Hi all,
I've been reading all your posts but not had chance to reply.
MommyA - I struggled to get my ic recognised as I'd had a healthy first pregnancy, however I just knew something wasn't right, I lost my mucus plug around 6 weeks, but an abdo scan showed a healthy heartbeat so it was passed off. Then I continually visited my gp, midwife and maternity ward complaining of back passage pressure and copious amounts of mucous, cream coloured discharge. I had another abdo scan at 17 weeks which showed a long, closed cervix so no further action was taken. I didn't get to see my consultant at this point, only a stand in who was vile and laughed at me when I mentioned my concerns about ic and told me to see my midwife. What an idiot he was!
I booked a cervical length scan with a private consulatant and paid for it just to set my mind at rest at 20 weeks as I was due to return to work after the long summer holiday. He noticed immediately that my measurement of 21mm with pressure was borderline and requested that my consultant repeat it 5 days later at my 20 weeks scan. I tried to contact the hospital to request this, they told me that they don't do internal scans routinely , so I insisted and was told to arrive as normal for my scan and they would do it. When I got there they refused, my consultant wasn't on again that day and I had only been booked with the sonographer. The consultant on duty refused to see me until I got REALLY upset, cried and refused to leave until I at least had some advice on whether I should be on rest or not given the demanding nature of my job. The midwife managed, by lying to the consultant, to fit me in. I was then 13mm and funnelling and booked in for a stitch the next day with my actual consultant who was furious that I hadn't been referred to her earlier. Her advice was that the stitch really needs to be in as early as possible, usually around 13 weeks, but by 18 weeks at the latest. She held out little hope for us.
If I hadn't been scanned at that point I was going to return immediately to the private consultant as he promised to make my consultant take action or take me on as his patient in his own NHS hospital.
So, for me, I think the plan you have is a good one, a second opinion as a back up, then of you are not happy you have the choice. But I think you are correct, although i'm no expert, in that the stitch needs to be done sooner, rather than later. What you have described sounds like ic to me, the infection just speeded things up. The brilliant private consultant later asked me how I felt about my own treatment, when I said I was about 80 per cent confident in them, he was disgusted. In his opinion, having confidence in your practioners makes the difficult situation easier to deal with as you know they are doing all they can for you. Perhaps that second opinion will be the better option as you will feel more confident anyway.
Good luck.
Lynx - your measurements sound great so I wouldn't be worried as your cervix would have shortened by now under the growing pressure. However, I did feel back passage pressure on and off. With hindsight, I felt the pressure, which made me feel like needing a bowel movement and I couldn't walk properly. Then I would have a bm, with huge amounts of creamy discharge coming out, it would take about 3 or 4 wipes to clear it and the pressure would be relieved for a few days, when it would all start again. I imagine the scaffolding of my cervix was gradually giving out, and as it did, there was temporary relief, then the pressure would build again. The abdo scan at 17 weeks did not show any shortening, so my cervix must have been really long, but very weak at the start of the pregnancy. Then the shortening must have been gradual. The most dramatic shortening was from 21mm to 13mm and funnelling within 5 days at 20 weeks. Based on this I don't think you have ic as you would have noticed shortening, and the back passage pressure can be normal. But if you are still worried I would ask for more cervical length monitoring just for your own peace of mind. There's no harm in asking, I wish they had taken me more seriously when I first presented to them.
Sweet pea - keep on trucking! At 27 weeks you have got through the worst, I promise. How you've done it without joining the forum is a miracle. At 22 weeks I was out of my mind with worry, I was hospitalised with an anxiety attack which presented with stroke and heart attack symptoms. You must be made of really stern stuff. Stay strong, you have good stats in your favour now, it would take actual labour to deliver your baby and as long as the stitch holds, then it doesn't matter what the length is. The concern is that dilation may expose the membranes which can cause rupture and begin labour that way, but I would think that would already have happened by now as the stitch would have stirred things up. Although it's far from an ideal scenario, 28 weeks was my huge goal when I was at 22 weeks as the stats for premature babies are much improved. I was recently really humbled by a teenage mum I met at baby group who had her baby at 28 weeks. She had no idea that she was at risk of PTL, and her baby is a very healthy, happy 7 month old. She had some time in NICU, and she was teary eyed as she spoke to me as she was so unprepared for this scenario. I really felt for her, I think she was still in shock, whereas I was grateful to reach this goal as it meant survival. Keep holding on, drinking loads of water and REST. Xxxx
Vasu - great to hear that you're all doing well, she is just beautiful and has a beautiful mum to match. Pregnancy does take it's toll physically, as I keep being told, it just takes time to heal. Have patience xx
Berry blue - you are a star! Full term is marvellous, well done. It's great to be that huge isn't it?! Take care, can't wait to hear your good news xx
Thanks lizzie, I do try to help, but sometimes my knackered out and sleep deprived brain doesn't work in conjunction with my fingers and I type something tactless
JulieW - that's brill that you've made it to 34 weeks
So pleased for you. Please let us know when you've had your
baby, it makes my day to add another baby to the list! Xx
I'm sure there's someone I've missed, I'll check back in again soon. Please take care and keep resting and baking xxx
The soonest a cervical scan would have been was wednesday when ill be 24+1 so beyond the point of doctors doing a suture anyway - i will ride it out i think.
Yeh i am. Just glad you ladies are so supportive and knowledgeable 
