Preventing Preterm Birth Series

A Framework for the Prevention of Preterm Birth through Cervical Length Assessment

Preterm birth continues to be a major public health challenge in the United States despite our efforts to reduce it. However, new science has shed light on the predictive nature of the cervix in assessing who may be at risk for preterm birth. Through cervical length screening in at risk populations, it is possible that the detection of a short cervix via transvaginal ultrasound may assist ob-gyns in assessing which patients are truly vulnerable and what steps need to be taken in order to prevent a preterm delivery.

This clinical education video is the first in the Preventing Preterm Birth series and has been made possible through educational grant funding from Watson Pharmaceuticals. ACOG District II would like to thank its Short Cervix Task Force, chaired by Roberto Romero, MD, D.Med.Sci, FACOG, for their time and expertise spent producing this clinical content.

For more information on ACOG District II’s preterm birth education, please contact Kristin Zielinski, Medical Education Director, at 518-436-3461 or kzielinski@ny.acog.org.