Another short cervix club?!

[LJB1234]

Hi! I'm currently 13 weeks and have had 2 LLETZ procedures in the past, so pretty sure my cervix will be short! I've read through a couple of old threads called short cervix club which seem like they were a really great support network throughout the ladies pregnancies, so wondered if anyone in similar situations wanted to start a new one?!

My story is that I've had 18mm removed, but consultant won't scan me until 16 weeks as I haven't had any previous losses, so wondering whether to trust him or go private sooner! Would be great to hear from anyone going through similar x

Hey! Thanks for the heads up. Following as recently been checked for short cervix and waiting for next scan. Suggested a stitch if needed and curious on others situations x

Hey! Hope you managed to find the older threads, they're much more useful than this one at the moment

Hopefully some others will be along soon!

Hi I had ivf and also previous llettz and was told I had a short cervix. consultant wanted to leave me until 20 weeks but I pushed and they saw me at 16 weeks. I spoke to my midwife and said I would pay privately if they didn't see me but she said it would be a waste as they wouldn't take the finding on as it was non nhs. My cervix was 25mm and the consultant was happy to take a wait and see approach. I wasn't and asked for progesterone. Was rescanned at 20 weeks and remained 25mm. I'm still taking my progesterone and currently 30+6

Just saw this and jumped on to say I'm a short cervix graduate. I had scans due to a previous loss and the fact I was having high risk I'd twins started at 3cm but got to 1.7cm at 23w when I had a stitch, progesterone, and was put on bed rest ..it was very scary but I got to 35w and my miracle twins are now 6. Just wanted to wish you all lots of luck and good vibes..

It’s so worrying isn’t it and the wait of finding out! Obviously hoping that cervix remains fine and nothing needed with this pregnancy but having to be on bedrest from early on with 3 year old twins would be so difficult 😩 keeping things crossed!

Hi

I've read some of the old threads, can't seem to find them now :s
I've had previous loss and am going to get a stitch in on 11th May at 12+5.

I would absolutely insist on asking to be referred to a consultant at your midwife appointment if I were you. Even the consultant always give you an option either wait and see or the stitch.

Best of luck with it all x btw I had to sought out my own consultant who was very understanding and has given me confidence after my loss (NHS)

@Mrsmch123 that's a bit frustrating that they wouldn't take any notice of a private scan even if it showed the need for treatment! Great that you've got to 31 weeks with the progesterone though and it is staying stable!

@clareykb thanks so much for your message, always good to hear a positive outcome even though it must have been so scary at the time! Were you on bedrest in hospital or at home?

@HayB so nerve wracking! The not knowing is driving me mad. I'm no expert but from what I've read it doesn't seem that common for people to be put on bedrest in UK, more in the US. I'm already trying to limit what I'm doing just in case though (decent excuse to be lazy on the sofa )

@Mysleepingangel so sorry for your loss. My consultant wasn't overly helpful and won't scan until 16 weeks which feels a long way off! Did you change hospitals for your consultant then? I'm considering switching to Leeds so I might be lucky and get Mr Simpson who sounds amazing!

@LJB1234 Both, mainly at home but I also had a few spells in hospital as I had strong Braxton hics... probably around the 26-28w mark

I remember the original threads and found them helpful, there was also a website called keepemcookin that was good.

I didn't get scanned until I was 21 weeks, previous lletz nine months before falling pregnant, 10mm removed. I was 3.4 at the first scan, had follow up scans due to bleeding and pools of water on the scan, at 24 weeks my cervix had shortened to 2.4. I was given progesterone pessaries to use three times a day, at 32 weeks baby was engaged and my cervix was very soft and the consultant signed me off work and told me to rest as much as possible, which I did until I reached 37 weeks. I stopped the progesterone at 36 weeks and went in for reduced movement, was 1cm dilated, but DD still stayed put and arrives at 40+5 :) she's 6 now, hope all goes well for everyone on here.

@LJB1234 thank you hun.
Yes I changed hospital and consultants.

I do have Mr Simpson so I feel more at ease this time even though I still need a stitch. Had I opted for a wait and see approach, he said he would start doing interval scans from 16 weeks as well.

@annlee3817 that's great that you didn't need the stitch! Thanks for the positive story, I will check out that website too Just so nervous about the amount they took (and a bit annoyed that they obviously weren't very conservative at all, even my first lletz on its own was over 10mm and they'd said at the time my case wasn't that bad) But hearing positive outcomes really helps so thank you!

@Mysleepingangel ah sounds like you're in the best possible hands then! Still haven't heard back from him but hopefully will soon. Hope it all goes well on the 11th, sure it will, you'll have to check in and let us know!

@LJB1234 thank you and I will!

I hope you hear back soon. Its hard not knowing

Hi there, I’m currently 14 weeks pregnant, I went into premature labour last year at 23 weeks because of an undiagnosed IC, my daughter was born a few days too young for neonatal care. Having regular apps with a consultant every 2 weeks and I’ve been on cyclogest pessaries since 11 weeks. Currently measuring at 2.6 and doctor says cut off for the stitch is 2.4. It’s actually really hard to find any in depth information online about it! I joined a few groups on fb yesterday and was accepted into one, I read a few stories and it’s kind of terrified me! Majority of positive but some didn’t have their happy endings and I struggle to take in anything other than that. I realise now that I might have quite a journey ahead of me and it’s not going to be easy. I do want to know as much as I can though.

