This is my first post on this forum, but I have found this site and others like it to be a great source of support over the past few months.
I know how scared I was when my short and funnelling cervix was discovered so I though I would post my story and a little advice.
My short cervix was discovered at my 19 week scan on a Friday. The sonographer told me it looked "a little short and soft" and that I should follow it up with my doctor the following week. I then received an urgent call from my doctor on the Monday morning telling me to report to hospital for a repeat scan. My cervix was 26 mm and funnelling. It measured 18mm on the repeat scan which was very concerning as it looked like it was shortening rapidly. I was started on progesterone pessaries and IV antibiotics that night and had a cerclage done the next afternoon. My cervix was not dilated at the bottom which I was told was a good sign. I went home 2 days later, with a goal of making to 28 weeks, 32 if I was lucky. In those very difficult few days, I found a lot of reassurance in reading the many positive stories on this site and others.
I am in Australia where we don't really do bed rest because of its associated risks. I was just told to take it easy. After reading so many success stories after bed rest, I just couldn't bring myself to do too much. I worked from home and took it very, very easy until 26 weeks. My cervix respond very well to treatment. It stopped funnelling after 2 weeks and actually increased in length to a peak of 30mm at 27 weeks. My last measurement at 32 weeks was 22mm and still nowhere near the stitch. I am now 34 weeks and have just finished the progesterone. We are planning to take the stitch out at 36 weeks.
My understanding is that you can have a cerclage up until 24 weeks. It seems to be more risky if you are dilated and or the membranes are bulging. I don't know whether it is the cerclage, the progesterone or a combination of both that have given me my results. My doctors certainly advocate the combination if both if possible. Having the stitch was scary (I had a general anaesthetic) and I was sore for a few days afterwards but it has provided me with some peace of mind. I have also been lucky as I have had not any issues with contractions or pre-term labour.
Everyone is different of course, but I just wanted to let you know that is it is possible to have good results with progesterone and a cerclage. I have also found lots of success stories with progesterone and bed-rest only.
