Incompetent Cervix

[_LauraK1982_]

Thank you so much rensben and huge congratulations on Gabriel ! It is brillinat that you were able to keep him safe for so long.

They haven't measured my cervix yet as it was only when I went for an emergancy scan and then saw the consultant and read my notes that they decided on the plan. Hopefully it'll be good at the 20 week scan.

Thank you for sharing your story. x

 

[selina22]

Hi everyone,

I believed I had a loop diathermy done 6 years ago but at my 16 week consultation appointment thay found that I had a loop excision? done and they removed quite a chunk of my cervix. They are now going to be checking my cervix at 20, 24, 26, 28,32 and 34 weeks.

I just wondered for those that have gone through similar how do they measure the cervix ? Is it an internal scan or done through the normal ultrasound ?

This is my 1st pregnancy and I am being consultant led so I am happy that they are keeping a close eye on me, just a little concerned !!!

Thanks everyone. x

Hi firstly congratulations on your pregnancy and i agree with everything rensben said she is proof that you can have a healthy baby maybe a little small but here even with an emergency sticth with membranes bulging though i think that if its bothering you and for your peace of mind i might suggest to consultant to check cervix from 18 weeks as you can catch anything happening before the cervix starts to dialate honestly i dont want to scare you and im sure many women have carried full term after having loop diathermy done but if consultant wants to check whats the harm having one at 18 weeks i wish you a happy pregnancy and hope you keep us updated as resben said the ladies here are very experianced in IC and friendly xxx

 

[_LauraK1982_]

Thank you Selina,

You have kind of confirmed what i was thinking. At my 20 week scan I will actually be 21 weeks so it's a while away yet. I just want to make sure that if it is something that is likely to happen to me then the earlier I get it checked the better. Think I will give my MW a call on tuesday and see if she can get me a consultant appt asap. Thank you. x

 

[selina22]

Thank you Selina,

You have kind of confirmed what i was thinking. At my 20 week scan I will actually be 21 weeks so it's a while away yet. I just want to make sure that if it is something that is likely to happen to me then the earlier I get it checked the better. Think I will give my MW a call on tuesday and see if she can get me a consultant appt asap. Thank you. x

I hope i havnt upset you but yes there's no harm in checking though im sure you'll have a great pregnacy as i said many women do go full term with no complications after any saught of cervix removal pre pregnancy, but ask im sure they will see you just to make sure everythings ok

let us know how you go xxxx

 

[_LauraK1982_]

No not upset me at all.

I wanted to see if I could be scanned earlier but felt abit silly. I don't know anyone else that has had this so just wanted t make sure I wasn't being silly !

Will let you know how I get on as soon as I am sorted. x

 

[selina22]

No not upset me at all.

I wanted to see if I could be scanned earlier but felt abit silly. I don't know anyone else that has had this so just wanted t make sure I wasn't being silly !

Will let you know how I get on as soon as I am sorted. x

lol good and dont think your ever silly allways listen to your body
with my daughter i was being scanned every 2 weeks and thats when i saw my cervix start to open at 18 weeks it was only funelling so i had a stitch placed around the closed half of the cervix and with a bit of bedrest she was here full term and healthy so it started happening for me at about 18 weeks and i have never had anything done to my cervix pre preggers.

 

[thesmiths88]

Hi there - I have a possible arcuate/bicornuate uterus and think I am more prone to having an IC because of this. Who should I ask about getting my cervix measured and when? Thanks!

 

[JadeyB]

Hi everyone,

I believed I had a loop diathermy done 6 years ago but at my 16 week consultation appointment thay found that I had a loop excision? done and they removed quite a chunk of my cervix. They are now going to be checking my cervix at 20, 24, 26, 28,32 and 34 weeks.

I just wondered for those that have gone through similar how do they measure the cervix ? Is it an internal scan or done through the normal ultrasound ?

This is my 1st pregnancy and I am being consultant led so I am happy that they are keeping a close eye on me, just a little concerned !!!

Thanks everyone. x

Hi Laura,

I had the majority of my cervix removed for early stages of cervical cancer a couple of years ago.

I had a Lletz treatment (loop thingy), followed by a cone biopsy, followed by a partial trachelectomy. So I really wasn't left with much cervix at all (between 1 and 1.5 cm).

From posts I've read from other girls on various support forums, you SHOULD be ok after a loop excision but it all really depends on how much cervix was removed. I would try to get seen earlier and get them to measure the length of your cervix. I've always been told my risk period is between 16-24 weeks (they only say 24 as that is when the baby is considered viable) I do not by any means class myself as safe at this point. But I'm sure that you have alot more cervix than me.

With regard to positive stories though. A friend of mine (who I met through a support forum) had the same amount of cervix removed as me and she went to 35 weeks with her little girl with no stitch whatsoever. She was checked every 2 weeks from about 16 weeks.

I've lost count the amount of transvaginal u/s that I have had and they are completely fine. It is a long probe that they cover with a condom and put in your vagina. I would say the first one may be a little uncomfortable (not painful by any means). Once you've had a couple, it really is not a worry at all.

If I can be of any help or if you have any questions, feel free to ask away.

xx

 

[JadeyB]

Hi there - I have a possible arcuate/bicornuate uterus and think I am more prone to having an IC because of this. Who should I ask about getting my cervix measured and when? Thanks!

Hi there,

I'm not too sure what a arcuate/bicornuate uterus is?! With regard to IC caused by a surgically shortened cervix. I was always told my biggest risk period was from 16 weeks but in both pregnancies I was measured a little earlier than this.

HTH

xx

p.s. Mine was always measure by my ob/gynae.

