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

Hi all, sounds like we're all in the same worry boat at the mo. Glad it seems all is fine with those of you who have had to have recent check ups. Reading your posts have got me a bit worried. I have brown/pinkish discharge when I wipe. It'll be a week tomorrow post stitch for me and so I was thinking that's ok. I can't remember what they said now!

Hi everyone. I'm sorry to post in your group as I have not been diagnosed with a short cervix BUT I am absolutely terrified I have one and need some advice.

I am currently 21w2days and at 20w I experienced some light bright red bleeding. I had my 20w scan the next day so held out until then (the bleeding stopped almost as soon as it started) and they could not find a reason for the bleed. I was thinking maybe it was just a one off thing but then it happened again a few days later. I went to the triage at my local hospital who checked the heartbeat, my urine and did and internal examination and swab. They could not see the bleeding but did say I had an Ectropion cervix which is likely where the bleeding came from. I felt reassured from this and had a day without any bleeding, but it happened again and all the reassurance has gone.

When looking up the reasons for bleeding I came across incompetent cervix and since my third bleed, have been obsessing about it constantly. I have not bled for 3 days now (I do have slightly off coloured discharge on my pantyliner but not when I wipe so I'm not sure if there is blood in it or not) but I cannot get it out of my head. I've also had a bit of pressure and back pain but I don't know if these are just regular symptoms at this stage (I would probably think they were if I hadn't had any bleeding).

Anyway the constant worry is eating away at me and I can't focus, am upset all the time and need someone to tell me if I'm at risk or not. I've even thought about booking an internal scan privately but am also absolutely terrified this may cause me to bleed again and could harm the baby.

I know you are all going through a tough time and I feel absolutely awful asking for advice when it's possible I'm not experiencing the same issue, but I'm at an absolute loss of what to do and am so terrified of losing my baby for something that could possibly be prevented if only I knew. Do you think I should get the scan or could this cause me to harm/lose the baby?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Melonmoo

You're very welcome to post in this group!

Honestly I've never heard of bleeding being a symptom of an incompetent cervix but I'm sure the others will correct me if I'm wrong. An incompetent cervix usually means you dilate painlessly prematurely due to a short cervix or otherwise. I have had discharge as a warning sign in my first pregnancy but that was my mucas plug and there wasn't any bleeding.

You mentioned a scan do you mean an internal one? I doubt hat will harm the baby. Can you try to push to see a doc to get some specific advice? They should take you seriously as it's important to understand exactly why you're bleeding at this stage of your pregnancy? X

Thanks for replying.

Yes the scan is an internal one and that's why I'm so scared. Can they check your cervix length on an external scan?

They have told me I have an Ectropion cervix (basically a sensitive cervix) and believe that is why I was bleeding. They said it can be caused by having sex (which we haven't done for months!) and from what I've researched, it just bleeds sometimes after doing too much or in my case, it seems to be when o strain going to the toilet which I think can be quite common. From what I've been told there are no dangers from it and it's just one of those things, but every time it happens I just freak out.

I'm stupid really cos I've been googling things which I know is the worst thing to do and I think I've just convinced myself I've got an incompetent cervix. I feel like I can't relax until I know for definite but am scared of causing extra harm from the scan unnecessarily. I feel like I'm a bit stuck at the minute.

Hi Melonmoo,

I completely agree with April, we are all mummies here helping each other out with our worries, so please don't worry about posting :)

I equally am not aware of bleeding as part of a weak cervix; as a April says, it is characterised by painless dilation of a cervix and premature labour, so it most probably isn't but I can well understand and appreciate your anxiety as pregnancubis scary enough as it is without the additional worry of bleeding.

I would contact your pregnancy unit and midwife so that you can discuss your concerns. This is clearly very stressful for you and you need to understand why you are bleeding. Did they say when it should stop?

I did google ectropion cervix and it provided the following information which may be of help?

www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/gynaecology/Cervical-ectropion.pdf

Jess xx

Hi Melonmoo,

You are indeed welcome.

I don't want to scare you but my first baby was born at 21+3 and the cramps and back pain that I put down to constipation were in fact early labour. So I think it's important that you get yourself checked out as soon as possible. Ask to have your cervix measured and have a swab taken, can't remember what it's called but there's a test for whether you are likely to go into labour soon. An internal scan will not hurt you or the baby. Those of us with cerclages are discouraged from having too many internal examinations to reduce the risk of infection but that's because of the cerclage not the IC.

