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.

You're nearly through the scariest bit though, that's something to celebrate!

I won't be having it for about a year I think, but I have lots of questions as wondering about having ovaries removed due to related cancers running in my family. Also not sure on recovery times etc. I don't think I'm going to sleep well on Wed anyway.

I don't blame you! Sounds like the simplest option! It was ok having it done too, just period type pains afterwards.

I think my worries have switched from worrying about prematurity to worrying about my placenta!

Re cervix it seems silly to remove something with normal biopsies but the gynae is just worried that the amount of scar tissue I have is interfering with the biopsy results. And my TAC should hold even if I have a cone biopsy so seems sensible.

So not too bad all in all today. She's taken a punch biopsy and sent it off but she thinks what's she's seen is where it's healing/scar tissue but sending it off to be sure and said she isn't worried. I have to wait 4-6wks for results . I also have to have another MRI just as routine, and am having genetics tests as I raised concerns about family history. Lots to look forward to then!

Hi everyone, this is my first post.
Very upset and nervous. I’m 16 weeks and had my first consultant appointment today... she measured my cervical length as 12.5mm... I paid for a private scan at 14w and it was 41mm - consultant unsure weather this was measured incorrectly or it has shortened. She is unsure if there is going to be enough cervix to complete a stitch. She has signed me off work for 4 weeks, I had a progesterone injection today and she has booked appointment to try stitch next Tuesday. Is there any hope at all? I’m so upset! Baby looks perfect too 💔
Should I be worried I have to wait a week? I knew I was high risk for CI as have a unicorniate uterus. This is an ivf baby... taken three years to get here following a miscarriage of baby in non-viable horn
Thank you xxx

patters86 I don't have any advice as I'm waiting to have my cervix looked at (I'm 13 weeks) but I just wanted to see how your doing? I hope everything is ok?

I also just wanted to know what do you ladies do when you have been told to stay on complete bestest? How do you afford this?

Hi both I hope you're well

My consultant told me bedrest wasn't proven to make any difference. The only thing I was told was to avoid sex and no vigorous activity.

@paranormalbouquet I hope everything went well in the end!!

My consultant didn’t believe in bedrest either- same advice as @Cremrdesudo.

Hi Creme! All went relatively well. Went into labour at 37w- obviously cervix couldn’t dilate against my TAC so uterus had started to rupture by time we got to theatre. I lost a lot of blood but everything was repaired and baby girl was fine! She is 5 weeks old now! Lost my TAC though. How’s all with you?

Oh wow that's fantastic news! Sounds dramatic! Was she fine when she arrived?

Are you worried about losing your TAC? Are you hoping to have any more?

We're great. DD is 7mo today and we're officially through the hardest bit I feel. I'm enjoying every minute 😊

Had a clear smear in Sept, next is Mar and will be planning my hysterectomy then. Although I won't be looking forward to the op, will be plsd to put it all behind me!

I wasn’t planning any more but now it’s gone feels very final! Although would be very high risk after uterine rupture so best not to chance it I think.

Delighted your smear is normal, hope hysterectomy goes well. We had a hard start with feeding issues etc but settling in now. Glad your little one is doing well. Does your son like having a sister? My DD1 is a little jealous but mostly coping well.

What's the age gap between yours? There's 5yrs with ours. We had a tough time with jealousy initially, then again when he went back to school but now he loves her. We have to remind him to leave her be! I love how much she loves him too 😊

I know what you mean about he finality. We only ever wanted two so I spose it saves DH from having a vasectomy!

4.5 years here, similar enough. She mostly loves her little sister but gets a bit annoyed when I’m feeding her etc at times.

Hello. Suspected for a while that I might be joining this club due to previous cervical surgery. Had my scan this morning and im21mm at 16 weeks.

Has anyone got any advice? I’d rather not have a stitch unless it’s the only option and think I’d try progesterone first.

Has anyone had the Arabin Pessary? I’ve been asked if I want to opt in to a trial.

