r/ShortCervixSupport

Wanted to share my story mostly to help myself grieve.

I went in on April 30th for my baby’s anatomy scan and baby looked good and my cervix looked good (doctor said over 4 cm). On Mother’s Day, my husband and I took a short walk and I felt pressure on my vagina but thought the baby was just sitting low. We got home and I peed and my water broke. We went straight to the hospital and it was unfortunately too late to save the baby and I had to deliver him. That was the hardest, saddest thing I’ve had to do.

While I am still grieving this baby, I am also nervous about trying again. The doctor said my cervix failed to stay closed and recommends a preventative cerclage.

Looking for guidance from anyone who has been down similar paths.

Hi everyone, had a follow up today and feeling a little overwhelmed, looking for success stories. 2 weeks ago (24 weeks) my cervix was 3.8cm and wasn’t showing funneling until pressure was applied to my abdomen. I had a follow up today (26W4D) and was showing funneling to or a little past the stitch and my cervix was 6mm, they didnt mention dilation but I suspect there was some based on the ultrasound.

Anyone been in a similar situation and what did your days look like? How far did you make it? My original goal was 32 weeks minimum.

Currently on 200mg progesterone vaginally

I had my McDonald stitch placed at 13 weeks and have been on 200mg progesterone since then.

At my last appointment, I asked my doctor about my cervical length, but she said they no longer measure it after cerclage because the stitch is already there to support the cervix.

For my own peace of mind, I went to another clinic last Saturday for a check-up. The results showed a cervical length of 2.63 cm with U-shaped funneling, and now I’m really scared. Lol.

Has anyone had a similar experience and still made it to full term? I honestly can’t afford another loss. Thank you.

What worried me the most is the doctor said that there is a possibility that the body may be rejecting the baby due to natural selection as the baby might have some problems . She recommended to cerclage but if this is the case of abnormal baby then cerclage wouldn't make sense.

Pregnancy is around 8 week 3 days.

Here are other findings.

Sonographic examination demonstrated a regular intrauterine gestational sac.

Fetal pole & volk sac are visible in the Gestational sac

CRL-18.9 mm corresponding with mean gestational age of 08 weeks 03 days.

Cardiac activity noted & FHR -179 bpm, regular.

Both ovaries/adnexal regions are appear normal Amniotic fluid is adequate.

No e/o any subchorionic hematoma/ hemorrhage at present scan

Cervical length-4.01 cm,internal os appears mildly open

I’m 32 weeks and 4 days.. Discovered my short cervix at my anatomy scan at 20 weeks and was monitored weekly up until week 25. My cervix measured at 3.2 and dropped all the way to 1.4 at week 25. I started taking progesterone at week 22 but because I was still above 2 cm at week 24 they declined the cerclage request. I was so puzzled as to why my cervix kept shortening despite taking progesterone. The doctor said either I wasn’t applying the progesterone far up enough or my body was just not responding to it. This news broke me. And week 25 I was panicking, depressed, hopeless, started modified bed rest, got on disability for work and just tried to stay off my feet as much as possible. Then at week 27 I was .9 cm. I was devastated that I didn’t get a cerclage and my doctor predicted I’d have my baby between weeks 28 and 30. I would even dread my every other week cervical length checks because it was always bad news. Not only more shortening but the funneling continued to worsen. I eventually got prescribed procardia to help with the contractions. Then I turned the corner at week 30, I measured at 1.2 cm and today at week 32, I measured at 2.6cm which was so amazing because I’ve been more mobile the last couple weeks so I was expecting more bad news. I wanted to share because some cervix can truly be dynamic and change for the better. Not only did I gain length but my funneling became completely minimal. Last check it was a widenV shape.

This has been a stressful pregnancy and my first one was just fine, baby born at 41 weeks and this one complete opposite. I hope my situation can give someone hope, especially if they’re on progesterone only.

I’m currently 23 weeks pregnant and really anxious about my situation. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar experience.

At around 16 weeks, my cervical length was about 3 cm. A month later it was around the same. Now at 22–23 weeks, it shortened to 2.4 - 2.7. And now st 23 it was 2.7-2.8

My cervix is still closed and I don’t have contractions. I’m currently taking progesterone.

I had a previous pregnancy loss at 18 weeks due to PPROM (my water broke suddenly).

Because of my history and the shortening trend, my doctor is recommending a cervical cerclage as a preventive step, saying it might reduce the risk of preterm birth. However, I’m really scared of the procedure and also scared of not doing it.

I’ve had different measurements depending on the scan and whether pressure was applied, which makes the decision even more confusing for me.

I feel stuck between:

* doing cerclage for prevention, or
* continuing progesterone + close monitoring

Has anyone had a similar cervical length trend or history and decided for or against cerclage? What was your outcome?

Thank you so much for reading

EDIT: I'm 19+3!

