21 weeks, 2cm dilated and bulging membranes

[Le16]

Hi just after a bit of hope and to see if anyone else has been in a similar position. I've been having my cervix length checked every 2 weeks from 16 weeks as I went into labour with first baby at 25 weeks. On the reviewing my scan at 20 weeks they decided to call me in to put the stitch in as my cervix had shortened quite a lot and started funnelling. But when I got to the hospital and they examined me I was already 2cm dilated and bulging membranes so it was too late and when they looked there was hardly any cervix length to do emergency stitch and we're worried about rupturing membranes by doing it. So I was lay on the hospital bed for 24 hours with legs up head down to see if with no pressure on cervix membranes might go back enough for them to do the stitch but it hasn't. As I'm having no pains, contractions, cramping, bleeding etc and feel fine they've let me come home on rest and just go back if anything happens. They said if I can get to 23 weeks they'll give steroid injections. Just praying that I can stay this way for a while longer but not sure when contractions or anything will start

No advice or prior experience I'm affraid but wishing you the best of luck for both of you

Sorry, i dont have any experience of this but i hope all works out well for you and ur little baban. Stay positive 😘

hoping for the best for you OP.🤞

@Le16 how stressful for you, I had/can currently having a similar experience - no prior pregnancies or early losses but at my 20 week scan they saw my cervix was open (about 2.5cm) and shortened with bulging membranes and gave me an emergency stitch the next day using a balloon to push the membranes back to give space to stitch. Did they give you a reason why they didn't want to attempt the stitch? I was told about risks of accidentally breaking the membranes and infection but it was suggested to me this was the best option of the pregnancy progressing - apparently 60% of women get to 28 weeks after an emergency stitch. I'm currently nearly 26 weeks and have been stuck in hospital nearly 2 weeks as my cervix is 0.8cm and had a high Fetal fibronectin test result but so far the stitch is holding. What hospital are you in - I wonder if it's worth seeking a second opinion to see if they can try and do the stitch for you? All the best and fingers crossed for a good outcome for you x

Hi lovely
So sorry to read this. I have been in a similar position to you last year when we lost our son last year. I must say however we were too late to have the stitch fitted and the hospital sent us home, so you are in the best possible place.

There is a really good group on Facebook called incompetent Cervix UK. Join there as you'll find plenty of women who have been or are in similar positions who can offer advice.

Are the hospital giving you progesterone? As well as steroid shots for baby's lungsI've heard that these can help.

Sending you all my love and best wishes.

Should have also mentioned I've been prescribed progesterone pessaries 400mg twice a day which are supposedly to give some benefits to maintain a pregnancy. Have you been offered these?

Should also add if you're anywhere near London there is a doctor called Professor Shennan (NHS but funded by Tommys too as i understand) who is incredible at anything to do with short cervix. Also another doctor I've heard of or haven't met called Dr Simpson, who I believe is in the North somewhere (maybe Leeds- can't be sure)

The balloon procedure isn’t offered everywhere. OP were you given any drugs to delay labour? Suggest you stay in bed - in the US total bedrest (Get a bedpan if needed), drinking lots of water (eat lots of soup too to maximise your fluids), and using pregnancy safe laxatives to minimise straining is often recommended for cervical related premature labour.

No advice but want to wish you the best- I bet you feel like hardly moving😦
I wonder if anyone else will come on here with some experience xx

Sorry my message got delayed- i see you have some posters with experience now.

Thank you all so much for your messages. Its lovely to see some support. I've come back into hospital as I could feel a trickling and thought it was my waters breaking but thankfully it's not but they've said they want me to stay in hospital now until Monday at least. I'm not on strict bedrest but to be honest I'm not moving very far lol. I've been using the progesterone pessary since 12 weeks and told me to continue with those and they've given me some antibiotics to try to stop the waters getting infected. I've asked again about the stitch with the balloon coz one of the other doctors mentioned that the other day but the doctor I've seen today said that my cervix is only the same size as the suture they use so not enough of it to suture but to be honest my own consultant is back in on Monday and he's the only one that does the rescue stitch so I'm kind of hoping I can hang on until he sees me coz I've seen that many different doctors over the last few days and they've all got different opinions. On the plus side still no contractions or pain so keeping everything crossed. The one today said if we can make it for another 6 days they'll speak to paediatrics about giving me the steroids as new guidance about babies at 22 weeks apparently.

Hi @Le16 just wanted to check in to see how you are doing? Fingers crossed for you x

Hi there still the same actually hahaha she's hanging in there some how. I came out of hospital a week ago. My consultant told me to just rest and keep taking the antibiotics to prevent infection in my bulging waters and using the hormone pessaries I think he didn't expect it to last much longer. I went for a routine scan last Thursday and while I was there she checked my cervix and it was still exactly the same 2cm with about 3mm of length so she said that hadn't changed in a week so she said that's a good sign and to just keep doing what I'm doing and go back a week tomorrow to discuss having the steroid injections and what's the next step. My consultant says if if we can get to 23+3 they will help baby if she comes which is a week today so keeping everything crossed she can stay where she is until then at least. Thanks for your support xx

Fingers crossed for you cxxx

Hi @Le16, just checking in and hoping you're doing ok xx

Hi well my little girl decided to come at 24+2 weighing a tiny 1lb 2oz. She's 5 weeks old now and doing so well. She's having some breathing support but other than that she's doing really well. She's 2lb 6oz now. Getting there slowly just so thankful that she got as far as she did. Thank you so much for asking. Hope everyone else is doing well xxx

Op that's amazing so glad your little girl is doing well. Do they know why you've had 2 such premature births?

Lovely news. Sending love and best wishes to you xxx

Congratulations OP. Your little girl is a real fighter!!

Thank you everyone 😘 they think it's due to incompetent cervix and infection in the membranes. I'll keep you updated with her progress xxx