Dramatic cervix shortening

[Lauren15691]

Hi

I'm high risk having had 2 LLETZ procedures. First cervical length screening was 12 days ago and I measured at 48mm which was great. Today I'm at 28mm. They arent doing anything because I'm still above the 25mm threshold but the dramatic change is REALLY worrying me. They sent me away for another 2 weeks but said if I get any unusual discharge or contractions in the meantime to contact the pregnancy assessment unit!! Has anyone experienced anything similar?? Thanks xx

Hi, I don't have any knowledge I'm afraid, just bumping for you. I'm also having the length of my cervix monitored due to a previous LETZ procedure but have only had one scan so far which was fine. I hope you get some answers and that everything goes well for you.

Yes, I went from 34mm to 24mm in a week, I had steroid injections and 24 weeks and checked weekly up until 27 weeks, had progesterone pessaries three times a day, then two weekly check ups until I got to 35 weeks. DD stayed put until 40+5.

Hope all goes ok for you, it's stressful, but mine thankfully didn't get any shorter

I've also had LLETZ treatment and didn't realise the LLETZ effected the cervix length, I thought this was only true if a cone biopsy.

Only thing MW has said to me about LLETZ was the scarring of the cervix.

I'm only 15w and was suppose to be Meetinf a Consultant (previous section) and was told to mention LLETZ but I haven't had an appt, guessing lots of things not happening due to current situ!

@annlee3817 how many weeks were you when you were 24mm? I'm only 17+4 so still early days.

@hugeagegap your only high risk if you've had more than one LLETZ. I had two substantial amounts taken and I was told to mention it to my midwife during my booking in appt and she sorted out the cervical length scans from there

I was 24 weeks when it started to shorten, I had had just one lletz previously, but it was nine months before falling pregnant, so that might be why. Length wasn't checked until I was 21 weeks and was only rechecked after that because of other issues I'd had, otherwise I don't think it would have gotten picked up

I had my first scan this Monday for first pregnancy and had to meet with a consultant as I have had three precious LLETZ procedures the last one only being on Oct 19 so I’m feeling really anxious as Iv been referred to have fortnightly checks from 16weeks.
What exactly happens during these appointments?

Thanks @Lauren15691 I've only had one but during that procedure I had two LLETZ sweeps performed and also had quite a chunk taken as the cells were the glandular ones, not the ones on the surface that needed removing. I'll ask the consultant see what they say x

I’ve only had one LLETZ procedure but in the same year (2015) sadly had to undergo a surgical termination, and as that was incomplete, a D&C.

At my 12 week scan (13+1) my cervix measured between 24mm to 17mm at the shortest measurement.

That was a Friday, had a preventative cerclage on the Monday.

Only 15 weeks today, but all okay so far.

The cervix is dynamic. As long as it’s over 25mm I wouldn’t be concerned.

Wish everyone the best of luck. Very unnerving.

@LaurenFay, they should do a transvaginal ultrasound to get an accurate measurement.

@HugeAgeGap both of mine were glandular too, they specifically make you high risk once you've had 2 (or at least with my nhs trust), theres a box that's ticked in the maternity file which specifically said 2 or more lletz. I'm sure they can check during a scan though so you could ask them and see if they would? Alternatively for peace of mind you could get a private one for about £80. I'm so paranoid I'm probably going to get one inbetween my two week screening checks just to make sure nothings happened between them lol, I'm a nervous wreck!

@laurenfay it's just as glasha87 has said really, an internal scan and they take some measurements then mine usually tell me straight away but others have a formal consultation booked in afterwards, maybe even a different day. Any cervical length under 25mm is when they act.

Does anyone know if it's normal for a cervix to shorten by 20mm in 12 days I'm really panicking about it and dont know anyone in the same situation, I'm so worried that it's the start of labour or something! The nurse said if my waters break I need to ring the pregnancy assessment unit which didnt fill me full of confidence

The many doctors I’ve seen over the last few weeks have said the cervix is dynamic - yours could even be back up to 48mm, it may be 35mm or it could stay at 28mm for the duration of your pregnancy.
I know it’s easier said than done, but I would try not to worry about the shortening, it is still within the normal range and that’s all that matters.
Just heed their advice regarding any unusual signs, as everyone should.

Thanks @Lauren15691 I think I'll be ok with having just the one then. They ticked the LLETZ box on my files but there wasn't a box for 2 or more, the MW didn't seem concerned at all. She just mentioned the scarring being a problem, nothing about length!

Hope everything works out well :-)

Hi,

I also had a cervical length scan at 20 weeks and although very good at 36mm when I had it done two weeks ago it was 43mm, would it change that much in two weeks? Is that normal??

i know this is an old post, but these measurements are identical to mine at 18 and 20 weeks. How did everything go?

Hi.. two healthy full term baby boys since this was posted - c sections at 39 weeks for both. Progresterone pessaries used both times with no stitch - second pregnancy was bordering needing a stitch but we made it to 24 weeks and the cervical length was staying the same. Hope all goes well for you! Try not to panic (easier said than done) xx