Hi everyone!

Firstly, I want to say I am so grateful to find this group because man, what a difficult situation to be in.

I'm new here and haven't really posted anything before, so I hope I make sense, haha!

This is my first pregnancy, and boy oh boy, it has been anything but smooth. It has been thing after thing, and now finding out I have a borderline short cervix just tops it all! When I had my first smear done, I had abnormal cells on my cervix that were removed using the LLETZ procedure. Due to this, my cervix needed measuring. I have been so nervous, and to find out it was short threw me entirely. I was told I was 26mm and just to use progesterone pessaries to keep things from shortening further (I started them on 07/05/2026). I have a review on the 21/05 to see if they've helped at all. On the Saturday following the news, my midwife told me I'm not to return to work as my job is physically demanding, so I was told to go home and, well, hope for the best?
Over the weekend, I had meltdown after meltdown out of fear. I hadn't been told very much and my mind just raced. On Monday, the second day of meltdowns, I decided I needed to get in contact with someone. My midwife and none of the other local midwives were answering my calls, so I called the Maternity Priority Unit at my local hospital - and thank the Lord I did! The woman I spoke to was incredibly reassuring and helpful. She was able to actually get my scan up and give me much more information. On the scan, it showed her that there was no funnelling, that my cervix health was normal, but also that I was 26.6mm, which was closer to 27mm than the threshold of 25mm. She was under the impression, after looking at the scan, that the consultants were being extra cautious in my case rather than there being imminent danger. It was such a relief. Before this, I had an incredibly bad face and neck flare up which was swollen, dry, and cracked that lasted weeks. Before that, a sinus infection, and before THAT I have tonsillitis. My mental health was so bad in my first trimester I had to go onto antidepressants, so I feel like I have really been put through the wringer up until now.

I'm still scared, but I have seen on this thread more success stories than sad ones, and that gives me hope that this little baby will be safe and healthy. If there is any advice or encouragement you'd be able to give me, it would mean the world. Seeing the support on this thread is utterly heart warming <3 thank you guys in advance for any way you chose to support me <3

I have an MFM appointment later today, and would appreciate any advice on how to communicate my concerns with the doctor. Or I’d like to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation to mine.

My short cervix wasn’t discovered until 29 weeks, so no cerclage for me. I’ve got 1cm left and I was 1cm dilated. I’m on partial bedrest.

I’m particularly worried because I get lightning crotch constantly. Multiple times a day since about 25 weeks. Google’s “it’s normal lala” answer isn’t satisfying me because I don’t know whether frequency or a short cervix should change how serious it is.

I feel like my OB’s staff doesn’t adequately grasp my concerns. In my first trimester, I had a scare where I was bleeding profusely. It was terrifying. Luckily, baby was fine and the hospital discharged me that same night, but they couldn’t say for sure why I was bleeding.

When I tried to explain this to 2 different nurses at my OB appointment later that week, I kept getting, “Spotting is normal, spotting is normal.” I wanted to scream, WHEN I SAY BLEEDING, I MEAN BLEEDING!!!

My doctor friend later told me, “You have to specifically tell them, ‘I bled enough to soak 4 pads.’” It wasn’t til I said that that they seemed to react with some more care.

I have an ultrasound appointment later today and I don’t want to bother my doctor friend again. Any advice on how best to convey my concerns to my provider? Has anyone else experienced frequent lightning crotch with a short cervix? Any advice is appreciated. Now that I think about it, I really just posted this to feel less alone and discouraged. I just want to feel heard

I had my anatomy scan yesterday (20+1) and the ultrasound tech said she wanted to also do a TV ultrasound because it looks like my cervix might be a bit short. She was unable to give me the results, which I knew would be the case- so I contacted my MFM doctor (I'm almost 40 so I was already seeing him earlier in the pregnancy) and he said that my cervix is measuring about 2.7cm, and there is mild funnelling as well (I also have a uterine shelf, but he said it is high up and likely not going to be an issue?)
I had a full uterine septum removed (took three surgical attempts) as well as a cone biopsy a few years ago so I am guessing that is why this is happening.
My doctor said he would get his receptionist to call me back today to book a re-check in 2 weeks (edit: they called and I have an appointment next Wednesday) At my asking, he put me on progesterone suppositories (200mg before bed) which I started last night, and said he doesn't do the cerclage unless I drop below 1.5cm. He didn't seem too concerned and didn't mention anything about modified bed-rest/pelvic rest or anything (Im not working, so I plan on doing modified bed-rest and pelvic rest anyway)

I am spiralling (I have general anxiety, so I sort of expected this feeling)- I am SO worried that things will have become worse at my next ultrasound...I feel like I can't protect my baby at all and that I am basically just waiting for the worst to happen. I was so excited before yesterday....and that took awhile to get to that point (had a lot of bleeding and spotting for the first 8 weeks of pregnancy which was so stressful). I was applying to daycare waitlists, shopping for maternity clothes and making my registry for baby items...and now I feel too scared to move forward with any of it. I did IVF to get here, and there was a point where I thought we would never get to this point...and now I feel like it's still going to be taken away from me. We found out yesterday we are having a boy...now I'm worried I will never get to meet him and bring him home.

