Testing for incompetent cervix

[EmmaHealy23]

Ok so I'm going to come access like a hypochondriac. I've had quite a few early miscarriages and some D&C operations as a result. I'd like the chance to be checked for an incompetent cervix...a lady I work with lost a baby to this and I'm really paranoid about it. My midwife said unless you have had a late loss the NHS won't check you, but as I've never got this far before I wouldn't know how my cervix would behave.

Basically the NHS have shut down on me, told me it only happens in 2 pregnancies out of 100 and if something did happen they would prevent it if I got pregnant in the future.

Does anyone know any companies that do this! I don't mind paying for peace of mind. I'm in the West Midlands area but can travel a bit.

I just feel really sad for all the people who have to lose a baby because the NHS are too tight fisted to check them over they say it's so rare they can't justify it. So would you just need to go into labour before they will check you? I know they didn't check mine at my 20 week scan, j asked specifically

Sorry, long post!

I completely understand why you would want to have this check. Back in July at 23+5 I started bleeding. I went straight to the hospital and was told I'd be kept in over night to monitor it. However, when I saw the consultant, I found out that I was 6cm dilated and in preterm labour. It was a complete shock because every scan was completely fine and I had a smooth sailing, easy pregnancy until that point. It happened very quickly and at exactly 24 weeks I gave birth to my beautiful son. Due to his extreme prematurity he suffered multiple organ failure and was not able to survive. It will always be the hardest day of my life. I am one of the 2 in 100 that this happens to and it is devastating. However, they do say it is rare but I never ever wish anyone to have to go through this! I understand your concerns because the team at the hospital said I didn't do anything wrong and there was no reason to suspect this would happen...they only seem to take precautions if you have a history of loss.

Oh my Dorabean I'm so sorry. This is exactly what I'm terrified of, surely if there is a way to just check the cervix, even if it's got no context, then that's still something? If it's really short then I'd imagine the hospital can at least monitor it. I guess they can't stop it like in your case but this seems to be more common than I'd imagined xx

emma glad to hear you've found somewhere to stay and you, it's worth paying just for the peace of mind. I was about to recommend Babybond who have several centres across the West Midlands.

You've received some very sound advice.

I'm someone who has had several first trimester losses and now, after IVF I'm 14 weeks im twice as far as ive ever got before and I'm at risk of IC on 2 counts. Firstly due to a septate uterus which is a congenital abnormality that has links with IC and secondly due to having had a hysteroscopy 3 months before my IVF.

My hospital will only do 2 scans, one at 18 weeks and one at 22. For my own peace of mind I'm paying for one at babybond at 15+6 (they don't do them before 16 weeks otherwise I'd have squeezed one at 14 too) and will likely pay for another at 20 and 24 weeks if I get there.

I have an IC. It was picked up in my first pregnancy and the result of loop diathermy treatment I had to remove abnormal cells from my cervix. It meant that in both pregnancies I had consultant-led care. I was warned that I may need a "stitch" but that wasn't necessary either time in the end. I had regular internal scans as well as extra "normal" scans DD1 was 4 weeks early but DD2 was full term.
I am very fortunate not to have experienced miscarriage.

If you can afford to have it checked out privately and it would alleviate your anxiety then why not. It will put your mind at rest.

For those that know more about IC than me, am I right to be getting concerned about coming off the progesterone I've been on so far in the next couple days?

I'm just of the opinion that if you can pay to ease your mind and potentially spot something which could be important then I'm goi to do it. Even if it just gives me that little bit of confidence in myself to enjoy my pregnancy a bit rather than worry.

I think if more people knew about this more people would pay to have it checked. Shame the NHS don't do private scans too really.

zaalitjee I don't blame you, get all the scans in you can if you need reassurance. I'm a big believer in peace of mind being priceless x

Emma I would definitely go ahead with your private check to put your mind at rest if you are this worried! I'm really glad you've found somewhere! I'd never heard of this before it happened to me but once you're aware of it, it does seem more common.* I have just found out I'm pregnant again and will have a stitch this time but I am terrified.* However, remember that, even though we hear about the bad stuff and problems as we're more aware, the majority of pregnancies are fine and have no problems!

