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.

Ok so shit morning. Turns out there was less to work with than she'd thought and she had to move my bladder to get it in. It's in, but she's told me preterm delivery is very likely. Every day is a bonus. I need to get to 29wks. I'm gutted. She also if this doesn't have the outcome we want she can do the transabominal stitch you mentioned. I'm terrified now. I so want to tell my little boy but what if something goes wrong?

In terms of the procedure, it was a spinal which wasn't as bad as I was expecting but not pleasant! I had a sedative during the procedure so that was fine. Currently waiting on pain relief as back and bladder hurt.

Creme I’m sorry to hear that. I’m glad it’s in now. Where did you have it done? Is it a TAC centre?

I don’t know about telling your DS; my DD is almost 4 and I was hoping to wait until 20ish weeks at least as her concept of time isn’t brilliant at the best of times.

I’m very concerned now that I’ll need a TAC during pregnancy. Did you have scar tissue making it harder?

It's at a hospital with the consultant. A v well respected one. No Tac yet. I got the impression that would be if this pg ends badly, that's what we would try next.

We're going to discuss telling DS, still processing ourselves..

Can you have a tac while already pg?

I feel like I've been punched in the foof!

You can have a TAC while pregnant but not many centres do it. I am worried that a normal cerclage won’t be enough for me as my cervix has a deep healed laceration meaning one part of it is far thinner than the other.

Missed the bit about scarring..I don't think it's scarring I think it's just that so much was removed during the cone biopsy I had.

Reminding myself that she's given me the worst case scenario. There was always a risk of preterm, it's just higher now.

Obstetricians always give the worst case scenarios in my personal opinion! Had constant scans and felt like doom and gloom from 20-40weeks on last pregnancy and all was fine in the end thankfully!

Are you on the Facebook support group? Incompetent cervix UK and Ireland- there’s obviously a wealth of experience there. Lots of women there who get to term after multiple LLETZ etc which is heartening.

No but I'll look for it now thanks. Going to have a look through the old short cervix thread too I think. Lots of time to kill while here!

What have you been told about exercise? And sex? And flying?

It’s business as normal here but not quite 6 weeks yet, wondering what I have to look forward to!

Just been told to carry on as normal as there's nothing I can do to improve things. Except sex, no sex until she tells me otherwise lol - he should be so lucky anyway!

She called round earlier and said she didn't mean to scare me, she was just making me aware, preterm just means before 37wks and not necessarily a scary number, stitch is in nice and firm so keep the faith. Feeling a bit better now. Also had a scan to check baby and all looking fine

Oh that’s good to hear. I’m praying to get through the first trimester to begin with and anything close to term would be brilliant. Glad baby is looking good too.

Thank you for directing me to the FB forums - brilliant for positive and supportive stories! Feeling much better about some of what I've read and he responses I received.

Op update-all fine, only light period type bleeding, achy back and crampy for the first full day at home, yesterday I had a funny turn due to low blood pressure which wasn't great but not op related. Just waiting for my follow up appt. Have been signed off til the 17th so getting my hair done on Tues lol 😊

Oh I was wondering about time off work- I have some activities that need cancelling 6 weeks in advance but obviously won't know until I get a date etc. I think I'll need to change my duties around- do weekends where I am on my feet constantly (20-30k steps a day on average those days)- so may need to go to Monday-Friday work only. But I'll see how it goes for now. The FB group is very supportive and heartening isn't it- I haven't posted on it yet but have been reading everyone's stories!

I've made it to 6 weeks anyway. Had an early miscarriage late last year so am on edge all the time but hoping there'll be a heartbeat at my cervix scan at 8 weeks.

Yeah I think that might be a few too many steps! I've just been told to take it easy for these two weeks although tbh I feel fine now. Just tired. But then that's nothing new for me when pregnant!

Congratulations on reaching 6 wks. I've been thinking of you. 6wks seems like forever ago to me now!

