Cervix questions

[Hoping4peanut]

I am 12 weeks and very worried about IC. I am going to be honest. I checked my cervix...hands were clean I swear please don't judge me...and it seemed open to me. I won't do it again I swear! Please don't lecture me. I know you aren't supposed to check but I was worried because I have been having shooting vaginal pains all day that don't feel normal. Then I may have had a teeny spotting but my mind might have played tricks on me.

My question is...do they check your cervix ever? Have they been checking it via ultrasound and I just don't realize it? I had one at 7 weeks transvaginally then at 10 weeks the doc gave me a quick looksie abdominal lay even tho I don't think I was supposed to have one...but she was super quick.

Anyways...for those with incompetent cervix..did you have any warning signs like shooting pains? Did doctor pick it up on ultrasound? Had you checked and it felt open?

I go in on Thursday for an NT scan and I intend to bring up the shooting pains. Will they look at cervix then? Is NT scan vaginal or abdominal?

Right now I am worried sick and in a frenzy. Please be kind.

 

[sunnylove]

Shooting vaginal pains are normal in pregnancy and not a sign of cervical issues. In fact, I don't believe shooting pains are one of the actual symptoms of IC at all.

I had IC and I experienced absolutely no symptoms whatsoever. Typically the cervix is checked transvaginally at the 20 weeks ultrasound. At this scan they will be able to tell how long or short your cervix is. Checking the cervix before then isn't very useful because IC doesn't usually present itself until around 16 weeks when baby starts to put on weight.

Your early transvaginal ultrasounds were likely to look at your baby (since they are so small, this way is easier) and not your cervix. I wouldn't worry so much! Checking your cervix yourself is extremely inaccurate, not to mention your cervix does different things throughout your pregnancy. It's not in a constant state of being a hard rock! Ask your doctor about it next time you see him/her if you think it's an issue and you should get a transvaginal ultrasound at 20 weeks. Good luck!

 

[AvaB]

If there is anything that worries you, ask your doctor: make an appointment or call. There are no silly questions for a mum-to-be. Even if they are the silliest in the world. Doctors are fully and totally aware of that. The worst thing is... they will publish your question somewhere in the Funny Patients Problems column in a magazine they only read

 

[Srrme]

Like the others have said, shooting pains are normal. I would ask your Doctor more about it if you're concerned. I would also not rely on checking your cervix yourself, what feels open and weird to you, might feel closed and normal to your Doctor!

 

[FeistyMom]

Shooting pains are normal, and yes - they do check cervix during ultrasounds. The 20 week is the BIG check where they painstakingly measure everything, but for me I had dating ultrasounds early on with each pregnancy because my periods are fairly irregular and not great basis for figuring out due date. At the initial ultrasound they checked and measured ALL my female parts I think (well, not my boobs...); including ovaries, tubes, uterus, and cervix.

I also had a physical check recently - probably around 24-28 weeks, to check for any thinning or dilation.

Now not all practices do the same things at all appointments/visits, and since this is obviously causing you stress, go ahead and call your provider. A triage nurse or someone should be able to tell you what they check and when