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.

Thank you so much @Mummyto2monkeys2 and @April1984 !

I had a scan this morning and everything was fine with baby. I'd honestly thought I'd lost him/her given how much pain I was in. I had a series of vomiting episodes after some codeine so was put on an anti-sickness drip and paracetamol drip. I'll also continue to have codeine. My consultant came to visit me and after I said I was in so much pain after the procedure he said just seems I'm unlucky... which I am! After my first IVF egg collection I was hospitalised overnight from vomiting so much aaaaand I've also been diagnosed with hyperemesis in this pregnancy. I'm just a sensitive little thing my body obviously hates anything out of the ordinary

Anyone been prescribed Fragmin blood thinning injections? I'll have to take them until 32 weeks apparently, plus cyclogest.

Hi there. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I had my stitch put in a week and a half ago and will be 15 weeks tomorrow. It's my second stitch as I also needed one in my first pregnancy due to 2 previous LLETZ procedures (I got to full term with that pregnancy and all went well). Last time I had the stitch put in at 17 weeks and was on bed rest until 32 weeks. This time it went in at 13+4 and I've been told I don't need bed rest (even though my cervix was 0.5cm) which I'm pretty nervous about. My consultant is confident that I'll be ok as it's firm, but I'm planning to take it easy! Also taking cyclogest. Has anyone else been in a similar position? I did struggle to dialate last time which reassures me a bit.

@AgainPlease I had to take fragmin until 32 weeks in my last pregnancy due to bed rest. It does get easier giving them to yourself. I also took cyclogest.

Hi @BowlerLady I'm surprised they're not putting you on any sort of bedrest?

I'm on strict bed rest from now (13 weeks) till at least 24 weeks. Was originally told strict bed rest till 34 weeks which I was a bit at. I think though that's just the hospital covering their arses as they really fucked up in my first pregnancy which led to the loss of my beautiful son.

These damn Fragmin injections are so stingy though. Ouch!!

@AgainPlease I know, I was surprised too. I was signed off for 8 days after the stitch then just told to 'take it easy' but that I can still go to work etc. Fortunately I only work 3 days and they've agreed I can do one of them from home. I've been trying not to pick up my son too much.

Bed rest feels like forever, but when you look back at the end of it it doesn't feel so bad, and definitely worth it! Fragmin is so stingy 😧

So sorry for the loss of your son. That much have been (still be) incredibly hard. I so hope you have a happier time this time.

Hi againplus
I am in a similar position to you, here are my experiences - shortened cervix at week 16-17 stitch put in under general anaesthetic and bed rest / take easy till 24 weeks. At the same time I took cyclogest and 75 g aspirin. The bleeding took abt 10 days to resolve after the procedure. I got a lot of pelvic pain due to staying rested 😳
I'm now 30 weeks and continue to be on the medication prescribed

Welcome to the new ladies on the thread. If you've read through the old thread you can see that opinions about bedrest are extremely mixed.
How's everyone doing? I'm currently 31+1. Amazing really! Feels like a life time ago i started bedrest at 22 weeks! My cervix has decided to give up again and i have now been given both doses of steroids. I'm not worried however and if labour happens now, it happens x

Hi everyone,
I had a cervical scan at 16 weeks because of a previous LETZ and measured 3.5. I had another just before I was 20 weeks and measured 3. The doctor isn't worried and has discharged me back to the midwife. They only worry if you've had pre term labour before apparently. Now I know 3cm is still a good length for 19 weeks, but I would have expected another scan at some point just to double check?

Hello MrsGB. Congrats on your pregnancy. The thread has gone a little quiet of late but I'm sure more people will post in due course. If you're worried i would push for another scan or pay for a private scan, if you can. I was similar to you in that my cervix looked like it had some good length and then within a short space of time it deteriorated. I did however have my first DS at 29 week due to IC (known only this time round). I also had a very pronounced dragging/prolapse feeling around 21 weeks. Not all women get this, so it's not a clear indicator either. I found the MWs not well informed about the risks of having a possible IC but yours may be better.x

Thanks for the reply Fraggle. I've got a doctors appointment on Friday and I'm going to ask for a referral so we can go private (on my husbands work insurance hopefully!)
If we can't, I'll pay for a private scan. I know it's probably over cautious, but just in case.
How are you holding up with bed rest?

Hi Mrs GB.

Firstly sorry Fraggle just saw your June post. Have things settled now presumably? You're a v similar stage to me (33 on Friday). Hope all is well.

Mrs GB, I agree with Fraggle, push for a scan and if not go private. Not sure what your doc means by saying they only worry if have pre term labour as a history. Is this your first? My understanding from many posters is you have to take your care into your own hands. 3cm is a good length but I'd probably push for a scan around 23 weeks then potentially again at 24/25. Sadly things can change quickly tho it is natural for your cervix to change during pregnancy. Good luck with it all x

No worries April. Yes, 33 weeks on Sunday, utterly unbelievable! How are you feeling? Are you still resting a lot?

MrsGB, i still rest during the day but I'm also getting out and about and doing lots too now. Throwing caution to the wind!!!x

Thanks April. To be honest the consultant I saw was pretty useless. I was an hour and a half late doing in and then I was out within 2 minutes. She said that they only normally scan after 2 LETZ or if I had a previous premature birth. So she wouldn't have even authorised a scan for me after having just one LETZ and I shouldnt have got a scan in the first place. Basically made out I was wasting her time. It's crazy how different consultants have massively different opinions and your care is dictated based on what they decide!!