Hi all, I’m currently only 10w after having a mmc last year and a lletz and cone biopsy in 2016...I must say, I didn’t realise the risk involved with the lletz and following pregnancies. My midwife said I would be consultant led due to the lletz but what can I expect? An early scan and possibly a stitch? I lost all my letters following the lletz so not sure how many mm they took and feeling like a bit of a tit for not keeping it safe - must admit, in 2016 I was very much a single mum to one and didn’t think I would be married to the love of my life 4 years later and wanting to have more children but wish I had taken more notice of the risks.

Can I ask, why do you take progesterone?

@happygolucky20 It’s supposed to help with keeping your cervix firm and closed.

@happygolucky20 have you had your booking in app yet? They should go through your care plan with you then, which should hopefully make you feel more at ease. My first scan with the consultant was very in depth and made me feel a lot safer too, I see him every two weeks now and write a list of questions to ask him every time. I’m sure they should have your information from your previous surgery on file already?

Hi ladies,

Just wanted to share my experience as I can see a lot of you have similar questions / worries to what I did early on.

I was diagnosed with incompetent cervix due to a previous lletz treatment 6 years ago, I had no idea how much they took, I just happened to mention it to my midwife who then booked me in for a cervical length scan at 20 weeks. At 18 weeks I went to the EPU due to spotting, and they actually said we'd better check now, there was a lot of back and forth but I ended up at a consultant clinic a week later and cervix was measured at 19.

I was offered either the stitch or a newer treatment called the arabin pessary which I opted for (essentially like a plastic ring that fits on to the neck of your cervix to keep it closed). Plus 1 x progesterone pessary every day.

2 weeks later cervix measured at 24 so it was doing a good job and it stayed around that measurement for another few weeks. By the time I got to 28 weeks it had dropped to 17, which was a worry but my consultant done the protein test (can't think of the name) to see if there were any signs of early
Labour and there wasn't, so she felt comfortable that it was good for the gestation I was at.

I'm now 35+5 and due tk have the pessary removed on Thursday once I'm 36 weeks ☺️

I was so worried when I first found out, and like someone else previously mentioned I joined FB groups that actually just made me more anxious. But I think from reading up, the best thing is for it to be discovered early, and you'll be in the best hands.

Hopefully that helps a little x

Thanks for sharing your info.

Can I ask what the arabin pessary procedure involved? I’m terrified of the possibility of either general anaesthetic or epidural for a stitch so am curious on the newer option.
X

@HayB it was really simple, didn't need anaesthetic etc. The consultant literally just put it in, in the normal procedure room. It was like having a smear, bit uncomfortable but over quickly. I would definitely recommend x

@Norasmum so sorry about your daughter. I know what you mean, there's a lot of positive stories but some really scary and sad ones too, it is hard to look past that! I'm trying to tell myself that it must be very rare for something to go seriously wrong before the first cervical length check, otherwise surely they'd have to do them earlier? I think it is the not knowing that is driving me mad at the moment. I've also found it really hard to find hard facts and stats online like you say. Good that you're on the progesterone though, it seems to have helped alot of people from what I've read.

@happygolucky20 to be honest I do have the letter following my lletz procedures but it is basically useless, doesn't have any details on at all! My consultant did manage to access the details because I had the procedures done at the same hospital, it would be good if you are able to find out as smaller excisions carry a much lower risk so might put your mind at rest. In terms of what to expect, I had an appointment with a consultant after my 12 week scan (felt very rushed to be honest didnt make me feel much better) and he said they would scan me at 18 weeks but I pushed for earlier so he said 16 weeks. He also said they only consider the stitch if it is less than 15mm which is less than I though, guidelines seem to say 25mm. I would say be prepared to fight your corner and push for the treatment you think is best.

@KateColx that's great that the pessary worked for you, I've been looking into it as obviously would be preferable to an epidural and getting stitched but there don't seem to be many studies on its effectiveness because it is quite new isn't it? And not sure it is available in many places...Did you go on bed rest/reduced activity once it was in?

Hi everyone

@LJB1234 I've just returned from the hospital after my suture.
The surgery was moved from today to yesterday, I was happy with that as I am measuring ahead.

The surgery itself was quick, 15 mins max. I was in good hands and the staff was just so nice, they understood my anxiety from last time (I lost my waters after getting the spinal for the emergency cerclage) and worked with me to make me feel safe.

I'm home now and had to stay overnight (standard). Just on some antibiotics for a week and then I check in with Dr Simpson in a few weeks time.

I thought I'd update and ask everyone to keep me in your thoughts. I'm just worried about any infections etc now. Hopefully I don't get any :)

I hope everyone is keeping well x

Measured 2.6 at my 12 week. When I came for my 14 week app last week the consultant told me that from the way it was looking last time, he’d cleared his schedule to perform the cerlage that day. But when he scanned, it was measuring at 3.3! So the progesterone seems to be working! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 Fingers crossed it carries on that way 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@LJB1234 glad your surgery went well and you felt safe. Will be thinking of you, I’ve heard incredible things about Dr Simpson (wish I lived closer!) so you are in great hands. Let us know how you are getting on.

@Mysleepingangel how are you feeling now? Glad they moved it forwards a bit for you! I'm sure you will be fine for infections, especially if they've given you antibiotics as a precaution.

@Norasmum thats great that the progesterone is working so well! Fingers crossed for you that it carries on, I'm sure it will that length is great!

I went to the maternity unit on Monday with really bad cramps and a heavy feeling, but they didn't measure my cervix just checked it was closed. Got to hear the heartbeat though! I have my first length scan on Monday, will be 15+5, really nervous

@LJB1234 hi I'm well! I'm getting tenderness around lower abdomen and still taking paracetamol religiously. Hoping the cramps will ease off soon.

I've my appointment on 3rd June now with Dr Simpson when I'll be roughly 16 weeks to check cervical length etc.