What is preterm birth?
Preterm birth is a birth that happens before 37 competed weeks of pregnancy. It is the leading cause of death and disability in children up to five years of age in the developed world.
In 2014 and 2015, 9.1% of Queensland babies were born preterm, with little change having occurred in this rate over the past decade. For Indigenous Queenslanders, the rate is approximately double.
Is preterm birth preventable?
Until quite recently, preterm birth was largely unavoidable. However, in some cases, preterm birth can be prevented as those at high risk can be identified and a management plan developed.
In October 2016, the first year of the Western Australian (WA) Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative showed the rate of preterm birth across WA had dropped by almost 8%. This initiative used proven methods that included using ultrasound to measure the length of the cervix and, for women found to have a shortened cervix, treating with progesterone, or a stitch in the cervix (cervical cerclage or cervical suture).
Does Mater Mothers’ Hospital offer cervical screening?
Measuring the length of the cervix is a powerful predictor of preterm birth; a shortened cervix is seen in between 2 and 3% of pregnant women.
Mater Mothers’ Ultrasound for Women (MMUW) offers cervical length screening for all pregnant women booked at Mater Mothers’ Hospital. The test is performed between 18 and 24 weeks. This is usually separate to the 18-20 week scan which is organised by your general practitioner and performed in the community.
When do I get the results of the screening?
If your cervical length is less than 25 mm it is considered to be shortened. Women found to have a short cervix in pregnancy are at high risk of preterm birth.
You will receive the results of the ultrasound cervical length assessment at the time it is performed.
The doctor will discuss with you the potential implications of having a short cervix, along with management options for reducing your risk of preterm birth.