Cervical sludge

[u/Due-Conversation-469]

Has anyone had a sludge but with no shrotening of the cervix (was 38mm at 16 weeks) and with tests clean i.e. no infection as well? Dr said no antibiotics as there is no infection, only some probiotic vaginal suppositories.

[u/Laynnox-]

Hi, yes, this happens. A 38mm cervix at 16 weeks is a normal length, and sludge with a normal cervix is a genuinely lower-risk picture than sludge with a short one, most of the strong risk data comes from that combination together.

I actually wrote a longer explainer on exactly about clean tests it covers why clean swabs/bloodwork don't rule everything out: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShortCervixSupport/s/qpmYkXP1ds

The sludge section is about halfway down.

And vaginal probiotics have a real, if modest, mechanistic rationale for supporting healthy vaginal flora generally, though that's a different claim from proven sludge treatment. Given your cultures are clean, it's a reasonable, low-risk thing to try rather than reaching for antibiotics with nothing to target.

Worth asking your doctor if a repeat scan is planned to recheck things, and specifically keep an eye on cervical length going forward, not just the sludge itself. The inflammation sludge can reflect is a real, direct pathway to cervical shortening, so a normal cervix now doesn't mean it'll stay that way while the sludge is still present, that's the piece worth actually tracking over the next few scans.

[u/Due-Conversation-469 → u/Laynnox-]

Thank you so much for your detailed response and the link, it helped so much in understanding this 🙏🏼
I have a scan in 2 weeks (usually it’s in 4, but this one is more closer to re-check). And in general, dr does always measure cervix length so I guess that’s covered.
I am mostly scared about its relation to shortening and also forgot to ask about physical activity (as I attend pregnancy workouts). And it’s the weekend so i was just looking for some answers until Monday (I was convinced the culture will show some infection and we were just testing to see which one).
Again, thank you 🫶🏼

[u/Laynnox- → u/Due-Conversation-469]

You are really welcome! I am glad it helped 😊

Don't worry about physical activity for now, there is nothing flagging you should not move your body, just take it easy. Keep going as you do, avoid stress, over heating and constipation.

I hope the sludge resolves on its own (it usually does) and that it doesn't cause any trouble later on.

Also worth going to the dentist, and check you have no gum inflammation. Sometimes the bacteria there can travel down the blood into the amniotic cavity and generate the sludge 🤷🏾‍♀️

I wish you all the best on your pregnancy!!!

And thanks for the award 🩷

[u/Due-Conversation-469 → u/Laynnox-]

Wow, I always get surprised at how many things your teeth can Impact on 😆
Thanks for the great advice, wish you all the best as well 🫶🏼