The Short Cervix Club

[Pizdets]

Given the high number of threads started in 'pregnancy' on short/incompetent cervixes of late, I thought I'd have a crack at starting a club which we can join to share how we're getting on and pool the information we've been given which hopefully can also reassure or inform other ladies coming on here and worried about the state of their cervixes.

I'll kick off with a bit about my own story:

I'm currently 24+4, due 26th September. I had a scan at the prem clinic at Queen Charlotte's in London who measured my cervix as 2.3/2.4cm and advised a stitch (they do this for anyone who measures under 2.5cm). I had the stitch put in at 15 weeks with a spinal block and so far so good - I'm walking the dog, doing pregnancy yoga, still fairly active and no problems or twinges at all (so far!).

Please feel free to share your experiences, ask questions or update, it's great to hear from other people going through the same worry and so reassuring to know if things are going well!

Piz

thanks piz, i have booking in and scan on thursday so will ask them! thank you, you've put my mind at rest a bit!

HI all

tulips - no need for the reaction to cyclogest! i've been on it since week 7 so i can't remember what is 'normal' any more! i mentioned to consultant that i am boiling all the time. i live in a v hot country (47 degrees today) so thought it was normal, she said it's probably the cyclogest....hey ho. am 33 weeks now so if it has contributed to the baby staying in i shall have to just suffer boiling to death!

at my scan yesterday all was good, baby is still measuring small but consultant not too worried. aiming for 34 weeks now.

they will deliver me at 37 weeks, via section, actually have a date booked in - sept 17th! eek!!! so close....

that's obviously if the baby doesn't come before.

aside from anything else i have a hair appt booked two days before, so it had really better hang in there :)

hope everyone is doing well!

Hello all,

sorry I have been quiet for so long, the ELCS was a total success and I am now trapped under my sleep refusing bundle of joy :)

Baby boy born at 16:36 on August 1st, weighing 6 pounds 15 ounces. He was born with a full head of hair, is super cute and we love him to bits. It is tough sometimes, now we have DS2 home and safe and well we realise how much DS1 missed out on and it is really sad. It's been a long, hard journey and it is really only just beginning.

Glad to see everyone seems to be doing well, and hello to the newcomers! Will try to stay in touch a bit better x

Hurrah! Safe arrival of the first Short Cervix Club baby! So pleased he's doing well. I know what you mean about realising what DS1 missed out on, I've felt a bit like that it various points during this pregnancy, but you love them both and DS1 will always be with you in your thoughts and your hearts.

Alex, so pleased things are going well for you, it's hard making these decisions but good that all's going well. 25 weeks is great, you'll be 35 before you know it!

Kelly how exciting to have a date already, really good news the baby is looking so good. You're probably going to end up having yours before me in the end! Was it someone on here saying that once the baby gets over a certain size it rests on the pelvis rather than the cervix, which is why you can need a stitch but then still go overdue? I'd love it if he turned up abut 38 weeks but trying to prepare myself for 41+ just in case!

greymoose good luck for Thurs, let us know how you get on.

Long cervix thoughts to everyone.

Piz

Hello all! And hello newbies. This thread dropped off my "threads I'm on" for some reason... Sorry I haven't posted..

Congratulations Rainbow - so happy for you!

Hi Piz, Kelly and Alex!!

I'm 35+2 now, amazing after fearing the reins would arrive at 23/4 weeks!! C section (they're both breech) is booked for 37+3.... Really hoping to make it till then. They are taking the stick out during the c section.

Not long now!

Oh and at my 34 week scan I (finally!) didn't have a cervix scan! At 30 weeks it had held at 38mm or so (it went up from 20mm to 38/9mm following the stitch - it was scanned every two weeks from 23 weeks). Nice not to have the fun of the dildo cam!

hello all!

rainbow, so thrilled for you. loving good news of happy healthy babies!

am 34 weeks today and had a few dramas in recent days...waters leaking, my usual contractions worrying the consultant. i am just back from the hospital where i came a hair's breadth from having an EMCS.

they've sent me home and i am back in tomorrow morning for a check. luckily my hospital bag has been packed since various scares at 26 weeks.

whilst i know 34 weeks is amazing to get to, it all suddenly feels very real and the thought of being sliced open is terrifying me.

fingers crossed can keep him or her in as long as possible. 37 weeks may now be a bit ambitious, but one more week would be amazing :)

good luck everyone :)

Hi, can I join please. Had a scan today as I have had some brown discharge and a previous pre term birth at 33 weeks. I am 26.4 days now. It showed my cervix was funnelling at 16mm but was shut on the outside. Had a steriod injection and have been given cyclogest pessaries. I'm in a bit of a state to be honest.

Congrats rainbow, so so happy for you! Yay!

kelly how are you doing?

Hi plenty how scary for you Have they recommended bed rest (think that seems to be more a US thing but worth asking about). Thank god you caught it and had steroids though. Take it really really easy and I hope it holds tight. Every day that passes is good. Lots of hugs.

Thank you. Managed to get to sleep about 5 this morning slightly calmer today (just) I need to get to sat when I will be 27 weeks. Baby is measuring 28 weeks so that is a positive too. I'm going in for second steriod injection later. I have been told to do nothing but bed rest. I can see the pile of washing mocking me but not going to risk it dh is off to help.... Its good to know others are counting the days down too.

