Short cervix at 20 weeks

[Panda34]

Went for my anomaly scan today, all good with baby but they measured my cervix (standard at my hosp) and found that it’s measuring 20.3mm. They didn’t seem that concerned and prescribed me 200mg progesterone daily and said to rescan in 2 weeks.

Now I’ve been googling and most others with cervix of this length have been told bed rest, a stitch etc?! Worried I’ve basically been told to carry on as normal and when I go back in 2 weeks it’s going to be bad news. Has anyone been in a similar position? Please no horror stories, feeling very anxious

I did have a fairly short cervix with my daughter 4 years ago (25.5mm) but was above the 25mm where they do anything about it and all was fine, delivered at 40 weeks.

I can’t remember my specific measurements but I had ‘incompetent cervix’ in both pregnancies, I never got to a scary stage but it was short so I had a pessary fitted in both pregnancies to keep baby safe. I had scans every 2 weeks to keep an eye on things so I think that time frame is normal, however if you’re feeling nervous, I’d contact your midwife and ask for an earlier scan and to also talk about options. My first pregnancy the pessary was removed at 36 weeks and I had her at 37 weeks, second pregnancy they removed the pessary when I had my c-section, no problems at all. X

Thankyou, do you remember how many weeks you were when you had the pessary fitted? I’ve rang the hospital today and asked about it but basically told I have to wait for my appointment in 2 weeks and that they weren’t that concerned from the scan report. Just worried that it’s such a long time away!

I can’t quite remember with my first, but with my second it was around 17/18 weeks as we knew about it from my first pregnancy, so they were pretty on it. The hard thing is they want to
leave it long enough to see change but understandably you want it seen. Could you try your midwife and ask if they could just wait one week rather than two? Explain you’re worrying xx

Yeah that’s what worries me, the waiting! I might try my midwife on Monday and see what she says, they seem very blasé about it at the hospital

I’ve actually booked a private scan for Wednesday with a clinic that is run by a midwife who also works at the hospital I go to so hoping she might be able to explain a bit more.

Hate the anxiety of not knowing, suddenly feel really detached from baby which is making me sad! We’ve had quite a few early losses between my daughter and this baby so to make it this far and now the uncertainty is horrible

Oh I really feel for you! I remember when I was told with my first it was awful. Try and take the positives that they’ve scanned and measured, as it isn’t standard in most hospitals (mine was only found due to chance).

also I think it’s maybe good that they’re laid back, as if they felt that it was a dangerous length I think they’d rush through.

However I’m an anxious person and I know I wouldn’t stop worrying, so I’d definitely get in touch with your midwife and say how much it’s stressing you. Hopefully the private scan can give you some answers too. I don’t use Mumsnet much so not sure if you can private message, but if you can, feel free to message me
😂

Yeah maybe I should take it as a good thing that they’re laid back, I automatically think that I’m not being cared for properly 🙈

I’m such an anxious person and even more so when pregnant so find it really hard to not think the worst! Will definitely try and speak to my midwife on Monday, not seeing her until the end of September.

thankyou, I don’t actually think I have the option to private message on my phone app, not seen it 🤔 but thanks so much for messaging on here, helps to write everything down sometimes!

I had short cervix due to having cancer treatment and was measured fortnightly from the start of pregnancy. Can’t remember my measurements now but they just monitored it and never got to stage where I needed a stitch. Also I seem to remember they would not do a stitch after a certain point - maybe 24 weeks? I would say to trust they know what their doing but if you’re worried speak to midwife and see what her thoughts are on your measurements as a 2nd opinion. Xx

Hi OP, I also had to have a cervix scan at 20 weeks this pregnancy as I was fully dilated when I had my c section with my first 4 years ago. Mine measured 26mm which seemed way too close to the cut off even though they said it was 'nice and long 🙄' so I asked them to re scan me 2 weeks later to double check. Glad I did as in that time it had shortened to 15mm and started to funnel.

I opted to have the stitch to be safe which was a bit painful but has been fine since and I'm now 32 weeks and it's still holding 🙂

@Mekw sorry to hear about your cancer treatment, good that it never got to the stage of needing a stitch. Yes I think I’ve read that 24 weeks is the cut off for a stitch too. Got private scan tomorrow so really hoping it’s not got any shorter and I can avoid the stitch too 🙏

@Lollypop0101 gosh that was lucky you pushed for a second scan. Great that all has been well since your stitch and 32 weeks is brilliant, seems so far off for me atm!!

Did either of you have progesterone as well? I’ve been given 200mg to take vaginally at night and jeez it’s making me uncomfortable! I had from 7-16 weeks but was told I could use rectally and had no issues but vaginal this time is so much worse!

Well I had my private scan today and it was measuring 29mm! So who knows what’s going on. Let’s hope last weeks 20mm was an incorrect measurement and when I go back next week they will say it’s normal 🙏