I have a friend that did have bleeding prior to a loss from IC, I'm not sure what the bleeding was related to but there were several missed opportunities to detect and treat the IC at that time.

I genuinely don't mean to be a doom monger, and hopefully what you have (as I'm not familiar with Ectropion Cervix at all), is not as serious as IC. But I would urge you to push for more answers. At the very least you should know your cervix measurements.

Good luck and we are here for you xx

May be worth pushing to see a doc then Melonmoo. If nothing else it'll give you piece of mind. Agree that internal scans are fine for you. I guess it may cause a little bleeding if you have a sensitive cervix but prob worth it plus they can do it very gently.

The test Blueroses refers to is he ffn test and it can see if labour is imminent - again another thing for piece of mind.

Let us know how you go.

You may have to really push for them to take you seriously I'm afraid. Use those pregnancy hormones to your advantage x

Hi all. I spotted this group on active and I've been reading quite a lot.

I'm 13+5 with my second.
I had a cone biopsy in 2007 but to cancerous cells. At the time they told me I wouldn't carry to full term and may have problems.

For my first pregnancy it wasn't taken seriously. I wasn't seen by a consultant till 24 weeks who didn't even check anything and just said "if the baby is going to come it's going to come"

At 28 weeks my waters started leaking.
No real investigations where done. I only had a scan as they thought baby was breech. They then found the reduced liquor and kept up with regular scans.

I lost more waters at 38 weeks and 3 days later I had DC. Who luckily was well but looked like an overdue baby being very very wrinkly.

My labour was shocking. Lack of liquor meant I felt like DC was going to rip my belly in two, I was in labour for 44 hours and pushing for 4.

This time I have an appointment with the consultant at 16 weeks. I have been extremely anxious and haven't been able to sleep with worry. Thinking about how lucky I was last time and what if it goes wrong this time.

Pretty much from 3 weeks I've been spotting every day which has panicked me. All looked fine on the 12 week scan and the spotting does seem to be reducing now so fingers crossed.

I don't think I'll relax until I have this one I my arms.

Ladies thank you for sharing your stories.
I don't know if i have a short cervix but I thought the incomplete one would help me gain access to the club!

Welcome to the club sellmysoul, thanks for sharing your story. Shocked by your consultants attitude when there are obvious interventions that mean the baby doesn't have to come early. Hopefully you have a different consultant for this pregnancy and can discuss whether you would be a good candidate for a cervical stitch / progesterone.

Technically I don't have a short cervix either, it is just incompetent!

Hello all,

So I am new to this thread and I hold my hand up and say I haven't read everything 🙈 however, I wanted to say hi and share my story.

I am currently 27weeks with baby 3 (spud)

So my IC story ...

2010, pregnant with baby 1 (bean) ... no pregnancy issues, baby born 40 + 4, weighing 6lb 7oz

2012, pregnant with baby 2 (turnip) ... at 19 weeks had a bleed, scan check all ok, placenta looked ok and didn't locate bleed. Anti D given.
Then at 20 weeks had routine anomaly scan where sonographer noticed that my cervix had opened. Not fully, length was measured at 3.4cm. Referred to consultant.

Scanned 3 days later, length was measured at 3.7cm, but cervix were visibly open 7mm the full length and my waters were funnelling.

Left another 2 days, length was measured at 3.5cm, but cervix had opened further now 8.5mm the full length bar the top (closest to baby) where it was 12mm and waters funnelling in to the gap.

So decision made to stitch. I had the stitch put in at 21wks 2 days.

They removed the stitch at 37weeks, Turnip arrived at 39 + 1 weighing 6lb 15oz ... induced labour due to premature rupture of membranes.

Anyway, now pregnant with baby 3 (spud) ... had numerous scans on cervix, length has been:

15wks - 4.94cm
20 wks - 3.4cm
23 wks - 3.6cm

Cervix has not opened at all this time, and on scan it is a white line. So decision made on no stitch.

Next scan isn't until 33wks, so slightly nervous even though nothing to suggest baby wants to make an early appearance or that my cervix want to eject.

Anyway, thanks for reading that rambling. And hello 😚

Hello beanturnipandspud, welcome to the club. Sounds like quite an ordeal with turnip, but glad all was ok in the end. So whatever made your cervix open in your second pregnancy hasn't recurred? That's fantastic. I know cervical scans are less frequent once the baby reaches a viable stage so I don't think that is anything to worry about if all is looking good now with spud.

Hi blueroses, yes it would seem that what ever caused the issue in turnips pregnancy has not returned. Which is great.

But as there was no pain or anything, I am really nervous this time. Today I have had lots of painless tightenings and unsure whether to call triage. As it's baby 3 it's normal but due to IC previously I am unsure on whether these braxtons could actually be doing something.

Googling doesn't help, as there is very little advice regarding prior cerclage etc. Ahhh.

I know BH are common in third trimester but I would always err on the side of caution and call up xx

Hi all,

Hope I am ok to post here.

I had my first cervical scan yesterday at 15 + 3 and the DR has written 3.6mm as my measurement although she did say it was just over 4mm with one of the types of measurements she did. I am booked in for another scan in 2 weeks time. I am worried that as it looks ok now no stitch is being put in but that waiting might mean if I do need one it's too late.

My DS was born at 23 + 5 and that is why they are checking my cervix.

Has anyone had an ok measurement early on but then it has shortened and needed an emergency stitch?

Hi Itsalwayssunny,

Of course, you're very welcome to post here :)

I'm afraid I can't comment about emergency stitches although I have seen various posts about this in other threads (sorry, not very helpful I know). My stitch wasn't put in until 2.57cm at just after 15 weeks, I think 2.5cm is the general RCOG guideline when measuring cervical length. At this point when I had this measurement, consultant said this could just be normal for me, but bearing in mind history (lost little girl at 20 weeks ) he put one in. He said we had time to wait at this time though. I should imagine if it is shorter at your next appointment they may consider putting one in, but I completely understand your anxiety around this as I was so scared with all the waiting. They've just got to weigh up the risks and benefits for the pregnancy.

If you have any concerns in the interim maybe go to your adau and ask for another cervical length scan? Might give you some more reassurance?

Please keep us posted as to how you are doing xx

Sunny, hello and welcome.

I'm afraid I don't know about emergency stitches either - my cervix was never measured in my first pregnancy so I have no idea how quickly it shortened, but my history indicated a preventative stitch this time.

A few posts back I mentioned a Facebook group for Incompetent Cervix UK, I suggest that you join and ask on there. This thread is great for support as we are all currently pregnant but that group has ladies at various different stages with a variety of experiences and advice.

xx

Thank you JOM and Blue for your replies.

My consultant was happy with the current measurement so I guess is taking a wait and see approach. They don't know if the cervix was the problem last time as I was actually having contractions.

All the waiting and unknown is so hard isn't it. I don't think I'll relax this whole pregnancy until I have a healthy baby in my arms.

Will check out that group thanks Blue.

Sunny yes all the uncertainty is definitely stressful.

Could you push for a preventative stitch in your next measurement appointment? A preventative stitch can be placed up to 20 weeks and I know I needed it for my own sanity. If you start to feel anxious etc that should be taken into account in making the decision.

BTW I'm not sure your measurements are correct, should it be 3.6cm or 36mm? I assume so if the consultant is happy as 3.6mm is very short, practically non-existent!

Sorry Blue, should be 36mm. Not 3.6! I think if it has shortened at my next scan I will ask about the option of a preventative stitch, I think the reason they haven't done one so far is they are not convinced my cervix was the cause for my previous prem labour. My anxiety has been bad but I've just switched to a different consultant who I am much happier with, so hoping that plus the fact so far so good with my cervix will help the anxiety.

Sunny sorry I was projecting there, I became very anxious after mistakenly being told that I wouldn't be given a stitch despite previously being told my history indicated that I should have one. My anxiety is still quite high now I'm pleased you're with a consultant that you are happy with.

I forgot to update after my scan yesterday, my cervix has stayed the same length 35mm and closed. The baby was moving too much to see her clearly, she's having her own little party in there! But all is good at the moment. I'm being seen every 2-3 weeks over coming months, next is my 20 week scan on the 21st.

Hi everyone.

I had a cone biopsy in 2015 and in 2016 after IVF treatment became pregnant with my son. My stupid fucking booking-in midwife failed to flag up the fact I had a cone biopsy and I was classified as low risk. At 18 and 19 weeks I went to A&E for bleeding, both times they sent me home but on the second time my cervix was measured at 20mm (at 19w+1d). They did nothing about my teeny tiny cervix and a week later I went in to labour and lost my beautiful baby in August 2016. A post-mortem concluded the loss was due to a short cervix + an infection that broke the cervical wall.

Since then I've had more IVF, one round failed and this current round resulted in a miscarriage. At the hospital this morning while being booked in for a D&C (which we decided not to go through with and are doing medical management tomorrow at the hospital), I asked them to measure my cervix and it was 2.8mm!!! So short when it's supposed to be 4-5cm normally or during 1st trimester.

I'm worried there's just no hope for me. And with IVF there is increased risk of twins and I'm worried i'll get pregnant with twins and it will be an automatic loss in the second trimester.

Just feeling completely hopeless about it all.

Anyone have any success stories or hope to share?

Hi Again Please,

I'm so sorry for your losses and that you've found this thread through such tragedy. I too have lost a baby at 20 weeks and know how heart wrenching and life changing it is.

How many weeks were you with this loss that showed 2.8cm? Has this been recorded in your notes? There is hope, my story is different to yours but I've been fortunate to have a proactive consultant who has put a stitch in at 15 weeks in this pregnancy and all going well so far (30 weeks today, it's a real miracle). My friend had twins last summer through ivf and she had a cervical length about the same that you reported, and she was monitored but absolutely fine and was induced at 34 weeks as one of the babies' growth rate had slowed down. I have read stitches may not be recommended in a twin pregnancy, however, progesterone pessaries and bed rest can be effective too. I'm on progesterone still, having been on it since my positive test and may well have helped my position.

I hope that in time you feel more comfortable trying again; I changed hospitals after my 20 week loss, as having lost at 7 weeks and 10 weeks as well I felt like I needed a positive change, and that has helped me.

Sorry if I've waffled, please try not to despair, it is amazing what can be done to bring little people safely into the world. I wish you all the very best.

Jess x

Hi all

Welcome to the newbies.

Hope everyone is doing well.

For those who have had a preventative stitch (I'm on my second shirdokar) tmi but have you noticed any weird discharge? Always paranoid as losing what I now know was my mucas plug with my loss at 25 weeks was my first sign of things going wrong. It's not the same as that but is stringy and I get a small amount every day (on top of normal discharge). I mentioned to my doc before and he said it'll be due to the exposed knot of my stitch rubbing. Just wanted to get some idea as to whether others have experienced this particular 'type' of discharge.
Thanks! X

Hello April. Sorry you're having lots of worry. I'm afraid i don't know anything about your question but hopefully someone will be along soon who can help. I have my first cervical scan tomorrow and I'm pretty worried. I feel like i can actually feel my cervix today/that I'm more aware of it. Also due to inserting pessaries i can't work out if I'm leaking fluid or it's just the medication! So stressful! X

Hey ladies, hope you don't mind me posting but you seem like a lovely bunch! This is a bit of an unusual one I suppose as it's my first pregnancy and I don't have any reasons to imply I might have a short cervix or anything, it wasn't measured at my 20 week scan as far as I'm aware.

Basically, when ttc I tracked cervix position so I know what feels right for me. On Sunday I had a feel out of interest and I swear it's open already and it's very soft. I could have got a finger in easily (I didn't as don't want to do anything dangerous, I just gently felt the outside). I panicked and called assessment Unit. The midwife basically didn't seem to believe me/that I knew what I am talking about and kept repeating "you felt your own cervix?" and told me not to worry as I'm not bleeding or leaking fluid or anything and baby is moving fine. Told me not to go feeling it again. Obviously it's true that I don't know what a normal pregnant cervix feels like but I know what's right for me and it's not this and I know it should be firmly and closed right now, not open. I'm seeing midwife on Friday and am going to mention to her but I'm worried she will just shrug me off the same and tell me off for feeling it. It's all I can think about that it's going to dilate without me knowing and I'll lose the baby. Very tempted to book a private cervix length scan to hopefully put my mind at rest or at least know either way so hospital will have to do something if it is dilating already. Not sure if they can do anything now anyway, too late for a stitch? I'm so anxious now counting down the days til Friday:(

Sorry for rambling post... and so sorry to those of you who have had losses to discover cervix problems.