Dilated and thinning cervix

[ncas72]

I just got back from my midwife appointment. It looks like I am about 1 cm dilated and she said it feels like my cervix is thinning. I'm scheduled for a sonogram tomorrow to check my cervix. I of course looked up incompetent cervix online when I got home (big mistake) and now I'm a nervous wreck. I have been having braxton hicks contractions (not regular) and on Sunday I felt a lot of pelvic pressure. I am currently 18 weeks 4 days pregnant. Has anyone been through this before?

[Snugglebugmom]

I haven't, but I couldn't read and not reply. That must be so unnerving. Here's an order for you: stay away from Google! Google is not your friend right now.  I would post this on the "I'm pregnant" board as well, you will reach more people that way. Hang in there, try not to freak out, there are lots of things that can be done to keep your babe safely inside! 

[Amy May]

Hi Neeka,

It sounds like you're under some stress for this, and I'm sorry you're going through this!  Can I make a very small suggestion?  Throw out the term "incompetent cervix."  Yes, for some women, their cervix does become "overeager."  But, there is absolutely nothing "incompetent" about your body, or any woman's body.  On a personal level, I have a huge objection to medical teminology using such a term that I personally find degrading.

You know where that term came from anyway?  A male OB.  Can you imagine if they started calling erectile dysfunction an "incompetent penis?"  It would never happen.  And even if your cervix is a little overeager, that doesn't make it incompetent.

I have a fellow classmate who has had overeager cervixes in 4 out of 5 pregnancies.  All of her babies went full term and were healthy.  She had a cerclage, which is basically stitches in the cervix, which were removed at about 36 weeks.  She did end up having to go on bedrest for the last month or so, but again, she went full-term (and vaginal births) for all of her children. 

Keep us posted, and keep your chin up. 

[Leiahs]

I had a couple people in my very first DDC have to have stitches in their cervix to prevent preterm birth.  It was sort of scary, I'm sure, but everything ended up being just fine!  I hope that it's not even that severe a case for you, though.  Thoughts and prayers are with you!  I'll be watching for an update.

[KABB]

My OBs have told me 1CM is nothing for someone that has had children before. Why is she checking you this early? Any particular reason? 

[MOMYS]

(((HUGS)))  I bet it must be really scary!  I agree that you need to stay away from Google.  :)  Could you maybe call the midwife back and ask her to talk to you about it.  Tell her that you are anxious.  I bet she would be more than happy to chat to you and put your mind at ease.

As much as I think that we can trust our bodies, I am very grateful for the medical intervention that is available when things don't work perfectly (as evidently they don't always work, despite what we would like to believe).   There would definitely be something they can do to help you should this something of real concern.

Amy, I would like to respectfully disagree with you.  I don't think dysfunction is really any better sounding than incompetent!  :) :) :)  I have a number of friends who required a stitch.  And a number who didn't.  All worked well in the end.  :) :) 

[ncas72]

Thank you everyone for the support. We had the sonogram and right now we are waiting to hear back from the midwife. The tech said the radiologist should be sending a report to her later today or tomorrow morning. So for now, I am supposed to take it easy.

The initial reason why the midwife checked my cervix so early was that for the past week I have been having braxton hicks contractions every time I am active. Also, on Sunday, I felt a lot of pelvic pressure.

The good news was that I got to see the baby bouncing around and it was wonderful. For some reason, it relieved a lot of my stress. We also found out we are having a girl.

I'll keep everyone updated as I get more news. Thanks again for the kind words everyone. It really helped last night when I was feeling out of sorts.

[KABB]

I am thinking very good things for you! 

[RosemaryS-F]

I am also thinking good things for you.

[StephandOwen]

Congrats on finding out it's a girl!

Thinking good thoughts for you.

[~pi]

Congrats on the girl! I am hoping all is well.

[MOMYS]

Congrats on the little girl, Neeka!  Have you heard anything else?  Thinking of you!

[ncas72]

My midwife called today to say that everything looks good. She does want me to take it easy because of the braxton hicks contractions that occur when I'm active. If I experience any extreme pressure again or contractions that don't go away after an hour of rest, I'm to call immediately and go in to be checked.

Thank you everyone for the good thoughts. I feel so relieved right now.

[~pi]

Great news!! I'm so glad everything is OK. Hooray for being relieved!