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.

Excellent news! Are these all vaginal scans or abdominal? Did you get a look at baby?

I’m so sick today. Boss sent me home thankfully, trying to work a bit here. I think I’d be better if I actually vomited but it’s just bad nausea. Only a week til I get my plan now.

Abdominal. She won't do vaginal now she said. Yep I saw baby . Might have to cancel my holiday in April though - we're supposed to be in Devon for a week and I turn 28wks while I'm there. She said give it another 6wks and see how I go. I actually quite like that response as I know it's going to be seriously considered. Would be gutted to cancel though. I don't want DS to be missing out. Will have to make it up to him later I guess!

I was also expecting baths to be banned, but they're not. And she said no sex for another month. She mentioned sperm as the reason though. Tbh, I don't think I'd enjoy it right now anyway. I'd be too nervous!

My sickness was awful this time from 6-9 wks. I had a whole week off at 6wks! Never actually sick but felt awful! I was so relieved when it passed then I got that bloody horrible cold thats done the rounds!

Bet you're excited for next week? Is it a morning or afternoon appt? X

Its an afternoon appt, DD has an appointment for something in the morning so have taken a days leave for it. I’m alternating being worried and excited!

Sperm contains prostaglandins which can in theory precipitate labour- didn’t work when I tried it when overdue with DD- funny this time I’d be delighted to get as far as overdue! I’ve been feeling too miserable for sex this first trimester but will be a long time if not allowed before term!

I’m Irish so would like to get home- might fly home for a few days before the stitch (which I presume I’ll need!).

Did you have a section last time?

No last time was straightforward, just spd to contend with. Waters went at 39wks, DS was born 39+1. It's the cone biopsy that's caused this

Tbh I've never been a fan of sperm anyway, we always use a condom unless trying to get an baby in or out! I would be worried about infection or somehow catching the stitch this time I think.

You'll be fine next week! It's when it all steps up a gear afterwards when they want to stitch you up asap. Especially if you need the TAC before 14/15 wks! X

Hiya just saw this thread pop up on the main page and wanted to give you some positive info as I remember how stressed I was in my stitch pregnancy. Back in 2012 I lost twins at 24w due to Cervical incompetency that happened totally out of the blue and I then got pregnant with twins again! I was petrified and was monitored with cervical scans (preventative stitches arn't usually done with twins) and admitted at 23w for an emergency stitch when my cervix measured 0.9 cm. After a horrendous few months In and out of hospital my second set of twins were born at 36w. They were tiny but healthy and are now 4! I can't believe that they will be starting school in September. Just wanted to give you all a happy stitch story and wish you all luck.

I had spd last time too. Laboured normally then developed uterine infection and ended up with fully dilated section and a cervical tear, which is what’s caused this!

I’m half afraid they’ll offer a TAC and half afraid they won’t. Although I think a good high TVC is also good.

Katy thanks for popping in, I’m sorry to hear you lost twins and delighted your next pregnancy went well. I suppose I (and @Cremedesudo) are lucky that we know in advance there’s an issue.

I think I was quite fortunate in that the actual giving birth bit was the easiest part! I'd had a UTI 3 or 4 weeks before and spent two nights at hospital, the SPD, and I'm sure I had some level of antenatal depression in hindsight. When my waters went, DS was back to back, I had an epidural, episiotomy and Ventouse. I think I was just SO excited it was all going to be over with! I miss the naivity of last time though. No idea of all the things that could go wrong..

@Katy thank you for sharing your happy ending! Glad to hear your stitch worked for you and your twins are doing well! Fingers crossed for us @Paranormal

@Paranormal Good luck for tomorrow I hope it all goes well! Let me know what they say x

Thank you! You are so good to remember!

Hope all is good with you? Sickness has really kicked off here. I’m existing on toast and avocados and gaining weight somehow!!!

Of course! We're in this together now

Yes all OK here. I've got used to things a bit I think. I've got a footstool in work so I can lean back to take pressure off my cervix and they've arranged parking for me closer to the office so I don't have to be on my feet as long walking back and forth. I've started feeling properly pregnant now (the memory of SPD has come flooding back!) and am knackered come the end of the day!

DH thinks I'm being paranoid as Dr has told me to carry on as normal at the moment, but I think at least I feel like I'm doing something help the situation, as there's so little I can do! I also don't feel like I can be too cautious.

The only foods I could eat were unhealthy ones so avocados and toast sounds pretty good to me! I refuse to think about weight gain . So you're 8 weeks now? If they need to do the TAC at least you have plenty of time. I almost wish I had one as I gather they're very reliable!

