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

Yes googling can backfire as you get the fear reading the worst of things! Hope you're as ok as you can be plenty and it's another day further along today.

Hi there All,
well done Piz, Kelly and Legallyblonde on getting to such good week numbers, real milestones passed. I'm chipping along slowly, now 21 weeks. Having a bad day, it's a year to the day I lost my triplets. Being pregnant has been a comfort for the first half of the day but for the second I've become increasingly fearful it's just going to happen again. Next check-up is on Wednesday. Wish it was sooner. I was 28mm at 18weeks and fibrenectin negative which was positive but it was a long time ago and it was around this time with the triplets my cervix shortened to 1cm. Wish I'd pushed for the stitch anyway.
Sorry to moan on.
Cara x

cara I'm so sorry, only just saw this. Passing anniversary of your loss can be so hard, I found the whole week around it very difficult and did a lot of crying and thinking about the 'what ifs'. I did find it easier to move on a little once it had passed (3 weeks ago now) and to think of it as a new year. I hope it might be similar for you too.

Remember, you've got a healthy single baby in there who isn't putting half as much pressure on your cervix, and you made an informed decision with the doctor originally...hope time speeds by to Wednesday and you can talk over your concerns and get some comfort.

plenty hope you're managing to take it easy and keep the weight off your feet.

legally where has the time gone? I can't believe it's September today and our babies will be here soon! On my phone so struggling to read messages back...when is the section booked for...about a week tomorrow? Hope you're doing well and all ready (i am not in the least, every day I get up and say 'I must pack my hospital bag' but I can't eeek to bring myself to do it and make it real! Stitch comes out on Friday and I'll have to have it done by then.

Alex I can't believe you're 27 weeks already! That's brilliantx esp with everything looking so good.

Kelly still thinking of you often and hoping all ok. Your baby will have such a good start now and every day is a bonus!

Ling cervix thoughts all round,

Piz

Hey Cara... Piz is right, much, much less pressure with a singleton, but that doesn't stop it being a very very tough time. I think it's normal to grieve afresh at anniversaries, pregnant or not. As encouragement though, my cervix held up brilliantly with DD (never had it checked and I carried her to 42 weeks!!)... Whereas it was shortening drastically at 23 weeks with these twins... Also, if the cervix is shortening on Weds, def not too late for the stitch. Mine went in at 23+3 and has been v successful.

Piz - I know!!!!!!! Time has flown! Although it didn't feel like that at the time.... 36+1 today and c section is a week on Tues!!

Hi hope everyone has had a good weekend. So sorry you had your loss Cara it must be hard, but like others have said this is a different pregnancy and you must try and stay positive. It is not easy at times though. I have stayed in bed and thankfully had no more discharge so praying the hormone treatment is working. The steriods have had time to work and I'm 27 +2 tomorrow so everyday counts. I have felt very tired and my ds is rather stressed with the sudden change in responsibilities and ds has been naughty today too. This is a silly question but before this happened I had ordered some nursery bits which need collecting, i'm scared to get them sent here as I feel I can't enjoy preparing for her now in case she comes soon. Does that make sense?

Hello all, just checking in to say hi and see how we all are?

I am 35 weeks today! Two weeks until my ELCS, if iget that far!

Still having very regular, very uncomfortable Brixton hicks. Am now off work and doing emails etc from the sofa. I can just about manage the BH if I lie on my side.

Plenty, I completely understand about holding off getting baby things, I felt just the same. In the end we had to bite the bullet as the baby kept threatening to pop out and I felt a bit more in control knowing it wouldn't have to sleep in a shoe box! So I tried to see it as me taking back control and telling the universe...I AM going,to have a healthy baby, rather than tempting fate.

Hope everyone is holding up as we slowly tick through the days and weeks. Cannot believe how far we have all come

35 weeks is great! Not long until your c section now, you must be feeling more excitement than anxiety. I got dh to pick up the nursey bits so with the "help" of ds we put the pink stickers on the walls yesterday. Adjusting to bed rest although online shopping is dangerous!

One week today legally so excited for you!

Kelly, you're doing so well, wish we could go back 10 or even 20 weeks and reassure ourselves! 2 weeks to holdon is no time, and your baby is pretty much fully cooked already!

plenty totally with you on putting off things. I still can't bring myself to pack my hospital bag. Am going to bite the bullet this afternoon as want to make sure we're ready for the stitch coming out on Friday.

