment of the cervix a few months before conception.
If the expectant mother has ischemic-cervical insufficiency, then in this case she will also need this research method. In this situation, the risk of spontaneous miscarriage in the first half of pregnancy is very high. In order to prevent this dangerous condition, it is necessary to determine the main investigated parameters.
Too short length of the cervical canal of the uterus - another clinical indication to carry out this research method. As a rule, this condition is an individual feature and is present in a woman from birth. However, various pathologies, as well as surgical operations performed on this organ, can lead to a shortening of the cervix.
In some cases, it is possible to carry out an examination when the cervix is prolapse. In this situation, the need for conducting is established by an obstetrician-gynecologist. As a rule, this pathology requires rather careful monitoring by doctors over the health of the expectant mother's reproductive organs.
If a woman experiences pain in the abdomen, or she constantly has uterine hypertonicity, then she may also need to conduct this study. In this case, it is very important for the doctor to exclude dangerous pathologies that can become a threat of premature birth.
How is the procedure performed?
The study can be carried out in different ways. As a rule, the most commonly used transvaginal probe. Many expectant mothers choose to undergo a transabdominal exam. However, it is worth remembering that the choice of the necessary diagnostic method remains with the attending physician.
The examination should be entrusted to an experienced and qualified specialist. It is especially important to do this if the expectant mother has any pathologies of the reproductive organs. In this case, the reliability of the results is very important.
The study is carried out in a regular ultrasound room. The duration of the diagnostic procedure may vary. This largely depends on the experience of the specialist who conducts the research. The examination usually takes 20-30 minutes.
A doctor examining organs with a transvaginal or transabdominal sensor sees the result on a special monitor. The resolution of modern devices makes it easy to identify various pathologies.
No special training is required for the survey. If the study is carried out in a antenatal clinic, then the expectant mother should take a towel with her. You will need it in order to put it on the couch before the examination.
If the study is carried out using a transvaginal probe, then there is no need to pre-fill the bladder. Before the procedure, the expectant mother should go to the toilet and urinate. This will make it easier for her to transfer this research.
Many women are afraid that during the examination, the doctor may introduce an infection with the transvaginal probe. It should be said right away that this is out of the question. All medical instruments and devices are carefully processed using special disinfectants.
In this case, the risk of infection of the expectant mother and fetus is negligible. Also, before each diagnostic procedure, an individual condom must be put on the ultrasound transducer.
Norms of the studied indicators
The estimated parameters can be different. There are many reasons for this. So, during the first pregnancy, as a rule, all the estimated indicators are much less. If a woman gave birth several times, or she had a previous pregnancy with twins, then in this case the rates of the studied indicators also differ.
Also, when conducting a study, it is very important to remember which week it is being conducted. The indicators of the survey carried out at 16-17 weeks will differ from those at 20-22 weeks.
Length of the cervix
The norm of this assessed parameter is an indicator equal to 30 mm. If at 17 weeks of pregnancy the length of the cervix in a pregnant woman is 25-29 mm, then in this case, you should not panic. In this situation it is very important to carry out dynamic monitoring of the further course of pregnancy.
It often happens that in miniature women, the cervix is short.
Also, the small size of the genital organ may be in expectant mothers who have a small body mass index before pregnancy.
Too dilated canal of the cervix as early as 24-25 weeks of gestation is a rather dangerous condition. According to statistics, if a pregnant woman has a cervix less than 25 mm, then her risk of premature birth is 15-18%.
With a cervical length of less than 20 mm, this figure is already 25-28%. And only 50% of pregnant women will be able to carry a baby before the due date of birth if their cervix is less than 15 mm long.
If, against the background of shortening of the uterus, the expectant mother has soreness in the lower abdomen, then this condition can be dangerous. The likelihood of a spontaneous miscarriage increases many times over. In such situation compulsory medical intervention required.
In this case, until the 20th week of pregnancy, the doctor may put stitches on the cervix. They remain for several months. In some cases, the stitches from the neck are removed only at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy. If the pathology manifests itself after 20 weeks, then the doctor will install a special medical ring. It's called obstetric pessary.
Also, the expectant mother is given certain recommendations for correcting her daily routine. In this case, any intense physical activity and heavy lifting are limited. You may also need to wear a special bandage.
Internal pharynx shape
This clinical parameter can also be determined during cervicometry. Normally, the internal pharynx resembles the letter "T". In this state, the cervix is completely closed.
If it ripens too early, then the form changes. It becomes similar to the letter "Y", then to "V", and later to "U". It is also extremely unfavorable if the shape of the internal pharynx resembles an hourglass.
This is due to the fact that the fetal bladder begins to prolapse downward.
How long does it take?
This research method can be carried out at different periods of pregnancy. As a rule, the examination is carried out at 12-22 weeks.
If the risk of premature birth or spontaneous termination of pregnancy is too high, then the study can be carried out much earlier - at 14-15 weeks. In the future, to check the condition, the method can be repeated. In this case, cervicometry is already performed at 20-21 weeks.
How many times can you do it?
If necessary, this type of survey can be carried out in dynamics. As a rule, if a pregnant woman has any pathologies at 15-17 weeks of gestation, then she will be re-examined for control. It is usually performed after 2-3 weeks.
Women with isthmic-cervical insufficiency may also undergo this study more often.
If a woman is in the hospital "on preservation" because of the high risk of premature birth, then her cervicometry is performed for strict medical reasons.
Is this study harmful to a pregnant woman and her baby?
Expectant mothers should not be afraid of this research method. This method is practically no different from the usual ultrasound. Of course, during the ultrasound examination, the fetus is exposed to waves of a certain frequency. However, the short duration of the study ensures that no harm is done to the baby.
Currently, special modes "M" and "B" are used for the study. They allow the doctor to obtain a lot of necessary information, but at the same time do not bring any harm to the child.
If the examination is carried out in a transvaginal way, then after it is carried out, the woman may have bloody discharge from the vagina. You shouldn't panic about this.
This symptom is completely transient and should go away on its own in a few days.
In order for such discharge to stop, the expectant mother should rest more within 1-2 days after the examination. At this time, it is also necessary to exclude intense physical activity. If this symptom does not disappear within a week, then in such a situation it is imperative to consult a doctor.
For what cervicometry is, see the next video.
