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.

Thanks peony, I had nothing in the end & it was pretty painful as he couldn't get the knot to cut for a while but all done now! 😊

Hi all,

I'm 19 weeks (well 18+3 by my dates, 19 by the scan) and am booked in for my first cervical length scan tomorrow-saw consultant Saturday and he ordered early scans starting asap so here I am. I had a LLETZ about 12/13 ish years ago, I'm hoping he's just being cautious, as you read about some places only doing it if you have had 2+ procedures.

I know it's an internal scan-will they give me the results then & there? I'm due straight back to work after (physical job) and worried if there is an issue I'll have to call in sick, but I didn't know if the sonographer would tell me that or I would need to wait to see a doctor afterwards? When I went for my 12 week scan there was midwives there (it is in a GP surgery, not a hospital)

Thanks you’ve made me feel much better.
Last night I started to bleed only a little bit but my god did it scare me. We went to the hospital and they did an internal and checked that both the neck of my womb and cervix was closed and YAY it was. I was allowed to come home but have to go back today. The dr said something about placenta separation - so I’m just adding this to the list of things to be worried about!
I have my consultant appt today to see if I will get stitched. So will keep you all updated and thank you again for all your support and sharing your experiences. B x

bettimate good luck-I hope all went well.

Had my 1st scan yesterday 36.8mm or similar, so mind a little more at rest now, just going to keep thinking long thoughts!

Hi everyone,

It’s been such a relief to find this thread and realise I’m not the only one with cervix-related issues.

To give you some background I am currently 17w +1 with my first baby. I’ve had 2 previous LLETZ treatments - the second time they had to take quite a large section so I was warned I may need a stitch when I got pregnant.

I advised the midwife about my history and the doctors comments at my booking in appt but have had to push to get a referral to check my cervix and was told that this wouldn’t start until I was 16w.

First appt with the consultant was last week and my cervix measured 26mm and she mentioned it was low - I was told I’d need weekly scans to monitor things, have been put on 200mg progesterone twice a day, night and morning (cyclogest) and told I should stop all travelling now. There was a suggestion that I may need to think about working from home as my daily commute is 40mins but this hasn’t been confirmed yet - luckily my company are being amazing and have said they will try to be as flexible as possible for me.

I guess I’m trying to find out if anyone else has been put on plan to ‘monitor’ the cervix and use progesterone before deciding whether a stitch is necessary? I’m aware from reading previous comments in this thread and the original that I don’t have a huge amount of time left before a stitch is no longer an option and I’m worried I should be pushing more for this to happen - was quite overwhelmed at the apt and so didn’t ask as many questions as I should have done.

One of the midwives early on said that they prefer to monitor before jumping straight in with a stitch.It seems like they may be trying to see how things progress as it’s my first pregnancy and so no history to work with - whereas I think if I’d had a previous late miscarriage they may be quicker to suggest a stitch is necsssary - I don’t mean that to sound insensitive so apologies if it comes across badly I’m just really nervous about the risks to my baby.

Has anyone else had to push to get a stitch?

Thanks ladies!

Hi June. Yes, I was monitored from 12 weeks. I had an incompetent cervix in a previous pregnancy and ended up getting a rescue stitch and being on hospital bedrest for over 3 months. This time round, my own hospital offered me the stitch without monitoring but I also attended another hosptial's outpatient Prematurity Clinic as part of my care and there they don't generally put in a stitch off the bat, so I was monitored from week 12. My measurements were 43, 42 and then 22 over a 7 week period. It went from 42mm to 22mm within 2 weeks. When that happened they gave me a stitch the following day. I continued to be monitored at that clinic (cervix length and Fibronectin test) until 28 weeks. x

Hi Peony

Thanks so much for your reply, it’s so helpful to hear other people’s experiences

I had my second scan today and no change from last weeks measurements which is good news - just focusing on one week to the next at the moment xx

Hi everyone.

I got my stitch in last Wednesday (ended up with 2) and feeling so much more relaxed.

I do have a few questions though.
SEX - can you have a little bit and has anyone tried? How long did you wait? My consultant said I can carry on as normal, no bed rest etc just take it easy. So I'm thinking - can I?

How quick did everyone go into labour after having their stitch removed? And how far gone where you when you have it removed?

Thanks

Hi @Bettimate89 can I ask why you needed 2 stitches?

I was told I was allowed to have sex but I’m too scared! Poor DH. Stitch comes out in 2 weeks though

Hello ladies can I join please? I'm currently 10+4 with DC2, booked in for my stitch on 3rd Jan and starting to feel nervous!

