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

Can anyone give me any advice? Am so worried :(

Legally, from what I understand, getting aroused would not cause you a problem but an orgasm causes small contractions in the uterus, and penetration could cause a disturbance in the cervix area. I am sure some of the others have a better explanation x

Thanks Holly!

re the discharge, generally,women get more discharge during pregnancy because of all the progesterone. With these twins, because I have loads more of all the preg hormones swimming around, I have been drenched from day one (yes, an embarrassing day for me today!). My assumption would be that the extra discharge is a direct result of the progesterone kicking in!!! Someone else, much further along than you/having had the baby(?), mentioned heaps of discharge from the extra progesterone in the pessaries... Its somewhere upthread but I can't scroll up now I am writing this post!

Holly, how much watery discharge is there? I think it's really normal in pregnancy to have increased discharge but I know it did freak me out a first. For example (tmi) I can sometimes feel it 'gush' a bit, but when I look there's a little wet patch about the size of a 50p in my pants. If it's like that then I think you're prob fine, I've had scans since this started and no probs. If it seems like a lot more then maybe call the hospital for some reassurance.

Legally, I have totally abstained (assume when you say 'aroused' you mean the big o without penetration??). If I'm totally honest, they weren't clear but I'm too embarrassed to go into the prem clinic and say 'can we indulge in a bit of frottage to the point of orgasm?' to the nurses there. I also think it's unlikely they'll say yes for the reasons holly mentioned above...although I'm finding it really hard. Halfway through the drought today...11weeks down and 11 to go! We're both hoping he stays put for a while so we'll have some quality time together before the birth ('hammer and tongs' is the phrase used most often in our house right now!)

Its not just me suffering then! Gosh, its not easy! Oh well - I have max 11/12 weeks to go too!

It's so difficult to tell, I seem to veer between white creamy stuff and clearer watery stuff, combined with the antibiotic cream I have to insert and the fact it's kinda warm down there with big pants, liners and all the lying around... It could be bl**dy anything :(

If I am still worried tomorrow, I will get a docs appointment and get checked out. I did call the ward but they were more concerned with blood or smelly discharge.

Soo stressed at the moment :(

Re sex, I keep having sexy dreams and waking up feeling very interested! It doesn't help relaxation I have to say.....

Xxx

Snap on the sexy dreams, I've even climaxed in them even though I've been trying to avoid that because of the uterine contraction thing mentioned above. And I'm guessing as it's a mental thing, your uterus does the same thing even though it's a dream! Apart from that, I'm doing ok without sex weirdly, have kind of got used to it and my worry about my cervix etc would def kill the mood for me anyway! (makes me sound massively boring)! I think what's also making me not mind, is that I think DH would be a bit freaked out (what part of the baby is he poking near etc) so I think he'd find pregnant sex a bit weird anyway!

holly I'm having a mixture of watery discharge (as I said quite a bit on the weekend) and creamy white. Perhaps post on the main pregnancy forum as would be good to know about normal pregnancy discharge and if other people are getting watery discharge (let me know if you do post), but I am getting it too so hopefully it's normal xxx

I don't seem to mind the lack when I'm awake, I just worry about my husband, it must be pretty awful for him as well as my constant worrying- poor fella x

Hello ladies! I am sooooo with you all on the sex frustration thing. Was told categorically no orgasms. I feel very low about this, so unsexy and un attractive. I still indulge my husband, but really it's so frustrating as I get worked up and nothing can happen for me.im reluctant for him to touch me as it just gets me more het up.

This combined with baby exhaustion when baby is born could mean almost a year with no sex, intimacy, or orgasms. Really getting me down.

On a positive note, am 24+2 and grateful to be pregnant :)

On the how to stay positive and cope with it all question, I am really week by week. To be honest getting back to workandinto a bit of a routine again really helped, I find hard to worry touch about stuff when working 12 hour days as I'm just too busy to have my mind wander.

Ha ha.... I am glad it's not just me!!!! DH occasionally says, although frustrated, that it's not that bad...... Yes dear, that's because you're stilling getting bloody blow jobs! Still, this is obviously a very m

Oops... Very minor issue compared to the scare of having the stitch and them arriving early etc!!

You're all still giving blow jobs and things?! My DH is getting nothing but cuddles! He isn't even hinting about anything like that, think he has me on some holy pregnancy pedestal in his head - not sure if I'm flattered or annoyed!

Sorry - I have dragged the thread down a little! Alex - yes, still doing that kind of thing. It is our second pregnancy, so me being pregnant isn't a new thing for DH. Tbh though, we continued with normal "intimacy" until the day before DD was born. It didn't really seem to be an issue for either of us. In fact, DH has often mentioned that he loves me being pregnant...!! Like everything in this, ahem, area, I suspect it's horses for courses! I certainly don't like being pregnant much in terms of how I feel about myself in that regard!

Anyway..... How are you feeling worry-wise today Holly?

Legally- sex is never a minor issue! Lol! Tbh you lot talking about the big o and blow jobs has cheered me up- alway enjoyed lowering the tone :)

I am feeling a bit better, went to the doctors who examined me, got a speculum and made me cough, she said nothing came out which would be expected if it was amniotic fluid. she took a swab to get checked further as well.

So sadly I could just be wetting myself a bit... Or is just increased discharge...

Joy!

I had a cervix scan this morning, went really well, amazingly I'm now measuring up ok on scans and longer than I was, I'm just praying they're accurate and the situation stays the same! The consultants don't seem worried at all which is brilliant! Anyway holly I mentioned the watery discharge on the weekend and he said that increased discharge is normal in pregnancy due to hormones. It's now back to creamy white (sorry tmi!) I know your situation is different but just wanted to reassure you that I'm getting it and (if he's right) nothing is going wrong. If you're really worried and it keeps happening, find somewhere that does fetal fibronectin testing and ask for a referral and see what they say.