I still don't really feel like I'm having a baby, not much Bh and v irregular, he's 2/5 engaged but don't feel much pressure. Reckon I'm going to be one of those ladies whose stitch comes out but then goes overdue anyway, will be such a huge headfuck!

Sending lots of long cervix thoughts to you all (except myself, sending myself 'getting ready' cervix thoughts now!)
Piz

Piz I can't believe your stitch comes out on Friday. Did you get any clarity on the need for gas and air?

Am back at hospital Thursday, hopefully the baby has put some weight on as was measuring 5 weeks behind last time so still very little

Contractions soooo uncomfortable, they may whip baby out there and then if they measure as strong as last time. Feels like an endurance test! But we are all getting towards the finish line

Good luck tomorrow kelly im back in too for my next scan so fingers (and legs) crossed all round! Although i found my first grey hair this morning so the stress is obviously getting to me x

Good luck tomorrow Plenty and Kelly will be thinking of you both.

Piz

Thinking of you Plenty and Kelly.

Piz.... Not long!!!! Get that bag packed!!

I am full term (37 weeks) on Sat. Cannot believe I've made it far!

Piz kindly pointed me in the direction of this thread when I asked a question elsewhere re short cervix. I was scanned for the first time at 16/5 and measured 27mm then again at 18 weeks and measured 28mm. The doctor has told me that at over 25mm, the risks of stiching aren't justified by the (low) risk. They said they'd monitor every two weeks but I put my foot down and insisted on every week plus on being given progesterone. I guess my question is whether others in a similar situation have been monitored - rather than stitched immediately. Part of me would like to have a stitch and then feel like I was a bit stronger, but I'd also really rather not have surgery if I can avoid it...Apart from the progesterone, I've been told gentle exercise only but otherwise no restrictions at present. I have though put a ban on sex for now as I just feel too worried. I work very long hours at the moment which isn't ideal but all on my bottom in front of a computer...I am trying just to focus on each next scan and not think beyond that. I sort of have the impression that the real danger zone is 18-24 weeks and after that things begin to look less scary. Is that right? I'd be really grateful for any experience/thoughts.

Pali - hi! Alexandra is in the same boat and chose not to have the stitch... If you read back through the thread you'll see her story/posts (she's nearly term now!!) and hopefully she'll be along soon....

Thanks for your kind words. My appointment went well. Cervix has lengthened and fibrenectin negative. Breath again. Same as Piz hope it went well today Kelly and Plenty. Piz- you packed yet?
Cara
X

Thanks guys, they've asked me to get to the labour ward for 10am tomorrow but I think they said the doctor who'll do it is also the one doing c-sections for the day, so I assume I'll just have to fit in.

Cara and legally I can confirm that the bag is now packed! Not taking it tomorrow as don't want to tempt fate but it's in the bedroom and ready with just a few minor things to add in.

Pali the prem clinic told me up to 27 weeks is the danger zone as babies are much less likely to struggle if born after that point. If they're telling you that you don't need the stitch I'd deffo swerve the surgery, but it sounds like you're very clued up and focussed on what you need which is great! Alex was v worried earlier on but is doing really well now, hopefully she'll be along soon to tell you more!

Will update over the weekend with a blow-by-blow on stitch removal for those of you still waiting to have them out! Hoping for minimal fuss and pain for all our sakes!

Appropriate cervix thoughts to everyone!

Piz

Hi, well it seems the hormone treatment worked?! The funnelling is still there as expected, but cervix length has increased slightly so it hasnt got any worse which is the main thing. Back in two weeks and remaining on the hormones and advised to do very little. Hope everybody else is ok. I may get some sleep tonight now!

Good luck today piz, will be thinking of you!

Plenty, that's great news. There is some debate about the progesterone but I've been on it since week 7 and still pregnant :)

Scan was ok but baby still not growing much at all as we suspected.they will let me go another week, hoping it gets up to 2 kilos. Confirmed it will get taken straight to SCBU, how long for exactly is anyone's guess. I had obviously researched this so wasn't surprised, poor DH has been in blissful (chosen) ignorance so was a bit emotional about going home without a baby.

Such a roller coaster.