I need the stitch having had a LLETZ and cone biopsy for cervical cancer earlier this year. My cervix was measured at 1.9.

I'm surprised at the number of people who have been told to bed rest! Is this 'signed off work' bedrest? I walk and commute on the train to work, so this worries me! Consultant hasn't mentioned this to be so far?

Hi everyone- I posted a while ago. Short cervix discovered following smear abnormalities. Scarred and thinned generally, due to a tear sustained during emcs 4 years ago. Naturally in the middle of TTC no 2. Smear seemed a red herring- because my cervix is so very short they seem to have sampled my uterus instead!

I’ve since had lots of investigations- cervix is 15mm at absolute maximum and is very scarred. Was advised TTC and go for cerclage early.

Gynae have since discussed the case further and now think traditional cerclage would be difficult so I’m meeting with preterm specialist after Xmas to discuss prophylactic transabdominal cerclage. If I am pregnant (unlikely!) we will just have to deal with it.

Has anyone had this pre-pregnancy?

I'm using the babycentre app, and someone on my birth club (July) is having the transabdominal one. I'd never heard of it before! Apparently she has no cervix at all and it was only picked up during IVF treatment.

Hope all goes well for you!

I'm surprised it's being considered as haven't had a late loss (have had an early loss). US suggests that what's left of the cervix is very thinned and scarred which would mean that a traditional cerclage is likely to fail so they'd prefer to pre-empt it with an abdominal one. It's a surgery though, and means absolutely no chance of a normal delivery (which doesn't bother me but would worry about going into labour away from hospital). I think it also means less bedrest etc which would be a major pro.

To make it worse the gynae-oncology people are worried that all the scar tissue is hiding abnormal tissue and are itching to remove it but I'm holding firm on that until I've had one more child (all going well!). After that they can remove all they want!

It seems very unusual to have this complication following a c-section- the gynaecologists say they very rarely see it so don't really know how to counsel me- it's possible that my cervix will be stiff and not dilate at all but they think more likely to be incompetent.

Well I have my fingers crossed for you that all goes well. It's not pleasant, but the alternative doesn't bare thinking about.

I've been reassured today that I can have something to relax me if I have the spinal as I'm concerned I'm going to feel anxious while the op is happening. So I'm feeling a bit better about things.

They've also told me they can't fit me in for my 12 wk scan 'til 11th Jan when I'll be nearly 15wks!! Really disappointed as we were hoping to tell DS soon, and also to explain why his Mammy is out of commission.

Well turns out TTC before I got the letter re pre-pregnancy cerclage worked . Don’t know whether to panic or be happy! Will call the preterm clinic next week if I’m still pregnant and see where to go.

Congratulations! Lovely Christmas news I'd ring them asap. I've been pushed through the system quite a bit and I bet given your circumstances yours are more urgent!

I have the nurse coming to see me tmw morning to talk me through things. I'm hoping she's going to tell me I can have a scan photo to show my little boy. He's very astute and is already asking if I'm having a baby as I have a big fat tummy!! I don't want to wait til 15wks!

Thanks Creme. Only 4+3 and out of the country at the moment! Still worried it won’t stick so will call Monday. Suspect will be attempted cerclage at 12weeks now. Where are you that they can’t do your 12 week scan until 15 weeks?

I live a 20min walk from the hospital! They could fit me in at another one on the 4th, but as it's the day after my op it's no good. So I think they just found the next available one here. I should've asked if they could call me in case of any cancellations buy then I think I might've felt guilty and sad about taking one of those..

Will be glad when this is done and I can hopefully forget about it as much as possible until 30+wks!

Creme if you are in the UK it’s a target to have all scans done by 13 weeks so make a complaint and watch it be moved.

In their defence if I wasn't have this stitch I'd have been 13+5 when they could fit me in. I can't complain about them as they've been so good through everything I've been through this year and are doing their best to push me through. I can't sing their praises enough in fairness!

Nurse came today and has tried to get info 're photo but the person she needed to speak to was on holiday for Christmas already. She doesn't think it'll be a problem though so fingers crossed.

I got a call from clinic today, they were very nice about me getting pregnant just before pre-pregnancy counselling! Booked in for scan and appt at 8weeks. Fingers crossed I get that far!

What date will that be? Fingers firmly crossed for you!

I was meant to give my pre-op bloods today and totally forgot I called the gynae ward and luckily I can just go in over the wkend. Phew!

It’s 24th January. Now just to stop peeing on my hard earned wages (aka expensive pregnancy tests!).

Good luck next week Creme and do come back and update us as I suspect I’ll be following your exact path now!

Good luck tomorrow Creme

Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes and what to expect x