Hi Guys,

Kelly so good to hear you're past the magic 34 week mark! I know what you mean about reaching milestones and wanting to go further, I am 36 weeks today though and suddenly thinking about getting him out! Fingers hugely crossed for you and hope that you can make it through another week or two. Keep us updated!

plenty sorry to hear you're in this situation. I know quite a few ladies on here have been treated with progesterone and it's worked well, and the steroid injection will help your baby a lot. Have they kept you in or are you at home? Did they plan out a course of action with you? Hope things go well for you.

Alex how are you? You must be well into the 20s now? Are they even looking at your cervix any more after your last good result? Hope you're having fun and feeling chilled out about it all.

Piz

Hi, its good to hear positive news about the cyclogest working on others and its good to read positive outcomes. The plan is bedrest and cyclogest and another scan next thursday. Its come out of the blue. Although my son was born at 33 weeks nothing was picked up about my cervix as I had a big bleed at 30 weeks then my waters went. He has done amazingly well and hopefully i can get that far again. Feel anxious and tearful. I spoke to my midwife and she told me to hang on til 34 weeks. Great advice that had never crossed my mind!!

They have sent me home to rest.

Don't do ANYTHING plenty keep those feet up and the pressure off the cervix, that's what I would do, I know there are mixed views on bed rest but it seems so logical that the less pressure on the cervix, the better. I remember googling and bed rest seemed to help lots of people get to a later stage. Get DH to do everything! Was everything ok with your son at 33 weeks birth? Bet the days will drag for you but every minute/day that passes is good, plus it's good the baby is measuring 28 weeks, sounds like a strong little one especially now it's had steroids too. Do you know what it is?

piz I'm good thanks, part of me debates having an extra cervix scan but the consultant didn't seem to think I needed it after my last decent measurement. I know you have to be cautious and push for things but I'm now 27 weeks so feeling quite good counting off the days. I've got a big event I'm working on this weekend for four days and it usually involves long days, stress and lots of time on my feet so I was a bit worried about that. Not quite sure how easy I should take it, what do you think?

I have my feet up and dh is doing everything. My ds was also given the steriods and it makes a massive difference. He was not good at feeding and has always been on the smaller side but is way ahead in development. We are proud of him. I really wanted a normal pregnancy, but I guess its not too be. I know the health of the baby is the most important thing im just feeling sorry for myself atm. Its a little girl who maybe wearing blue premie clothes.... but hopefully not yet! Happy to send to a good home though if anyone needs them. How far along are you?

I have my feet up and dh is doing everything. My ds was also given the steriods and it makes a massive difference. He was not good at feeding and has always been on the smaller side but is way ahead in development. We are proud of him. I really wanted a normal pregnancy, but I guess its not too be. I know the health of the baby is the most important thing im just feeling sorry for myself atm. Its a little girl who maybe wearing blue premie clothes.... but hopefully not yet! Happy to send to a good home though if anyone needs them. How far along are you?

I have my feet up and dh is doing everything. My ds was also given the steriods and it makes a massive difference. He was not good at feeding and has always been on the smaller side but is way ahead in development. We are proud of him. I really wanted a normal pregnancy, but I guess its not too be. I know the health of the baby is the most important thing im just feeling sorry for myself atm. Its a little girl who maybe wearing blue premie clothes.... but hopefully not yet! Happy to send to a good home though if anyone needs them. How far along are you?

plenty I really sympathise, I researched/googled this obsessively when I was trying to make a decision on a precautionary stitch and read so many stories and the whole thing is so unfair and hard. However, so many of the stories I read were positive and ended well, like your brilliant son! Not sure if I've got confused but are they considering a stitch at all? I don't think you've had this done already by the sounds of it? I'm 27 weeks with my first but was very lucky as despite early concerns about my cervix, it's measuring a decent length after my last scan so I'm trying not to be complacent but am feeling more relaxed.

Whoops sorry!

Really feel for you Z

God, sorry ... Plenty... I had the stitch relatively late (at 23+5) but they did say I was at the upper end. Are they considering stitching at all? Agree re bed rest, although I have a young DD (almost 3) and know how hard it is. I managed it for two weeks cobbling together child care etc, but since then, haven't been able to take it easy at all... I didn't have the steroids when I had the stitch as I was told that the hospital def would not attempt to resuscitate if, as was the big risk that late, the stitch triggered prem labour. I'm expecting twins and they were only measuring about 22 weeks then... But all fine now - I'm 35+5!!!! Miracle.

Sending hugs x

Hi it is hard with a little one but dh is off next week then ds starts school so it should get easier. Its too late for the stitch just need to last at least another week. It sounds like you are doing well but try and rest too x

Desperately trying.... But I do keep reminding myself that first 28 weeks was my goal, then 32, now 36 (but secretly 37+3, my c section date!!).... So everyday is a blessing. It really, really annoys me though when people make comments like "Oooh, I bet you wish they were out now"..... Err no, I'm bloody grateful they're not out!!!

It is difficult. People can be very insensitive and say the most silly things. Last time with my ds my friend went overdue and said i was lucky he had come early!? I'm prepared more for comments now, but its still upsetting and if you havent been through its hard to understand. You are doing well and its good to have a goal. Hopefully i will get more sleep tonight and start to feel more positive.

I have stopped doing the google thing now its not your friend at times thank you for your comments though they have really helped.