IC - Cervix shortening but not funneling

[212smj]

Hello,

I am hoping there are some words of wisdom out there for me.....

I lost my first child at 22+3 and I am now 22 weeks pg with my second baby. At 17 weeks I had a shirodkar stitch inserted as we had suspected that our first loss was due to IC. I have been having cervical scans and my measurements have been:

22 weeks - 2.1
20 weeks - 3.8
18 weeks - 4.2
16 weeks - 4.8

It seems to me that my cervix keeps shortening and I'm worried. The consultant told me not to worry and that the stitch will do its job and stop it from shortening further, or funneling or even opening.

Does anyone have any experience similar to this? When you had an elective stitch rather than an emergency one and your cervix never actually funneled?

Also what do people think about bed rest for the cervix? My consultant says it makes no difference? I just want to try to give my baby the best chance.

I have also been prescribed Cyclogest 400mg daily.

Thanks in advance xx

Bump

Can't really add anything of value but can commiserate. I'm currently in the hospital after having an emergency TCO (total cervical occlusion - similar to the cerclage but where they actually sew the tip shut) as my cervix is 0.4 cm at 18 weeks so in the same awful boat as you sending hugs and commiserations. Right now I'm just trying to make it to 24 weeks.

Hi there, I'm sorry for your situation. I hope the TCO does it's job for you. Did your cervix shorten or was it short to start with?

Sending you hugs Hun x

I think you basically just have to trust in the stitch. It is placed at a certain point (if that makes sense) on your cervix. So long as the cervix isn't opening up below the stitch, then all is good.

I had an emergency stitch at 18 weeks with DC2 when I had 3mm left. After that point, I had weekly scans, and it was always around the 20-25mm mark.. we could see the stitch sitting at around 20mm (somehow the very clever doctor had managed to grab extra cervix from somewhere when he stitched me - guess it was dynamic)

I went to 34 weeks when I had PTL and the stitch tore through (it did not hurt!) and they took the stitch out.. once it was out she hung on for another week until she needed to come out due to infection setting in. Probably from all the poking about trying to get the stitch out - nobody could do it as it was such a good one!

Good luck to both of you, I know just how horrendous it is.. that slow countdown to viability I was given dire odds of hitting 24 weeks too with DC2. Never have the days passed more slowly.

I now have a permanent/transabdominal stitch (TAC) as of DC3 as my cervix was a mess after that pregnancy and it has been fantastic - it was nearly 40mm at 21 weeks with this one (DC4) which is insane to me with my history!!

Oh Crispy,

Your message has cheered me up so much! I know that my consultant feels very strongly that 2.1 is a lot to be working with, and no funneling and stitch stil held tightly and in place. It's just so hard to be positive and have faith. I wish I could have daily scan so I could see what is going on inside of me!

Good luck with your pregnancy hun x

2.1 IS great for those of us with a rubbish cervix! Crazy to think. But all it proves is that the stitch is doing its job and was needed. If you had a 40mm cervix, and lots "closed" above the level of the stitch at this stage, then you may well not have needed a stitch at all if you see what I mean. Instead the stitch is holding everything together.. scary, but it's clearly working!

It is really hard to be positive.. all you can do is take it one day at a time and cross it off. Focus on 24 weeks, then 26 weeks, then 28 weeks and so on - past 28 weeks and you're looking at 90%+ and that's amazing!

It is so horrible because everything is out of your control and you know there is nothing anyone can do now - everything that can be done has been done. Hold onto the statistics for stitches - I think it's something like 80-90% and that includes people who had barely anything there and who have shortening later on or signs of infection etc.. you have none of that!

I wanted a daily scan too! I wish there was a tiny chip in there that would broadcast whatever the current length was every minute and I could have a nice graph. That would be brilliant! You could know then if you're overdoing it etc too.

I'm on Cyclogest too despite the TAC.. rectally as I hate the thought of sticking anything in the danger zone! I had it for my last pregnancy as well. With DC2 and the emergency vaginal stitch, I had the 17P injections weekly. I'm sure it helps.. but that is about the limit of what they can offer really.

Hang in there! Focus on New Year, and viability

crispy thanks for sharing, your story has given me hope as well.

smj I don't know how long mine was to begin with but I measured 2.5 at 15 weeks, 2.3 at 16 weeks, 1.6 at 17 weeks and 0.4 at 18 weeks. I think 2.1 is great for 22 weeks for you. Dr. Has said this procedure should buy me around 10 weeks which would bring me to 28 weeks.

Sound advice for sure.

I do the Cyclogest rectally too as I feel the same way as you about the danger zone!

I'm going to start thinking long cervix thoughts!!

MissMedusa, I hope you are feeling better.

Xx