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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

trying to be seen early for incompetent cervix

15 replies

Gigamama · 07/05/2010 10:14

Hi
I need some advice. I have an incompetent cervix and this time i need to get a stitch done early at around 12-14 weeks i was hoping.

I have booked in to the hospital and have a scan booked at 12 weeks (currently 9 weeks) but i have been told a consultant appointment will be generated after ive had the scan! therefore i may not get to see a consultant until 14 or more weeks and then getting booked in for surgery will take even more weeks i am afraid by that time my cervix will be already thinning. My booking in notes state i need to be seen asap because of IC but seems i am just in the normal pregnancy system.

What can i do? I don't even know the consultants names. Should i try and chase the hospital and demand appointments earlier?

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2ndDestiny · 07/05/2010 11:16

Yes I think you should. Have you spoken to your midwife about it yet? I would have thought she should be referring you for a more urgent consultant appt., that's how it works in my area, although it seems to work differently in other places. Good luck.

OnlyWantsOne · 07/05/2010 12:04

Go and see your GP and MW and stamp your feet

nunnie · 07/05/2010 13:17

How do you know you have an incompetant cervix? There is a reason I am asking honestly.

nunnie · 07/05/2010 13:38

I have just realised that is a deeply personal question. If an incompetent cervix has been diagnosed then wait for your 12 week appointment.

I am only saying this, because I have had previous gynae surgery that has left my cervix weaker and shorted than "normal" it was monitored well throughout my last pregnancy and i was given steroids at 27 weeks as my cervix became softer.
I went on to have my dd a week early, shorter cervix meant quick labour (almost didn't make it).

I am pregnant again, and already have my cervix measuring scan booked for next week (just under 16 weeks), it is a monday morning so the consultant will be there to discuss the results with me.

Try and get your scan appointment changed to a day when the consultant is in the ante natal clinic, that way your midwife can get him to come in and chat with you.

Hope that makes sense, all my appointments are automatically booked on my consultant visit morning for this reason, I am suprised your aren't, that should be done as standard with history.

Try not to worry, I am sure they will get you a consultant appointment sooner than what you were quoted on the phone.

LittleSilver · 07/05/2010 13:48

Have you considered getting a consultant's name and ringing up their secretary? I wouldn't hang about either, it doesn't sound as if they are listening to you at all. Good luck in getting a consultant's appt asap.

nunnie · 07/05/2010 13:56

I should have also said, that my midwife hadn't read my previous notes, or my newly filled out ones. But once I told her she seemed to take action quickly.

So if you are really worried about the delay, ring back and ask to speak to a midwife as I am not sure they read your notes on referral or even when you get there. I am pretty sure if you explain your history things will be dealt with at a quicker pace.

Hope you get it all sorted and get seen very soon.

missdt · 07/05/2010 14:05

nunnie, may I ask how they diagnosed your i.c. in your first pregnancy? I ask because I have had some surgery and there is a chance it's weakened my cervix. I'm seeing the obstetrician next week (I will be 14 weeks then) - is there a test they can do?

Sorry for crashing the thread...

confusedmummie · 07/05/2010 14:17

Hi i am seriously confused last week i had to go to a G.U clinic to have tests done and she done a routine preg test aswell it shown that it was positve, next day had emergency internal scanning but no sign of a baby and another negative result today and i have coil in place so has this happened to any1 b4 and what has happend??

nunnie · 07/05/2010 14:30

I wasn't diagnosed with I.C, my cervix is weaker and shorter than a normal one. But and I.C would only have been diagnosed if my cervix opened too early and caused premature labour. Mine didn't.

I had a loop excision biopsy for abnormal cells in 2002. That was the surgery I had that caused concern.

In my first pregnancy I went for cervical scan at 16 weeks, to measure length. Was told it was shorter than normal, which in itself isn't too much to worry about, and was informed it could make the delivery through the birth canal quicker, causing a quick labour, and was told not to hang about if I thought I was in labour to go straight in for this reason.

I then had my cervix examined at 27 weeks and was given steroids as cervix was softeneing and the steroids were to develop the babies lungs incase of premature delivery.

Also surgery on your cervix can cause infections, so I had to have swabs taken at 16 weeks and then again at 27 weeks.

This pregnancy is looking like the same set up, I have appointment on monday for cervical scan, and swabs.

Hope that helps. There was no painful procedures, just normal vaginal scan that is the same as the one given in very early pregnancy. And smear like set up for swabs. And an internal off a lady with tiny tiny hands .

missdt · 07/05/2010 14:43

Ha ha thank goodness for people with tiny hands!

Thank you that's really useful. I had the loop biopsy too so I'll make sure they keep an eye on my cervix. Good luck with yours!

nunnie · 07/05/2010 14:50

missdt, hope all goes well with you and your bump, I am sure they will monitor you well, try not to worry, I know it's hard not to when you don't know what to expect.

Original poster

Gigamama · 07/05/2010 15:11

Thanks everyone, well i have just rang them and after a bit of twoing and froing it was suggested that i may get to see a consultant shortly after my dating scan if the midwife thinks i need too. tbh the midwife didn't really know but i guess i'll go in a few weeks to my scan and just do everything i can to get seen then and there.

I know i have IC because i lost my 3rd baby at 23 weeks after going into preterm labour.
4th baby i had cervical scans to check my length and at 23 weeks it was shown as 2cm dialated and only 1-2cm thick a rescue stitch was put in -bedrest, threatened labour etc but i got to term
5th baby hoping to get the stitch in early to prevent any thinning. 1st and 2nd baby were term babys - drs are baffled as to how and why i have IC, some even said it was impossible after i had my 3rd baby but the 4th kinda prooved it :/

OP posts:

nunnie · 07/05/2010 15:31

Sorry for your previous loss. I can see why you want the stitch early. Be pushy and see someone before you leave after your scan.
Hope all goes well and you get the stitch asap.

Really sorry for asking that question I know it was very personal and shouldn't have asked it at all.

jellybeans · 07/05/2010 16:20

I have IC and a blood disorder. This was after previous normal births at full term. I had 1-2 weekly scans (dep on results) from 16 weeks and an emergency stitch at 21 weeks when I was dilating at the same stage I lost my DD the year before. I sympathise as it was so scary but thankfully I got to 38 weeks and DS is now 18 months old .

I agree about pushing to see someone sooner, I was seen at 7 weeks (bereavement midwife got me seen quickly) and was seen 4 weekly as I was high risk. I would contact a senior midwife and demand an appointment. Good luck x

jellybeans · 07/05/2010 16:22

by the way, so sorry for your loss It's so horrible loosing a baby like this x

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