Laura,
Thanks for taking the time to be her advocate. I think you are right to be concerned. Here's a short answer to your question:
"The length of the cervix is expected to shorten as a pregnancy progresses, but a length of 3.0 cm to 3.5 cm isn't expected until 32 to 36 weeks." You can find more info from two major studies on cervical length and preterm labor here:
http://www.keepemcookin.com/prevention.aspxStatistically, your DD may be just fine, but I'd like to recommend two things, based on my personal experiences with an early-shortening/softening cervix. First, please print out this list of preterm labor symptoms (
http://www.keepemcookin.com/symptoms.aspx) for her to keep at home on the fridge and also somewhere at work. Please have her call her doctor if she has
any of the symptoms, OR she can go straight to L&D to have her cervix checked.
I'm also concerned about her symptoms being overlooked, because the symptoms of preterm labor can be so similar to the normal discomforts of pregnancy. You can also print out this guide for how to describe her symptoms to her doctor:
http://www.keepemcookin.com/talk.aspx You mentioned that she's been having pains. Can you describe them?
I do hope her doc will do another u/s on the 9th, even if just to give her peace of mind. Please let us know how the appointment goes. And don't hesitate to get in touch!
Keep 'em cookin'!