Progesterone for short cervix

I don’t have first hand experience of this but my friend had to see a specialist as there were concerns that her cervix was an issue. She ended up taking the physical stitch as her cervix was 18mm at 18 weeks. I think they like no shorter than 24mm otherwise there’s a risk of premature labour. As the pregnancy progresses they said the cervix become shorter so maybe your consultants were right in their measurements, and as your pregnancy is progressing it’s becoming shorter? I think the progesterone is to prevent premature labour? My friend had a very long conversation with her consultant as they had given her the option of hormonal treatment or the stitch - did no one offer you a conversation to discuss your options? I’d just call them and explain how you’re feeling about multiple consultants. It’s really difficult as it is without having to deal with several different people! Xx

@Kayleigh thank you for this. The consultant I saw today looked on the system at the previous consultants measurements (the scan pictures with the measurements) and she told me "they all do it differently" I really had to bite my tongue. I trusted the Dr I saw today more than the previous drs I've seen and she was confident in her measurements and disagreed wit where the other consultants measured up to. Super frustrating! I'm just glad that I haven't had any issues and that I saw her today. Imagine if I'd of gone into pre term labour before this point and it could of been prevented 😳

Fingers crossed this will sort any potential issues out! Xx

That’s really no good having a different dr each time. If it’s any reassurance my cervix has measured differently at each scan - at 19 weeks I had the stitch as I was measuring 15mm (this had come from being 27mm the week before) I’m now on progesterone for the rest of the pregnancy too and 4 weeks post op my cervix measured 27 again! So either the progesterones doing an amazing job at lengthening / strengthening my cervix or the stitch combined has helped. I was putting the progesterone in my vagina as I thought this would be most effective, it caused me to cramp every time I used it and my consultant advised it’s actually more beneficial putting it up your back passage - lovely! But I think it wont cause me cramps now. Deffo see if you can get the same consultant although saying that they see so many people they need reminding anyway 🥶. Good luck xx

Also there’s lots of groups on here - a good one is short cervix mamas

@Jade no way, that's crazy. Must be good peace of mind for having the stitch, I hope it wasn't too bad having the op! Oh my god that's good to know about the cramping....the joys of being a woman!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ The consultant I've seen today has insisted she will see see me again, she wanted to see me in 2-3 weeks but couldn't see me for 4 weeks. At least I know it will be consistent! Thank you 😊

@Katie I totally understand how frustrated you are. I've had 2 miscarriages so they put you on progesterone really early until 16wks. I ended up in the Early Pregnancy Unit so they could work out the source of some bleeding and they measured my cervix, I think they got 14mm. I told them I'm on progesterone so that should be the case, they said I would need a stitch. They called my consultant who came down looked at the images the nurse had taken and she just said "I'm measuring you myself" she asked me to put my fists under my bum to raise my hips and did an internal exam and it was 34mm. She said it's because it's curved. So panic over . Fast forward to my 20wk scan and they said the same on ultrasound that my cervix was short, then remeasured and all of a sudden it was fine 🙈. But if you have to have a stitch my friend had that and it's great at strengthening your cervix. If you're on progesterone put it up your bum to avoid all the oily mess but it works wonders. Wishing you the best x

@Amarachi oh wow.....I can't understand how something as important as this can have such different results depending on the person doing the scanning, absolutely mind blowing. I got told by 1 of the 4 consultants that my cervix is tilted, none of the others have said that. I don't think they'll offer me the stitch now, think I'm too far down the line. I reckon if I'd of had the stitch had I seen a different consultant at some of my earlier appointments. Oh god, don't know if I can cope with putting it up my bum 🙊 I did the first one last night when I went to bed and it seemed fine so fingers crossed it stays that way! X

@Katie Yeah I know it's crazy how it all depends on who is scanning you. And the fact that 1 out of 4 CONSULTANTS could tell you your cervix is tilted is mind-blowing. That's why I always have spent and paper with me when I show up to appointments and cross check what everyone says. A sonographer told me my placenta was at the front, my consultant and another Dr said I had placenta previa and only now it's starting to move. So I show them what everyone has said and you then have to pick your person. I always believe my consultant. Haha sticking them up your bum is by far the best.My last pregnancy which ended early is put them up the front and the oil stains your underwear. Sticking them up your bum, you don't have to worry. I think now we're this far along it will be better and tbh everyone reacts differently to meds. I swear I got a bit depressed from them but I was using from 4wks to 16wks when everything is in flux. Fingers crossed for you I'm sure this will strengthen your cervix. It's SO DAMN GOOD.