How are folks navigating birth prep classes and other birth prep things (pelvic floor therapy, pre-labor exercise) with IC / a cerclage?

Against my dr’s rec, I put myself on modified bed rest. In terms of birth prep, I don’t want to do anything that could negatively impact my cervix so I haven’t done anything at all, but I’m realizing there may be safe things I can do to get a little more prepared for labor. Thinking online birth prep classes, but would love others’ thoughts on additional things I could be doing.

’m currently 25 weeks pregnant and going through a really difficult situation and would really appreciate hearing experiences/opinions from others who may have been through something similar.

I was admitted to hospital at 22+1 after they found I was already dilated with bulging membranes. I’ve now been in hospital for almost 3 weeks. Currently I am around 2 cm dilated, my cervix is very short, but thankfully I have no signs of active labour at the moment and baby is doing well. Estimated fetal weight is around 786 g.

Today I had another internal scan and the surgeon discussed two options with me:

1. Continue conservative management (“wait and watch”) with monitoring, progesterone, etc.
2. Have an emergency/rescue cerclage (stitch/sutures).

They explained the possible benefit of the stitch is prolonging the pregnancy, but there are also risks including infection, rupturing membranes, or triggering labour. Because I’m already 25 weeks, they said the decision is not straightforward.

I’m feeling very overwhelmed and scared about making the wrong decision. Has anyone here had a rescue cerclage placed around 24–25 weeks with dilation/bulging membranes? Did it help prolong the pregnancy? Or did anyone choose expectant management instead?

I know everyone’s situation is different, but hearing real experiences would really help me mentally right now.

Thank you 🤍

Use this post to introduce yourself or keep us updated on your journey!

My ob wont test me for bv unless I smell like fish which that’s not even my symptom for bv I just have irritation it’s very frustrating because I had no symptoms prior to losing my son with no cerclage this pregnancy I got my cerclage at 14 weeks I am 16 weeks now and having some irritation i really wish they would listen to me but I go to urgent care and the results come back within minutes I have no idea on how to prevent BV i have great hygiene

I’ve funneled to the stitch at 19 weeks (I had preventative at 12weeks), and neither my OB or MFM will recommend bed rest and they’re not clear about what modified bed rest should look like. I’m a therapist and see 5 clients 4 days a week, so I’d be sitting 50 min at a time, and I’m wondering if sitting that much is ok or if I should reduce my case load even more. Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you

👋🏻 hi!

Has anyone figured out best work from home setup that puts least pressure on your cervix?

I’ve been using bed desk but sitting up straight most of the time. I was curious to know if there’s any better alternative?

Please share link to the desks / tools you’ve found useful that helped you retain your cervical length.

I have preventative cerclage placed at 13w but cervix measures 2.7cm at 16 weeks which I feel is still short-ish?

I’d like to do the best I can for my baby 💕

Appreciate your insights!

Hello. I am a mom of 2 children. I have a 4 year old daughter and a son who died in the womb a few days ago. My heart is broken.

At 20 weeks I found out I had an extremely short cervix. I had an emergency cerclage put in. That cerclage got me all the way to 36w 5d. I had the cerclage removed 4.28.26 and we listened to my son's heartbeat. It was strong and I was so excited that I might go into labor soon and meet him. On 4.29.26 I went to my OB/GYN for an ultrasound as I had some excess amniotic fluid. Chatted with the US technician. I was so excited to see him.

He wasn't moving. Normally my son was very energetic and wiggled constantly during US appointments. The tech stepped out to get the doctor, but I already knew. I asked her to come back in and check for a heartbeat. The look on her face confirmed my fears. No heartbeat. Just a horrible low static. I screamed and cried and kicked and I still cannot believe that happened. Removing my cerclage was supposed to mean that I nearly crossed the finish line. It feels so cruel that he died the very next day. My sweet boy. I feel such pain. Instead of putting my son beside me in his bassinet, I'm picking put caskets. I am so unbelievably angry and sad.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

how many weeks did your stitch last and what were you measuring when it was placed?

I’m currently 18 weeks pregnant and feeling really scared. I had a preventative cerclage placed at 13 weeks due to my history. At 17 weeks they noticed V-shaped funneling and my cervix was measuring around 1–2 cm, so they had me come back a week later for another ultrasound.

At my follow up, my cervix measured around .6 cm. From what I understand, I’m funneling down to the stitch, but not through it. My doctors are monitoring me closely and have mentioned concerns about making it to viability, which has honestly terrified me.

