Anyone have to deal with a small cervix?

phillytanya · August 2015

I had an ultrasound two weeks ago at 19 weeks pregnant and my cervix is 2.2 centimeters. They told me not to worry, unless it goes below that. I looked it up online and it said doctors will try a stich or hormones under 2.2 centimeters. I am also having painless contractions. My stomach tightens and I get just a little back pain.
While writing this I was waiting to see the doctor. I just seen her. I have not dialated any, however, since my cervix was smaller than it was supposed to be, they are going to give me an ultrasound to check the size of the cervix.
Now the doctor just came back and told me she wants me to go to labor and delivery in the hospital after the ultrasound no matter what the size of the cervix is because of me having more than one contraction per hour. She just told me I am at the stage where they can give me medicine to mature the babys lungs and to stop the labor.
Anyone have any similar happen?

casicatalana · August 2015

I had my 20 week anatomy scan and they (the perinatal specialists) found my cervix was even shorter than yours. They were adamant about me having the stitch (a cerclage) that same day, Monday. I got a second opinion from my OBGYN and had the cerclage that evening. They confirmed the procedure was successful and that my cervix is now at a normal length.I did not have any contractions nor any dillating that you are having. I was scared to have the procedure at first but the medical team helped make it a fluid and relatively low-stress experience. I'm on bed rest for two weeks now til my next ultrasound but its ok since I work from home (my laptop) anyways. Hang in there! Take time to decide what's right for you and breathe or hold on to someone that helps you feel secure if you feel overwhelmed with all the decision making. Sending love your way!

casicatalana · August 2015

More info on having a cerclage- The actual procedure took about 45 mins from start to finish and that included preptime. I was given an epidural and was awake through the procedure. This is my first pregnancy so I no idea what an epidural would feel like. Surprisingly I didnt even feel them do it whereas before I was so fearful of it. The ultrasound will be helpful for you and your whole medical team
to know more about some next step options for you. But if you do choose the cerclage, I hope my experience was able to give you a bit more information.

LauraSmarterSpam · August 2015

No experience with a small cervix, but I just wanted to let you know that I hope everything works out well!

DS was born 2 months premature and was only able to get one steroid shot. I sure hope baby hangs in there and they can stop your contractions!

breezypip · August 2015

I just got back from the doctor with a similar, though not quite as dire, experience.

I'm 21 1/2 weeks and I've had some slight brown spotting, no pain for a day or two. My pelvic exam showed a closed but "sensitive" cervix. To be safe the doctor ordered an ultrasound for today. While my cervix looked great at my AS two weeks ago, now it has shortened to about 2.4-2.5 cm.

They are having me come back in a week for a follow up ultrasound where they will determine whether or not I need to go on progesterone suppositories. They mentioned if it continues to get bad after that they will put in stitches. No exercise or strenuous activity.

I'm am now terrified, as I'm sure you are as well. I would take whatever advice they give you. I'm just hoping my doctors are being aggressive enough so it doesn't get dire.

I will be thinking of you and let me know how everything goes!

mikkitan · August 2015

At my 18 week scan my cervix was about 2.5cm. They said there was nothing to be concerned about unless in shortened below that. I went in for a repeat scan 3 days later as they couldn't view baby's head properly as he was so far down my pelvis. It just so happened that at this scan my cervix had shortened to 19mm and was put on progesterone pessaries. A week later my cervix was between 1-2cm so they put a stitch in 2 days later.My OB and professor (MFM) said my cervix was quite soft when they put the stitch in. 10 days later my cervix hasn't shortened any further but part of it has torn through the stitch so now I've been told to be on bed rest. I don't know why in Australia, they don't really advocate bed rest and the docs always mention how the evidence for bed rest being effective is really poor ( as in, there aren't many studies to suggest bed rest will prolong your pregnancy). But it makes sense to me to be off your feet and having pressure off the cervix.
I haven't had any contractions as you have mentioned and cervix is closed so hopefully it stays that way!

azimum · August 2015

@phillytanya i am going through something similar. prior to 20 weeks I was 3.9cm, @ 21 weeks 2.9cm, and @ 23 weeks 2.2cm. I've also been experiencing contractions of varying degrees that my MFM believes is the reason for my shortening cervix. Based on how aggressively my cervix is shortening, she recommended I get steroid shots at 24 weeks, which I will be getting scheduled today. I also started progesterone suppositories yesterday, so I'm hoping that will help! BTW, I was told that at 23 weeks it was too late to get a cerclage, and from what I have researched at that point the risks do outweigh any potential benefits this far along.

good luck to all of us, hopefully we can keep these babies cooking as long as possible!

phillytanya · August 2015

They were every two minutes for two hours, I fell asleep for a half hour and now I am not having them. I am waiting on them to do an exam to check my cervix.

