Shortening cervix

I'm 19w today and I've had this (probably paranoid) worry that my cervix could be shortening without me knowing it or having any idea. The peri told me to watch out for any fluid leakage or bleeding of which I've had none but I can't shake this worried (actually panicky feeling).

I posted last week about having some stabbing crotch pains, and over the weekend I had some pain in my abdomen and still have, it almost feels sore and is kind of a radiating pain that comes and goes but when I feel my stomach it is soft so I don't think it's braxton hicks but....

Anyway I guess I'm feeling worried and am wondering if there is anything that I should be looking out for that might indicate that my cervix was shortening/funneling/dilating/etc.....

Thanks so much for any advice...

 

Erica,

I don't think that there is really any way to tell, besides having an u/s to get a measurement. Have you had one yet? I know it's worrisome, I worried constantly throughout my pregnancy because I was on bedrest for a shortening cervix!! I would try to focus on the things that you can control, like drinking plenty of water, eating enough, and resting.

The pain that you are describing sounds more like round ligament pain, which comes and goes during the pregnancy. If it was BH, your tummy would tighten and you would be able to feel it by pressing on it.

:hug99: Try not to worry...easier said than done, I know!!

 

Thanks, I have had a number of cervical check u/s already and my cervix has always measured around 47mm so the dr's haven't been too concerned (unfortunately that doesn't help my worry in between appointments)

DH and I have been having sex pretty frequently and the Dr didn't say anything about being on any type of restrictions even after I asked but I also worry that we probably shouldn't be (lucky for him my drive has been heightened) so we have been

I have an appointment with the ob on Wednesday and the peri on Thursday so hopefully that will put my mind at ease some.

Thanks!

 

47 is great!!!

I know what you mean about worrying in between appointments...I was usually ok for the first 4 or 5 days, then the worry set in again!!

 

Yup that's exactly it, I'm ok the day of and a few days after but then the worry sets in again. I am feeling pretty good that the babies are doing ok but I'm PETRIFIED that my cervix is shortening and I should be on bed rest or restricting activites but I'm not and I'll go in and it'll be too late to do anything.

I know a lot of this is irrational but I know it happens so it's SO hard not to worry, Wednesday can't come soon enough!!!

 

Hi Erica. I am right there with ya with the worrying. I will tell you that from what my doctors have told me, it takes a while for the cervix to shorten. So, if you measured 47mm, which is great, it would take several weeks for it to get down to a bad number. I actually have a short cervix and am on bedrest for it so I have asked a million questions and have always been told that it does not go from good to bad overnight. I am a worrier too so I tend to think the worst but for what its worth I hope that info. helps.

 

Thanks that's REALLY good to know and does put some of my fears to rest. I have an ob appt today and a peri appt on thurdsay and they'll check my cervix at both appt's so hopefully that will also help stomp out my worries (for the time being anyway!)

 

I have the same fears too. At 19 weeks i was having a lot of those pains too. The stabbing pains to your cervix could be a baby with a foot or hand down there. I still get them but not as much anymore. The fear never really goes away. Soon you will be worried about contrax. I have been to L&D 3 times for me being worried about PTL.

 

Sorry to hear about your fear, but if you are worried about it, make sure to keep getting it checked.

I had transvaginal u/s (every 2 weeks) through most of my last pregnancy with my son, due to preterm (24 weeks) infant loss of my daughter, from incompetent cervix which caused chorioamnionitis. They caught my cervix changes at 18 weeks with my son, we had to take action at 22 weeks to stop the funneling and opening. I was put on bedrest from 22 weeks through delivery at 35w 6d. I was hospitalized at 30 weeks with 100% effacement and 1cm dilation (had 1cm the whole time from 20 weeks on) I got steroid shots and was having very mild contractions I didn't even know I was having. I was released to complete bedrest for the next almost 6 weeks, but it was ok. Once they took out the pessary I went from 1cm to 3-4cm in about 20 seconds at 11am. I was 10cm by 6pm that evening.


Anytime you feel strange, get checked out, better safe then sorry.

 

If your cervix was 47mm and being checked regularly, that's awesome!!

Mine was down to nothing at my very first measurement at 16 weeks. I had absolutely no signs or symptoms, and without that measurement, I'd have lost my girls.

 

47 sounds great. I have a shortening cervix and no signs what so ever. I am at almost 26 weeks and 23mm. At my 20 weeks we saw it was at 2.9, but had already been having issues prior to that.

 

Try not to worry as long as you are seeing your peri regularly. My cervix shortened/funneled from over 4cm to 1.9cm within the two week frame of my appointments. I had absolutely no idea-no symptom whatsoever. I know that sounds scary but the point is, the u/s will catch it and your doctor will do whatever is necessary to fix it. In my case, I had an emergency cerclage placed and it's kept them in from that point (20 weeks) until now (34w3d) and still doing its job. I am the world's worst worrier and being on bed rest for over 3 months doesn't exactly help-all the more opportunities to worry. Just try to clear your head of those thoughts in any way you can. For me, it's been reciting affirmations about the boys' and my health and happiness. Crossword puzzles help too! Good luck!

 

Had my cervix measured after having my cerclage stitch put in 2 weeks ago. I am measuring 3.94cm, we are quite happy.