I know everyone’s situation is different, but I’m really looking for success stories from women who had severe shortening/funneling with a cerclage and still made it much further along. How long did your cerclage hold? Did anyone stabilize after things looked bad? Just looking for honest experiences because my anxiety has been through the roof.

Sorry for the long read, I really keen to hear your opinions.

I’m genuinely unsure whether I should write a letter to my hospital about my care so far, or whether I’m overreacting, so I’d really appreciate some outside perspective.

I’m currently 17 weeks pregnant with my second baby.

Before my first pregnancy, I had 1 LLETZ procedure and carried my child to 39+6 without being considered high risk.

Since then, I’ve had 2 additional LLETZ procedures (3 total), which now puts me at higher risk for cervical insufficiency/preterm labour. Because of that, I’m under the preterm labour clinic and was placed on 400mg progesterone through my fertility clinic.

At my first preterm appointment (13 weeks), my cervical length measured around 2.6–2.8cm. Despite this, they reduced my progesterone from 400mg to 200mg without really explaining why, even when I asked.

At my second appointment (15 weeks), my cervix measured around 2.2–2.4cm. What upset me most was how unconcerned the doctor seemed. I was told that because my first child was born full-term, I could just come back in 3–4 weeks.

That didn’t make sense to me because:

• during my first pregnancy I had only had 1 LLETZ and wasn’t high risk,
• whereas now I’ve had 3 total procedures, which changes my risk profile significantly.

I tried to explain this, but by then the senior doctor had already left and I was speaking to a junior doctor who made me feel like my concerns were unnecessary.

A few days later, I had another appointment at 15+1 with my consultant, but unfortunately my actual consultant was off sick and I saw a substitute instead. She was quite defensive initially, but eventually agreed to:

• increase my progesterone back to 400mg,
• and move my next appointment from 3 weeks to 2 weeks.

Still, nobody could properly explain why I was initially advised to wait 3–4 weeks purely because my first child was full-term, when my circumstances are very different now.

On top of this, I’ve had repeated bleeding episodes throughout this pregnancy:

• bleeding at 12 weeks,
• more bright red bleeding later that same week,
• a large gush of blood at 13+2,
• more bleeding before my 15-week appointment,
• and then heavy cramping with bleeding again at 16+4.

Thankfully, every time baby has been okay.

What’s really affected me though is how dismissed I’ve felt by some staff during these visits.

One nurse asked me, “Why are you crying?” while I was bleeding and scared about my baby.

Another time, when I went in with cramping and bleeding, a midwife told me: “You know you can book a private scan if you’re worried about the baby.”

That comment really upset me because I wasn’t looking for a reassurance scan “for fun.” I went in because I was worried about the bleeding and wanted medical reassurance that my cervix was closed and the bleeding wasn’t coming from my uterus — something a private scan cannot assess.

Ironically, the kindest doctor I saw was the one who did the most extensive check and he told me I absolutely did the right thing by coming in and that it’s always better to be checked than stay home worrying.

But overall, I’ve started feeling like a burden whenever I seek help, to the point where I avoided going in during later bleeding episodes because I didn’t want to be seen as “the boy who cried wolf.”

I honestly don’t know if I fully trust the hospital anymore. I don’t feel listened to, and I feel like my concerns are often brushed aside despite my history and ongoing symptoms.

I also won’t see my actual consultant until 23 weeks — and that’s only because I specifically asked. Otherwise it would have been 28 weeks.

Would you write a letter expressing concerns about communication and continuity of care? Or would you leave it and hope things improve? I genuinely can’t tell if I’m being too emotional because of hormones and anxiety, or whether my concerns are actually valid.

I’m at a loss at the moment. I’ve been off since my cerclage surgery waiting to see my ob and have disability paperwork filled out. My job involves lots of heavy lifting, squatting, excessive steps every day, and is just generally a physically hard job. I thought it wouldn’t be a problem getting disability paperwork filled out as a high risk pregnancy, especially with a previous loss. My doctors office called today and said they can approve time off from my surgery to the 11th but after that they can’t do anything. Said they LEGALLY can’t give me off for my entire pregnancy which I know is a lie. I tried to explain how difficult my job is and how I also have to travel every 2-3 weeks which makes it impossible to establish the long term ob care I need. I asked if I’m supposed to just let me job fire me and the lady basically said idk what you do about that. How can they say I don’t need disability when I can’t do the main functions of my job? How can they expect me to return to work when doing so goes against all the recommendations and restrictions of a cerclage surgery? I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I just got an apartment and bought a vehicle back home thinking there’d be no hold up with disability. There’s no remote work I can do through this job so I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Let them fire me and hope unemployment doesn’t deny me? Fight the doctors office? Cancel all my appointments and find a new doctor and hope they’ll approve disability for me?