Hi all and everyone, have been reading everyone's past posts intently and thought I would join the group to add my recent experience and see if anyone else out there is in the same boat! I am currently 20w 2d and had a stitch 2 days ago.

I, like many others, had a Lletz procedure after having CIN3 cells in my cervix and so was put on close monitoring by the hospital. I had already miscarried at 13 weeks in my last pregnancy, so was glad they were keeping a closer eye on me this time (hadn't seen anyone at all in my last pregnancy, due to late appointments).

This pregnancy has been a bit of a roller-coaster. Was quite unwell with morning sickness until about 14 weeks, then at 15 weeks I started bleeding and cramping. Went to A&E and they just kept thinking I was going to miscarry and sent me home (such a traumatic time), said they couldn't do anything. Long story short (and trips to hospital later), they eventually found out I had a urine infection which was causing the cramping...but the bleeding continued.

NHS didn't have any answers at this point, so at 17 weeks, still bleeding and in desperation, I made an appointment with a private consultant. £300 later, I was none the wiser in regards to the bleeding but the consultant prescribed me the Cyclogest progesterone pessary and I began taking that. Still bleeding, I managed to get an appointment at 18 weeks with a consultant at the hospital, who measured my cervix. It was 2.8mm. They said it was fine, but would like to keep an eye on it.

I went back 2 weeks later (Wednesday just gone) and it had shortened to 1.8mm, even after taking the progesterone! I went into surgery for the stitch the next morning. Procedure went really well and I was taken good care of by all the NHS staff in the maternity ward - so many babies about though, which was a little heart wrenching!

I now have 2 weeks off work. My next cervical scan is on the 8th May, so now just trying my best to stay calm and positive, and get lots of rest. Am v.worried about going back to work (I am a teacher and SENCo), as I find it very stressful and am on my feet a lot.

Would love to hear if anyone else is in the same/a similar situation, or has been and can give any advice, particularly about going back to work.

Hey @blingflamingo replying as this thread went dead after me!

I’m glad your stitch went well. How are you feeling now? It’s so worrying isn’t it?

I went for progesterone and currently stable at just over 20mm so hoping to avoid a stitch if I can.

I don’t think being on your feet or normal pregnancy exercise is harmful or damaging to a short cervix (I’m not a Dr, so just what my consultant is telling me) but just take it easy and maybe tell your boss what’s happening so they’re aware you might want more time sitting down etc. I think you probably will as pregnancy progresses anyway.

Hopefully it’s plain sailing for you from here

Hi excitednerves,

Thanks for your support. A week on and I am feeling fairly positive today. 21 weeks now! It is very worrying though. I am very up and down! How are you feeling?

Glad to hear your cervix is stable on the progesterone. I am still taking mine, but as my cervix shortened so much whilst on it, not sure it did much! Are you using pessaries or having injections? What is the make of the drug you are using?

I think you are right about activity. The consultant told me that I could walk around the house, go up and down stairs, go for a short walk. I think stress is the biggest concern for me, as it seems to increase my bleeding (as does standing for extended periods) and once I am at work, its very difficult to say no. My boss knows everything and has been very good, I just need to be firmer with myself and force myself to rest.

Fingers crossed for both of us as the weeks progress!!

Hey @blingflamingo

23 weeks here and still doing ok. Next scan is next week. I’m feeling ok but definitely now feeling the pressure of my growing bump and very aware when I’m over doing things.

I’ve been using the pessaries - two different brands so far but almost 8 weeks in and still holding out.

Not too long for either of us now! I feel time is going so fast now I’m past 20 weeks!

Hope you’re still doing ok too!

Just wondered if anyone is still around and can help me out? I posted in pre term labour but didn't get any response. Could really benefit from some of your wisdom from those who had a stitch put in!
Here's what I posted elsewhere
I'm 17 weeks and a cervical length scan today showed 24mm, a reduction from 25.9mm at week 13. I have a uterine abnormality which increases risk of pre term labour hence why they have been watching. I'm having the stitch put in on Monday and am on progesterone pessaries too.
I'm really anxious about both the procedure and the risk to the baby within that, and about the pregnancy going forward. It's my first baby and it took a while to conceive also due to my abnormality and I'm so scared I'll lose the baby before it's viable on its own that I feel like I'm basically giving the pregnancy up for lost now. I can't enjoy being pregnant and will be worrying until birth assuming I get that far.
Does anyone have any positive experiences of having the stitch put in and carrying at least past 26 weeks? I feel like I could use a bit of perspective here rather than just drowning in anxiety!

