Terrified of Incompetent Cervix... please advise

[Jemma1988]

Hi all,

Since the start of my pregnancy I have been 'reading up' which is the worst thing to do I know but hey... were all on this forum!

I read about incompetent cervix and it horrifies me. I read stories of women who lost a baby at 18-20 weeks this way and of course the baby lives for a short period of time and is in distress before certain death.

I have had nightmares about it.... I think the reason why im so worried Is that I had a miscarriage with my first pregnancy. It was first trimester... probably genetic as there was no reason for it. I bled for two weeks then went for what I thought was a 'wee' and the whole baby and sac dropped down the loo. I never even felt it coming yet it was the size of a satsuma.

Now... Im constantly stressed about incompetent cervix, Im scared to walk, scared to go for a number 1 or number 2 incase I push the baby out. Every twinge that shoots through my ''ahem - 'vj'' which I know is normal but freaks me out thinking im gonna drop the baby.

My fear is really ruining my pregnancy, I feel 'heavy' down there ALL the time and its probably normal but im so uncomfortable already I feel the baby will just drop out. Im constantly thinking how far gone I am because Ive heard of babys being born at 25 weeks and surviving.. I keep thinking " I just have to make 4 more weeks"

Does anyone else have this fear? I have no reason to believe I will have it other than just 'my luck' . I have not been diagnosed. They didnt tell me anything at the 20 week scan which might indicate that. Ive never had any invasive procedures.

all I have is this 'heavy' feeling when I go to the toilet (before, during and for a few minutes after)

Is anyone else suffering this paranoia?

 

[Jemma1988]

bump...... I hope someone can help I want to start enjoying my baby!

 

[disney doll]

I think after what you have been through it is totally understandable why you would have this fear. I don't know what part of the country you live but i know that certain hospitals offer a intervaginal scan at 25 weeks to check for this. Maybe you could discuss this with your midwife x

 

[Jemma1988]

I think after what you have been through it is totally understandable why you would have this fear. I don't know what part of the country you live but i know that certain hospitals offer a intervaginal scan at 25 weeks to check for this. Maybe you could discuss this with your midwife x

yeah i have read up on it but you really have to justify it (usually having had a previous second trimester miscarriage)

I can pay £170 for one at a private clinic near me. Im very tempted but We are getting married december and my mom has given us £2500 to pay for the wedding and Il feel like im abusing her money as we are saving for the baby...

Half of me thinks its worth it so I can stop the worry

 

[roxursox302]

I worry about it just like you do! I was told that they would be able to see my cervix funneling on the abdominal ultrasound and at 17 weeks everything looked completely normal. So try not to worry so much. If they didn't see anything at the 20 week scan chances are your fine

 

[bubs82]

All I can say is please put it out of ur head... I am at risk of pre term labour from this as I have had invasive procedures in the past and its been noted my cervix is abnormally small. I'm under consultant care, but as its my first they don't actually do much til something happens. But u know what. I'm feeling great he is kicking lots and I'm determined to enjoy my pregnancy - all those pressure pains u describe are normal - I get it too, and my 20 week scan was perfect and amazing! We can't worry over something that is very unlikely - let's be strong and positive - big hugs to u !! Xxxxx

 

[Jemma1988]

thankyou both so much.... Im sorry I did worry that by placing this post I would offend or upset someone who did suffer from a shortened cervix... Its just that ever since my miscarriage I am terrified of the baby falling out in the loo.

At work the other day the cleaners put bleach down the toilet... I had to flush them before I went 'just incase' the baby fell out. I think like it every day and its driving me mad. Its the main reason I wont have sex with my Other half so often as we'd like.

Im going to try and remain positive. It reassures me that you said that funelling would be picked up on the scan. xx

Thank you

 

[disney doll]

I do feel for you because it is obviously a real worry for you. I don't know what else to advise other than spk to your midwife and explain that it is a real fear for you and see if you can't get the scan on the NHS i know Southend hospital do them on the NHS.x

 

[bubs82]

thankyou both so much.... Im sorry I did worry that by placing this post I would offend or upset someone who did suffer from a shortened cervix... Its just that ever since my miscarriage I am terrified of the baby falling out in the loo.

