Morning everyone,
Thank you again so much for all the advice and support you provided over the last few days
I've just come back from a private scan in Leeds and had a consultation with a guy called Mr Gerald C Mason, who is a uni lecturer teaching doctors how to be obstetricians and basically, is old enough to have seen it all and knows damn well what he's talking about! Sounds awful, but I much preferred getting my official information from him than the other OBs I've seen who were 27-35 yrs old. I know they're probably just as good, but there's something so much more reassuring about seeing someone at the later end of their career (c.65-70yrs old!) who teaches other doctors and heads the feto-maternal medicine unit at Leeds General Infirmary!
Basically, today's measurement was 2.9cms (so up 2mm from last week's scan) still no funnelling, even when he pressed down on my bump. He showed me very clearly the cervical canal and where everything was, took his time over explaining every single little thing and backing his info up with facts and figures - all in all very mind-settling for me, as I am one for not just taking someone's word about something, I've got to have the graphs, number, stats etc to evidence their information/advice. Call it OCD or whatever you like - I ain't bothered... Lol.
He did however seem concerned that my current hospital haven't swabbed me yet to ensure there's no risk of infection, as he said (as I'm well aware that you'll all know already!) that the shorter the cervix the less distance there is for any bacteria/infection to travel up the cervical canal and affect the amniotic membrane. He said "I expect you've had swabs performed to rule out and guard against infection?"; Me: "Nope, not one so far, they've not even mentioned it"; Him "Oh... ah, err, oh right.... well!". So at my next NHS appointment I will not be leaving my OBs office without being swabbed. And in the mean time and here-on-in ensure I'm as fresh as a daisy as a matter of course! Of course I do anyway, but especially cleansed (sorry if TMI?!).
My and OH saw our little baby once more, who's measuring at 24 weeks , estimated to weigh 1lb 5oz (598g), was breech, surrounded by normal fluid levels and my placenta was high up on the front so well out of the way of the cervix = very happy!
He said continue to take things easy, but unless it goes down to 1.5cm there's no reason to intervene with a 'rescue stitch' or progesterone or anything - just as you ladies said!
HelenGee - thank you for sharing your experience, it must've been so worrying to be 19weeks at 13mm & with funnelling
I can't even begin to imagine that level of cervix-related worry, particularly with your school sounding so unsupportive and negative. How are they at the moment? Understanding anything? Supporting more? Don't take anything sitting down, particularly with something so important as pregnancy.
I'm starting to relax a little more now, and try to trust the advice I'm getting, and the fact that Mr Mason today said that the fact that I've got 2 more NHS scans booked over the next 3-4 weeks is "oooooh plenty,... more than enough". So my experience at my local hospital must be fairly ok. I'll trust his opinion.
Lizzie - Wow, you're response was amazingly in depth and so reassuring to read. thank you SO much for taking the time to help me in such detail. It's really appreciated. I didn't filter anything btw, as ALL of it was really helpful and informative
I'd not considered the fact that the LLETZ would've shortened the cervix anyway creating a different starting point. This was confirmed today by Mr Mason though on scans you can't tell whether a cervix is strong or not, though by pressing down on my bump and watching the cervix's reaction to that showed that it's giving 'giving in' or weakening due to an extra bit of pressure - so very reassuring! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the 2.7-3.0cm region is my 'norm' as you said. I'm still taking things as easy as possible and my OH is doing EVERYTHING around the house, just to be on the safe side, as you say the 'prize' is just too valuable not to rest more and lessen any possible risk, no matter how small that may be at this stage.
Kateqpr - of course I remember! Thank you AGAIN for your help and advice
The private scan today, as was the case with you, was really useful for having peace of mind - well worth the travel to Leeds and the money. Even though it's gone up by 2mm (which according to info on here and the OBs advice this is completely normal for an organ that is so variable in nature anyway) and I'm no immediate danger of ptl (*touch wood*) it's not caught anything but simply allowed me to relax mentally a little more and be a bit less stressed during this pregnancy! 2 weeks between scans does seem like an eternity at times (and even more so for those in worse situations than myself). Alongside the stress of the 1 in 5 Down's risk diagnosis and the amniocentesis experience, and the gestational diabetes scare at 10 weeks it's already been a roller coaster ride of a pregnancy so I reckon this baby will come out as a little stress-head just like his mum! Bloomin' stress hormones - stay away from my LO! Lol.
Thanks for the info re the FFN test. If it shortens any more I'll talk to my OB about getting one of those done. It might be best just to get one done anyway, again if not just for peace of mind.
Thank you SO much again everyone for ALL the amazing advice and support - I can't thank you enough. Thinking of all of you and wishing you all well
xxx