I’m in a similar position to yourself esmerelda.
I’m having stitch put in next Thursday when I’ll be 16 weeks.
I too have a uterine abnormality and cervix measured less than 2.5 cm at appointment today.
I too am nervous of the procedure and possible outcomes.
Previously had a baby born at 23 weeks then a baby born at term - both before uterine abnormality was discovered.
How did your procedure go?

Hey ladies
So im writing following a loss due to preterm labour at 23 weeks in feb. Just found out im
6 weeks pregnant and had my first scan yesterday all ok.

I asked tones of questions about my loss and was it due to my lletz procedure id had and should i have been monitored more closely as i was just put down the normal pregnancy route despite mentioning id had the treatment on my cervix at booking in Appt, they said as i only had 9mm of tissue removed they said i didnt qualify for the consultant led pregnancy as its 10mm and above... as u can imagine im terrified itll happen this time round aswell but this time i will be put down the preterm labour route and closely monitored but what should i expect to happen from here on in ... im 6 weeks today 🙏💖💙🌈 x

@esmerelda1988 hey lovely i posted in here at week 6 im now week 12 and had my cervical scan today an measured at 28mm not the best news but it is what it is, i wondered how u got on or r getting on with the stitch my next scan is 17 weeks to see if its shortened even more x

Hey ladies,

There’s a really supportive group call Incompetent Cervix Support Group (Pregnancy-Related) on Facebook that I have found so helpful.
Currently 32 weeks exactly and had a McDonald cerclage placed at 13 weeks when a transvaginal ultrasound revealed my cervix was 17mm.
They checked as I had a LLETZ procedure in 2015 for CIN 3 and some other procedures that year too.
Anyway, it’s a great group and very helpful on this often scary journey x

Hi @Hayleylou89 so sorry I didn't get notified of your first message or @Cece546. I actually didn't have the procedure in the end. I spoke to the consultant beforehand and he outlined the risks of having it or not having it and I went for having further monitoring. It was such a hard decision and he wouldn't really give me much of an idea what he recommended I do. I had further scans up to 22 weeks, my next one was 28mm, followed by 43mm (this was explained to me as an error by the scanning department ) then my final scan was 24mm but the consultant said she was happy my cervix would hold (no funnelling or signs of opening) and monitoring stopped. I was 30 weeks yesterday and baby is still in there. I don't think they can really say whether my abnormality has caused my cervix to be short or whether it's just naturally like that as my measurements are quite consistent. @Hayleylou89 I would think they might give you a better idea of what you should do if it shortens further seeing as you have had a previous loss, I was also on progesterone pessaries from about 16 weeks to 28 weeks which they said had the same benefits to me as a cervical stitch given I hadn't been pregnant before. Hope all goes well for you.

@glasha87 thanks for the tip and wishing you all successful pregnancies

Hi, can see this hasn't been posted on for a long time, but hoping some of you are still members. I had problems with my cervix in my last pregnancy seven years ago, shortened from 3.5 at 22 weeks to 2.5 and 23 weeks, then 2.4 and 2.38. had progesterone pessaries three times a day, signed off from 31 weeks as cervix was soft and baby engaged, and although I did start to dilate when I stopped the pessaries at 36 weeks I actually went to 40+5 which was great.

I'm pregnant again now, early days, but wanted to ask if any of you experienced the same problems in subsequent pregnancies, I still get cervical erosion which I had silver nitrate put on twice in the last 5 years and seems to be ok at the moment, although I'm avoiding sex just in case.

@annlee3817

How did you get on? I've just got my bfp but had cervical shortening at 26 weeks in my last pregnancy. Have you had the same so far?