Incompetent cervix and success stories

Hi
I am 21wks pregnant at the moment following a pre-term loss at 24wks. No reason could be found for my pre-term loss and so after some reading up I am self-diagnosing as 'incompetent cervix'.

I am having fortnightly checks at the hospital and my cervix is currently >42mm straight and closed. Which I know is all good but does anybody know how quickly the cervix changes so that a pre-term labour is imminent??

I am sorry this is probably very depressing for everyone but I was hoping someone could give me some success stories to lift my rapidly decreasing sanity.
Cheers, Tess.

Hey Darl...I hope Bec-G pops in here as I know she has a similar story :)

Bec G will post when she gets home she is over here for coffee and has told me to let you know.

Hi Tess,
I have an incompetant cervix diagnosed after 2 mid term losses after pushing for alot of doctors to look further into my history. Tell tale signs were there including painless delievery and no contraction pain but I had the rupture happen before anyone could look and see if my cervix was shortening until my second pregnancy.
As you said your cervix length is fantastic at the moment and quiet often with IC in between 16-24 weeks the cervix is started to feel the weight of the bub as it no longer "floats" and settles putting stress on the cervix and starts to either funnel or shorten.
As far as time frame if something starts to happen it can be picked up in ultrasounds and acted upon quickly ( I was having them fortnightly). My second pregnancy was treated as a suspect IC pregnancy and at 18 weeks my cervix measured the grand sum of 1.6cm and a week later my membranes ruptured (I have heard that women often can have ultrasounds that indicate IC at 1ish cm and a rescue cerledge is done). I also never went into labour after my membranes ruptured I lingered for another couple of weeks in hospital.
All this said I did go on and have a preventive cerledge done with my 3rd pregnancy and carried with a cervix length of about 3.8 for the duration of the pregnancy to 37 weeks. Usually preventive stitches are more sucessful than those done under emergency situations.
I know all too well how it is to venture into another pregnancy with no clear answers for why and what went wrong and arming yourself with information is really important. IC is a bugger as no signs tend to show on the outside but watch for any mucusy discharge and any pressure. Dont lift heavy objects, stay off your feet when you can and if you can limit intimate contact. From my high risk specialist that deals with alot of cervix problems he told me that cervix length is usually between 5-3 in the first 2 tri and then it can shorten naturally in the 3rd, anything below 2 is a warning sign and that was my cut off point to be admitted to hospital before 32 weeks
Did your loss of Thomas start with any warning signs?
Big hugs hun....I'm always here to answer anything
I know Thomas will be looking over you during this pregnancy and hopefully deliever you one healthy well cooked bub
Bec

Many thanks for your response BecG - with Thomas I had no warning signs that I can think of except I did have a lot of discharge for about 2wks prior to labour starting.

I don't have any discharge at the moment and for the last 3wks I have spent 90% of my time lying down - I was hoping that if I put myself on semi-bed rest now then it will delay the onset of problems. I am really not sure what to think to be honest - I can feel bub low in my tummy but she has always been like that.

I will see what my cervix is like next week and then possibly ask about a preventative stitch?? I guess the doctors will not know if I have an IC until things happen in this pregnancy too.

Thank you again for your post - it is reassuring to know that success can be achieved.
Cheers, Tess.

Tess,
my only real advice is if it doesnt feel right act on it, even as silly as it may be. I rang my obst with Charlotte my second bub the day before and got as far as the receptionist that could only fit me in the following day...my waters ruptured at 2am thru the night, I often wonder what would of happened if I pushed to see him the day before.
Bec

I am so sorry to hear about your second bub BecG - all these 'what-if' questions sail through my mind all the time too. I am sure there was nothing that could have been done unfortunately by anyone - I am sure that does not help and I am so sorry.

I have my 22wk appointment tomorrow so will see what happens.

Thank you again for your advice.
T.

Tess,
Each week brings a bigger sigh of relief and as silly as it sounds 30 weeks to me was bliss and I could finally start to enjoy the pregnancy. Good luck tomorrow I hope it is a very cruisey appointment...just keep on telling them that you are concerned because of the loss of Thomas that tends to not dismiss you are a paranoid mother especially as you approach 24 weeks mine was 20 which in my case was a hard hurdle to overcome.
Bec

Hi BecG
Just wanted to let you know that todays appointment went well - my cervix is still closed and >4cm. I am feeling very relieved and I know this will not last over the next 2wks, but my 24wks is closer now than it was before so I need to just keep doing what I am doing. I have that 30wk mark in my mind too - its at that point I will be able to tell family too so it is a BIG milestone.

Thanks again - T.