Short cervix at 18 weeks!!

[Loub]

During my 18 week anomaly scan it was noticed I have a very short cervix (1.5cm)- I think this is due to a loop diathermy treatment I had 5 hrs ago for pre cancerous cells. The obstetrician called me in and prescribed progesterone suppositories. I'm still working full time though as dr said i dont need to be off on bed rest but im terrified I'll lose my baby. I just wondered if anyone else was diagnosed with a similarly short length so early on? And has anyone been prescribed progesterone or advised bed rest?

I just hope I can hold on another 10 weeks at least !!!!

[Loub]

Well, after posting last week I went for my weekly scan with the hospital and my cervix has shortened even more to 1 cm at 19+4 weeks! My obstetrician suggested an emergency cerclage and I was admitted the next day.
although I was gutted the cervix had shortened even further I was actually releived that there was going to be a solution to the problem.
I was very nervous going into surgery in case my waters were accidentally broken in surgery but they said as there was no evidence of dialation that was positive.
I had a general anesthetic , the procedure was apx 45 mins and I woke in recovery feeling ok. I was kept in overnight and given some pretty strong antibiotics via an iv drip ( which was the most painful part!) there was a bit of pain and waking was hard for the first two days but generally I feel pretty good.
I've been given oral antibiotics to take of a week and return to have my cervical length monitored every wеek to check the stitch is holding. They said they only managed to gain 0.5cm in length from the stitch as I didn't have very much of a cervix left from my loop diathermy procedure previously!!!
I'll be off work for a week to ensue the stitch heals properly then back to normal activities - but obviously have to take things easy- no lifting etc.... Not sure about sex or Stairs yet- I'll have to a ask later.
I am very pleased though with the care I received in hospital and all the doctors and nurses we great- I was at the RPA in Sydney as a public patient and can't praise them enough.

[aussiemidwife]

Hi Loub - I hope that you've had an uneventful recovery after the cervical stitch has been put in. Only a week off work? It doesn't seem very long. Have you been advise to have any other treatment such as progesterone suppositories or Nitroglycerin patches?

[aussiemidwife]

I though you might be interested in what a cervical stitch (suture) looks like. This photograph was sent to me by one of my clients to share with others (who gave birth after her due date by the way).

cervical-suture-web.jpg

It is quite thick. Is it what you expected?

[Lucky120]

I was not diagnosed early with a short cervix. I was actually over the term of pregnancy when I had to have surgery. They checked me until the last few days, and then the same day I was admitted. They actually tried to dilate me, but that did not work at all. Wow one week I am sorry for that it sounds really short, but after my surgery I was up walking to be honest. Which I knew I had to so that I could go home as well. Hope you get better and good luck. I know I was a little late on this post. Hope everything went well.