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

Mr Rai told me 35 weeks for my stitch removal. That's much earlier than you guys.

Hi Taytocrisp,

Thank you very much for the support,yes I would love to go for another 10 days after the removal of my stitches but very happy in making this far.
My consultant says that having stitches removed at 36 Weeks its just for precaution in minimasing blood loss or the rupture of uterus if start to contract with stitches on.
But I heard from few mum's that they had their stitches removed that late around 39 Weeks so I am sure you will be fine. I had two lots of steroids injection on Tuesday and Wednesday this week which was not nice at all, so you be lucky in not having any steroids injections because you will be pass the 37 Weeks mark.
How many Weeks are you now?
All the best to all the mum's and I will keep post soon after having my stitches out.
Xx

Hi Iolaway. Just wondering why you need steroids, is this something to do with stitch removal?

I'm on aspirin and heparin injections for blood clotting issues, so would be keen to avoid the chance of blood loss due to early onset labour with stitch still in... Good to know that others have waited til 39 weeks (i guess that would be great in many ways) though it seems a bit late to me! I will ask my consultant next week... I'm 28 weeks now but this has been on my mind for the last week or so - id like to have a plan in place by week 30-32.

Iola thinking of you today - hope the stitch removal is not too uncomfortable! Look forward to hearing how you get on. Keep well!

Hope everyone else is keeping well too.

Hi TaytoCrisp,
Apparently everyone is under or 37 Weeks pregnant and have a C.section or sutures removed will be giving two lots of steroids injection. Its all new to me as well because all I was expecting was just having the sutures removed.
In relation to having the sutures out at 36 weeks is because I am a bit anaemic so to prevent blood loss if I was contracting before have the sutures out,my consultant suggest having them out at 36 Weeks,but he said its quite common having them removed from 35 weeks.
Speaking of having my Sutures out,MY GOSH it was sooo painful.
I do not want to alarm anyone as I did a lot a re search before and almost everyone that I read the comments said it was very quick and not that painful but from my personal experience it was awful.
I had a Doctor & a Surgeon present and they was fantastic but even with a lots gas and air I thought it was worse then given birth.Saying that they told my suture was covered in new tissue and they had to cut all out before removing everything and making sure no suture was left behind,everything took less then 20 Minutes but I was proper sweating and shaking by the time they finish.
I was allowed home within a hour after having the sutures removed and not pain at all since,actually a relieved and no pressure at all down below,baby got lots of room now.
28 weeks oh my gosh time as fly,TaytoCrisp yes your consultant should by 30 weeks given you a plan and date to have the suture removed.
Good luck with everything and the lovely Support you been given.
I will keep posted.
xx

Hi everyone,

37 Weeks and still no baby which is what I wanted achieve, but from this week I am ready to meet my baby.

Amum,how are you feeling regarding the stitches is it still a bit painful or are you feeling much better now?

Taytocrisp hope you well and getting excited reaching the 30 Weeks mark,any dates from your consultant in relation when exactly will you have you sutures removed.
Will keep posted and kisses and hugs to all the mum's. Xx

Thats great Iola. Another week would be no harm. I was reading that the average time from stitch removal to delivery is 14 days... so really 7 more days would bring you to week 38 which in many respects is more or less full term! Hope you are keeping well and resting in the meantime. Great to hear that all is well and look forward to hearing your news!

All good here, though i feel quiet uncomfortable and wonder if the baby is knocking on the door trying to escape. In reality though i think all is well. I had a scan yesterday, and everything was good - average head, and apparently a huge tummy (maybe i should cut down on the chocolate, crisps and ice-cream!). So i had a good chat with the consultant, and he advised an elective cesarean in week 39, and removal of the stitch at the same time. That plan suits me fine, as after three traumatic delivery attempts (and one DD) i think i would end up with an emergency c-section anyway, so i'm glad to have it planned. So yay - bring on the end of Sept!

