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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

3cm Cervix at 18w - Worried sick.

15 replies

Jasmine12 · 14/09/2015 14:51

Hi all,

I delivered at 33w last time (7 yrs ago). So they put me on high risk and started monitoring my cervix since 14 weeks.

It measured 4cm at 14w 5d. Its 3cm today :( I am so heart broken. The sonographer brought a consultant in - while I was still there. The consultant looked at the pics and asked me to come back in next week. She said 3cm is still ok - but they want to see if its shortening further.

I am worried sick about the "shortening". 1cm shortening in 3 weeks (even if 3cm is still within normal range) If anyone here knows about whats happening to me, can you please share your thougths? I'll be very grateful.

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MrsPear · 14/09/2015 15:49

I can only tell you my story and hope in some way it helps

I had my first at 30 weeks and in the next pregnancy was offered measurement at 12 weeks as part of a study. I was less than 3cm at that stage. Ended up with a consultant re measuring me at the cervix clinic who confirmed less than 3 - around 2 if I remember right - and was referred back to local hospital to another consultant. I was offered a stitch. My local doctor helped by saying that if you don't try and it goes wrong you are left with what ifs and if you try and it goes wrong you can say at least we tried. At 17 weeks I had the stitch - in the words of the consultant doing my stitch my cervix is a mess - and was prescribed pressies, no sex and little walking / standing. I made it to 31 weeks - doctor was hoping for 34. Ds2 is doing very well and is a typical 2 year old.

So from that I would be making sure I always see a consultant and ask about pessaries, opinions on a stitch - if you think it is something you can consider as it is risky - and whether you should be abstaining / resting as much as possible.

I wish you the best of luck.

Pizdets · 14/09/2015 22:14

Sorry to hear it's so stressful OP. 3cm really is decent at this stage so try not to worry immediately. Will they offer you the stitch if it's shorter again next week? I've had one in my last pregnancy and another this time around - am 32 weeks now and so far so good.

It's such a stressful time but hopefully they can help and at least they're monitoring it for you! Good luck!

Dixiechick17 · 14/09/2015 22:15

Not as early but mind had shortened to 2.1 at 24 weeks, I was first checked at 21 weeks. I was given progesterone pessaries 400mg to use three times a day, no sex, rest when home and had weekly then fortnightly internal scans. I also had steroid injections to help her lungs mature, I believe they do these from 24 weeks onwards. I was signed off at 32 weeks as the baby was engaged and due to my soft cervix the consultant wanted me to rest.

Glad you are being monitored regularly, hope all goes ok, I made it to 40 weeks x

Original poster

Jasmine12 · 06/10/2015 08:39

Hi again,
I had a followup scan yesterday and its now gone down to 28mm.
Im worried sick - but the doc said its still ok.
WTF are they waiting for?? Its shortening - its clearly headed towards the dreaded 25mm. I have preterm labour history. Why cant they start preventive measures NOW?

I decided to be proactive and put myself on modified bed rest. I quit my job and im staying in bed for 4-5 hours a day.

What else can I do? I feel very guilty about DS's premature birth even though he is perfecrly normal. I was working full time back then too. I just listened to the docs and one fine day, things went for a toss. Im really worried this time. I cant live with the guilt of not doing enough for this baby too.

If you've been in my situation, please please please help me with your advice.

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Original poster

Jasmine12 · 06/10/2015 13:24

Bumping my thread...

OP posts:

spacefrog35 · 06/10/2015 13:42

I'm at 2.9 at 14 weeks with a history of premature birth/loss. I asked my consultant to put me on progesterone which I was given without any problem. Have you discussed the options/ plans with anyone? In my experience you do need to be reasonably clear that you want to discuss/ agree a plan otherwise you can get a bit forgotten in the process. The fact they are monitoring is good. I wouldn't necessarily expect them to do a stich at this point but you do need to discuss with them for your own peace of mind.

Original poster

Jasmine12 · 06/10/2015 14:41

Thanks Spacefrog35.

They are monitoring me at kings hospital. My consultant and midwife are at another hospital (closer to home). So, this monitioring thing is not supervised by my consultant. At kings, it looks like they are just going to leave it until it gets worse (my cervix is clearly getting shorter progressively) and then tell me the situation is bad.

I am assigned to a consultant, but Im having my first appointment at 25 weeks. Thats another 4 weeks to go.

Will speaking to my midwife help? Can she get me see my consultant sooner to discuss options?

OP posts:

diggerdigsdogs · 06/10/2015 14:45

for you OP anda wee un MN hug.

I don't have any advice or knowledge of this but I do wish you the very best.

schokolade · 06/10/2015 15:15

Mine shortened too - was 4 cm then down to 3 cm at around 26 weeks. I was told to rest at home and no sex. I did exactly that and it didn't shorten much further - who knows if it would have otherwise. I gave birth on my due date at 40 weeks. Best of luck, I remember how worrying it was.

spacefrog35 · 06/10/2015 18:07

I would speak to your midwife yes. She should be able to explain, or find out, what the plan is. I wouldn't feel comfortable waiting until your consultant appt just because it's too long for you to be worrying yourself. Have a hunt on here for a thread called the short cervix club. It's not really 'live' anymore but there's lots of stories on there which might help you understand more & worry less

Dixiechick17 · 06/10/2015 20:24

How many weeks are you now?

They didn't worry until mine had shortened to 2.1mm, that's when measures were put in place, the consultant told me he was erring on the aide of caution as some don't take action unless it drops to less than 2mm.

Original poster

Jasmine12 · 07/10/2015 06:45

I called my midwife and left her a message. Waiting for her to call me back.

Dixiechick17 - Im 21 weeks now.

Im worried they dont want to take any action for shortening. They discharged me from the cervical clinic (at kings) with notes saying "refer her back to us if it shortens further". All this when it is clearly shortening progressively.

As a precaution, ive cut down most activity. Im lying down for about 5hrs during the day. I quit my job (We can luckily manage with DH's salary. I lose maternity pay etc. But id do ANYTHING to be able to carry this baby to 36 weeks.)

Is there anything else I can do?

OP posts:

Dixiechick17 · 07/10/2015 10:15

I would wait for your midwife to call you back and then see what she says. You could always ask for an earlier consultation appointment and get them to explain everything to you a bit better.

Newlywed123 · 07/10/2015 14:42

I lost my first born at 23 weeks, was fully dilated without knowing.

With my second my cervix was 2.4cm at 16 weeks, over the weekend it dropped to 1.2cm. I had an emergency stitch placed, regular scans, steroids ect. Carried her to 37+4

This time my cervix was 2.4cm at 12 weeks, had my stitch placed at 15 weeks and my cervix has lengthened to 2.8cm at 20 weeks.

I'm carrying on as normal now. Maybe get a second opinion?

eddiethehorse · 07/10/2015 17:32

Mine is 19MM and has been since it was detected at 21 weeks. I have been signed off work and am on rest. So far it has remained the same and I am now 29+4. I spent the first few weeks hardly moving, I have moved a little more recently but my baby is now breech with a very precariously low hanging foot. Maybe the breech would have happened regardless but I do worry it is because I have moved around more. I have been taking DD1 to nursery, moving around the house and going to the shop occasionally to do a quick grocery shop (with help).
I would rest, take it as easy as possible, legs up, gravity is not our friend!
Good luck x

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