Routine Activity and Preterm Delivery Risk in Women With a Short Cervix

The Effect of Routine Activity on the Risk for Preterm Delivery in Women With a Short Cervix. A Randomized Control Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of routine activity versus rest on the risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women with a short cervix diagnosed between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does routine activity influence the gestational age at delivery? How does routine activity affect secondary outcomes such as preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, delivery mode, maternal anxiety, and satisfaction?

Researchers will compare women instructed to maintain routine activity (control group) to women advised to practice maximal rest (intervention group) to see if physical activity impacts preterm birth outcomes.

Participants will:

Wear a smart band to monitor step counts over a two-week period. Be randomized into two groups: one encouraged to maintain routine activity and the other advised to follow strict rest protocols.

Undergo regular follow-ups at a high-risk pregnancy clinic and have their data collected through hospital records and smart band tracking.

This randomized controlled trial will assess gestational age at delivery as the primary outcome, along with secondary maternal and neonatal outcomes, providing insight into the role of physical activity in managing pregnancies complicated by a short cervix.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Singleton pregnancies between 24+0 and 34+6 weeks.
• Short cervical length (<25 mm) confirmed via transvaginal ultrasound.
• No medical contraindications to physical activity.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Twin pregnancies or higher-order multiples.
• Medical indications for reduced mobility (e.g., symphysiolysis, fall risk).
• Maternal comorbidities, fetal distress, vaginal bleeding, PPROM, or need for immediate delivery.