Incompetent Cervix

[seekingbaby#1]

Thanks so much for this thread. This is my first pregnancy, I had a 20 week scan on friday and was told I have a short cervix and was immediately placed on hospital bedrest. My cervix is about 4mm long and I am so scared of going into preterm labor. I'm gonna have another scan 2morrow (monday) to check the length and I'm hoping its not any shorter. My doctor checked me manually and said my cervix didn't seem that short. My cervix is currently closed and I have no contractions and my water hasn't broke. I feel my baby boy move all the time. The doctor also told me that having a cerclage at this point is very risky and that he has had patients with the same condition as myself deliver at 30+ weeks. I'm praying that being on bedrest will prevent an early labor.

 

[spurskath82]

hi,
i can't believe how common ic seems to be yet there is such poor monitoring and treatment offered for it.
i fell pregnant in jan 2008 for the first time. i've had previour laser treatment on cervix for abnormal cells and told midwife this when booked in. nothing was mentioned to me about ic and i was having a normal pregnancy until i had pains at 22+2 and gave birth to my son Evan at 23+3. he was too little to stay with us.
i fell pregnant again and had weekly internal cervical scans from 16 weeks. my cervix was always over 2.5 until 22+6 when scan showed funneling. i had an emergency stitch put in and it held until my second son, Dyfan was born at 24+4. Dyfan fought to stay with us for 4 months and 4 days until his little body just got too tired and he left us.
somehow despite being on the pill i found out a month after he'd passed that i was pregnant and had actually been pregnant before he died.
i had 2 stitches placed at 12 weeks one high up my cervix and one low down to keep my mucus plug in. i've also been using progesterone pessaries daily since week 8 .
i'm now 26+2 and cervix is still closed. i've still been having weekly scans to check cervix is closed but not to measure it as stitch is already in place.
i've not been on bedrest but i made a personal decision to limit all i did after 20 weeks and i've probably not stood for any longer than 30 mins since then!
its been so hard but i'm more pregnant than i've ever been.
i've been lucky in the care i've had and the number of scans i've had.
but i do feel strongly that ic is a topic and issue that is not looked at and considered often enough.

Kathxxx

 

[Isabella]

Hi, thought I would add my own experience here. I've never had any treatment on my cervix or previous miscarriages or anything, but started getting really bad cramps at 22 weeks, went to hospital and they said cervix was closed (no scan, just looked visually).

Went back at 23 weeks with more cramps and was put on bed rest at home but they said cervix was still closed (again just by looking). At 25 weeks cramps got much worse and this time they found that cervix was 2cm dilated and membranes bulging so got put on hospital bedrest, given steroids for baby's lungs etc. Scan showed funnelling as well and liklihood is that had been funnelling back at 22 weeks but obviously they couldn't tell just my looking. Makes me so mad that they didn't check properly and give me a scan!!

Anyway, am now 30 weeks and been on hospital bed rest for last 5 weeks. Incredibly dull, very stressful but very grateful to have got so far. Discussed getting cerclage (stitch) put in but after going over the risks with the consultant dcided against it as I had barely any cervix left to stitch and was a high risk of my waters breaking in surgery. So now just left on bedrest.

Anyone else on bed rest for same reason and want to buddy up?!

 

[seekingbaby#1]

Wow congrats on making it to 30 weeks!!!! I can't wait to hit that milestone. I got the cerclage placed in at 21 weeks and I'm currently on bedrest, although the procedure was risky the doctor said he was happy I went with that decision because I had just enough cervix left to do the procedure. So basically I can only get up to use the bathroom. I'm praying to reach 30 weeks, then my next goal will be 35 weeks

 

[ProudMum]

Hi ladies,
can I just ask, what exactly is an incompetent cervix and are there any signs of having one other than 2nd tri loss??
The reason I am asking this is because with my first pregnancy I was not able to feel it at all, but with this one my cervix is still very low and I am concerned.
It was ok during the first pregnancy, can you just develop an incompetent cervix?????

