Anyone had a weak cervix during pregnancy???

[sweetheart]

I'm prbably being totally neurotic here.

I'm 10 weeks pregnant at the moment but I gave birth to a 13 week old foetus in January.

I've been getting some feelings of pressure (down there) and the only thing I can liken it to is the feeling I had when I was giving birth to the last baby.

I'm worried that falling pregnant so quickly hasn't given my body time to recover/prepare.

A friend mentioned about having a weak cervix and having a stich put in - I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of this and if the feelings I'm having sound like what would happen.

TIA

My friend had that done and I don't think she had any problems with it. She was ordered to stay on the couch and rest for entire pregnancy.

Yes, I think it's called cerclage. I had an effaced cervix 6 mos into 1st pg & had to stay on back for last trimestre. I remember the feelings of pressure all too well. Ask your doc. Good luck! xx

so the feelings of pressure could be caused by a weak cervix then?????

bump - please - I'm really worried now?!?!?!?

would this be picked up on a scan or anything - or would I need to contact my mw and say specifically that I can feel pressure????

Sweetheart, I had a cone biopsy and consequently the m/w and consultant took extra care with me because there is a chance of an 'incompetent cervix'(what an awful term) after such surgery. I'm 27 weeks now and have been worried sick althroughout my pregnancy and I'm still holding my legs closed, lol, so I understand your worry.

An incompetent cervix can really only be diagnosed once you lost a fetus (usually in the second trimester - which is heartbreaking). It sounds a bit like what happened to you. Now, don't panic there is a lot they can do !

Firstly, go to your m/w asap and ask her for a scan of your cervix, where they measure the size of your cervix and whether it's still closed. If the cervix looks strong they won't do much else except perhaps offer you scanning regularly if you are still worried. If the cervix looks weak they might suggest putting in a cerlage, i.e. stitch your cervix shut under a general. They usually do this cerlage after the 14th week when the fetus starts to get to heavy for the cervix. There is also a more modern way of doing it, where they just insert some sort of ring round your cervix which is a far less invasive procedure but I'm not sure they offer this on the NHS. The stitch or ring will then be removed by week 37 and labour usually sets in quite soon after that. Now, the problem with the cerlage is that, as mentioned, you will have to bedrest for the rest of your pregnancy, secondly sometimes the actual surgery can onset labour which makes you loose the fetus or it can cause an infection in the womb. However, these things seem to be relatively rare and most people have no problem, but they still prefer only to do the cerlage in an emergency when the cervix is starting to give, which is why scanning regularly is sometimes the better option to surgery.

(Can you tell I've read up about it?)

Anyway, my advice is to get in touch with your m/w, explain your history and ask for a cervical scan (it's done internally but it doesn't hurt) asap and meanwhile don't do any sports or have sex and try not to stand up for too long.

Good Luck !!!

Thanks for the info Rochwen - it all sounds very worrying.

The baby I lost last time had heart problems so nothing to do with my cervix - I'm just really worried that if I go to the mw she'll think I'm totally neurotic and just making up problems!!!

I would still check with your midwife, if nothing else to put your mind at rest.
A friend of mine lost a baby in her second trimester due to an infection but with her subsequent pregnancy was diagnosed with incompetent cervix. She had the stitch put in and did have to take it easy although she wasn't confined to bed. She had a perfectly healthy daughter at about 36/37 weeks so try not to worry, even if it is this it should be fine as long as it's diagnosed.

I agree with Sponge, do phone the midwife, and I would ask for a scan !

There are other reasons for feeling pressure 'down there', a friend of mine had the same problem and she was diagnosed with a 'curved cervix' which pressed into her vagina. It didn't cause any problems with her pregnancy (on the contrary the consultant told her that her cervix is particularly strong due to it's shape), it just felt a bit uncomfortable. She did buy herself a maternity belt to support the bump and that made her feel better.

Go on phone the m/w and put your mind at ease.

From what you have said sweetheart I do not think there is any evidence that you have a weak cervix so try not to worry about that. I agree you need to speak to your midwife to discuss it as it is something you are worrying about.

It is not unusual to feel pressure down there as you approach 12 weeks. That is because the pregnancy is in the pelvis at the moment and does cause pressure. As it lifts out of the pelvis the pressure will be relieved. You may be extra sensitive to it because of what happened last time. Do call your midwife.