Thanks Creme. No harm resting now, you'll be glad you had the chance in a few weeks. Delighted you are doing well! Pregnancy fatigue is the worst isn't it- I'm ready to fall asleep now. Have a late meeting today so took a long lunch and bought some loose tops to hide my bloated stomach. Morning sickness kicking in here- getting waves of nausea but feel fine in between!

What's your follow-up plan like?

The fatigue is worst during the first trimester, and worse as you can't have the caffeine to get you through! Hope your morning sickness doesn't get too bad. This is my 3rd pregnancy and sickness was the worst yet. Never actually sick, but felt awful.

No plan yet! Waiting for my follow up appt. The ward are chasing it up for me tmw so hoping I'll have the details then. I have questions! I have a sneaking suspicion sex is going to be banned..DH is not going to be pleased!

This is my 3rd as well. With DD I had around 3 days of nausea in total but am worse this time. Although it’s still coming and going.

I think sex is definitely off the menu! Hopefully nausea abates sometime between now and my stitch as it’s going to be a long long time otherwise!

Meant to say 3rd pregnancy hopefully second child. Early miscarriage last time.

Same here. I had a silent miscarriage in June last year.

Had my 12 wk scan this morning, am 14+4wks though lol. All went well 😊 apparently s/he's very active.

Can't wait to take DS for a gender scan now!

That’s great news Creme! How early did you get confirmation about the stitch? I’m very keen to get a plan in place as I need to arrange childcare/work cover etc- no family nearby.

I knew I'd be needing it before I even got pregnant..

So i was told to call to arrange an early scan for 8wks to check for viability, all being well I would then need my cervix measured which was when I was 9wks (joke, waste of time that bloody was in the end!!), then I had my first consultant antenatal appt at 11wks, along with another viability scan, stitch was then at 13+4wks.

They've pushed me through the system a bit and it's all happened v fast!

After all this though, struggling to get my follow up appt! Need to call the consultants secretary when I get home shortly..

What have they told you? Anything at all? Is your appt on the 24th an early viability scan? X

I called and have been booked in for viability scan on 24th but otherwise there’s no plan in place. Which makes me anxious as previously there was talk of a pre pregnancy TAC!

All of our family live away so would like to have things a little more arranged!

How're you getting on? How's the sickness?

I've got my follow up appt tmw. Partly keen to go and get the Ok, partly dreading it as every time I see this Dr she scares me somehow! I have a list of questions to take with me. Perhaps I'll only ask the questions I'm not scared of the answers for!

I'm finding it difficult when people congratulate me to just smile and say thank you, and not explain it's a high risk pg. I'm not sure why I feel the need to explain every time. Maybe because I can't get excited myself yet?

I had a bit of a moment the other night thinking 'what if it's not ok'. DH was out. I had a little cry by DS while he slept. Honestly, this pg is not going to so my anxiety any favours. I'm going to ask my mw next week if I can get some kind of counselling so help me through it..

Hi @CremeDeSudo. I'm exhausted, sickness isn't too bad which obviously worries me. But then it suddenly flares hugely on tube or if I get a strong smell. I think I'll be the same, I honestly won't relax until I get close to 34 weeks. I'm not generally anxious but I just feel I'm waiting for something to go wrong.

Obs tend to paint a bleak picture in my experience. My appointment is next week so I'm looking forward to having a plan (assuming there's a baby actually in there of course!).

I think counselling might be a good idea for you. Maybe make a list of questions for your follow up next week- ask whats going to happen if something at various stages?

If something changes I meant!

We're terrible aren't we - not happy to be feeling shit but worrying if we don't!

Dr didn't scare me hurrah! She scanned to check and said cervix looked closed and she's happy. Plan is for elective c section and stitch out at 39wks but we'll see how I go and there's a chance it'll be brought forward. Less doom and gloom today so that was nice. Next appt is 5th Feb, and we have our gender scan on the 3rd.