At work the other day the cleaners put bleach down the toilet... I had to flush them before I went 'just incase' the baby fell out. I think like it every day and its driving me mad. Its the main reason I wont have sex with my Other half so often as we'd like.

Im going to try and remain positive. It reassures me that you said that funelling would be picked up on the scan. xx

Thank you

Aww u certainly wouldn't offend anyone its a very real fear ! I won't hav sex very often - poor hubby ! But yes, No funneling at the 20 week is a very positive sign ! And just for u to know they wouldn't examine me as they don't want to risk any further weakening - I'm being seen in 4 weeks again. If I get any twinge or leakage I ain't happy with I have been told to immediately to come in - they can give drugs to halt labour . So if ur not happy, don't feel silly just go in ! good luck with the rest of ur pregnancy I'm sure u will be finex

 

[LaRockera]

Why do you think you have IC? Did you have any funneling, or previous TVCs that indicated IC?

There is a thread on cervical incompetence/cervical cerclage here, if you need more information:

https://www.babyandbump.com/gestational-complications/393119-incompetent-cervix-stitch-cerclage-threatened-labour-249.html

Whereabouts are you? If you're in the UK, the only way to put your mind at ease is to go to a private clinic, as the NHS holds a really dismissive attitude towards the whole IC- don't get me started on this.

Doing a TVC @ 25 weeks won't be of much help, as IC is really an issue until you reach 24 weeks- afterwards the baby has grown enough so as not to slip through silently.

Get an appointment with a private clinic for a TVC and a consultation and ask to talk to an obgyn about this, if only to put your mind at ease. There are many of us in the thread below and you may be able to get some really solid advice. But at the same time, do know that cervical incompetence is not really that common. It does account for 25% of all second trimester losses, but just think that the chances of something going wrong after 12 weeks are already down to 1-5%.

I do understand being a bit paranoid though, especially after a loss. It took us a while to conceive so I'm always nervous and anxious about something.

Hope to see you on that thread.


PS. I had a cervical cerclage inserted @ 13 weeks, as I had some minor funneling @ 12 weeks.

 

[MrsM17]

I was soo paranoid about this happening to me prior to 24 weeks. Ive had treatment on my cervix so 100% believed it would happen, I tried so hard to get a scan but was told no.

I am currently fine although have just seen a consultant who has told me I am now a risk for pre-term labour but as someone said above they wont do anything unless something actaully happens and ive been told to watch out for labour symptoms.

Try to put this out of your head, it also ruined my 1st half of pg worrying about it and nothing came of it. Esp if you have no history of having treatment to your cervix there is no need at all for this worry.

xxx

 

[bubs82]

I was soo paranoid about this happening to me prior to 24 weeks. Ive had treatment on my cervix so 100% believed it would happen, I tried so hard to get a scan but was told no.

I am currently fine although have just seen a consultant who has told me I am now a risk for pre-term labour but as someone said above they wont do anything unless something actaully happens and ive been told to watch out for labour symptoms.

Try to put this out of your head, it also ruined my 1st half of pg worrying about it and nothing came of it. Esp if you have no history of having treatment to your cervix there is no need at all for this worry.

xxx

Ur in the exact same boat as me

 

[MrsM17]

Hopefully we will both go overdue and have to be induced!!

As for the sex thing seriously we have done it once since we found out!!! I was so paranoid it would cause my cervix to open that even now when I try to get near the hubby he is backing off haha!!!! He is also worried about it xx

 

[bubs82]

Lol yeah my hubby avoids me like the plague - he is so scared also, not that it does much for my self esteem haha. then when he caves in I do a runner ! Oops lol xx

 

[roxursox302]

I can't get my husband to leave me alone! Every night its the same thing... I guess he just doesnt get Im not in the mood like I used to be

 

[Jemma1988]

Mine says he worries... but does it anyway......

I guess its like being on a diet , having a chocolate bar and regretting it lol