Thank you very much for your opinion Mears - it is very comforting to hear. Is there any chance you could be my 24 hour on call personal midwife person (only joking!!!!)

I have booked myself in for a telephone consultation this afternoon so hopefully that will sort things out.

That's good sweetheart. Hopefully she will be able to reassure you

Sweatheart, have you managed to get hold of the m/w yet?

Sorry to have frightened you, sweetheart! I must have logged off just after having posted my last message on this thread. I hope you are okay! My gyn/ob could tell by feeling the cervix whether or not it was effaced. It is very important that you get it seen to, if only for your own peace of mind. It may be nothing at all... I'm certainly no authority on the subject & all pregnancies are different.

I spoke to the midwife and discribed the feelings I've been getting - I didn't mention cervical incompetance as I didn't want to sounds like I'd been eating medical dictionary's for lunch.

She said unless there is any pain or bleeding there isn't really much she can do at this stage.

I've got a scan and appt with my the consultant at the hospital in a week and a half so I'm going to mention it to her and see what she thinks.

Thanks for the info and advice. I'm trying not to worry.

Don't worry, sweetheart. It won't help. Comfort yourself with the fact that if it was a serious problem, they'd have you in asap. (Or maybe not; my experience with the NHS has not be great! ) but in any case, rest as much as possible. Before I was diagnosed with an effaced cervix, I had been walking around Rome with dh for 3 days & then spent 2 weeks in the States, shopping for baby clothes! On my feet all day, every day, walking and walking. Stupid.

Don't worry, sweetheart. It won't help. Comfort yourself with the fact that if it was a serious problem, they'd have you in asap. (Or maybe not; my experience with the NHS has not be great! ) but in any case, rest as much as possible. Before I was diagnosed with an effaced cervix, I had been walking around Rome with dh for 3 days & then spent 2 weeks in the States, shopping for baby clothes! On my feet all day, every day, walking and walking. Stupid.

Don't worry, sweetheart. It won't help. Comfort yourself with the fact that if it was a serious problem, they'd have you in asap. (Or maybe not; my experience with the NHS has not be great! ) but in any case, rest as much as possible. Before I was diagnosed with an effaced cervix, I had been walking around Rome with dh for 3 days & then spent 2 weeks in the States, shopping for baby clothes! On my feet all day, every day, walking and walking. Stupid.

Sorry about the triple post! Trouble with internet connection...

I'm sorry to hear you've had bad experiences. I have to say I'm not overly confident with my mw's at the moment. I haven't really had any problems with my hospital though and seeing as I'm under the consultant this time (after m/c in Jan) I'm going to take full advantage.

I just hope that I'm not taking too many risks by waiting 10 days.

My job is a desk job though and I'm taking it easy at home so I'm sitting/laying most of the day.

I'm sure I'll feel better after my scan. Thanks for the info and advice.

Actually sweetheart, I live in Switzerland & was fortunate enough to have excellent private care for both my pgs. The "bad experiences" with the NHS are not personal; I was really happy with the NHS when I lived in London in the '80s, although I was a teenager & the only illnes I had was recurring cystitis! [pain emoticon]

Can you get dh/dp or friends or family to do the shopping, cooking, etc? At least for the next 10 days?

I will take it easy for the next 10 days - just to be on the safe side. I'm just really worried that I am beginning to get neurotic. I know I'm not imagining things but I'm concerned that the constant worrying and stressing is making these things more prominent in my mind.

But then on the other hand - if something were wrong or something happened I would blame myself for not insisting on seeing a Dr sooner.

It's a no win situation isn't it!!!

Oh well, roll on 20 weeks - perhaps I can sleep my way there.

It's normal to be worried! Most mums, once they've seen the blue line on the stick, start worrying about their dc(s) and continue to do so until they've (the mums) gasped their last breaths.

Would you be able to take a few days off work next week or would that cause you even more stress & worry?

I have a short week next week anyway so that will make the week go quicker - the 3 days I'm in will be quite busy so hopefully next week will fly by.

hi i have just found out that i am 8 weeks pregnant and i was diagnosed with weak cerix 2 years ago when at 22 weeks i gave birth to my little girl who i lost.I know i have to have a stich this time but i dont really understand every thing about it could some one help please