I’m afraid I’ve had another miscarriage. MMC this time. Probably going to have a TAC before trying again. Best of luck to you

Oh @Paranormal I'm so sorry I had the same last summer, picked up at the 8wk scan too. It's awful. Big hugs. xxx

Hi everyone, hope you don't mind me jumping on here. I am only 8+3 but already starting to think about whether I will need a stitch. This is my second pregnancy - dd1 born on due date and no complications with cervix. However, I had an abnormal smear after having her and 2 x lletz to remove CIN3 cells. Consultant said they did take quite a bit off but said further pregnancies should.be fine. However the more I read, the more I worry that "should be fine" is not good enough and I am nearly tempted to ask for a stitch just to be sure. Though obviously I don't know how short my cervix actually is at this point. I guess my question is how soon should I get them to check? And how short is too short that I should get a stitch? I also read that getting a stitch can cause miscarriage...but yet have read many success stories. Just v worried right now and want all to be ok!

Hi @nk congratulations!

I'm not sure if you've read back but my shirt cervix is a result of LLETZ and cone biopsy procedures for cervical cancer. I was told I would definitely need a stitch because of the cone and was scanned at 9wks to measure it. Anything less than 25mm requires a stitch. (I think you're supposed to have 4cm+)

I think LLETZ procedures are less likely to have removed enough to cause an issue but I have definitely read stories where ladies like you have had weakened cervixes as a result. On the flipside however I've also read stories from women whose cervixes have been left so scarred they don't dilate!

I would be pushing for a scan to check asap and potentially monitoring dependkng on how much you have. I had my preventive stitch put on at 13wks so things need to happen quickly. Preventative stitches are more successful than rescue ones.

I hope this helps! try not to worry, chances are you'll be fine xx

@CremeDeSudo thank you so much for the reassurance and advice! I will definitely get them to check at my next appointment when I'll be just under 12 weeks. I would rather they did it sooner than later if they need to but want them to be as sure as possible either way! Thanks again :)

@CremeDeSudo How are things going? Sorry I selfishly disappeared, have had a difficult miscarriage with bad infection, only had erpc last week in the end. Still no word from the TAC clinic, getting very impatient as dreading a long wait to TTC again.

@Paranormal don't be silly. That's completely understandable. It's nice see you back though 😊How are you feeling now? Did the TAC ppl give any indication on when you should hear?

So I turned 20wks on Sunday. The SPD has begun and I feel like I've been kicked in the foof by the end of the day and my back has started aching ☹

On the upside I'm getting lots of baby movements now and we've found out we're having a girl so we're over the moon 😁

Stitch-wise, there's nothing really to report. The pressure is all at the front/bottom of my stomach and doesn't feel in my pelvis so taking that as a good sign. Next appt is when I'm 24wks. I'm starting to feel the anxiety a bit now though! X

No everyone was too busy being sympathetic over the miscarriage- when what I wanted was practical advice! Not sure re TAC- nobody can really tell me if it’s needed or not, what I need is someone who will just say “this is what I think you should do”! This is my 3rd early miscarriage so a little worried about how to manage one with a TAC, but equally worried about finally getting past 12 weeks and my cervix giving up.

As you said earlier the Facebook group is terrifying but suppose you tend to see the sad stories there rather than good ones. The consultant I saw did say that TVCs generally held out after LLETZ/cone biopsy, the difficulty is knowing what the right thing is when the damage is from above as in c-section- a high TVC may be as good, but nobody knows.

20 weeks, congratulations! Just a few more weeks til viability and the first mini celebration!

I think if there's any uncertainty at all I'd be tempted to go with the TAC. The success rates are higher and you don't have to worry about it holding! She didn't say it, but I think my consultant would've done one for me if she'd known the difficulty she had getting mine in. Whereabouts are you? Seems like certain hospitals are more proactive than others, could you get to one of those and get your plan in place that way d'you think?

Good to hear your consultant said that thoigh, reassuring for me!

And yes not long now thank God. Thinking positive thoughts!

I’m in London. Not getting any younger and terrified of needing to wait 6 or more months for it though.

There's that Nick Wales in London I think? The ladies on the board could help..

Yes that's one of my concerns if anything doesn't go to plan this time. I'm 36 now and not v good at this pregnancy lark at the best of times!

Keep at 'em to get it sorted! X

I think the issue is that as I’m not pregnant I won’t be a priority! And much like you as I haven’t had a second trimester loss I may not meet criteria based simply on my cervical appearance. There isn’t even a secretary in the dept to contact so have no idea if my referral was received or not.

@CremedeSudo I took your advice and called NW- got cancellation appt today. He was iffy about plan before he looked at my cervix and said immediately that a TAC is the way to go. Probably won’t be until May/June though. I’m having more cervical biopsies first but he said he might just remove the scarred cervical tissue at the same time as there will always be the risk that it’s hiding an early cancer.

Ah that's great I'm glad you could see him and you've got a plan in place now. And also good he's being proactive with the scarring. I'm having a hysterectomy once I've 'completed my family'. That's another reason I'm hoping all is well. Sooner I can get that done the sooner I can put the whole cancer thing completely behind me.

21wks on Sunday 😊