Asked for cervix check at hospital. Did I do the right thing?

[Gingerbreadpixie]

I'm just on my way home from maternity triage at the hospital. I am 23w 5d pg and woke up to tummy ache, menstrual type cramps and lower back pain. I was unsure if this had anything to do with the SPD I've recently been diagnosed with but left it a bit then called the midwife when back cramping got stronger this afternoon. She advised me to go to maternity triage at the hospital.

So off I went, got there at about 4pm. Was deemed low priority but seen by a nurse after a couple of hours. She listened to baby's heartbeat and said a doctor would be along "in a while" to have a quick check of my cervix. Another 2-3 hours later(!) I finally got to see a doctor who didn't seem concerned and who said it was probably constipation. Anyway, I'd been there 5 hours, have a history of cone biopsy and even though prem clinic are happy with the way my cervix is looking I had a niggling voice in my head tell me to get my cervix checked to make sure it was closed.

So I asked her to check it. She did and it was closed but the speculum hurt like buggery! It was a really sharp pain and now wondering if my interfering has done more harm than good and should I have just left well alone and not got her to check? I'm now scared I will start bleeding and have another day of worry. I'm really stressed and wiped out. I never seem to be able to trust my own judgement and I can't take any more worry :(

[ExpatAl]

I'm so sorry you're having such a stressful time. I certainly don't think you were wrong to have your cervix checked. Are you happy with the length btw? I have regular cervical checks because of a previous prem birth but have never had a painful check. It might have hurt because you were very tense? What did they advise you to do now?

[ExpatAl]

Oh sorry, just reread. You wanted to check that it was closed.

[Gingerbreadpixie]

Thanks for the reply expat.

Cervix length at prem clinic was 35mm-40mm a few weeks back so they discharged me at 22 weeks. Which is great. But I just wanted a bit of peace of mind today to just have a quick internal and make sure I wasn't going into preterm labour because of the cramping I was having. I've had a few speculum exams so far this pg. all have been fine, a bit uncomfortable at worst. I have had a stressful day though so maybe I was just tense. I just felt like the speculum might have bumped my cervix and damaged it. I dont even know if that's

It doesn't help that today is a sad anniversary for me and my family which may also explain my extra-fragile mood. Hmm. I think a bath and a cuppa is needed. Wish DH would hurry up and get home

[VivaLeBeaver]

A speculum shouldn't cause problems. It doesn't go as far up as touching your cervix which is why they'd do that at your gestation rather than an internal/digital examination.

[Gingerbreadpixie]

I suppose if people have sex all throughout pregnancy then a speculum shouldn't harm anything?

[atrcts]

Don't worry - I've also had abnormal cells removed surgically and measured 2.8cm on an ultrasound scan. However I've had 3 speculum examinations due to bleeds, and I did check that it won't either introduce infection or aggregate the cervix, and I was assured it is aseptic and no worse than intercourse during pregnancy, so completely safe.

[Gingerbreadpixie]

Thank you atrcts. That's reassuring x

[katesav87]

Just wanted to reassure you I had a cervix check using a speculum at about 24 weeks as I thought I was leaking fluid. The Docter that did it was quite rough and it really hurt me!! Wen it came out I noticed there was abit of blood on it but he didn't mention it so I hoped for the best. I wasn't leaking fluid and cervix was closed so off I went back to work. Wen I got back I went to the toliet and I was bleeding so much. I knew it would happen. I even asked the midwife before I left if I was to expect n e bleeding and she said no so I panicked and phoned them and went straight back into triage. They checked baby and all was ok. Bleeding stopped after a few hours and I'm now 37 weeks and touch wood all ok. Sorry for the long post lol just want to let u know it shouldn't of harmed the baby or u at all.

[MeHearty]

If you are worried again about being in possible labour, then ask them to do a fibronectin test - a quick swab can be done and tested in half an hour to see if you are likely to go into labour at any point in the next two weeks. I had a couple when last pregnant (at the preterm clinic) and it is so reassuring.

You won't have done any harm or they wouldn't have let you insist on having it checked. Rest up, look after yourself and fingers crossed for a calm few months before you welcome the little person!

[Gingerbreadpixie]

Thanks Kate. That's v reassuring too. Thank you for posting :)

Mehearty - I actually had a negative Fetal fibronectin test around 2 weeks ago when the prem clinic discharged me. But I know nothing is 100% and it has been nearly 2 weeks so approaching the time that window runs out, and I'm a big worry-head

When I asked the doctor to do the check and then got freaked out by it hurting she did say that many docs would have done it automatically and that I was just being a good mummy in wanting to be thorough. She was v nice actually.

[Melkeith1990]

My tits are sore and I have been sick and I have but on weight and my tits are big and my cervix oval but it comes back saying that I am not pregnant

[Melkeith1990]

I do not no if I could go to the doctor or hospital about it