 

[Isabella]

Seekingbaby - my next goal is 32 weeks as by then the risks of any long-term effects from premature birth are very low - also will be a week before Christmas for me and the hospital have said that they might let me home! Bed rest is so boring isn't it? There's also so much that we need to do to finish renovating our house and preparing all the baby stuff but I can't do anything except internet shopping! Have they told you when they might take your stich out or do they just wait until you are in labour? I went to visit SCBU the other day and they were very reassuring - they've even had 23 weekers make it so you are doing well too! Just keep taking it a day and a time - I pray every day that I will make it another one!

Proud mum - the only signs I had were cramping and pain. I don't think the fact that your cervix feels low has anything to do with it - cervical incompetence is when the cervix starts thinning out and opening. Also, I wouldn't touch your cervix if I were you as there is a risk of infection and also of triggering things if you are prone to premature labour. I'm in hospital and the doctors don't want to give me any vaginal exams due to the risk of irritating things down there!

 

[Bec L]

Hi
Thanks very much for this thread and for sharing your stories everyone. Sorry to hear that some of you have had the traumas of loss.

I had a cone biopsy 6 years ago. No one expressed any concern at any of my midwife/doctors appointments, but I gave birth to Poppy at 34 weeks and I think it is highly likely that the reason is that I have an incompetent cervix.

I am pregnant again and am so concerned that the same could happen again, possibly earlier than 34 weeks. The thought of hospital bed rest would scare me witless. The thought of even leaving Poppy for a night terrifies me.

Have only seen my GP so far - have hospital midwife appt on Thursday so am going to make sure I get some answers as to when they will scan me and what the prognosis might be. This is a great thread and I hope we can support each other xx

 

[seekingbaby#1]

I actually wasn't told when I would have the stitch taken out. But I'll find out on friday since I have a apointment. I have faith and believe that my baby boy is a fighter and will stay put for many more weeks. I haven't bought anything for the baby yet. I'm waiting until I hit 28 weeks then I'll start ordering things online.

 

[kateqpr]

Hello!!

I went through a pregnancy with Incompetent Cervix and bed rest and oh God how bored and stressful! But now i have a gorgeous chubby little girl, so it was all worth it.

I wish more people were aware of IC and how in so many cases it can be prevented and managed.Good luck to anyone out there having extra scans or on bed rest. I feel your pain ( the things i did to pass the time- knitting scarves, addiction to the Gilmore Girls, wayyyy too much time googling, eating too many cakes ) but if you're aware of the potential problem then you're already doing well in terms of protecting your baby and listening to your body. Which has to be a good thing,even if the waiting for the weeks to pass is difficult.

Hello Lulubee!!!!!

 

[selina22]

Hello all so glad i found this thread i to had no reason to suspect ic i lost my son at 23 w 5d he was 35 mins i then fell pregnant straight away and had internal scans every 2 weeks which showed i was funelling had the stitch put in and had it removed at 37 w my daughter is now 2 yrs old so just wanted to say i know its boring on bed rest but it does work just think about holding your baby at 35 weeks i went out and did all the baby shopping
but i did want to ask has any one had ic already with young kids to look after and did have much bed rest but rested when you could and did it work that way me and husband want another but are waiting till she starts nursery as i can rest more any advice on this please
thanks

 

[kateqpr]

Hi selina

I'd be interested in that too. I had a stitch at 18 weeks, and bed rest but i had the luxury of lying down without a LO to look after. I'm wondering how it would world second time round. I do think if you have the stitch early (12 weeks) you're less likely to need to take it easy.

 

[selina22]

yes i know when i was pregnant witth megan my hubby was not working all i did was nothing lol except go to hospital appointments hubby did everything for me now hes working and fianacially he cant leave his job and i have megan 2yrs old so i am waiting till she starts nursery though i really want another lol one more then no more 2 is just perfect for me though i allways wanted 5 or 6 kids now i just would be gratefull for two i dont want to go through losing another baby lol sorry for going on just want to know if any1 else has been ok with kids and houshold things to do
i am glad your pregnacy went ok in the end and am sorry for any1 else has lost a child
x
thanks

 

[LuluBee]

My consulant has told me that if we wanted to try for another baby she would be happy to see me for some pre-conception tests to see what my cervix looks like after havig Alex and discuss what the options would be and what care would be like with a second pregnancy. I don't know if having the abdominal stitch would be any better?