 

[_LauraK1982_]

Thank you so much JadeyB for your post

I have had the transvaginal u/s a few times as I have PCOS and this is how they diagnosed me. I am going to call the u/s clinic tomorrow and insist I get seen earlier. I checked my appt and consultant had said for me next to be seen at 20 weeks yet my current appt is booked ofr 21+6. So I will see if I can get seen this week or next to put my own mind at rest !! xx

 

[JadeyB]

Thank you so much JadeyB for your post

I have had the transvaginal u/s a few times as I have PCOS and this is how they diagnosed me. I am going to call the u/s clinic tomorrow and insist I get seen earlier. I checked my appt and consultant had said for me next to be seen at 20 weeks yet my current appt is booked ofr 21+6. So I will see if I can get seen this week or next to put my own mind at rest !! xx

I think thats a good idea and please don't feel you are troubiling them unnecessarily.

Let us know how you get on. xx

 

[_LauraK1982_]

I called the hospital this morning and have managed to pull my appt forward by a week so I am now booked for the 28th April so will be 20+6 instead

means I get to find out what we are having sooner aswell !! yay !

 

[JadeyB]

I called the hospital this morning and have managed to pull my appt forward by a week so I am now booked for the 28th April so will be 20+6 instead

means I get to find out what we are having sooner aswell !! yay !

Thats good - good luck hon, let us know how you get on.

x

 

[LucyluvsPoppy]

Sorry to jump in ladies but I have a question. Due to past surgeries I had a cervical scan today at hospital (Im 15 weeks tomorrow) cervix measurement was 36mm (3.6cm) with no cervical funelling. They said it was ok and I have to go back in 2 weeks.

Ive googled and found this:

What is a normal cervical length in pregnancy?
At 20 weeks gestation the average cervical length is 40mm
At 34 weeks gestation the average cervical length is 34 mm

How short is too short for cervical length?
A cervical length <15 mm at 22-24 weeks gestation is very abnormal and is associated with a significant risk of preterm birth.

So my cervix is shorter than the average at 20 weeks? Im worried now! Anyone else had similar length to mine?

Thank you x

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi there. Ask away any time hun.

3.6 is below the average for 15wks, but is still well within normal range. A woman's cervix can be anywhere between 2.5 and 5 and be considered normal for them. Obviously the shorter a cervix is to start with, the less "room for manoeuvre" as the pregnancy progresses.

As your uterus gets heavier it will place more strain on the cervix, and it will probably shorten further, which is why they are checking you. They only get nervous if it drops below 2.5, at which point they may discuss placing a cervical stitch to keep it closed until it no longer is an issue after 26wks. At that point the baby moves up and onto the pelvis, so the cervix is under less pressure.

Resting can actually lengthen the cervix overnight - try sticking your feet up whenever you can. At the moment there is no need to panic - 3.6 is still a good length. I have always maintained that if every woman's cervix was scanned in pregnancy, there would be huge natural variation - and length would fluctuate from week to week.

It is definitely worth monitoring due to your previous surgeries. They will spot any worrying changes in time to do something about it. Cervical stitches placed before a cervix dilates are very effective hun. If next time you go, you have dropped below 2.8, begin to push for a stitch just as a precaution - that's if your doc doesn't recommend one anyway.

I had a suspected weak cervix in my second pregnancy, had a stitch placed in this one at 12wks, my cervix remained at 4 and closed til 25wks, and then funneled to the stitch and shortened to 2.8/3 from then on. Given that this is a twin pregnancy, it demonstrates even a really weak cervix can hold up if monitored and treated when necessary.

You may find that your cervix remains in the 3s throughout, and this can be perfectly normal, particularly if it started out shorter anyway due to your surgeries. It's starting point is also an important factor - it may have only been at 3.6 before you conceived, in which case it is holding up extremely well, and is normal for you.

Good luck - you'll be fine, and you are doing the right thing by keeping an eye on things x

 

[LucyluvsPoppy]

Thanks for the information, that is so reassuring and informative xx
I will see what it is next week. Will use it as an excuse to sit with feet up in evenings!!! I work in an office so sit up/ walk around all day and do at least an hours walk each day due to travel, plus up and down stairs as both home and office are on 3rd floor so Im quite active. x

 

[lizziedripping]

Wow, you are on your feet alot!!

Just try to pace yourself hun. If you feel any vaginal pressure/bulging or dull aching anywhere, then get checked out. It pays to be vigilant even tho the majority of women don't have any problems at all even after surgery on their cervixes.

I'm just super cautious given my past experiences. Let me know how you get on

 

[ellahstruts]

hi lizzie i had my stitch out last friday and no sign of bab still, i am ready for her to arrive........how are things with you? x

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Ellah - was wondering how you got on hun. Glad to hear all is still ok with you. How was the stitch removed out of interest? Were you in theatre, and how long did it take?

I'm still here and waiting. Can't believe I'm nearly 37wks with twin - never dreamt I'd make it this far Still got the planned section on the 26th, and now I'm thinking I might actually make it. These boys seem too comfy

My stitch will come out at the same time - hopefully after the section. Can't imagine legs being in stirrups with this huge bump on the front of me!! Check out my 36wk bump over at "Twins and multiples" and you'll see what I mean

How're you hun? Getting excited now? x

 

[JadeyB]

Hey ladies,

How is everyone doing.

Lizzie - I hope you don't mind I checked out your bump too. Wow - I'm not going to complain about my big bump again

It is such a perfect shape bump! So so pleased that you have passed 36 weeks - are you full term tomorrow? And just 10 days to go until your c-section that is amazing!!

I am doing really well - so pleased to have passed 30 weeks. It means, even if baby is born tomorrow, I don't have to be flown to Southampton. My cervix is still closed and baby has an estimated weight of 3lb 3ozs at 29 weeks.

xxx