Hope everyone else is well!

I've just seen my midwife and she said I won't be scanned until 19-20 weeks and that's the anomaly so may not look at my cervical length. I would have thought that was priority after the suture? I'm now 16+4. All I keep being told is if I feel like something is wrong or feel labour pains etc go to the hospital straight away. Why is all about when things have gone wrong and not about making sure things don't go wrong in the first place? Really frustrated.

Hi everyone,

Iam sooo proud to announce that this friday the 18th of July at 10.40 in the evening baby Yasmin made her entrance in to the world absolutely perfect & with of weight of 7 lb exactly.
Everything happen so quick on Friday morning with very mild contractions and from 10 in the morning to 12.30 contractions started to come every 6 minutes and waters then broke at 2 pm, we arrived at hospital by 3.30 with 6 centimetres dilated and by 4.15 ready to push.
If all that was that easy & simple,baby had other plans and ideas because baby Yasmin only decided to wake up and change position around 8pm by then I was so tired but decided I did not want to go for C section when I was so close.
Couple more hours with a team of lovely Midwifes my beautiful baby daughter was born without any intervention.
I would like to say a big thank you to all the mum's that I had the pleasure to talk to and exchange messages and advices during a very tough and sensitive time in our lifes, i feel really emotional writing this post because a new chapter of my life just started.
I will keep check on the messages & posts specially because of Amumingwaiting & Taytocrisp that will have this wonderful feeling and their new bundles when their time comes.
Kisses and Hughes to everyone.
Xxx

I'm delighted to hear your news iola! That is just fantastic! Welcome Yasmin! 7lb is great at 37wks. Hope she is settling in and you are all adapting. Great to hear these good news stories! Xxxx

Hang in ther amum. I gt a couple of extra scans but never any cervix checks either... Not long to go til the big scan though. If you really feel anxious perhaps they will be understanding and offer you a scan sooner. 16weeks - time is flying by;-) (though I know it doesn't always feel like that).

Goodnight little shineycnew yasmin(;-)).

Congratulations Iolaway, wonderful news! Gives me hope.
Am 17 weeks today and feeling really uncomfortable. My lady bits are all puffed up and everything feels really sore and heavy. Saw my midwife Friday and the urine was clear but she took a swab to check for thrush. I've begged for a scan to check my cervix but they said they won't see me until 19-20 weeks which feels like an age away! Tried booking a private scan because they told me last month they can do cervical length checks but when I called to book she said they can't do that until 20 weeks. Urrrgghhhhhh.

So thrilled by your news iolaway! It is wonderful to see your journey and that you now have your beautiful baby. We get there eventually, even though we feel like we never will. Sending much love to you and your family.

Stay strong everyone.

Mum in waiting, I had incessant thrush whilst pregnant, the only thing that helps was taking probiotic tablets. The joys of pregnancy!

Congrats Iolaway, wonderful news and a lovely name! So pleased it went ok for you and that your gorgeous little girl has arrived.

Good luck to everyone else, it feels like it's forever but so worth it in the end!

Thank you everyone for the lovely messages you been sending, I am feeling absolutely shattered with sleep deprivation & visitors,although we nicely said that we as a family would like to spend baby,s first Week just us as family and close relatives,last night only manage to get 3 hours all together of sleeping.
Anyway that is a small price to pay when you have a beautiful baby that thought would never happen.

Lawro,hope everything goes well with you C.section next week and just to say you done haver so well in holding the stitches since 23 Weeks to now 38+5 Weeks.

TaytoCrisp hope everything is going well and will keep checking any news on you and buba,it must be so exciting in getting closer and closer.

Amum,another week went and so near the 20 Weeks Scan and having your cervix measured,good things is each week that goes by shows that stitches are stronger and holding buba.

