Anybody else had an internal scam to check cervix? Need support please

[OurLittleMonster]

I'm 16 weeks today, lost my son at 6 month's in 2012. Saw my consultant a month ago and he said I could lose this baby, worst thing to hear :-(. He's booked me in for this scan today at half 2 and I have an appointment tomorrow to discuss the results.

Obviously he has discussed a cervical stitch with me and told me what complications come with it. But he never told me what the length if my cervix is meant to be? And what length is short enough for them to act upon? Does anybody know? I read online its meant to be between 3-5cm, but you shouldn't really believe what's online.

Sorry to keep blabbing, guess it's the nerves! Hope someone can give me some answers x

I just don't understand how it can't be taken sseriously, he just sshrugged it off like it was nothing. I'm going to demand answers, he didn't even say anything about progesterone just said he will do a stitch if it shortens..

4th I got pretty much the same attitude nothing was mentioned other than stitch.
I can understand that Drs have their preferred methods but We should still be informed of all options. It's shocking that we need discussion forums to be better informed. I'm so greatful for MN.

My cynical attitude is that premature especially very early babies cost the NHS a lot of money.

4th I am so sorry for the loss of your son and that you find yourself in this scary position.

My experience sounds quite similar to sleepthief's and I thought it might give you a bit of hope. I had twins five years ago they arrived at 23 weeks and, although they were both successfully resuscitated, sadly one of my little girls passed away in the NICU. As a result of the history of premature birth I had an internal scan to check the length of my cervix in my next pregnancy which was found to be around 2.5 cms at 12 weeks. My consultant's view was that this was short (but not short enough to warrant a stitch) and that I have a naturally short cervix (as mentioned by Crispy earlier, your surgeon and your DD are amazing btw Crispy)

I had cervical length scans every two weeks and progesterone pessaries from 12 to 34 weeks and, although my cervical length didn't improve, it didn't shorten and I had no signs of preterm labour. I had an induction at 38 weeks for unrelated reasons.

I had the same treatment in my subsequent pregnancy. Again, no signs of preterm labour, and I went into spontaneous labour at 40+3. Both subsequent babies were a reasonably good size, 8lb odd each.

So it is possible to carry pregnancies to term with a stumpy cervix, they can still be strong.

I really hope that you and littlebairn and missmedusa have happy, healthy pregnancies and that you can get the treatment you need. I agree with crispy that it can be difficult to get much support until you have lost more than one baby (particularly if, as in my own case, there is a 'convenient' explanation like twin pregnancy to hand) Don't be afraid to be a bit pushy for what you want. I know it is difficult and it is very hard after you have lost a baby.

littlebairn I will be thinking of you tomorrow - I hope it goes well and that you get the care you want.

Little, sorry you have to go through this too! I uunderstand professionals have certain methods they prefer, but it isn't for them it's what the patient prefers. I will mention progesterone next ttime I go, was meant to today but was so angry I completEly forgot about it! MN is so helpful, glad . Found it :-)

AWhistling, we cross posted. So sorry about the lose of your little girl, so sad :-(. I have also had 2 early miscarriages after the loss of my son but obviously unrelated.

I know that my cervix may just be short but waiting 2 weeks is just so ling and I had no difficulties before. Also he was quite concerned about my discharge but didnt say much

So sorry to hear about people's losses

My cervix was measured at 2.7 cm at 28 weeks. The doctor put me on immediate rest (not total bed rest, but general rest - no work/walking far etc), because it had measured 4 cm 4 weeks earlier. I'm now 33 weeks and since resting it has stopped shortening. I don't know for sure whether it was the resting that helped, but I'll be doing it until she's born.

By bed rest I don't mean actually staying in bed but I've been written off sick from work and all chores have been passed on to DH barring some light cooking and laundry. I haven done so yet but easy walks are ok too.

So sorry to hear you've been having a worrying time, ladies. Although doctors don't really recommend strict bedrest over here (unlike Europe and the States) I think it's definitely something to consider if you can. I was taken into hospital at 25 weeks with the signs of a pre-term labour and scans found my cervix was getting very short. It was too late for a stitch but the consultant signed me off work immediately to rest and thankfully I'm still here now at just over 35 weeks. I've been pretty strict with it and, even though there's no proof either way, I feel sure it's helped my pregnancy progress this far. You receive so much conflicting advice when you're pregnant that it's hard to know what's best but I think you have to trust yourself and do what feels right for you and your baby. There's a few mums on the pregnancy forum who've been on bedrest and had cervix problems so sure they'll be able to share their experiences too.

Take care and good luck x