Not sure why that sentence came up in bold!

Dorabean very true, you hear about the bad more than the good of course, it was just one of those things I hadn't even come across, yet had quite a lot of information on Edwards and Pataus syndrome which is again quite rare but obviously not unheard of. I just wondered why everything else got highlighted and this got left out as it affects a lot of women, it should at be mentioned I would have thought xx

I think there are so many things to worry about in pregnancy that they can't all be covered. It's such an anxious time! However, an IC does seem more common than you think. I'm glad you've found somewhere to get a check to put your mind at ease--will you get a series of scans to check it over time?

They said they probably won't need to do so after 26-28 weeks and as a PP said it's more dangerous over a certain time period.

I think if I get one at 24 wks one at 26 weeks and they (hopefully) look ok then it will hopefully be enough to put my mind at ease a little.

Absolutely right though, a lot of stress, I guess maybe too much information is just overload for some people but I like to know what I'm up against, even though it seems to fill me with anxiety!

@EmmaHealy23 is this what you are looking for?

www.ultrasound-direct.com/babybond-pregnancy-scans/cervical-length-scan/

Clevelo exactly that! I know some people will say not to have it if I don't need it, but I really want to enjoy this pregnancy, I want some of the anxiety to go and for me to have some peace of mind.

Thanks for the link xx

Emma it's your baby and do whatever works for you. I have had an mc before and early term birth due to my dc not moving and that was very traumatic for me the way my child was born. So in this pregnancy I have been having regular scans every 2 weeks. I know it can't change the outcome but it helps me to remain sane and plus I can afford it so I don't see why not. Good luck xx

Does anyone more knowledgeable than me know if I should be worried about stopping progesterone in the next few days?

Clevelo do you have private scans every 2 weeks? Have the NHS offered any more support than usual?

I have an early scan at 7/8 weeks because of the pre term birth I had and the IC. I think this will help with my anxiety I have about this pregnancy! It's all so nerve wracking, something so exciting is also the scariest thing ever!

Dorabean yes I have been having a private scan every two weeks. I am only 15 weeks. I will be having my GTT next week at 16 weeks as I had GD in my last pregnancy so depending on the outcome I will be having extra growth scans every two weeks on the NHS similar to my last pregnancy. I also have low PAPP A so will be given extra scans at 28 and 32 weeks for that.
I completely understand you! This should be an enjoyable time as we are growing a human being inside us but for me I can't relax as I worry too much and know how things can go wrong!

@zaalitje sorry I don't know anything about progesterone. Do you want to create a new thread to ask this question as it might get lost amongst this thread and understandly you are worried. Also sorry if you mentioned already, have you spoken to your clinic?

@Clevelo that's exactly it, we know what can go wrong! Our experiences have brought us to the point where we just see the bad stuff. I don't know how many times this last week after finding out I'm pregnant that I've been completely positive! First time I didn't find out until 8 weeks and I was just excited and a bit shocked it had happened so quickly for me. This time I have found out a lot earlier and am just so scared because I can't go through anything like that again!

Oh Dorabean am so so sorry about your son. Heartbreaking.

@Clevelo thank you. It honestly felt like my heart had been broken, it still does. However, we got memory boxes from the hospital and we have pictures with him which are lovely. We had a little funeral for him and have his ashes at home. I'm ready to protect his brother or sister the best I can now knowing what I know! I'll have the stitch put in around 14 weeks.

Dora I have no words my love. Those memory boxes and pictures must be a lifeline to you. I cannot imagine what you have been through. How many weeks are you now? Glad there's a plan in place.

@Clevelo I'm only 5+3 at the minute so very very early. I'm very nervous as obviously you don't want anything to happen! The midwife just rang and was lovely, I'm seeing her next week, the week after, having an early scan and go from there! I already feel well looked after which is good! Even though my experience is still so raw and hard, I see this new pregnancy as a blessing! I also want to help others that have been through anything similar!

Dora of course you are nervous! God the early pregnancy is nerve wracking enough to induce a heart attack! Your midwife sounds lovely and really pleased that you will be so well looked after. It's very kind of you to help others, just shows what a big hearted person you are. Wishing you a very boring pregnancy!