Beckah31 · August 2015

I had a pre-emptive cerclage at 13 weeks due to preterm labor at 23 weeks last pregnancy. That pregnancy did not have good results, they weren't able to stop my labor. We also don't know if incompetent cervix caused my labor or if it was just a result of being pregnant with twins. Because of that, I take a p17 (progesterone) shot every week to prevent contractions, and am very closely monitored. So far the stitch has held. I'm only 21 weeks though.
Follow your doctor's advice, and don't be afraid to ask for a referral to an MFM- high risk doctor if they haven't already.
Having the stitch put in was very simple. I was given a spinal, and I didn't feel anything. Because I had no dilation and my cervix was still fairly long, I didn't have much pain after. A tiny bit of cramping for a couple of days. A couple of my friends had cerclages placed with shorter cervix lengths, and they were a bit more uncomfortable, but nothing major.
Being on pelvic rest isn't super fun when you're all hormonal and feeling frisky, but that's honestly been the biggest bummer for me, and it's nothing compared to a happy and healthy baby.
Prayers for you and baby.

kidcapri100 · August 2015

Cervixes can be tricky..some shorten, some funnel, and some are just short but strong. According to my high risk doctor, between 20-24 weeks is where they can determine what your cervix will do, and if by 24 weeks it is still stable but short your risk of incompetent cervix (where your cervix gives out and you go into labor) is much lower.

I have a 1.9cm cervix at 24 wks which started at 2.6cm at 16 weeks. I have had no funneling, and sometimes measure longer some weeks (cervixes can change). I too have a lot of Braxton Hicks and was told if they get progressive to go into L&D. So far nothing progressive, just sometimes up to 7 or so an hour of varying intensities. But they haven't had much of an effect on my cervix.

Make sure you are seeing a doctor who takes your cervical length seriously. I was put on progesterone once my cervix fell below 2.5 and so far it's been helping me. I also had weekly transvaginal ultrasounds to measure my cervix up until 24 weeks, and will be seen again at 28 to see if there had been any major changes.

Also know that with a short cervix you have a slightly higher risk of preterm labor - just something to keep in mind - and your cervical length around week 24 will be a big predictor of that. Generally if it's over 2cm you can estimate lasting until at least 36-37 weeks. It's more for the cervixes that are closer to 1.5 and lower where you're looking at the potential for a preemie, however it's all just an estimate.

Good luck!!

breezypip · August 2015

@kidcapri100 that information makes me feel more hopeful. I was scared to death at my doctor's appointment yesterday since I was blindsided by the short cervix diagnosis.

It's interesting that doctors seem to have different cut offs for the clerclage. My doctor told me that if things were getting worse by 24 weeks she would put in stitches (I think that's clerclage). But it sounds like that might be on the late side. What are the risks?? I know they will start me on progesterone next week if it's still looking short to start.

azimum · August 2015

From what I understand is that at a certain point, the stitches can actually irritate the cervix and cause PTL; also, if you have twins or are contracting, then you could break right through the stitches anyway. If you trust your doctor then you should go for it, I would have tried to get one myself if it wasn't too late and I wasn't having contractions.

breezypip · August 2015

@azimum ok, that makes sense. No twins here so that wouldn't be a factor. I'm definitely going to trust my doctor on this, but I also want to be an informed patient on what risks I'm taking. I'm inclined to go the most aggressive route they're willing to take when it comes to keeping the baby in there!

@phillytanya any updates? I hope things went well!

phillytanya · August 2015

Thanks everyone for the information. I found out my doctor had sent me to Labor and delivery to see if I needed the stitch. Luckily and Thank God I do not need it. My contractions stopped and they sent me home. They say the contractions most likely came from dehydration. They say my cervix is normal to be a little small considering all of the pregnancies I've had and my age. I'm 38 yrs old and I have a 20 yr old girl, 8 and 10 yr old boys, three miscarriages and now I'm pregnant with a girl. Thanks for all of the information and my prayers go out to you and your families!

phillytanya · August 2015

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Anyone have to deal with a small cervix?

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