Advice on how to live with a short cervix (26mm) during pregnancy

[sapo2000]

Hello everyone. I am 19 weeks pregnant and my cervix is 26 mm long. I underwent a lletz procedure in 2018 which removed 14 mm. The sonographer insists that I don't need further monitoring or progesterone. I have been fighting a lot to get at least one or two measurements, but no luck. Thus, I guess I will have to live with my short cervix and carry on the best as I can. To those women who had similar experiences, would you give any specific advice? E.g. things I should avoid doing which could make the situation worse. Thank you in advance.

You need to request for your midwife to refer you to a consultant, mine was 2.4 at 24 weeks and I was put on progesterone. I'm shocked that they were ok with that... Can you contact the senior midwife at the hospital and insist on being referred?

No experience but when seeking referrals I’ve found it helpful to be smiley and agreeable but also say “ok, can you please record in my notes that I’ve requested a referral to x and you’ve refused it, along with your reasons. And would you mind explaining your reasons again so I’m clear?”

It feels shit being pushy but sometimes it does help, unfortunately.

Hi please call up your midwife team and push on this. Mine was similar to yours at the same time and the hospital started scanning me every 2 weeks… put me on progesterone and I think over 6-8 weeks my cervix lengthened! The consultant said if it had shortened further they would have put in a stitch, so I think you definitely have been mistreated by that sonographer

@Verbena87

No experience but when seeking referrals I’ve found it helpful to be smiley and agreeable but also say “ok, can you please record in my notes that I’ve requested a referral to x and you’ve refused it, along with your reasons. And would you mind explaining your reasons again so I’m clear?”

It feels shit being pushy but sometimes it does help, unfortunately.

Good advice

I had a short cervix with both my pregnancies. I was scanned every 2 weeks until I was 34 weeks and was on progesterone until 36 weeks. 1st baby was born exactly on their due date and 2nd baby was born 2 weeks early. I was referred to consultant care.

If I was you, I would push it also. Do not let them fob you off. They refused to give me a cervical scan with my second because I carried to term with my first so I pushed it and luckily I did.

They told me not to have sex, to try and rest as much as possible, not to lift anything heavy and to try not to be too stressed. With both my pregnancies, I rested lots until 32 weeks and then spent the last 6-8 weeks really enjoying my pregnancy but up until then was just resting.

I hope everything goes well.

You need to be pushy. I have had to fight for a cervical scan at 16 weeks after a 20mm Lletz last year. I ended up putting in a massive complaint with PALS and got scanned that same day. Although my cervix is longer than yours, I was also told no more scans are necessary. However, when I see the consultant at 20 weeks I will be pushing for another to ensure nothing has drastically changed. Those who shout the loudest get the better care and you need to do so to ensure the safety of your baby. Good luck!

I just think it's crazy that you're not being referred or scanned. I had a lletz 5 years ago. I had my DD 3 years ago and I had 2 scans (all fine) and I carried overdue. In my current pregnancy despite me having had a normal pregnancy and cervix length 3 years ago, they're still scanning me twice.

Thank you everyone for all replies and for sharing your stories. After a persistent, long and labyrinthine sequence of phone calls, I managed to get a second cervical screening. The consultant agreed with me. It will take place in my 22 week. I hope it is not too late.

Oh great news! So in the meanwhile.. my consultant told me to not do strenuous exercise ( ie don’t even walk for longer than 20 mins) , no sex either. Good luck

@Kisskiss

Oh great news! So in the meanwhile.. my consultant told me to not do strenuous exercise ( ie don’t even walk for longer than 20 mins) , no sex either. Good luck

Thank you!

@thingymaboob

I just think it's crazy that you're not being referred or scanned. I had a lletz 5 years ago. I had my DD 3 years ago and I had 2 scans (all fine) and I carried overdue. In my current pregnancy despite me having had a normal pregnancy and cervix length 3 years ago, they're still scanning me twice.

Thank you. What is a 'DD'?

@Mamaux

You need to be pushy. I have had to fight for a cervical scan at 16 weeks after a 20mm Lletz last year. I ended up putting in a massive complaint with PALS and got scanned that same day. Although my cervix is longer than yours, I was also told no more scans are necessary. However, when I see the consultant at 20 weeks I will be pushing for another to ensure nothing has drastically changed. Those who shout the loudest get the better care and you need to do so to ensure the safety of your baby. Good luck!

Thank you. I finally got the second measurement booked. Fingers crossed!

@Kisskiss

Hi please call up your midwife team and push on this. Mine was similar to yours at the same time and the hospital started scanning me every 2 weeks… put me on progesterone and I think over 6-8 weeks my cervix lengthened! The consultant said if it had shortened further they would have put in a stitch, so I think you definitely have been mistreated by that sonographer

Thank you. Until which week were you monitored?

@Verbena87

No experience but when seeking referrals I’ve found it helpful to be smiley and agreeable but also say “ok, can you please record in my notes that I’ve requested a referral to x and you’ve refused it, along with your reasons. And would you mind explaining your reasons again so I’m clear?”

It feels shit being pushy but sometimes it does help, unfortunately.

Thank you. I completely agree.

Still being monitored… because my cervix lengthened, my scans are now every 4 weeks, instead of fortnightly. I’m still on progesterone tho

I was monitored twice a week in my last pregnancy. Cervix length was checked along with the fetal fibronectin test to check for signs of early labour. I was put on house rest (if that’s a term...like bed rest but just at home!) and told to sit down and not do anything strenuous.

@Kisskiss

Still being monitored… because my cervix lengthened, my scans are now every 4 weeks, instead of fortnightly. I’m still on progesterone tho

Unfortunately, The rules in my hospital are different...scan every 4 weeks even with my current measures. I pushed for shorter gaps but the consultant did now allow.

How do you know your current measurement? I also had an extensive let's and have had cervical length measurements done (at my request, in the same way that pp mentioned above, which always works a charm 'can you just write in my notes that you have refused my request and why') Mine have always been a bit borderline, short but not in the danger zone. With my twin pregnancy my cervix had actually lengthened between the 16 and 20w measurements.

Try not to worry, great that you've got another scan booked in now

@JessicaPeach

How do you know your current measurement? I also had an extensive let's and have had cervical length measurements done (at my request, in the same way that pp mentioned above, which always works a charm 'can you just write in my notes that you have refused my request and why') Mine have always been a bit borderline, short but not in the danger zone. With my twin pregnancy my cervix had actually lengthened between the 16 and 20w measurements.

Try not to worry, great that you've got another scan booked in now

Thank you for sharing your story. I had a transvaginal scan. At some point, I had a huge bleeding and the emergency doctor booked the cervical scan. Otherwise no one would help me. My midwife and gps at the gps in my local pratice did not understand it, despite my attempts to persuade them that i needed one.

Also, the reason why I know my LLetz details is because I request the notes myself and it took one week to receive them. Midwife and gps could have request them with a phone call and no one understood this condition. It is good to know that your cervical length was bigger with the twins! Good news.

4 weeks! Sorry to hear that.. maybe try asking the consultant about progesterone pessaries when u see her. Hope it goes well for you x