25mm Cervix length at 20 weeks.... will I need cerclage?

[nattynoo85]

Hello all,

I’ve been told my cervix length is 25mm at 20 weeks and am worried I may need a stitch put in. I am being monitored weekly now to determine if I need a stitch.

My first born arrived 6 weeks early and since then I’ve had lletz treatment, they took 12mm away. Due to this I knew I may have a risk of another premature birth but this time even earlier, hence the cervix length scan at 20 weeks. I have not been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix yet.

Has anyone gone to term or to at least 34 weeks with a cervix as short as 25mm without needing a stitch? I’m so scared to have a stitch put it, it sounds so risky.

Or if anyone has had to have a stitch put in, how was it and did it work?

Many thanks,

Natalie.

Hey ladies just wanted to let you know I've spoke to my consultant today and he's recommended I have the stitch done, I'm just very nervous now xxx

@Klwb93 well at least you when the option to have the stitch done. What are your thoughts on it? What are you measuring and how many weeks? If you’re going ahead with it when will it take place?

It’s natural to feel nervous, I was the worst! I’m here for any support I can give you! Xxxx

Thank you so much @nattynoo85 my cervix was 24mm at 20 weeks and he said that it's borderline length so he recommended I have it done, I'm 21 weeks this week, he said I can wait till next week for my scan to check it's length again but it's the wait xxxx

Are you going to wait? I'll find out Thursday. The uncertainty and the waiting is not a nice place to be in.

@Klwb93 as one very wise lady told me on here on this thread will you feel any differently next week regarding the stitch if you wait for another scan? Your cervix is only either going to stay the same or get shorter..... if you waited to be scanned next week so you know when the procedure will be done? I ended having mine done at 22 weeks and 2 days. I was 22mm xx

@198435years hope all goes well Thursday for you! Are you having another scan? X

@nattynoo85 I thought it would be too risky to wait for another scan and my cervix could end up being the same so I thought I would just get it done and hopefully I can enjoy the rest of my pregnancy without worrying about my cervix all the time, just to nervous to have the procedure done xxx

@Klwb93 try not to worry, the procedure itself is fine and doesn’t hurt. I haven’t had to take any pain killers which really surprised me! I was also reassured that the risk of any complications is so so small... especially when you have a reasonable length cervix cervix. As I mentioned I was 22mm and they said that was really good and carried less risk than normal.

Have you been given a date? X

@nattynoo85 oh that's really good to hear, did you have the spinal anaesthetic or the general when you had yours done? The midwife from my consultants department rang me back later and said I'm booked in for Friday morning, can't eat from midnight on Thursday and have to be at delivery suit for 8am so nervous but just glad it's being done xx

@Klwb93 You'll feel so much better after I'm sure. Keep us updated.

@nattynoo85 The scan I have on Thursday is my 20 week anomaly scan so I'm hoping the cervix will be checked again. The next cervix scan will be at 24 weeks + 3 so I think that would be pushing it as it'll have been 4 weeks since the last measurement. I'm so grateful for eventually being pregnant but I can count maybe only 4 weeks where there hasn't been complications and we've relaxed and got excited. All the other weeks we've had bleeding episodes and a nipt test that needed carrying out because of high risk bloods. Trying so hard to stay positive because we are lucky but defo have up and down days.

@Klwb93 It was intended to give me a spinal but because my platelets are usually on the low side and I had no update to date bloods I had to have a general..... which although I panicked about at first it ended up being the best for me I think as it was over and done with without me knowing and not seeing or hearing anything. I was worried I’d feel the pain sooner without a spinal but it didn’t really hurt just felt slightly crampy. I also didn’t need to wait to feel my legs again or need a catheter which was handy. I was worried baby would be sleepy after general but within the first couple of hours baby was kicking away.

Good luck for Friday hun, I’m glad it’s being done this week. Sooner the better. Once it’s over with you will feel better. Just make sure you rest after the procedure to heal as fast as possible. Any questions or you just need to vent just ask xxx

@198435years oh no it sounds like you’ve been through a lot of stress already, bless you. I hope all the stress ends soon for you so you can enjoy it. I hope the bleeding has stopped for you. My only weeks where I relaxed a little was between 16-20 weeks (at 16 weeks I was given a misleading cervix measurement of 40mm) this all came crashing as 20 weeks weeks with a Measurement of 25mm. I had spotting up to 8/9 weeks, was so stressed and from then up to 16 weeks I just couldn’t get attached to the pregnancy or happy about it. I was in defence mode in case the worst happened.

I would say though the most intense time for me was Deciding whether to have the stitch or not.

I’d like to think they will be checking your cervix again at 20 weeks, I think in the uk that’s a pretty routine week for cervix scans. Although 24 weeks is a long wait for another one.... I would have thought though if they do scan your cervix at 20 weeks, if it’s borderline they would scan you much sooner than 24 weeks. My preterm clinic said weekly to two weeks depending.

