Cervical Shortening

[NaeNae]

HI,

I was just wondering how many people have cervical shortening. This is the reason why my dear little NIkita was born so early. I had cervical shortening with bulging membranes and simply could not hang on to her any more.

I don't know how common this is, if it will continue with any/every other pregnancy we have, whether or not I will have to have a stitch done there is so little information on the net.

Niki has only just passed and I am sure this is part of the grieving process but I cannot help feel somewhat responsible for her early arrival. But then how could I have known without her help IYKWIM.

Anyway, I would be interested to hear from other ladies, midwives etc who have some experience in this area.

Thanks
Nae x

[DiannaQ]

Nae Nae - I can't help you with your question - but just wanted to say I'm so terribly sad for your loss - be kind to yourself this was totally out of your hands - take time to grieve

[Rumpleteaser]

I don't really know much, but hoping by bringing this post back, you might be able to find an answer.

[Visitor9]

NaeNae,
I suffer from incompetent cervix and have had 3 pregnancys that have had been all treated in different ways as many specialist didnt have a great deal of knowledge. I was so blessed to come across a obst that finally told me what I had and what I needed to do to sustain a pregnancy.
My first pregancy was tainted with many problems but finally at 17 weeks my membranes ruptured, the second was smooth until I pushed my obst to get a radiographer to do a cervic length check with I was told it was ok when it was a ticking time bomb and my membranes once again ruptured at 20 weeks.
I needed answers and finally through a chance meeting I met the man who finally diagnosed me and gave me the hope of "carrying a baby" to full term.
I had a cercledge done under a general anaesetic at 13 weeks after the obst deemed my pregnancy viable and was in hospital overnight. I had a week at my parents house in bed until I was checked by him and had a scan done 2 week to confirm the stitch was in a favourable place. My cervix in the second pregnacy was 1.4cm when they decided that I was ok...in my last pregnancy it never went below 4cm but if it did shorten lower than 2 it was hospitalisation for me.
It was hard finding someone that did great stitches, and believe me it can be the difference between a pregnancy that is hard and trying to hang on and the stitch holding and having little impact on your life and bub once it has been placed in.
I did have to travel to see my stitch man but look locally for obst that deal in multiples as this is a common problem in weight bearing on the cervix...they are doctors that deal with this. I found I was ringing hospitals and talking to the midwives and finding out who was the best to do this procedure.
Good luck it is so heart breaking to lose a bub but in such a cruel way as it can be prevented by good monitoring.
Bec

[NaeNae]

Thanks Bec for posting your story

I didn't know what the name for it was but thanks to your post I have been able to find so much information on Cervical Incompetance, and knowledge is power. Its a devasting way to find out that something is not quite right with your body. I don't know about you but you can't help but feel responsible for its effect on your childrens life.

I am still very very new to all of this, but I cannot help feel grateful to Nikita without her and this horrible ordeal I may never have known there was something not right. Though I have not officially been diagnosed with it I will be making sure that next time every precaution is taken.

I also found out that even a small biopsy can have a weakening effect on the cervix. I had a Kolposcopy (sp??) in my early 20's after a pap came back abnormal. I don't think I even mentioned this to my ob who was looking after my pregnancy with Niki, nor do I recall the drs at the time ever telling me about the risks etc. but it was a long time ago.

I cannot wait to sit down with my ob and find out what happens from here. I need to know what happens from here so I can prepare myself mentally and physically if possible for next time.

Maybe BB can add Cervical Incompetance into its main section here along with the GD stuff as it is not that uncommon and could be a great opportunity for ladies who's cervix "misbehave" to share their stories and offer hope an dinformation to others in the future.

Nae x

[Rumpleteaser]

I'm glad that you have found an answer to your question Nae. But I'm now going to google this myself as I also had a colposcopy and laser diathermy after an abnormal PAP and it has me thinking/concerned. My Ob is aware of my history, but this has never been mentioned as a risk or possiblity. I will mention it at my next apponitment.