Anyway, thinking of everyone and especially piz

Hi Kelly, my ds was 1.99 kg when he was born at 33 weeks and 1 day. He had been given the steriods too. Have you visited the unit yet? Also I had a section and remained in hospital with him for two weeks until we came home. Dh continued to work and took paternity leave when we came home. I guess like me if you know its likely baby is coming early you can prepare yourself in some way. I know this time I will not be able to stay as I have ds at home but I know this time to get more support as i felt quite isolated last time. There is a good local ptem support group who meet up each week which I will go to again. Do you know what you are having?

Plenty, thanks for sharing. We live overseas so not much support. I will stay in hospital as standard for 4 days post section. It's a private hospital and lovely so am happy to stay in. Have visited the unit and hospital is close to home.

Am trying to think positively, we know this is going to happen, so I can use the time to rest and heal from the section. As with all births, I suppose it is the unknown. And I feel like a huge failure for not being able to to grow the baby properly, poor little thing.

Keeping the sex a surprise

Kelly please don't blame yourself you have done nothing wrong at all. I felt like this after my ds was born. I work with the general public alot and dealt with women who drink and take drugs during pregnancy and still get to term and it used to make me angry as i did everything right and it still went wrong. It has again too. BUT it made me a better mother because I made up for it when he was here maybe more than if he had been term? Each baby is a special, but because you have been through this you will never take anything for granted and everything your baby does will extra special x

Kelly plenty said it much better than I could have. I've learnt over the last year that there's no karma or reason for why things happen, but you''ll make it count for your baby where you can.

Stitch is now out and I'm back home on the sofa. Had to wait 4.5 hours to get a slot with the doctor but whole procedure was about 10 mins. As the stitch was high she did suggest surgery again but the pain was really not too bad...I found the worst thing was the gas and air, which totally tripped me out! The speculum being opened was quite painful, and the stitch itself coming out was a sort of dull pain, like a bad period pain but by no means unbearable. Best thing was that it was vvv quick! Sat on the monitor for 30 mins, some contractions but nothing major and even if I were to go into labour tonight I could still go to the birth centre.

Apparently the cervix looks pink and healthy, no scarring, although it had grown around the stitch a bit, which is why it hurt coming out. No bleeding at all at the time or now.

Trying to think if there's anything else I can say which might be useful, let me know if anyone has any questions! Am v relieved it's over and everyone was lovely. Last hurdle overcome and now I'm like any 'normal' 37 week pregnant woman, hurrah!

Hope all ok with the rest of you.

Piz

Yay piz! Wow you get to meet your baby soon!

Hope you're ok kelly and hope the baby gets bigger, you're doing a great job for it and your best under circumstances which aren't your fault at all.

plenty I'm glad you're doing well. My doctors didn't advise progesterone and one said he wasn't sure about it but if it's working for you and your cervix is holding up, brilliant.

pali your story is similar to mine so far and I'm now 28 weeks it's very hard for the doctors to make predictions on the cervix especially with a first baby but I decided to go with my second opinion that I was low risk as the doctor is well respected and sees a lot of cervixes. I'm glad I didn't have a stitch but of course it is sooo much easier with hindsight! I would have got scanned every day if I could but I decided to stick with fortnightly and it was showing up longer around 20/23 weeks so I decided to try and relax and wasn't scanned beyond that. It's so hard to make a decision on it (made much harder for me by two different medical opinions). I'll never forget the HOURS of googling and being scared to move, the whole thing can be so difficult mentally, I also felt guilt about my body and when the baby would pop up in the background in vaginal scans, I'd just feel sad for it. Annoyed me when other people said "oh you get lots more scans then, that's a good thing!"

Anyway sorry for rambling, keep me updated everyone, and lots of luck xx

Thanks everyone for your kind supportive words

Piz, sounds like a very successful stitch removal! I had wondered about the effect on the cervix afterwards...

Friend who had stitch went into labour two days afterwards....watching and waiting with huge excitement!

thank you again, Piz and Alexandra. It is good to hear such encouraging stories and also good to see that I'm not the first person to be slightly confused and alarmed by the range of different approaches to this.
At my scan last week (18 weeks) I was 28mm so the doctor was happy - and so was I! I insisted on another scan this week so am going in on Friday (19+3). I also asked for progesterone and was given it. Thought it can't do any harm. Sort of wish I could fast forward the next four or five weeks and know things were still stable.

Hope all is well with you all.