title: Cervical length and the risk of spontaneous labor at term.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between cervical length (CL) at 37 to 40 weeks and delivery within 7 days and delivery by 41 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed transvaginal ultrasound to measure CL in women with singleton gestations at 37 to 40 weeks. We then used a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to assess the relationship between CL and delivery within 7 days and delivery by 41 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the 120 women included in the analysis, the mean CL (+/-s.d.) was 25.3+/-9.8 mm. The logistic regression model to predict each of the outcomes includes gestational age at ultrasound (GA-US) and CL. Neither birthweight, nor parity seems to affect the probability of delivery within 7 days. The ROC curve was used to assess the probability of spontaneous labor within 7 days at each CL measurement. The likelihood ratio of delivery within 7 days when CL is < or = 10 mm is 12.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CL measurement at 37-40 weeks is an independent predictor of delivery within 7 days and delivery by 41 weeks regardless of GA-US. This information can be utilized when counseling patients regarding the management of term pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA. lama.Tolaymat@jax.ufl.edu
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Tolaymat
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Quintero
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Ramos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaunitz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wludyka
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000502:physiology*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography