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 Fraggle, I remember you from previous threads/this group.

It's always so difficult re cervix. I feel like I'm super aware of mine. If it's a heavy feeling I think it's worth getting checked out tho. Did you have a stitch previously? X

No previous stitch. It was four years ago now that i was pregnant so can't recall the feeling. I've had so many fertility treatments and D&C's so maybe it's just sensitive and fed up! It's an on/off feeling. Think i will just try to take it super easy until Wed. It's so easy to wind yourself up. 24 weeks seems like a life time away. Thanks for replying though. X

How far along are you April? X

Just read your 22 weeks. Such a scary waiting game!!!

I'm 22 weeks too! It's such a difficult one but if you've got cervical issue history and a heavy down feeling, I'd call your midwife/doc and get your scan moved up. Sure ta totally fine but it's obv a particularly difficult stage at 22 weeks as you need those extra weeks under your belt. I know the feeling of time dragging. I swear it's going backwards!.

Thanks April x

Hows everyone doing? Im 1 week from viability!

Hey, plodding along! 22.5 weeks here. Our helper with our 18 month year old started yest. Was so tough not to do stuff for him myself but felt much better by the time she'd gone and real died it wasn't as bad as I imagined. Just hate that I see him for less than an hour in the morn whilst hubby helps, then he's st nursery 8-6 and then someone else is now bathing him and playing with him until hubby is back home. He seems v happy tho so I just have to deal with it! X

Hi, I just wanted to jump on the thread and let you know that I had an early Shirodkhar stitch placed after a miscarriage at nearly 21 weeks and I made it to 38 weeks. I spent those weeks just counting down the days and it is only now 8 months later that I am starting to relax :-) I spent every day worrying about whether I was going to make it and I did. I just wanted to reassure everyone that a stitch can be successful and I have a very hyper daughter to show for it!! Best of luck to everyone xxxx

Hey April, i sympathise with you as i have a 21 month old who is always trying to pull me up of the sofa to play/go walks with him but i cant and it breaks my heart, ive temporarily moved in with my mum so she can help out with my 2 boys while my husbands at work, but we just have to try and remember that this is only temporary and will all be worth it in the end
Thanks for sharing Harveyrabbit, its always so reassuring to hear a success story xx

Morning ladies, 37 weeks today so another "success story" for you ladies at that nail biting 20 odd week stage. Just like Harvey I have only begun to relax since about 30 weeks and trying to enjoy what's left of the pregnancy 🤰 while I can xx

It's definitely worth resting up. I stayed at work until 35 weeks and had a very sedentary job, but I think this has helped. On Easter Monday I had become so fed up with taking it easy that I happily went on a trip to Cadbury world (mmm!) with my husband and five year old. Having had Easter and my daughters fiftj birthday and party on Easter Saturday, I think I overdid it with the walking as I had some light pink spotting and stabbing crotch pains on Wednesday. All was absolutely fine when I was checked out and they said it was "uterine irritation" so I've just rested since and know that resting up is really best throughout pregnancy 👍 Xx

Wow jomh1982 congrats on 37 weeks, really pleased for you! im gonna keep my butt planted on this sofa and pray i get there too :-) x

Welcome binds, you're in the right place! You will see from the thread we all have different histories and some of us have stitches. I have a stitch (second one). I'm a stitch advocate for sure! Tho I appreciate everyone's case is different and it's certainly not always appropriate. Sounds like you're a good candidate tho.

Re work, I stopped working after my stitches at 12 weeks both times. Took a huge financial and career hit (no sick pay etc) but for me it's needed and my doc recommends me to take it very easy. Now I'm 22 weeks I have help with my son who is at nursery all day and keep my feet up. Don't walk anywhere. Everyone's different tho, but I would always err on the side of caution, at the very least until 30 weeks x

Just to update. Not good news! My cervix is giving way, funneling at 18mm. Being admitted Fri for a stitch! Just knew something was wrong. Have been feeling pressure on my cervix for 5 days now!

Someone tell me something positive please?!?!?

Hi Fraggle, try not to panic. How many weeks are you again? X

Just read back down, think you're the same as me, around 22.

I know it's hard not to worry but putting in a stitch certainly sounds like the right option for you. Leaving any longer and you're a bit too late for one as they tend to do them only up to around 24 weeks.

18mm is still not a bad length! I've had a friend who got a stitch at about 20/21 weeks with 6mm! She had to do pretty strict bed rest after but had her baby at 37 weeks. Lots of similar success stories xxx

Thanks April. I've lost two pregnancies before 12 weeks but just can't imagine loosing a baby i can feel and grown to love already. On bed rest now. Roll on Fri!x

I understand completely. I lost my first at 25 weeks. I had no reason to think anything was wrong until a routine scan at 24.3 weeks showed I was dilated. I had an emergency stitch but my cervix was already 2cm dilated.

That's why 18mm is actually v good in the grand scheme as I have come across many people who had a stitch with an open cervix (so no mm!) and have success stories. The earlier the better.

Good luck for it and keep your feet up and try not to google too much x

Easier said than done!! Thanks though April. I haven't slept the past three nights for fear of waking in a pool of fluid, as i did with my first at 29 weeks (no warning). Fully aware my position isn't too drastic as yet. How are you getting on with resting?x

I'm sure you haven't slept. It's so stressful. Friday will soon be here and hopefully post stitch you will have the confidence that the stitch offers you some additional protection. Once you've had such a traumatic experience like waking up at that stage like you did, it's bound to make the situation now so much worse as you're so aware things can happen quickly. Will be thinking of you on Friday x

Thanks April. Really helpful xxx