 

[selina22]

my consultant when i had megan was amazing i have since then moved i did go to my gp and she reffered me to local consultant and all he said was try for baby when pregnant come back and we'll talk then i am now thinking shud they do pre conception tests then if so i will have to go back to my gp
thnx

 

[ellahstruts]

i had a shirodkar stitch put in at 15 weeks i am now 20, i have 4 young childre, there is always something to do, but i try and limit what i do, i dont stand for more than 20-30 mins and the doc advised me to sit when i can and ofcourse i am signed off of work until further notice, my kids help me around the house too, no baths for risk of infection,no sex,and just take it easy where i can ,i am just praying i make it to 24 weeks, my last scan showed a cervical length of 2cm and no funneling, so hopefully i can make it 4 more weeks atleast to viability. what do you guys think??

 

[selina22]

Hi i think that sounds good as u have no funneling i hope it all goes well and i am sure it will as i was 2cm with funelling with my daughter who is now 2 and she went to full term just try and rest as much as you can and enjoy your pregnacy xx

 

[2LINESPLEASE]

Hello ladies
i have read all your stories and thought i would share mine!
I have a daughter that is 31/2 yrs. Old. Had a normal pregnancy until 29 wks. When started having contractions went to dr. And i was 70% thinned out and dialated 1 cm. But after many dr. Appts. And hospital stays and at home bedrest she was born at 38 wks. Wt. 6lbs. 7oz.
Now i am pregnant again and from the start of this pregnancy it has been ruff!! Took clomid got pregnant first month, however right ovary got over stimulated and ended up with a 15cm cyst!! Then found progestrone was low, had bleeding, took endometrin progestrone suppostories unitll 9wks., then thought things were ok untill 14 wks started having braxton hicks. Went to dr. At 20wks due to burning with urination and contractions found my cervix was 3cm don't know about funneling but was sent to high risk dr. So i go to the dr. Every week one week it is ob next high risk! They haven't done a stitch yet but i am on a progestrone shot every week and somehow it is working my cervix is now 2.8 cm and has been holding for several weeks so i am now almost 26 wks. And feel blessed to have such a wonderfull dr. That listens and believes in u/s because without it i don't know how long i would have held her in!!

Ps. I had a bx of cervix done in 2001 and had leep done due to precancerious cells! So apparently it is a procedure that drs. Due alot but don't warn about the risk of possible ic during pregnancy. I understand the leep keep me from developing cervical cancer but i wish the dr. Would have at least mentioned ic so i would have prepared for it!

Thanx for reading and good luck to us all!!!

 

[Blessed1]

Hey girls. Hope all is well for everyone! I love this thread. I posted earlier about my situation. I just want to update:
I've been seeing a perinatal specialist every 2 weeks to check my cervix via internal scan. I just had my 20 week scan and my cervix measured 3.5cm and she said it looks fine. The specialist said that I will have one more scan at 22weeks to check cervix length again.
Do you think 3.5cm is okay for 20 weeks? Do you remember you cervical length around the same time? I totally trust my dr. but I would like your opinion as well. I always wonder how quickly cervical length can change. I am praying my body will allow me to carry my baby to full term.
Hope all is well for everyone.

 

[LHG]

Hi girls
I had an internal scan yesterday because in 2005 I had lasering to remove cells. I am 16 weeks and cervix only measured 2.3. I've got to take progesterone this week and go back next week to see if I need a stitch. Feeling a bit panicked today and down, good to read other experiences. LHG xx

 

[LuluBee]

LHG: Sorry you're having a tough time, my cervix was around the same length as yours, I wasn't given any treatment and held out until I was 21 weeks pregnant before having a stitch in - which I wouldn't recommend by the way - I just wanted to reassure you that you'll be alright until next week. I'm pleased they're looking after you well.
Blessed1: That's great news, the average cervix is between 5cm and 3cm long at 22 weeks gestation so you're doing great - so pleased for you honey xx