Incompetent Cervix

[lizziedripping]

How many weeks pregnant are you now MA? x

 

[Mommy's Angel]

How many weeks pregnant are you now MA? x

18 weeks today! The next several weeks are going to be crucial. I'm SO nervous. Just getting through the 22wk milestone will have me slightly on edge.

 

[lsh2010]

I saw my midwife on Friday and complained about how I was treated when I saw the consultant regarding my cervix, so she has made me an appointment in June to see my original consultant who did the surgery on my cervix for pre-cancerous cells, feel much better about that now

However, I'm now a bit concerned as I got a text from the NHS yesterday reminding me I have an appointment on Wednesday at the same clinic at the hospital, I wasn't aware of any appointment!!!! I'm going to ring them this morning to find out what this appointment is for? I'm wondering if someone finally had a proper look at my notes and maybe want's to actually discuss my concerns rather than ignore them!!!

Ah the joys of pregnancy!

 

[lsh2010]

Right, saw a different doctor today and she was much nicer! She sent me for an urgent scan of my cervix and it's now 27mm, last time it was 22mm!! So that's good, she also told me I will have to take the progesterone pessaries till 34 weeks whereas the other doctor only gave me a prescription for 28 days!! she listened for the heartbeat as well

I think it shows that if you don't agree with what your told sometimes it's best to see a different person, it's not always that easy but if you can push for it!

 

[lizziedripping]

Thanks for that Ish, and so glad you've managed to get a second opinion. The 2.2 to 2.7 change is typical of cervix measurements, sometimes they can vary form hr to hr depending on your bladder, the equipment they're using and the specialist doing it! The fact that it is staying stable around 2-3 is good, and certainly shows it isn't dramtically shortening week on week. x

MA hun, your cervix measurements aren't yet cause for concern hun, and it can be normal to see a slight change in length from week to week because everyones cervix is slightly dynamic in nature - unless of course our cervixes were made of steel (I wish - lol). It will be interesting to see how it behaves from this point on, because if it were incompetent, then it would fluctuate much more than it has thus far, and at 18wks the baby is now large enough to be having an effect, if any.

Anything above 3 is actually very good, and I wouldn't worry about it shortening within those parameters. It's if it drops below 2.5 and keeps shortening from that point that there would be more cause for concern. Even then, it isn't the shortness, but rather the rate of change which counts.

Keep me posted ladies xxx

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Thanks for that Ish, and so glad you've managed to get a second opinion. The 2.2 to 2.7 change is typical of cervix measurements, sometimes they can vary form hr to hr depending on your bladder, the equipment they're using and the specialist doing it! The fact that it is staying stable around 2-3 is good, and certainly shows it isn't dramtically shortening week on week. x

MA hun, your cervix measurements aren't yet cause for concern hun, and it can be normal to see a slight change in length from week to week because everyones cervix is slightly dynamic in nature - unless of course our cervixes were made of steel (I wish - lol). It will be interesting to see how it behaves from this point on, because if it were incompetent, then it would fluctuate much more than it has thus far, and at 18wks the baby is now large enough to be having an effect, if any.

Anything above 3 is actually very good, and I wouldn't worry about it shortening within those parameters. It's if it drops below 2.5 and keeps shortening from that point that there would be more cause for concern. Even then, it isn't the shortness, but rather the rate of change which counts.

Keep me posted ladies xxx

All this info. is SO good to know. Thanks Lizzie! We'll see how the scan goes on Friday. I'm interested to see if it's stayed the same or fluctuated again. As you've said, anything 3 or higher is still "safe". Once I get to 3 though I'll start to panic a bit with hopes it will stay put.

I have to mention these 17P injections are painful! I'm willing to suck it up if it keeps baby in and the cervix quiet but HOLY CATS is it hard to sit and find a position to sleep in. The thick gel-like med gets into the muscle and they swell up. It's a good thing that it's done on a different butt cheek every week or this would be torcher!

I can feel it tensing the muscle though and have been having constipation so I'm assuming it's doing it's job and keeping the muscles from contracting but ....OUCH!!

I'll let you know how the scan goes on Friday. Thanks again.

