What was your cervical length?

[mamatocaptainchaos]

I had a preterm birth 2012- 28 weeks 6 days. Spontaneous and do not know why I went into labour.

I am currently 22 weeks pregnant and they have been monitoring my cervical length.

So far;

16 weeks: 34mm
18 weeks: 34mm
Started progesterone
19 weeks: 44mm (she had a hard time measuring this so unsure if accurate- apparently cervix was curled back)
20 weeks: 32mm

Next scan is tomorrow!

What were your lengths if you had the scans? Curious if mine are okay or not! Really anxious about preterm labour; especially when I'm not at 24 weeks yet xxx

Hi @mamatocaptainchaos
I was having cervical length scans until I was 24 weeks and was measuring up until then between 30-32 mm. So I was measuring 4 mm less compared to you when you started on the progesterone. So slightly worried how come they didn't prescribe me that 🧐 but I hope it puts your mind at ease ☺️
I'm now 29 weeks 2 days and petrified every day of preterm labour. May I please ask about your experience with your little one-did your waters just break? And how long did your little one stay in NICU? I will really appreciate it you can share your experience x

Hello @Worrying2020 !

Have you had a previous preterm or is it due to something else with cervix like lletz procedure etc?

I am worried that they stop checking at 24 weeks and just cut off contact too! I don't think I'll see my consultant after that last scan! Some women are offered growth scans from 26 weeks onwards. But I haven't been.

I asked for the progesterone; she wasn't going to prescribe it to me! I said I'd rather be on it than not as a precautionary measure if anything. That 44mm measurement I had was wrong I know jt was, just down to the other measurements it doesn't seem right. And she found it hard to get the measurement that day.

I have done so much research on this. It doesn't help that most sites say 40mm is the average for the gestation! That causes me so much anxiety. Also read other places saying 32mm isn't seen until much later in a pregnancy like 36weeks!! So it's horrid reading all that.

I have my 22 week scan tomorrow so will let you know how I get on- it might have gone lower.

So my labour was totally spontaneous. But up until that point I had thrush and UTI so I am unsure if that caused me to have contractions or not.

I started to have contractions on a Sunday, but thought they were braxton hicks. It wasn't until late Sunday evening they were becoming more regular and painful. So I took myself to hospital thinking they'd send me away! They did the fibronectin test and it came back positive at around 3am so I was kept in.

Monday morning I was put on nifepedine to slow the contractions down and surely enough it worked. I had no contractions in the day Monday. I asked my consultant if he thought I'd still go into preterm labour as I wanted my mum to be there for the birth (long story; I am from Hampshire but moved to Wales to live with mum as absent father; I had come down to visit family in Hampshire when this all happened) so I wanted her to travel the 4 hours to come down! Consultant told me not to bother as if more than likely go home!!

Monday night; contractions started again. I was give steroid injections.

Tuesday morning; cervix was closed and contractions had eased off again.

Tuesday evening; my dad popped in to say hello etc around 7pm. After he left I went to the toilet to brush my teeth around 8.30pm and I had such bad pains I had to pull the cord in the toilet! They whisked me off and I was 5-6cm dilated.

They popped my waters at around 10pm, I lost control as he was back to back and I was in such a panic with having an early baby.

Had him at 11.35pm! Sorry that was long haha. Can't really shorten it.

He was in NICU for 9 weeks and that was a rollercoaster journey! Up and down. But he's 9 years old now and perfect! No health concerns apart from he is susceptible to colds etc.

If I recall correctly mine went down to 26mm - the cut off for action at my hospital was 25mm so they didn't give progesterone or do a stitch. I was discharged from the pre term clinic at 24 weeks and all was fine until baby was delivered by ELCS at 40 weeks. I didn't have a precious pre-term labour though, my first birth was EMCS at fully dilated and they were worried about damage to my cervix because of that. Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy :)

It looks like your cervix has been about the same length, but for one one-off measurement. Just keep monitoring. Good luck!

Thank you @peaches19 !

