Low cervix - 12 weeks pregnant - prolapse fear!!

[AOMum14]

Hello everyone,

A bit of context - I had a baby in May 2022 who sadly passed away before birth, a baby in Jine 2023 (easy labour) and now 12 weeks pregnant with my third. I have my dating scan tomorrow but had a positive scan at 11.2 weeks privately which went well. I have been struggling emotionally, physically with sickness and some spotting and constipation throughout the 12 weeks.

When I have been straining for a poo (I do try to avoid this as much as possible) I notice one of my vagina walls bulge out a little. I had this checked last April (4 months ago) and dr said I did not have a prolapse. However on the few occasions I have checked myself up there I have noticed my cervix is low - only 2cm from enterence. This is after straining for a poo. I have been very worried that I have caused a prolapse.

Then this morning, after a full night sleep, I checked again. Same position but hadn't strained for the toilet, had been layong down for a few hoirs before and my cervix was compleltly out of reach.

I am anxious that I have a uterine prolapse but my question is - has anyone else had a realt low cervix in pregnancy and would a prolapse uterus change position throughout the day/night?

I have tried to speak to someone about this - the EPU, GP and so far no one feels it is their responsibility. They just send me to each other.

I feel really anxious I will lose this baby - pregnancy after loss is no joke.

I'm so sorry for you loss.

Pregnancy after loss can be very stressful. Have you been referred to the perinatal midwife?

Have you been prescribed anything during this pregnancy? I had an issue with my cervix and uterus and took progesterone throughout my pregnancy. I think you need to push to see a consultant so you can discuss your worry. In the meantime I think you need to stop poking around. You don't want to cause yourself an infection. Do your pelvic floor exercises and make sure your eating enough fiber so you don't have to strain so much.

Hmm, since GP won't help I think in your situation I would self refer to a women's health physio (sometimes called pelvic health physio). They are the experts on prolapse. I wouldn't mention on the self referral form you are pregnant in case they just refuse to see you. Obviously mention once you are there in person, and even if they then don't want to examine you, you can still describe your symptoms and they could give you advice based on this and potentially refer on if they feel there is any risk to the baby.
It might take a few weeks to come through but better than not referring and then wishing you had. You can always cancel if another health professional helps you in the meantime.

Do you have a community midwife you can phone? They might not know a great deal about prolapse (specifically diagnosing whether you personally have one I mean), but they might have blanket knowledge about the risks, if any, of carrying a baby with a preexisting uterine prolapse. Presumably if there are risks they will have some kind of process to follow.