The Short Cervix Club cont.

[April1984]

As per the original thread, here is a new group as we have almost reached 1000 in the last group.

Yeah I think I'll call Monday and let her know at least. Just been to the supermarket and walking is hard! No cervix pains though so prob just normal pregnancy pressure that I've forgotten about from DS!

How are you doing today @CremeDeSudo? Did you manage to get in touch? I’m ok generally, pain well managed, just sore moving about. Have had some spotting and light bleeding wiping which is of course to be expected but still worries me!

@MissMedusa yes it is very like a c-section incision. I’m back home now, resting and trying to get back on my feet. I had an occlusion along with my TAC so am really hoping it all does the trick.

What's an occlusion?

All ok here - 35wks! I haven't called in as I felt a bit silly calling her secretary and being like 'i had some pains on Friday, triage weren't worried, no bleeding, no labour, but just wanted you to know!' It's eased off over the wkend though so I've said to DH if it starts up again I'll call. Otherwise will hang fire til my appt on Monday.

Glad to hear you're feeling ok!

35weeks is amazing! An occlusion is a stitch at the bottom of the cervix. Idea is to prevent infection ascending. They do it in Europe and some TAC surgeons in UK do it too. Not sure there’s great evidence but given that I’ve had bad infections after c-section and after miscarriage figured no harm when having procedure anyway.

Terrified about scan on Friday now, really hope it goes well.

Yes they basically stitch up the very tip of your cervix and rough it up a bit so the the cervical tissue grows together sealing off the uterus from any vaginal bacteria. It has the benefit of preventing infection but I don't know if it's as strong as it's so low down. Mine only held 5 weeks last time so I'm not so convinced but they are big fans of it here. I guess the theory is most preterm Labour in cervical insufficiency is caused by infection. Anyway I'm glad to be getting a cerclage as well as the occlusion this time (assuming my cervix will hold on another week)

@paranormal glad you're feeling better. I think a small amount of spotting is normal but understand that you're worried. Is it getting better or worse?

It’s very light, some pink mixed with usual discharge, some brown. Logically I can explain it, just hate seeing it!

Never heard of that before but guess it doesn't hurt to try that too.

I'm currently sat in triage waiting room as I've been having cramping/pain/pressure all across the bottom of bump this aft, a back and hip ache (which I remember as how it started with DS) and suspicious I lost part of my plug earlier, albeit no blood present.

Been hooked up but MW didn't say anything and I have to wait for a Dr. Hope I don't have to wait too long as it's bloody boiling in here!

Good luck Creme, I hope you are seen soon. Hopefully you can hang on to baby for another while but at least it’s a very safe gestation.

I went for a proper walk today and now have terrible cramps so I think I overdid it. Resting again.

So monitor showed I'm contracting but irregularly and fibro-something test which tests for proteins/fluids and likelihood of preterm labour came back positive so they're keeping me in over night for monitoring. Cervix felt closed still though. I bloody knew something was up! First day I had doing nothing!!

That’s typical! FFN I understand is useful if negative but positive doesn’t mean you’ll definitely deliver soon. Is the plan for c-section if you start contracting regularly?

Been keeping an eye to see what happened!

They're going to see how I go overnight and check my cervix again in the morning and my consultant will be informed. I'll feel better once I've spoken to her. It'll be a section though, it just depends whether they decide to bring it forward. Seems likely to me though? Currently it hurts to walk!

Luckily there's free WiFi!

I had to wait ages to be seen - someone was rushed in while we were waiting for Drs rounds and we think she lost her baby 😢 that had a knock on effect for everyone then obviously. Horrendous.

Oh Creme the poor lady, and hard for you all watching too. Hope you got some rest. Let us know how it goes today!

All settled down overnight but has picked up again since I've been moving around. Consultant thinks it's all imminent and I'm not allowed home for now (DH panicking slightly at having to do everything bless him!). If pains stop they might let me home but if they get worse or more frequent I would be booked in for section. So just wait and see again.

I was nil by mouth from midnight just in case but just cleared for food so just destroyed a cooked breakfast lol.

How're you getting on now @paranormal? Feeling better?

Thinking of you @CremeDeSudo! 35 weeks is brilliant so even if it doesn't settle down all will be fine. That said, as you know things can keep going, it's so unpredictable. I had contraction and water broken and still held on another week. Do they still give the steroid shots at 35 weeks?

@CremeDeSudo I hope you aren’t too bored, and a decision is made either way soon. As @MissMedusa said 35weeks is great going- especially as you weren’t expected to get past 28 initially!

I’m better today than any other day so far. Really windy and bloated though, I look about 7 months gone! Have managed to walk to shops (around 500m away) and am enjoying a cold drink in the sun and resting. Aim to make it back home in one stretch afterwards. And probably buy some lactulose on the way home!

Still quiet here. I've been laid down catching up on Love Island and Handmaids Tale though so not surprising!

I had the steroid shots at 26wks as I was v high risk. I've just had blood tests to rule out infections. Hoping they might let me home tmw on bed rest if nothing happens. Missing DS now!

Re the gas and bloating, I hadn't realised that was common with abdominal surgery until I read up up healing post c section the other day! Dreading that as I get bloated easily at the best of times. The article I read suggested peppermint tea. Let us know if you find something that works well!

Had it after c-section too actually. But I had a hard time after section and didn’t notice it as much! Keep the bowels moving and soft before and after I think is best thing.

I’m sure DS is missing you too but he’ll be delighted with new sibling soon (hopefully!).

Going home! Dr wanted to keep me in again but as I live so close (can see my house from the window) and DH can be with me then they're letting me to under instructions to come straight back if it starts up again. I get the impression it's not going to be much longer now though.

So weird on this ward mind - hearing the newborns crying brings it all back and makes me wonder what I'm letting myself in for again!

So you recommend laculose then? Is it something they'll sell in Tesco or pharmacy only?

Well I recommend avoiding constipation before any surgery! By whatever means necessary!

Glad you are getting home, make sure everyone takes care of you. So exciting to think we will soon have a baby from this little group.

@MissMedusa when are you getting your stitch?

Just got home and had a call from the hospital- they're bringing my section forward to Tuesday! I'll be 36+2. Totally shocked and really didn't expect her to bring it forward, certainly not that much! Eeeek it's exciting!

How exciting! Not long now!

Wow! Exciting news! You get to meet your baby soon. Good luck! We'll be watching this space.

My stitch is scheduled for Monday. I'm a bit scared but I've done it before and all was ok. I just hate going under and apparently they only do it under general anaesthetic. If all goes well, I'll be in hospital until Wednesday