 

[rensben]

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is doing ok. Just wanted to give an update on my situation. I'm being scanned on a weekly basis and my cervix has remained stable at 2.5 for the last two weeks. This is due to the fact that I am staying off my lot more and my mother in law is taking care of my so. She picks him up in the morning and brings him back in the evening. I see him at lunch time because my MIL comes and makes me lunch. I miss him very much and it kills me that I can't take care of him like I so badly want to. It has made a huge difference though and the fact that my cervix length is stable is proof of that. I'm not on complete bed rest yet. If my cervix gets under 20mm I will have to be. My first goal is to get to 30 weeks (when my son was born) That will give me some peace of mind as I know she would be ok. Anything after that is really a bonus. Take good care ladies!

 

[Tesharika]

Hi Ladies.. I guess I belong in here now. I had a cerclage put in exactly one week ago at 13 weeks...Everything is good with my cervix thus far but that's to be expected I had an ultrasound at 11 weeks in my first pergnancy and my cervical length was perfect but when I had one at 21 weeks is was extremely short..I was told the length but I forget exactly what they said it was...(Lost the baby at 22 weeks)
I am scheduled for my next ultrasound in 5 weeks at 19 weeks..fx everything works out this time around..

 

[rensben]

Hi Ladies.. I guess I belong in here now. I had a cerclage put in exactly one week ago at 13 weeks...Everything is good with my cervix thus far but that's to be expected I had an ultrasound at 11 weeks in my first pergnancy and my cervical length was perfect but when I had one at 21 weeks is was extremely short..I was told the length but I forget exactly what they said it was...(Lost the baby at 22 weeks)
I am scheduled for my next ultrasound in 5 weeks at 19 weeks..fx everything works out this time around..

Hi hun,

welcome to the thread. I'm sure none of us really want to be here but it is a great place for support and info. I went through the same experience last year only they put in an emergency stitch at 21 weeks and it held until 30 weeks when I went into labour. I am very sorry for your loss. It must have been incredibly difficult and painful. At my 12 week scan my cervix got a thumbs up from my doctor and by 20 weeks there was next to nothing left. I am pregnant again and had a stitch put in at 15 weeks. I have recently had some shortening and funnelling and my cervix is now 2.5cm. I was not on bed rest and can't really even say I was taking it easy because I was taking care of my 14 month old son who needs a lot of attention at the moment. I am been resting a lot more and not picking him up for the last two weeks and my cervix has stablilized. Rest really is the key. The stitch will do its job but you have to do your part as well. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Rensben, you have the most lovely mil! Look at this as a time for grandma and grandchild to bond together while you are resting. It will all be okay and it's just more added support for you both. I'm SO glad you have this added support!

Tesharika, I too lost our son at 22wks. Found out I was 3cm dialated, gave birth and spent a blessed 25 minutes with our little guy before he passed away. Nobody noticed the cervical length. In fact, I was told it was 4 two days before I gave birth to our son. They weren't doing internal so I'm not sure that was accurate.

I DON'T have a cerclage because over here the Dr.'s are more conservative and afraid to give out cerclages unless it's proven that it was actually IC. They are treating me for PTL and I'm having 17P injections once a week. They are painful, but I'll suck it up to have some sort of added protection. We also get biweekly scans to measure the length of the cervix. They will do a cerclage if it gets to 2cms which has me on EDGE. Once I see 3cm and it goes any lower, I'll be fighting once again for the cerclage.

Welcome and I pray you make it to term ladies! We have alot of positive stories from women in here who've made it! It's encouraging.

 

[Ashley9603]

Well ladies here is my update.I am doing good so far,but I fell down the steps a few days ago and the doctor made me do a NST to assess the babies well being.They passed it,and I have to have a cervical length check and regular ultrasound on Monday.Im hoping all comes back good.I passed my sugar test so thats a good thing.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Glad all is well. I fell down the stairs last fall and it took 6 months to heal as I tore a ligament. Now that I'm pregnant I'm careful to go down the slipper stairs. Glad nothing too serious took place and that you and babies are doing well.

 

[Ashley9603]

Im sure it could of been alot worse if I would of fell on my belly,I was able to fall directly on my one knee(bruised pretty bad)Im thankful that they are ok.

 

[Dash]

Nobody has posted on here for a few weeks but I thought i would give it a shot and see if anyone is still around?

Im a nervous wreck over this pregnancy! I had an incompetent cervix and preterm labor with my first- dilated t 4 at 28 weeks and in the hospital until 34 when he was born. With my second I started progesterone suppositories at 16 weeks and carried her completely successfully until 41 weeks when I was induced. My cervix held up SO WELL with the progesterone!

