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.

My consultant said the same 're progesterone so I didn't have any. She said it could have unpleasant side effects with no gain.

I meant to answer about the anxiety. I spent a lot of time playing games on my phone while watching tv at the same time! Kept my mind busy! Have a cry whenever you need to. It's a very anxious time, and crying helps. Set small milestones- 24wks first then steroids at 26, 28 is a big one.

@paranormal ah yes I had mine in C&W! Best reputation for these stitches plus it was same consultant as I’d had to do my cone biopsy. I’m kind of regretting moving out of London now as I really want to give birth in C&W where they know my case and I feel safe. TW hospital doesn’t fill me with confidence. Do you reckon I can switch on Nhs.. Or even just present at C&W when the time comes?!

Thanks @creme really appreciate that. My anxiety is through roof, can’t get off Google. We all know how bad that can be! My Consultant didn’t say anything about steroid shots - did he to you @Paranormal?

The steroids are a bit controversial too as apparently they're only needed if labour looks imminent.

The FB group is a huge support, lots of success stories!

UCLH have a big preterm centre so felt relatively safe going there for antenatal care. They don’t use steroids routinely either.as Creme said it’s controversial.

You can have your antenatal care wherever you wish. However you do need to think about how you would get to your chosen centre in labour etc.

I’m very anxious too. Have had 3 early miscarriages since DD was born and find it really hard to imagine this working out. Trying to put my faith in the TAC.

How is everyone doing? @MissMedusa? @FruitandNutty?

17 weeks today, saw my consultant Wednesday, all still looking good touch wood.

@Paranormal yes I’m 21 weeks tomorrow, so 2 weeks post-cerclage. Had a cervical length scan to check in on Weds and it went up to 2.8cm - pleased with that. Am working from home now so am able to take it super easy. Great to hear you’re doing well! x

That’s great news Fruit. Mine is holding at around 13mm but TAC still in place; fingers crossed it holds. Have an anterior placenta so not feeling much, think I’ll be less anxious once I start feeling regular movement.

Thats good news @paranormal. I didn’t start properly feeling movement til 18/19 weeks. But I wouldn’t worry as long as you see baby moving on scans etc I’m sure it’s fine.

All still ok here too. I'm 19+3 today and although constantly nervous, last check cervix was 3.6cm which is great. Have another check on Monday so we'll see if it's stable or getting shorter.

3.6cm is great! Mine is never over 2cm, even pre-pregnancy. Fingers crossed all our stitches hold! I know I’m being impatient about movement, unlikely to feel much this early with my placenta up front but it would be so reassuring!

How is everyone doing? @Paranormalbouquet have you felt any kicks yet?

I had a really positive appointment yesterday. It's called the second trimester screening and where they measure all the bones and look at all the structures in detail. Everything
With the baby looks great. It's boy and he's quite big at 407g at 21+6 which is always good when preterm Labour is a threat. The bigger the better! The best news though was that my cervix is stable and not shortening at 4cm! the measurement was taken from above rather than vaginally so might not be as accurate but was still looking really good. Things are going so much better than last time. 3 more weeks to viability and I'm counting every day! Maybe one day I'll even be able to relax and enjoy this pregnancy like a normal person.

@MissMedusa this fell off my watchlist.

How are you doing? Getting some movement now but very position dependent with my placenta being anterior. Had scan last week- baby looks good but placenta praevia and concern about placental blood flow so back for lots more scans. TAC in place though, baby seems to like to kick it (it hurts!).

4cm was a great measurement. Mine measures 2cm on a good day but surgeons said it’s totally useless cervix anyway as it’s so very scarred.

I can’t relax either really, I know I won’t until I have a baby in my arms.

