Symptoms of a short cervix

Many women believe that if their cervix is ​​short, it is easy to have problems during pregnancy. Although we cannot change the situation of a short cervix, we can judge whether our cervix is ​​short through some symptoms and perform certain daily care to reduce the harm of a short cervix. So, what physical symptoms can tell us that we have a short cervix?

A new study suggests that bed rest does not reduce the risk of preterm birth in women with a short cervical length. In fact, women who followed their doctors' advice to reduce their workload or not work or have sex had more than twice the risk of having a premature birth before 37 weeks compared with normally active women. "While the findings do not support bed rest for patients with a short cervical length, it is unclear why restricting activity would increase the likelihood of preterm birth," the researchers said.

What are the symptoms of a short cervix?

First: One possibility is that women who are asked to stay in bed have some factors that make them more susceptible to premature birth, but it is not clear yet. Another possibility is that the stress and anxiety associated with bed rest may increase the risk of premature birth.

Second: The new data come from a study that was originally designed to evaluate the role of progesterone injections in preventing preterm birth in pregnant women with short cervical length. The study involved 646 women who were asked weekly whether their doctors had recommended that they restrict their activity.

Third: 39% of pregnant women with short cervical length had to stay in bed or reduce their activities appropriately during pregnancy, and the average activity restriction time was about 24 weeks. A study of pregnancy outcomes found that 37% of pregnant women who restricted their activities had premature births, while the incidence of premature births in pregnant women who did not restrict their activities and continued to work was only 17%. The results excluded the interference of age, race, past history, and ultrasound abnormalities.

Precautions

In the absence of evidence that bed rest has any benefits or harms, we really need to ask ourselves why we recommend bed rest for our patients.