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!

Haha thank you, I hope for a boring pregnancy too! I think you have to be positive in these situations otherwise you'll just feel worse!

Are you due in August? I was an August baby!

I think it's due end of July but not 100% sure as I don't know how long my cycle is, I've only had 2 since July and one was 31 days and the next 27! However, I am also an August baby! So is my boyfriend!

Ha! August babies are the best Bet you will have an August baby! (But whichever month it is, it will still be a best baby)

@Clevelo Agreed!!

Will be following your progress and if you need to chat you can pm anytime

Thank you! How do you send a private message?

No worries!
Next to the name of person you want to message there's something called "message poster" click on it and away you go!
Hope that makes sense

clevelo yes, I know how to start a thread but my question is IC related and I hoped one of the knowledgeable posters here would be able to help. I'd asked as part of a longer post earlier but no answer, had also asked separately but no replies.

As explained earlier I'm at risk of IC for two reasons, the hysteroscopy and a septate uterus.

I don't know why an IVF clinic would be able to advise on IC, they're two different specialisms. As it is my midwife doesn't know much at all about it, neither does my GP, I can't get hold of my consultant.

The reason I asked here is cause progesterone, is one of my ivf drugs for the first trimester, it is also a drug used to help prevent IC, I'm due to finish it at week 14, which is when IC becomes a concern, I've only learnt it's a treatment for IC in the past few days and I am extremely worried that stopping will cause me to lose this pregnancy, I've had several firdt trimester mc before, I know i could not live with another one.

I'd hoped one of the knowledgeable posters earlier would have spotted my post and been able to reassure, but it seems not and I'm almost resigned to losing this pregnancy.

To add, I'm additionally concerned because I've been told by my consultant they only scan twice, at 18 and 22 weeks. I've managed to find a private scan for almost 16 weeks but can't find a scan place to do it earlier.

Zaalitje, I'm sorry that I don't know much about progesterone as it has never been mentioned to me. I don't understand why they don't scan you more when this is a real possibility for you, they should be monitoring the length and then making decisions from there?! I'm sorry you can't get hold of your consultant. IC is a concern from week 14 but they will be able to see anything that's not quite right at week 18, don't resign yourself to losing your baby

Just out of interest, the internal scan for this...does it carry any risks? I mean if they do this routinely for people it must be safe right? It's not going to set off labour or anything like that?

I think everything probably carries risks but I don't know much about it, sorry!

My first daughter was premature, so I am having my cervix monitored every two weeks. The internal scan doesn’t go far enough inside to start anything off I wouldn’t worry about that. xx

The internal scan is fine, they do internals for scans before 12 weeks and they're routinely used by ivf clinics who wouldn't take a risk.

Ah thank you!! I had a few internal scans at the beginning at the hospital, but I just wanted to check it was safe further along, but if some of you are having them routinely that makes me feel better thanks ladies!

Just as an update, she wouldn't do an internal scan, she said she didn't want to go poking around if she didn't need to.

She just did an abdominal scan (even though I paid extra for internal scan!!) but she said she could see everything fine. I queried whether it was as accurate but she said if everything looks fine from the abdominal scan then there is no need for an internal one.

She said it looked about 4cm and long and closed.

Should I just try to leave this now and be happy with the result? I'd like to enjoy this pregnancy if I can. 24 weeks today! Bit of a milestone for me!

Anyone? Just wondering re: the message below. Is it nothing to worry about?

Please stop worrying, I know it’s easier said than done but like your midwife said, there’s no need to keep checking it. I know it’s hard, and I’m sorry you had early miscarriages but sometimes that’s how the body knows something is wrong with the baby, it’s not because of an incompetent cervix. Sometimes even early labours are just because labour has started, again not due to incompetence. Please try not to worry and just relax and enjoy your pregnancy. You have no history of this xx

bettydraper thanks yes you are probably right. It's just that we have had so many setbacks and have been trying for this Baby for 11 years. Feels like my last shot. I guess I just feel it's too good to be true. I still just can't believe it's going to be ok.

Think I'll come off Mumsnet. Thought it would help but I think it has made me worse. Never mind, these forums aren't for everyone.

In case you come back and look at this thread again, I have mumsnet 'blackout' periods when I need them! These forums are brilliant for support but at times can make you start to wonder if anyone has a healthy, happy pregnancy with no problems... inevitably people who are having difficulties post more often. There have definitely been times when I have found mumsnet has hurt more than it's helped... But I always come back again when I'm ready!

That's exactly it! Nothing but love for the supportive ladies here, but once you start reading some horror stories it's like opening Pandora's box! Not to say these ladies shouldn't talk about their losses, they absolutely should, its just that my anxiety has been sky high recently, and reading such sad stories makes it worse maybe.

Not sure why the NHS refused to do your scan. I had loop diathermy several years ago so the NHS did a cervical length scan at 16 weeks. I've never had a late loss; this is my first pregnancy. I was told they do the scan as standard if you've ever had any sort of cervical surgery. The result was that my cervix is still within the range of normal length despite having had a bit removed, so I needed no further care.

Take care OP x