18 weeks and frettin myself about incompetent cervix pls help

[spandau1980]

Dear all
basically iv had three d n c procedures and am currently pregnant yay and its made it past the first trimester!
Prior to the d n cs i had one twin pregnancy to term and one singleton to term now 11 yrs and 8 yrs!
But Im so stressed that the dnc s will have messed up my cervix and now am in the danger zone for that i c rearing its head Im soooo stressed!
Iv had a bit of pain and abdomen pressure for couple weeks but doc midwife ect fob off my concerns and day Im at no risk of i c!
Anyone have any advice.. reassuring stories ect xx thank xx

[SoYo]

D&C is still a low risk factor for cervical incompetence and would not be an indication for cervical scanning as its so low risk. If you're really concerned & have any bleeding with the continued pain you need to ask your MW to do a speculum. If your cervix looks normal then all is likely fine. If your cervix was shortened they would see this on 12/20 week scans. Please try not to worry, the press have hyped up the D&C risks, it does increase your risk significantly but cervical incompetence is rare so it increases your risk from one very small risk to another still very small risk.

[RileyLeeHargreaves2012]

I lost my first baby at 23 weeks due to infection and weak cervix after I had 2 d&cs. Ihave extra scans at 16&24 weeks. If your scared ask, its better to be on the safe side.

[jellybeans]

I also lost a baby to IC after 3 previous term births, one mid term loss and missed miscarriage/d&c. Two births were attempted ventouse and very traumatic. One was twins. There was no warning, no bleeding, no contractions, I just felt an urge to push at almost 21 weeks and it was too late for medical help as was fully dilated. In the next pregnancy I was followed up with cervical scans at 16 weeks (fortnightly and sometimes weekly) and at 20 weeks my cervix was opening again. At 21 weeks it was opening with pressure/large funel so diagnosed with IC and I had an emergency cervical stitch. Thank fully I went to term although took it very easy. If you are seriously worried i would ask for scans. Also they can look on the 20 week scan if you ask; although at some hospitals only some are trained in this. I had to go to a specific consultant who specialised. If you are very worried you can always take it easy as you can. I was always semi reclined as much as i could and didn't walk far due to the pressure/worry. I'm sure all is OK, IC is very rare. But try to ask for at least one scan to reassure you, preferably vaginal cervical scan. good luck.

[spandau1980]

See this is what i mean.. when i consented to the d n cs there was no mention of any probs ! Would a scan now show up any probs?! Xx
Ps i am so sorry for your loses and u must be very strong ppl to get through it all Xx

[PragmaticWench]

A midwife/doctor viewing your cervix doesn't actually always identify any issues with an incompetent cervix (I did a load of research looking at medical studies), but a scan can easily check for any shortening. I'd had an infection and was worrying myself silly about it, and being fobbed off by my doctor, so asked the sonographer at my 20 week scan if she'd mind measuring the length of my cervix. She was totally fine doing it and put my mind at rest. Could you maybe try asking at your next scan, or go for a private scan if that is an option?

[jellybeans]

I agree to ask them to check the cervix at your next scan. Maybe take it as easy as you can till then as a precaution. Nothing too strenuous etc. I agree you could go for a private scan if that is an option. I also would ask for a cervical scan and mention the pressure etc and d&cs. Scans can show cervical funnelling if they are looking out for it. But not everyone is trained or looking or it. Mine was seen at 20 week scan but I was already seeing the department weekly from 16 weeks so they had a look and then contacted the specialist who I usually saw. However the risk you have of IC is still very very low and if you get it checked out then hopefully you can relax.

[Moominsarescary]

Hi spandau I am also 18 weeks pg (on weds) I have ic and had a stitch put in at 14 weeks.

I lost ds4 this time last year at just under 20 weeks after my cervix failed at 18 +4. I had no pain, no bleeding, no contractions. The first I knew of it was feeling a but sick, going for a wee and being able to feel the amniotic sac.

It isn't picked up on the 12 week scan, unless you naturally have a short cervix in which case they will monitor you.

I'm terrified the stitch will fail and have actually phoned the mw to see if I can have a scan to see what the cervix is doing, no joy though!

Signs to look out for are increased discharge and slight bleeding on wiping, but some people don't get any warning. However it is quite rare and having 2 d& cs doesn't mean it will happen to you.

