Short cervix, scan every 2 weeks - anyone else?

[Goingtorainagain]

Just had my dating scan (12+2) and seen consultant. I was originally referred because my DD was born with multicystic dysplastic kidney disease but also because i had a LLETZ cervical procedure after abnormal smears 3 years ago. This was not a problem when i was pg with DD and i got to 38 weeks with no problems and had a lovely natural birth.

The doctor checked my cervix today and said it was short (nearly 1cm) and that if it was my first pregnancy he would put a stitch in. However, because i got to 38 weeks with DD he wants to scan me every 2 weeks to check the length and probably put a stitch in at 18 weeks if it doesnt lengthen. How probable is this?? I really dont want to google this.

Thanks

Under 1cm is pretty short for 12 weeks, but cervix can go longer as well as shorter - mine started off at something like 2.5 at 12 weeks but went up and down. My consultant's policy was under 2cm then progesterone pessaries or stitch. (this was in my 3rd pg). The change was never by more than 0.5 cm though.

Was scanned every couple of weeks from 16-24 weeks iirc. They look at whether cervix is funnelling as well as length, the funnelling bit is key as some people (like me I suppose) have a cervix that is short but not incompetent / insufficient as they call it these days.

The only thing is that your cervix will have been changed by your daughter's birth. Puttin a stitch in at 18 weeks is also really quite late and carries more risk than putting a stitch in at 12-14 weeks. When are the exact dates of your scans? Ask consultant what would happen if cervix is shortening at 14 /16 weeks. With 1cm there really isn't much room for manoevre. If you are at all worried, ask for 2nd opinion. It's also worth asking about progesterone pessaries.

You are right not to look at google by the way. When I was looking at the graphs to try and predict whether it would lengthen, it seemed that everyone else's cervix starts off at bloody 5cm or something - there were no stats for bottom end of the charts!

Did you not have cervical scans in your first pg then?

Thank you for your reply combinearvester
.
Doctor did mention funnelling, said that is what they would be looking for. They will scan me at 14, 16, 18 and then 20 weeks but i will see a doctor following every scan to discuss the results. He never mentioned pessaries.
He did go and check with the consultant to make sure they didnt want to put a stitch in straight away but apparently he said he would make a decision after the next scan, unless i particularly wanted one today to which i said no!!

I was referred to a registrar during my first pregnancy but she took one look at my notes and said there was no need for me to be in the clinic and referred me back to midwife led care.
I did have a big bleed at 20 weeks and i was admitted. The registrar came and examined me and said there was no reason for my bleed and it definately wasnt my cervix so i didnt worry.

I was a bit shocked at all the cervix talk this morning, now im just confused.