Please help!

[_Hope_]

Hello ladies, i'm really hoping someone can help me!

I have to have internal scans to measure my cervix every two weeks due to having a cone biopsy on my cervix 2 years ago. I went for my first measurement scan 2 weeks ago (at 17+1 weeks) and my cervix was 44mm which I was told was very good considering the surgery I have had. I have been again today (at 19+1 weeks) and the measurement has dropped to 36mm! I have 'lost' 8mm in just 2 weeks!

The consultant said it's usually nothing to worry about until it drops to 25mm or below but in my case (twins) he says that ideally it needs to stay above 30mm.

Has anyone ever had this happen? Is it possible that next time it may not have dropped at all or only dropped slightly? I was so shocked at the time I didn't ask these questions and could kick myself now!

My main concern is that it continues to drop so quickly. I'm so worried Any advice would be greatly appreciated x

 

[lottie7]

Try ringing your Consultants secretary in the morning and ask if you can make a telephone appointment with him......it may work. There is always so much information to take in. However if your Consultant wqas overly worried you would have picked up on that. If he was worried he would have told you.
I hope you find the answer.

xx

 

[_Hope_]

Thankyou for your reply. The doctor I saw was a trainee which doesn't help matters! I'm going to ask to speak to someone next monday when I go for my 20 week scan x

 

[lizziedripping]

Oh hun - sorry I've only just seen your post, but desperately want to help.

I too am pregnant with twins, and had a cervical stitch placed at 12wks due to a previous preterm birth put down to IC.

My cervix has been regularly scanned throughout this pregnancy - and remained at 4 til 25wks, then dropped to 2 with funneling. It has remained like that now for several weeks because the stitch will not let it funnel any further.

Your cervix is currently ok - bearing in mind that a twin pregnancy at 19wks is equivalent to a singleton of 23wks. If every pregnant woman was routinely screened then their cervix length would vary enormously as their pregnancies progressed, and this would be deemed normal. Many women loose cervix length as their pregnancy progresses, and it is true that anything between 2.5 and 5 is considered normal.

However, it has been anticipated that your cervix might be weak due to previous issues. THis is why you are being regularly scanned. If I were you, I would atleast be asking at this stage about the possibility of having a stitch put in. I really don't want you to panic or stress, because your cervix may well hold up fine without inervention, but stitches work so much better if they are placed before a potential problem does arise.

Are they giving youan internal scan at 20wks? You seem to be being monitored very closely which is brilliant. Even if there has been further shortening at your next appointment, there is still time to put in a stitch. I am guessing by your doctors comments that he is ready to act if it does drop below 3?

The key is to get a stitch placed before any funneling begins. Because you are getting regular scans, it is likely there will be time to do this before any significant changes occur.

What I can recommend for now, is that you rest as much as possible, no heavy lifting of stair climbing unless absolutely necessary. Even temporary bed rest can lengthen the cervix overnight hun.

At this stage, be aware but don't panic. Your doc sounds good, and is keeping a very close eye on things. Make sure they carry on that way. Don't be afraid to push for action. Explain that you're anxious and would rather be proactive than reactive. Twin pregnancy is a whole different ball game to a singleton, with all kinds of extra stresses and strains - you have every right to ask questions.

PM me if you need advice hun - I have been there, and there isn't anything I don't know about twins, IC, emergency and elective cerclages and premature babies. I really want to help

 

[_Hope_]

Thank you so much for your post. You have made me feel so much better already

I'm due for my 20 weeks scan on Monday and they haven't mentioned taking cervical measurements then. My next appointment for that isn't until the 26th March due to no available appointments. This is what is worrying me, the fact that I lost 8mm in 2 weeks and the time between my last cervical scan and the next one is 18 days.

I don't have much faith in the doctor that scanned me this time, he didn't communicate with me very well and to be honest I didn't ask much because I was in shock and didn't feel able to approach him with any questions at that point. I am going to ask to speak to someone on Monday and stress my worries and fears and ask for my cervix to be checked again that day and see what has happened, if anything, since last time. Hopefully they will sort me out!

Congratulations on your pregnancy. 2 boys, how wonderful! I can't wait to find out on Monday what our little ones are.

Once again thank you so much for your reply, you really have helped me and i'm sure I will be bothering you again soon!

Zoe xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi there Hope - thanks for your PM, and you are NOT bothering me at all. If I can help you make it thru this pregnancy with your sanity intact, and 2 healthy babies then I'll be chuffed to bits

Going from 44mm to 36 in a fortnight is not necessarily a bad thing hun. Often, the measurements vary depending on who does them, and from day to day. It is unlikely you'd get another internal scan more often than fortnightly on the NHS anyway That said, if you are anxious you can always go to delivery suite and ask that they have look in the meantime. Tell them you feel things might have changed - you might have to push for it, but I have never had a problem if I explain I have had lots of pressure, and it's making me nervous that my cervix has changed.

Even if you do loose more length in the next 2wks, you will still be within normal limits, and at that point they would probably put in a stitch. Before then, if you feel any change in symptoms i.e. increased pressure down below, masses of extra discharge or dull backache, go get checked out hun. Stick your feet up if you can, as often as you can, drink plenty of water (they say atleast a pint glass an hour with twins) and take things really easy from now on.

Please write any time if you are unsure or nervous. And remember, you just might be ok my sweet - IC is very rare, and many women can get thru a pregnancy with it on bed rest alone. It is not time to panic just yet

 

[_Hope_]

Thank you so much

Think i'm gonna try and press for them to check it on Monday at the hospital, especially since I have been feeling lots of pressure to the point where I HAVE to sit down and have definately had lots more discharge recently too. My back is constantly aching and has done for a while so not sure if that could be a 'symptom' but it's worth mentioning to them I suppose.

For now i'm going to try and put it all to the back of my mind until Monday, rest as often as I can (easier said than done when working full time though - roll on my last day!) and drink plenty of water.

Like you say, chances are everything will be fine. I just worry too much!

Thanks again - you are wonderful! xx

 

[lizziedripping]

If you can get checked Monday, then brilliant.

I have to say tho, this is my third pregnancy, and I have been plagued by constant pressure, a feeling that the babies are "falling out", and I cannot really move around for more than 10 minutes without feeling the need to lie down.

Since 10wks I have felt like this, and given my history it has made the whole pregnancy terrifying I also started having braxton hicks contractions since 20wks, so have constantly felt like I'm going into labour. Every time I've made a panic visit to L&D I've been told these feelings are all normal for twins - and they must be right because all these sensations have NEVER had an effect on my cervix.

You are wise to be aware, and push for TVUs, but all that you are feeling can also just be a twin thing. I am not working full time either, so goodness knows how much worse I would have felt had I not had the opportunity to rest hun.

You are actually holding up very well - but an internal will not only keep an eye on things before they change, but will give you much needed reassurance. Good luck

 

[sar35]

good luck with your scan, let me know what you are having xxx

 

[_Hope_]

good luck with your scan, let me know what you are having xxx

Thanks Sarah, I will do hun and hope you are ok