At 26 weeks, with a cervical length of 1 cm, is it still possible to maintain the pregnancy?

Mar 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, whether a 1 cm cervical length at 26 weeks can still allow for fetal preservation needs to be analyzed based on the specific situation. If there are no contractions at this time, fetal preservation is usually possible. However, if contractions occur frequently, fetal preservation may not be feasible. It is recommended to attend regular prenatal checkups at the hospital to monitor maternal health and fetal development promptly.

Generally speaking, whether a cervical canal length of 1 cm at 26 weeks can still allow for fetal preservation needs to be analyzed according to the specific situation. If there are no contractions at this time, fetal preservation is usually possible. However, if contractions occur frequently, fetal preservation may not be feasible. Detailed analysis is as follows:

When a pregnant woman reaches 26 weeks and her cervical canal measures 1 cm in length, but the cervix is not dilated, there are no signs of contractions, and no other complications are present, fetal preservation may be achievable through measures such as bed rest and cervical cerclage. Under close monitoring by a physician, some pregnant women can successfully prolong their pregnancies, allowing the fetus additional time to develop, thereby improving the newborn's chances of survival and overall health.

However, if a pregnant woman experiences frequent contractions along with severe symptoms such as rupture of membranes, fetal preservation is generally difficult. Additionally, if the pregnant woman suffers from severe cervical insufficiency or the fetus exhibits poor development, preserving the pregnancy may be challenging or even impossible. In such cases, physicians may recommend termination of pregnancy to ensure the safety and health of the mother.

It is recommended to attend regular prenatal checkups at the hospital to promptly monitor both maternal health and fetal development.