I've had to d&cs and two other procedures that involved stretching the cervix but had 3 healthy children after the d&c s

[spandau1980]

Hi all x
had private scan and showed cervix to be 3.47mm is that good for 18 w+4?
Sonographer said was average length but if i was still worried to check at 20 weeks. trouble is its an hour and half away and cost 130 and we re not well off unfortunatly ...
Anyone have any words of wisdom on lengths and stages...
Hugs to all x

[Moominsarescary]

That sounds really good, I think the average in the 2nd trimester is between 2-3.

Are you booked in for a 20 week scan with the nhs? If there is any problem, shortening, funnelling they will pick up on it.

Don't suppose you are any where near Nottingham? We haven't found anywhere that offer a private cervical scan.

[jellybeans]

Mine was always about 2.4. Even with the stitch in it stayed the same. They did see funneling on the 20 week scan but you may have to mention it as they were looking for it with me. After that had to see a specialist consultant who scanned me the week after and things had got worse hence emergency stitch. Glad all seems to be going well and you are looking out for it which means if they do find it you can have treatment. Unfortunately IC usually strikes people who have no idea and so don't suspect it, ask about it at scans etc. they told me they don't check routinely. So as long as you make sure they check you should be absolutely fine.

[spandau1980]

Aw thanks ladies Xx
we went to solihull ..mums clinic very good there. not many places do the proper scan. i harassed my mw in tears and demanded they scan at my 20weeks one on 25th for cervical length.. she tried to fob me off but i got one! Ill let ya know when iv been :)
That's nhs
ill re visit mums again if need be despite money travel as its my mental state that i have to think about too and being pro active has helped ...
Is solihull to far from u moomins ? Xx

[Moominsarescary]

No it's about an hour and 30 mins away. I see my mw tomorrow and will have another go at trying to get one with the nhs

[spandau1980]

Its same distance for me :(
Yes kick off! Let me know wats said x

[jellybeans]

That is great you have one Spandau well done for pushing for it. Also hope you get one Moomin. I had one scan done after the stitch was in about 22 weeks. They said they didn't do them after 24 weeks as if the stitch failed after that the baby would be born and have a chance. But can't see why they won't offer you one. Wish you both very healthy pregnancies and babies :)

[spandau1980]

Yikes having a small amount of clear ish jelly type discharge... is this something to be concerned about? Noticed after straining to go toilet (tmi sorry )
X

[Moominsarescary]

It could just be normal increase in discharge which happens at certain stages in pg, mines increased at the moment but the mw has checked my cervix and it's still really far back. Ring the mw if you are worried x

[spandau1980]

Thanks moomins ... did u get ur nhs scan??
Why did she say your cervix is far back? Was that ti do with discharge? Cheers x

[Moominsarescary]

No looks like I'll have to wait untill the 30 week scan. I was quizzing the mw as last time my cervix was really close to the front and facing fwd, this time it's really far back and facing back wards.

She said it should be further back and tilted backwards, so it's doing what it should be, fingers crossed

[Moominsarescary]

20 week scan!

[spandau1980]

I take it she s checking that because of ur stitch? My mw checks my blood pressure and that's about it!
We ll have to compare scans lol when's yours? Mines 25th x

[Moominsarescary]

Yeah only because I was panicking about it. They can't tell if it's shortening or funnelling by looking at it but the position was good.

Mines the 1st of oct

I had a gender scan at 16 weeks and it's a boy!

[Angelico]

Spandau really sorry to hear you are so worried. I had no procedures on cervix but did have unexplained pelvic pressure from about 14 weeks on and was petrified of IC. Also had some spotting around the 16-22 week mark.

In the end I was looking into getting a private scan as NHS would not do a transvaginal scan in spite of several trips to gynae. Just kept doing speculum exams In the end I went for private AN care and consultant was able to measure my cervix with a normal US. He did it 3 times for me and measurement was always around 3.7 - anything 3+ is a good measurement. It took all the stress out of my pregnancy so if you feel like you need another one find the money wherever you can, even if you wait a few weeks. You'll find that once you get to post 24 weeks you'll probably relax a bit anyway.

Hope all goes well for you

[spandau1980]

Hi moomins ... glad its doing what it should do ! 1st Oct cool im ticking off on my calendar my scan date are they gonna check for you then ?

Angelico .. . its a nightmare when u get somat in your head and they fob u off!
Where'd you have ur scans?

[spandau1980]

Having a panic today :(

[spandau1980]

My scan seems a lifetime away :(