I know how you feel I’m happy I fell pregnant after a number of losses and have carried this far, however it doesn’t necessarily make pregnancy a happy time, it’s stressful, trying to protect your little baby when it’s a lot of time out of your control. I feel guilty for not enjoying the pregnancy and I hope I can enjoy it soon although, there’s always the birth to worry about next! X

@nattynoo85 @198435years I will keep you both updated when I've had it done, I will definitely feel so much better once it's been done and I can relax, hope you are both doing okay and you get sorted too*@198435years* xxx

@Klwb93 thank you xx my bleeding has lightened up since the procedure so I’m feeling more positive now, I have my check up on Monday so fingers crossed all ok. Just hard to rest with a four year old around, but slowly getting there.

I really hope all goes well on Friday! Keep us updated xxx

@nattynoo85 oh good I'm glad it's easing up for you and keep me updated on your check up, I think I will feel a lot better once it's done and I'm relaxing at home, I will be resting as much as possible so I can heal properly xxx

@nattynoo85 due to Covid were you aloud anyone to come to the hospital with you the day you had the cerclage put in?xxx

@Klwb93 I was aloud no visitors it’s hard as you just want someone there to keep you positive but I just ended up chatting away to the nurse and the midwife, hopefully you have some good company in your ward. Wishing you the best of luck. Xx

Ps although I wasn’t allowed visitors, I was able to have my partner come meet me at the ward door when I was leaving to carry my bag to the car. If that’s any consolation!xx

Hi @nattynoo85 just wanted to let you know I've had the procedure done and good job I did was there wasn't much cervix left which is scary to hear, I was aloud my partner on the ward with me just not in theatre, so hopefully it stays now and I can enjoy the rest of my pregnancy, hope you are well xx

@Klwb93 I was just thinking of you! So happy to hear it’s all gone well and caught in time! Also happy to hear that you were allowed your partner with you! Make sure you rest over the next week! Did they suggest bed rest for you? Are you in hospital over night?

I’m ok, bleeding has stopped, touch wood, don’t want to curse it, but found out yesterday I have a urine infection which got me down. Just getting over the procedure and now this. So on my second lot of antibiotics this week. I have my check up on my stitch/cervix Monday, worrying about that now but will let you know how that goes.

Rest up and be a princess! Xxxx

@Klwb93 You must feel glad it's all done. Rest up 💐

@nattynoo85 Hope your check up goes ok Monday and the anti biotics kick in soon. It's so typical that after a procedure.

I had the cervical scan Thursday and they said the short measurement I had must have been a mis read because I've measured the same as the one before the short one which was ok (36mm) I was too relieved to be annoyed. They are going to continue to monitor me and I have to continue with the pessaries. I've had a different person each time I've been scanned so it just shows measurements can be off. But I'm grateful to be monitored closely. I can relax a bit more now.

Thank you both @198435years @nattynoo85

I was aloud out the hospital last night as the doctor was happy with how I was doing but where they did my spinal injection I'm in so much pain with my back which is awful, I've been feeling baby move which is making things a lot easier for me, they've just told me to take things easy, I'm back in 2 weeks for a check up and instead of phone consultations I'm going to be seeing the consultant face to face to discuss everything, I'm getting looked after which makes things a lot easier, I'm not having a lot of bleeding which I'm relieved about too.

Hope you feel better soon @nattynoo85 and that your check up goes well on Monday, glad the bleeding has stopped for you as it can be scary

Glad you are still getting monitored @198435years I keep thinking what if I hadn't been monitored and it hasn't been picked up on, my lletz procedure was 2 years ago as well which is scary but so glad that I've had the stitch done now and hopefully it works and I can enjoy my pregnancy

Sorry everyone for delayed reply!

@198435years That’s fantastic news! Bet you’re so relieved! But a bit worrying that someone can take a misread with something so important! I hope that you’re More relaxed Now. Will you have another check up?

@Klwb93 glad to hear you were able to go home and that you didn’t have much bleeding, that’s really positive. Sorry to hear the spinal left you in so much pain, I hope you’re feeling better now? I guess in that sense I was lucky to have general. I hope you’re resting and taking it easy!

So my bleeding has stopped, thank goodness, and my check up went well yesterday. My stitch is in the right place and my cervix has gone from 22mm to 28mm thanks to the stitch. They didn’t use a speculum thank goodness just the internal probe. I was worried about being prodded so soon after the bleeding had settled but was fine. I don’t have to be checked again for four weeks! I was also told I get growth scans at 28 and 32 weeks, I wasn’t aware of this and it’s not routine as I didn’t have it with my First son. So may be worth checking you ladies are having these growth scans too.... xx

Thank you all for your kind words and support xx

@nattynoo85 I really am. Yes I'll still have check ups every 2 weeks until the cut off which I think is 24 weeks. I've also been offered growth scans. Glad you are doing well.

@198435years wishing you all the best in the remainder of your pregnancy. Hoping you manage to avoid the stitch but should you need it, it will be the best thing to do. Xx

I’m 24 weeks and 1 day. So I’m happy i reaches this milestone

Hope you have a wonderful pregnancy @198435years xx

So glad your check up went well @nattynoo85 and that's amazing news about the cervix too, I bet you are so happy you've reached 24 weeks, I'm 22 and 2 today so I'm not far off but I've had no bleeding or discharge today so feeling positive, would just like to make it 24 and maybe I can relax a bit haha, hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and thank you for all the advice and support on this post it's really helped :) xx