This is my second baby, but I only had the LETZ after my first was born (it was my first smear hence all the CIN III cells).

I'll get a private scan to be safe. As you say you definitely have to push for everything yourself.

Well done for getting so far along, you are both on the home stretch now!

Hello lovely ladies,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Reading them has been so helpful for me.

I'm 15 weeks now. I have an incompetent cervix. With my son 6 years ago I had a rescue stitch at 21 weeks after I was found to be 2cm dilated with bulging membranes. I then spent over 3 months in hospital.

In the end I went overdue and gave birth at 41 weeks, which was pretty surprising, though great.

In this pregnancy, I'm quite anxious. But I'm happy with my care and think I'm having the best care possible. I'm being monitored regularly and my previous cervix measurement was around 43mm, which was really good. And I'm being scanned again next week and about every 2 weeks till 24weeks.

But I do have a major concern and was wondering if anyone has any insight that could help. The prematurity clinic I attend will continue to see me up till 24 weeks, but after 24 weeks they don't put in stitches and I'll only be in the care of my usual consultant.

What I'm wondering is what happens after 24 weeks? Does anyone know why the focus in up to 24 weeks? Surely, after 24 weeks you continue to get heavier and therefore are perhaps even more at risk? Or maybe, you're less at risk for some reason? Does anyone have any ideas on this? xx

Great stuff, Fraggle. I'm still on couch rest tho when I get to 35 weeks I will pick my son up etc. Looking like I'll need a c section for various reasons and really want to avoid another emergency one so desperate to get to 38 weeks.

MissGB, the attitude of having to have had a premmie first makes me so angry. Action should be preventative. You can never go over the top. A private scan sounds good.

Peony, the focus on 24 weeks is because 24 weeks is considered viability and the gestation at which most hospitals will intervene with life support for the baby. Before this many (not all) won't try to help he baby. Sadly, I know from personal experience this is an arbitrary number as I had my son at 25 weeks and despite significant help we lost him to an infection at 2 weeks old. I would push for a scan at maybe 25 weeks too. They tend not to stitch after 25 weeks as the risk of rupturing the membranes is higher etc. The risks often outweigh the benefits. That said I had an emergency stitch with my first at 24+2 when I was 2cm dilated. Having a scan at 24 weeks will give you a good idea of how your cervix is doing. I had no scans as no reason to think it was a problem (no cervical procedures ever and a normal pregnancy). If you can take it very easy between 22-28 weeks at the least as this is the most risky period in terms of how much the baby grows etc.

A lot of docs believe that IC is only a problem in the second trimester (in fact, i was considered a late loss for IC) offers the baby is supported more by the pelvis so arguably the pressure on your cervix gets better.

My second with a Shirodkar at 12 weeks was born just before 35 weeks. Not a premmie luckily but we had a hard time with weight gain for a long time so I'm all for keeping baby in as absolutely long as possible. X

You're doing amazingly still being on couch rest April! I've exhausted Netflix and been up to all sorts this past week. The nursery is sorted and I've been out to dinner and the theatre and seeing friends. A bit past caring now. Only 20 days until my stitch comes out!! When is your stitch out April?x

I'm pottering a bit and on a weekend I go to soft play etc but sit there with a cuppa whilst hubby does all the work. So mainly just couch rest mid week now. Much better than full on house arrest a couple of months ago.

My stitch is due out at around 35/36 weeks, how many weeks will you be when yours is taken out? Tho baby is still breech so maybe looking at another section. Either way, a nice problem to have! X

Hi

Hope everyone is doing well and feeling ok.

Just a little update (shrodikah stitch placed approx 13 weeks). Had 30 week growth scan today, all measuring one, bloood flowing normal, all amazing to here.

They have booked me if for another scan in three weeks and to see the surgeon who will book me on for my stitch removal.

The doctor today said the stitch will be removed between 36-37 weeks and he estimates I will go into labour pretty soon after!

Hope you are all ok xx

Hi all, I'm 20 weeks with no.2 having had my first at 33 weeks I had my first consultant appointment this week and they're going to start monitoring my cervix, no sign of my notes from last time so no real idea of why no.1 was early (I arrived at hospital 8cm dilated and had to have my waters broken).

Consultant has said if cervix drops below 2.5cm they will put a stich on.

I've also been given progesterone pessaries but I'll start them when I have a better idea of what my cervix is doing.

Well done Haskell for getting to 30 weeks. It's funny all the different variations in weeks that stitches one out! And welcome Rose. It sounds like you're getting a good level of care and oversight x

I've just had my 20 week (abdominal) scan and have funneling- they measured 1 cm across the funnel (width) but did not measure my cervix and didn't want to risk a vaginal ultrasound. I was 2.7 cm with no funneling including with pressure 5 days ago. I have a TVCIC, placed at 13 wks when my cervix was 1.5 cm. Does anyone have any similar experience and how long before labour and did you go on antibiotics? I am concerned about infection risk but the on-call dr wouldn't prescribe them until my waters break or mucus plug goes which seems too late. I am strep B+. Thanks.

Quick Q: Due to start cervix monitoring as I have had a previous pre-term birth. About 10 years ago I had to have a biopsy on my cervix due to pre-cancerous cells. Could this have weakened it? (All came back ok and smears have been fine since)

Thanks binza and congrats on 32 weeks!! X