I am 12 weeks pregnant, diagnosed of having IC. My cervix measured 19mm. Dr. advised to have a cerclage 3 weeks after. I lost my baby last year due to cervical incompetence. I was put to bed rest last week because I was dilating. Now I'm back to work. But, plan to have an early leave. Hope things get better for I don't want to loseanother baby.

I'm jealous to those woman who don't have problem during their pregnancy. I even felt pity about myself.

Liezeljimenezbacag,how are you doing now?

Iam sure you will be fine,I just had my baby exactly 3 weeks ago at 37 Weeks pregnant and she was every ounce perfect, her wieght was 7lbs exactly.
I had a Macdonald Cerlage done at 22 Weeks pregnant when my cervix only measured 4mm. It was the most difficult time and very long 15 Weeks ahead but it was a saver the cerlage without it my baby would be born very early or miscarriage. My consultant removed my stitches at 36 Weeks and she was born 8 days later.
I totally aggree with you when people have a completely free pregnancy and we have to go through all this. Hope everything goes well for you.
Xx

Amumin, how are you now? You must be 20+ Weeks?
Hope you are well and that everything went well on your scan.

Taytocrisp how you feeling that you made into the 30, s Weeks mark?
Well done hon and hope you enjoying the lovely summer and please keep us posted.
Yasmin is doing really well and been a proper demanding baby(been on my breasts all day and night) I said to my hubby that all I need is just a pair of trousers not to worry with a top because Yasmin will not let me even move from same spot.
Anyway take care and speak to you soon.xx

Genevieve was born 11 days ago at 39 weeks after having an emergency stitch at 23+5. (last baby born at 24wks) Stitch was removed during a planned section. We are v grateful for a healthy little girl!! Phew!!!

Great to hear that all is going well iola apart from the feeding frenzy!

lawro - many congrats on your little baby girl! That is fantastic news. I'm also aiming for stitch removal during a planned section at 39 weeks so it's great to know it has worked well for you and genevieve.

Hope you are doing ok amum. Do let us know..

33 weeks here which is fantastic. The aspirin, heparin, iron and stitch seem to be working. Very tired and can't wait to finish work (and move house!) in 2 weeks. But pleased to be this far. Just hope baby can stay put now til week 39.

Great to hear the good news stories girls!

When I went to St Marys at 17 weeks the doctor said that they'd put some stitches at the opening of my cervix (can't remember reason) as well as the actual suture deep inside and that in about a week I may have spotting and see the black bit of stitch but not to panic, that was all fine. Well that didn't happen so I forgot about it. Then for past two days (am 20 weeks now) had some mild cramps and backache as well as a weird pop sensation just above my bladder area so went to the hospital where they checked me over and said I was fine. In the early hours I went for a pee, wiped and there was this dark bit of very thin string like stuff with a knot in it. It looks like the same stuff as I pulled out of my navel after having exploratory surgery in January. Anyone els had this?

muminwaiting, it's called an occlusion stitch. I have one too as well as the deeper macdonald. It's purpose is to seal the cervix to prevent bacteria from the vagina ascending up the cervix to the stitch and beyond.

However, I wasn't told to expect any thread loss and didn't experience this, so maybe you have something slightly different.

As for the pop above the bladder, sounds like a baby kick to me! I panic often after sudden, sharp kicks that my waters have broken, but everything is still fine so far (26+2).

I had the shirodkar stitch but wan't told anything at all about a small stitch holding it in place until I saw a doctor at 17 weeks in a clinic when I felt pressure and she checked me with a speculum. As my midwife said today she would have thought they'd seen that it was coming out when I was checked with the speculum last night but nothing was mentioned. She said to mention it to the consultant next week. So much get to next Wednesday without freaking out!

How are you getting on muminwaiting? I hope the anxiety isn't getting the better of you. Are you still feeling sore?

How are you getting on muminwaiting? I hope the anxiety isn't getting the better of you. Are you still feeling sore?

How are you getting on muminwaiting? I hope the anxiety isn't getting the better of you. Are you still feeling sore?