And feel free to lower the tone and lighten the mood! (although I now feel like a freak for DH and I not being fussed about pregnant sex!) I'd just be so aware the baby is right there! Maybe I think too much...

But then Alex, it's going to be right there is the cot next to the bed (or more likely, in your bed!) for at least six months after its born.... . A bit different actually, I suppose!!! So glad your scans are going well... Enjoy your holiday!!!!

I hope I don't become the pain of this thread, am going back to work tomorrow and am feeling anxious about it.

Yesterday, I walked to the library, around a couple of shops, and then home, today I am feeling some tiny pains like stitch on my left hand side low down on the pelvis, also a slight feeling of pressure that is fine when sitting down. Do you think I overdid it a bit yesterday?

I don't know if its a normal pregnancy twinge or something else :(

I am also really over anxious about my 20 week scan on Friday, have been having worries about if they find anything wrong- everything seems very scary at the moment - not sure how I will concentrate on work :(

Hi holly, you're not coming across as a pain at all! We all worry about this stuff, so annoying. I think getting the 20 week scan will help you to relax a bit.

I get twinges and pains down the side of the bump sometimes. I think it's more muscle pain from stretching than anything else, but I try to sit down and take the weight off my feet until it passes and all seems ok so far. It usually only takes a couple of minutes to pass. The consultant after my op said that it's not about how long you're on your feet for it's how intense the exercise is. Do you have a job where you're on your feet a lot?

I definitely overdid it this weekend. Decided to walk to the pub yesterday over a big hill which took about 90 minutes, then had a short walk after lunch too, plus spent a lot of time carrying and holding friends' toddlers and babies. Today woke up feeling like i'd pulled a muscle in my tummy and am absolutely shattered! On the plus side, despite being so silly, no apparent problems with the stitch. Have taken it very easy today and will do the same tomorrow!

On the sex front, I'm also not helping out my husband at all! I just can't bear it, at least he can go off and take care of himself, I don't feel sorry for him at all! I'm the one really suffering in this situation as I can't do anything. So we're avoiding anything bar platonic cuddles, which sucks but at least doesn't set anything off. 10.5 weeks to go...

Thanks Piz, I am feeling quite neurotic and can't stop myself googling all the time.

Luckily my job is a desk job so should be able to stay off feet most of the day except going to the loo, getting lunch and getting home.

I have sat down with my hubby and explained to him that I really cannot do a lot for the next few weeks. No long walks, hoovering, etc, I really want to make it to at least 24 weeks and then see how I am and how my cervix is doing.

I just want a bath and to feel free to do normal things! I am scared everytime I get a twinge or pain :(

I might send myself mad over the next weeks :( xxx

It's totally normal to worry about this stuff Holly. I worried throughout with DD and I had no known cervix issues then! Thd 20 week scan is terrifying for everyone as it is when the most problems are picked up - that's why it's called the anomaly scan! I don't say that to scare you but to reassure you that it is a rational and entirely normal thing to be worried about. Chances are all will be fine, but I expect 99% of us are scared s**tless!

Work will help I expect... Less time to worry! X x

I was terrified of our 20 weeks scan (esp as we lost our first baby at 18 weeks as she was very poorly) but once it was out of the way it made a huge difference to how I felt about the pregnancy and I relaxed a lot more.

Have been enjoying a bit of online maternity shopping tonight. With 2 weddings and 2 hen dos in the next couple of months I've got plenty of excuses! Also think that iI might be starting to get mild Braxton hicks, when I'm out with the dog the bottom of the bump starts to feel tight, but passes off when I sit down for a minutem anyone know if that's something I should be worrying about??

Piz - I had that with DD also on long walks etc. I don't think it's Braxton Hicks (which are non painful contractions - the only time I got these was after sex, a single one each time) which feel very different.... Braxton hicks are more of a single event rather than a gernersl aching and tightness. I think the latter, from walking erc, is totally normal and just your muscles working hard and complaining a bit. I went on long walks until the day before DD arrived and had the muscle aching always. I think nothing to worry about!

Just had another growth scan on the twins and cervix scan (am 26+4 now!) all fine and cervix is 35-6 mm! Yay! I love that the stitch did a good j

Job... Grrr iPhone!

Thanks Legally, good to know it's all normal! As it's not pain in the cervix area I wasn't too concerned but it's always reassuring to check! The little guy is going nuts in there at the moment and has been since about 3am, he's usually fairly active at certain times but then he'll have a 24 hours period where he's even busier than usual, I don't know why as I've not really eaten or drunk anything out of the ordinary!

Fab news on your cervix length, that's so reassuring. I have my next scan on Monday and feeling fairly relaxed about it, but will be nice to get some reassurance as it's been over 3 weeks since the last one.

Holly, thinking of you for tomorrow, what time is the scan? It's nerve-wracking but once it's out of the way I think you'll feel much better and able to relax a lot more about everything, cervix included (I asked them to check my cervix in the 20 week scan too for a bit of extra reassurance).

Thinking of you all and feeling especially jealous of Alex getting some sun!

Piz

Hi Holly,

Thinking of you today, let us know how you get on!

Piz

Hi Piz,

Thank you for your message, the scan went really well, Smudge is doing great and I feel so relieved :)

They did a cervix check and it is closed and measuring about 3.4 - so great news all round.

Very happy lady here lol!

How's everyone else doing today?

X