@anniebu thank you ! X

@mamatocaptainchaos Thank you for your reply and sharing your story with me. It has been useful to know the possibility of how pre term labour can start. And really happy to hear your son is doing great now. I can't imagine how scary it must have been for you though until he came home. This would be my first baby (🙏) but second pregnancy as had a miscarriage last March. The reason why I was monitored for cervical length is because I had a cone biopsy 11 years ago. The surgeon who did it told me 100% I'll need a stitch in order to carry to term. But now the consultant was very relaxed and told me as long as it doesn't drop below 30 mm there is nothing worrying and no need for a stitch or progesterone. Well, I do worry based on what I was told after a chunk of my cervix was removed but what can I do. I saw her one more time after 24 weeks but not for a scan, just a regular appointment when I was 25 or 26 weeks and it as super quick-she only asked me how I was doing and then officially discharged me from her clinic. I agree with you, it is really not ideal they do no look after you after 24 weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed for your scan for tomorrow (but based on my experience so far my consultant would have said you have a good and consistent length) and I pray you can carry this baby to term x

Mine has been monitored from 16 weeks when it measured 28mm. No specific reason, but due to a high risk pregnancy in general with multiple early miscarriages before. I also stopped progesterone at 16 weeks (had been on them since ovulation). Cervix measured 28mm at that point and they were not worried. It has since been measured at 18 and 21 weeks by different people and it was around 30-32 mm. They were happy with it and did not even proceed with the fibronectin swab they had taken, it was disregarded both times. This was in St Thomas prematurity clinic in London that specialises in this. Having another scan this week, so at 23 weeks. If it has remained the same, they will discharge me. It sounds as if your 44 mm was a fluke and it has been a stable 32-33 mm all along. It is a muscle and measurements can vary a little. By the sound of it you have nothing to worry about, but ask them to keep measuring every few weeks if you are concerned.

Hi, I had my first TV scan on Friday at 15+6 due to a premature birth in 2008 at 27+6. This was due to waters going at 19 weeks.
My measurement was 38mm she was pleased with that. Although now they’ve found a large haematoma on my cervix as well as encroaching os placenta. I’ve been on progesterone pessaries since 13 weeks due to constantly bleeding. Still have lots of brown loss daily. They’ve told me to take it easy, no lifting, no running (not that I run 🤣) no rushing around. Praying little one will stay where it is. Good luck

Mine went down to 24mm at one point and I got to 34 weeks on progesterone pessaries, I was offered the cerclage but declined after much deliberation. Your lengths sound pretty good I would say, hope all goes well for you.

@Wireless77 hey how did you get on with your scan? Mine last week was 32mm at 22wk- next is a week tomorrow

@mamatocaptainchaos, mine has been stabile around 32-34 mm since 18 weeks. It was last measured at exactly 23 weeks (I'm 24 weeks this Wednesday). They are very happy with it and don't see the need to continue measuring it. It sounds like all is ok with you too?

I had ivf and was told I had a short cervix. After lots of back and forwards it was measured at 18 weeks and it was 25mm. The consultant was happy to wait and see, I however pushed for progesterone. She did prescribe it for me and I was remeasured at 20 weeks and it was still the same so they discharged me from the clinic. I'm now 30 weeks and all is well so far.

Hello I took my scan at 12 weeks and it was 2.3cm however I am out of the country and due back next week and the Doctor here prescribed Endometrin progesterone and I was wondering what should I do??

@mamatocaptainchaos
Hey! Thought I would jump in and share my experience with you.

I had my twin girls at 29+4 days, I was in hospital a week prior as they notice my cervix was shortening during routine scan (twin pregnancy) so I had the magnesium drip and the steroid injections which help with maturing babies lungs and help against the chances of cerebral palsy etc.

My girls spent almost 8 weeks in NICU and although it was an awful and anxious experience, we had a relatively steady experience. I have 2 very healthy, strong willed almost 4 year olds.

I hope this helps ease your worries a little and that if the suspect any preterm issues there are things in place to give your baby the best chances. X

Thank you so much. This helps a lot as I've seen so many different things on the internet.
Thank you

@Tamgee has your doctor prescribed you progesterone suppositories?if so I would recommend you take them.

Thank you but do you know if the Endometrin as prescribed in the Caribbean is the best one -

@Tamgee I think that it's just a generic progesterone so can't see it being any better/worse than any other progesterone. Are you on holiday or visiting family?

21 weeks 35mm
22 weeks 34mm
24 weeks 24mm, was given progesterone pessaries three times a day and steroid injections

Then had a leak from my hind waters, but was told to rest for two weeks.

32 weeks cervix very soft, DD engaged. 36 weeks stopped the pessaries, 37 weeks 1cm dilated. 40 weeks 3cm dilated, 40+5 quick labour and DD arrived. Hope that offers some reassurance

@Mrsmch123 just visiting - leaving next week

@annlee3817 yes it does thank you

@Tamgee ahh I see. Well mine was 2.5 at 18 weeks and same at 20. Was prescribed progesterone suppositories and and now 35+6 so stop them tomorrow🙌🏻

You all have been so helpful and I thank you for the replies.

You know I googled the progesterone and saw so many side effects and I know I am not a Doctor but it was a bit scary for me..