Im am 16 weeks now and just started my progesterone again a few days ago. For some reason I am feeling less than confident about this pregnancy- and over analyzing EVERY twinge and pain Im getting. I know the progesterone works for me, I know that my doc told me my cervical length looked great just a few days ago, but I just cant seem to relax!

Just looking for some support, I guess.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Nobody has posted on here for a few weeks but I thought i would give it a shot and see if anyone is still around?

Im a nervous wreck over this pregnancy! I had an incompetent cervix and preterm labor with my first- dilated t 4 at 28 weeks and in the hospital until 34 when he was born. With my second I started progesterone suppositories at 16 weeks and carried her completely successfully until 41 weeks when I was induced. My cervix held up SO WELL with the progesterone!

Im am 16 weeks now and just started my progesterone again a few days ago. For some reason I am feeling less than confident about this pregnancy- and over analyzing EVERY twinge and pain Im getting. I know the progesterone works for me, I know that my doc told me my cervical length looked great just a few days ago, but I just cant seem to relax!

Just looking for some support, I guess.

Oh hun. So sorry your going through this but I understand completely! I see you get progesterone suppositories but does your Dr. do cerclages? Do you know what your cervical length was last week? How often are you getting internal scans to check the cervix?

Your doing all you can. I know a lot of women on the other thread I'm on...who are in here as well have said they've done lovely with bed rest and progesterone.

I'm on 17P injections (progesterone injections) and had a cerclage put in a month ago because my length went on me again. I just past my milestone today as I lost my son two years ago to what I NOW know is IC.

I'm sure others will be on to give you some encouragement and input. Lizzie has helped me out a whole lot. These threads, especially the other IC thread ...has been a lifesaver for me. Had I not read and figured it out with these lovely ladies, I may not have made it past this milestone to what will hopefully be my first LIVING child. \o/

Good luck to you and I know you'll get some nice feedback from the others soon!

 

[Dash]

Thank you ! My doc sees no need for a precautionary cerclage because my lengths last time stayed over 3 until 36 weeks. I did not get an exact length this last time, but she did say it was good. I have internal scans every 2 weeks to check length.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Thank you ! My doc sees no need for a precautionary cerclage because my lengths last time stayed over 3 until 36 weeks. I did not get an exact length this last time, but she did say it was good. I have internal scans every 2 weeks to check length.

I "think" Lizzie here says once you hit 26 or 28wks there's no real urge for a cerclage. I'm 23 wks today, last time I lost my son at 22wks and I'm finding that my cervical length starts dwindling at 16wks.

 

[Nurse1980]

Mis post

 

[emma3076]

Thanks hon - thats a good point about others having sex. We have to abstain, last thing I feel like at the minute anyway. I've only booked in for the next 2 weeks on the trot and then I'll ask to be seen 2 weeks after that. Then I will reach 25 weeks and hopefully feel confident not to be seen for 3 or 4 weeks.

I currently have an abdominal stitch, I had that placed pre pregnancy. I had an occlusion stitch put in when I was 18 weeks, this is thought to close up the tip of cervix and give extra protection against infection. I think it is designed to act like a mucus plug in someone who has very little cervix. From the research that I have done, this is not commonly practiced.

The stats of an abdominal stitch are very good - thought to be about 95% effective.

At my scan on Thurs my CL is measuring at 4.2cm (wow!) - pre pregnancy and pre-stitch it measured at 1.5 cm. I'm not sure where the extra length comes from?!

Thanks for all your advice honey - its very valuable. When I come out the other side (praying that I do) I hope to be able to offer advice to others.

xxx

Hi im new to this site, i think u are the first person ive found that has gone through what im about to, ive had 3 losses one at 23wks one at 19wks emerergany stitch, and one a 19wks again but had the stitch in at 12wks, ive been to see a professor bennett in london and im having a TAC done on the 30th march, then if i get pregnant after 12wks the need to do occulsion stitich, any advice you could give me i would be so thankful. Emma. xx

 

[kateqpr]

Hi Emma,

Come and join us in the main Incompetent Cervix thread, where there are loads of us in a similar situation. The link is below, or just go back to the Gestational Complications section and find the Incompetent Cervix / Stitch Cerclage thread and come join us. We can hold you hand over the coming weeks and months xxx

https://www.babyandbump.com/gestati...ix-stitch-cerclage-threatened-labour-391.html