Hey! I'm new here joined a while back when trying for BFP... two and half years on we finally have it, however, a twist of fate meant I Found out I was pregnant at 21 weeks (only 6 weeks ago!) due to false negatives early on then false thyroid concerns from gp... ANYWAY that's another story! as I'm sure you can imagine, to this point, the last few weeks have been a roller-coaster! and now this...
I had a cervix scan yesterday (26+5) as instructed by my consultant, and the sonographer told me I have a short cervix of 19mm. She said that there is no sign of funnelling and to come back in two weeks for a check up to see what's happening (fluids etc. All good!) so... I go round to maternity to make the appointment and they kick off saying this isn't right and I need to see a Dr. One of them goes away, then comes back with prescription of a pesseries. These are prescribed by a Dr I haven't met 400mg twice a day no more info than that. They make a appointment for scan in two weeks and send me on my way!
So I'm FREAKING out after reading the leaflet in the pesseries because it says use in first trimester... Well I'm about to go onto my third! Can anyone offer me some advice on what to do, don't want to start taking something if its going to be detrimental and I've gone from feeling safe being monitored to worrying about having an incompetent cervix and giving birth at any moment😢😨I'm thinking I should call and ask to see my consultant that I've met once? I don't even have a midwife so feeling quite lost in this. Called my gp who said I need to see the Dr that prescribed the medication. When I asked the nurses/midwives about the meds they were actually quite short with me and told me of I wasn't to carry to term I need to take them! Feeling overwhelmed to say the least... I'm hoping someone here can offer me some wisdom xxx hugs ladies and thank you for your time xxx

@heydiddlediddle123 welcome and congratulations! I’m sorry you are having this stress now. Can I ask why they were checking your cervical length at such a late stage? I’m not sure of how relevant a short cervix is at 27 weeks. Progesterone is safe so don’t worry about that. I do know that a short cervix does not necessarily mean an incompetent one if that helps at all.

Hey *paranormalbouquet thanks for the reply! We didn't find out till late that I was pregnant, I was booked at 21 weeks.. , maybe this is a factor why they testing so late? I think the system is a little under pressure where I am in South East London (Greenwich way) can't even get onto NHS antenatal class as massively over subscribed!

Tbh since finding out it's been a mad dash from pillar to post, with this being my first it's hard to know what should be happening and what shouldn't. I we get back to the hospital and spoke with a lovely midwife who put my mind at ease with the cyclogest, so I'm using it now... I have a appointment to go back for another scan in two weeks to check my C-length. I've been a worried about the fact it's 19mm - your message had made me feel much better. I obviously have so much to learn, it's great to get some support so I was over the moon to see this thread xx 🎉🤗💐
I'm 34, this is my first, been trying for 2 1/2 years so over the moon!

Sorry @paranormalbouquet that should've read that we didn't find out until lateron that I was pregnant. I was 21 weeks gone when it was confirmed! (sorry typo)

I meant that most hospitals don’t actually measure cervical length unless there’s a specific reason- previous treatment for abnormal cells etc or previous late miscarriage/premature birth? In my case I had a c-section a few years ago during which my cervix was torn causing damage for example.

@paranormalbouquet you're right, I had abnormal cells 2 years ago and colposcopy.

Thank you so much again for your message 🤗 I'll have to have a good read through and catch up! How are things with you?

That’s probably why you had the test so. Are you linked in with a prematurity prevention clinic?

Can I suggest you join incompetent cervix UK on Facebook? They have lots of members with experience who might be able to help you.

No not linked with any support groups. I'll check out your suggestions

@heydiddlediddle123 how are you doing? Did you have a fetal fibronectin test by the way? A negative test is apparently a very good predictor of your risk of early labour.

@paranormalbouquet hello! how's it going? You hanging in there? How far along are you now? Hope all is well!

I've got my first smear post treatment on the 20th..I've put it to the back of my mind but its imminent now and made me think of you and this board so thought I'd check in

@CremeDeSudo how are you?! Sorry just saw this.

26 weeks and all going well thankfully. Next scan in 2 weeks.

Wow that's gone quick! To me, not for you I expect. So pleased for you

DD is 3mo now. School hols were hard work! Anxious to get next week's appt out the way so I can relax. Will be discussing my future hysterectomy too. Joy.

It’s been fairly slow for me! It’s been a tough pregnancy as you know- with the surgery and now have a placenta praevia and baby is on small side so lots of scans and appointments.

Sorry to hear you need to make such a big plan so soon but I’m sure you’ll be pleased to have it done and dusted finally?

I’m still going around in circles with my gynae- my cervix looks very abnormal but biopsies are normal. It’s so badly damaged that they will always worry that there is disease beneath the scarring. Now that I have my TAC I think I’ll just ask them for a cone biopsy so I can stop having colposcopies every few months!