Hi ladies,
I just thought I'd start a thread on something that I suffered with during my pregnancy, as there was little information on it when I was pregnant - and what I did find was often very negative.

I had laser surgery to remove pre-cancerous cells on my cervix 10 years ago. When I went for my 12 week scan I was told I would be under consultant care because there was a risk I might have an incompetent cervix.

However, my midwife, gp and the consultant all told me that it was highly unlikely to be a problem - and I have to say I know lots of women who have had similar surgery and not had a problem.

We ended up paying for scans and consultant appointments privately to keep an eye on my cervix. It was shrinking in length gradually. A normal cervical length is considered to be between 3 - 5 cm, mine went from 2.7cm down to 1.7cm, when they put the stitch in it was only 2mm long on one side and 8mm on the other. That was at 20 weeks pregnant.

I spent the next 17 weeks on bed rest and had my stitch taken out at 37 weeks with gas and air (which didn't do a thing). I walked round with my cervix fully effaced and dilating up to 4cm, for 3 weeks before being induced (due to pre-eclampsia) at 40 +1.

I now have a beautiful little boy who is nearly 9 months old

Thanks for this. I am currently under the care of a high risk ob due to the possibility of incompetent cervix. I am around 23 weeks and have been getting my cervix checked by ultrasound every 2 weeks. Last check it was 28mm although the sonographer said he couldn't see the bottom so it could still have been the original 31mm. I get it checked on monday again, so fingers crossed.

The reason this possible problem was brought to light was due to my DS now 2 was born at 30 weeks. I am hoping and praying I get to 37. I am a little worried as I supposedly have an irritable uterus as well, but up to now doesn't seem to be causing any probs.

i too have had the same diagnosis, i have been very lucky as all my scan have shown my cervix as being 30mm so far, i dont understadn though why you had to pay for your scans, i have left uk now but was in uk at start of pregancy and was told i would have a scan for free at 20,24,28 & 32 weeks to check my cervix

My hospital had a policy where unless you had lst two babies in the 2nd trimester they would not check for incompetent cervix regularly, they did one scan at 14 weeks and another at 20 weeks. My 14 week scan showed my cervix was already struggling to cope at 2.6cm we didn't want to take the risk.

I'm glad that other hosptials treat their patients better!

that is terrible, why should you have to go through 2 loses before they will do anything? I guess i was very lucky with my hospital then!

a question to you ladies, do you have to have a vaginal scan to measure the cervix or is it possible to measure through a normal gyn check or normal belly-scan?
i remember hearing a gyn saying my cervix is short and got a bit worried now as im experiencing vaginal cramping:/ and my gyn isnt taking it serious at all:/

i have had mine measured through normal belly scans, as long as you have a full bladder they can measure the length of your cervix

To get an accurate reading it's recommended that you have a vaginal scan. To be honest I would insist upon having an internal scan rather than a normal tummy scan - all the medical research papers recommend that the cervical scans are odne that way.

Lillprutton, I'd look at getting a second opinion, but when I had my cervical scans done I was told that you can't get an accurate cervical length measurement until you're about 16 weeks pregnant because the endometric layer gets in the way until then.

Oh sweetheart, I'm so sorry, I can only imgaine how awful that must be for you

I was so lucky that they managed to get an emergency stitch in and save Alex, if you want to pm me at any time pelase do. I've found that support on this website has been a huge help.

Do your doctors have a care plan in place for this pregnancy?

Hi. Thanks for this thread. I also had moderate pre-cancerous cells removed...but they didn't do laser, I had to go in and have a D&C to remove the tip of my cervix. I had this procedure down about 6 years ago. I have NO IDEA how this is going to effect my current pregnancy. This is our first. I mentioned it to the nurse practitioner when I went in for my first physical exam at around 5 weeks and she said it could be a concern and a specialist will have to look at my cervix.

What do you girls think???? And when should I "request" to be looked at. She never noted anything about it in my chart so they probably won't even bring it up again until i do. I go in for my first ultrasound this friday (8weeks1day).

Any opinions will be appreciated. It took us so long to get to where we are at today and I don't want to risk losing my baby. I want to prevent a miscarriage if possible due to my cervix.