Short Cervix Study at Kings

[Nicnocs]

Hello all,

This is my first post, and i apologise for it being so graphic but and i am seeking some advice if anyone can help please?

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant, and today went for an internal scan at kings to assess my cervix. It has been found that mine is only 13mm, where the "normal" "safe" range is about 25mm. This means that i now have a 23% chance of having a premature birth.

I have, as are all women, been prescribed progesterone which has been proven to reduce this chance, however i have also been asked to take part in a trial which involves fitting an Arabin Pessary around my cervix.

Has anyone else taken part in this trial, which has been running since 2008?

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Nicnocs,

I know of two people who had to have a 'stitch' put in their cervix to avoid premature labour, with good results. I don't know if the thing Kings are suggesting for you is the same (it sounds different) and I haven't ever heard of it before.

I really hope you get some helpful advice on here and that all goes well.

Best wishes, Molly

[Fuschia]

I knew someone online from a pregnancy forum who was offered it, I looked it up at the time and my feeling was I would have taken it.

I might be able to find the information about the study (it's a multi centred study)

I had the scan too, sorry your findings were a little worrying, but forewarned is forearmed I'd say. Just one thing I'd suggest, don't travel too far away from Kings unless you know there is a good hospital and NICU. Just to be safe. I had a friend with a very prem baby who but by chance would have had her while on a weekend away in Paris!

[Fuschia]

http://www.glowm.com/index.html?p=glowm.cml/section_view&articleid=25

[alibo]

Nicnocs

I had exactly the same thing and ended up going back on a fortnightly basis for scans to check the cervix. I too had the progesterone and was asked to take part in the trial but declined as I think the situation is stressful enough without taking part in a trial.

I was asked to go back for fortnightly cervix scans. At 28 weeks I was told that it had shortened even more and I was given steroid injections in case the baby was born premature.

At 32 weeks I was given a normal scan and discovered the baby was nearly 7 lbs so an early birth would not have mattered at this stage.

He was eventually born 1 day early at 9lbs 9ozs with regular scans in the last few weeks to ensure that he didn't get too big!

Anyway, every pregnancy is different so you have to make a decision based on good advice. Throughout this I saw Ms Penna a fantastic consultant at Kings who guided me and kept me calm. I would see a consultant to discuss and make sure you make the right decision.

All the best with your pregnancy

[EDL]

Yes, I took part in the trial end of 08/early 09. I wasn't prescribed progesterone (17mm).

My experience of the trial was very positive - the research staff were wonderful and as this was my first baby I felt very reassured having a full set of scans done every four weeks. All my appointments related to the study were with the research doctors so I didn't have to endure long stints in the waiting room.

My first thought when I was asked to take part was 'no way'. It took me a couple of weeks to make up my mind. In the end I decided that they really needed women like me to take part, and I felt comfortable with the study process and people involved, so why not.

No regrets, in fact I had forgotten about it until reading this post!

If you want more details feel free to PM me.

[apenn]

I also took part in the study, but was in the control group and therefore did not receive the pessary. After reading all of the material thoroughly and asking lots of questions, I decided without reservation to take part and do not regret it. As stated above, the staff running the study are all great. The only real burden is the extra visits to the hospital, but it was also wonderful to have the reassurance of all the extra scans. The pregancy went along normally and so did my birth. Likewise, if you want to PM me I'd be happy to give you my phone number to chat about my experience in the study.

-A

[Nicnocs]

Thank you all.

I'm pretty sure that i'm going to go ahead and do the trial. I agree with you EDL that the extra screening will definately be reassuring given this new information, and i haven't read anything that shows that this will be in any way harmful to the baby.

If i have any further questions i will be sure to contact you guys again, your responses have been really useful in helping me make my decision.

[Ann]

Nicnocs, congratulations on your pregnancy. All these scans weren't available 'way back' in the 90's when I had my children, if my cervix was short,i never knew it!

As ever forummers have given sound advice and encouragement as this section of the forum tends to do. But I do think the trial you're in is pretty specialised; nowhere scans like King's does. Harris Birthright headed by professor Nicholaides are, quite literally world leaders in their field. So take advice from the professionals as well, what you're asking is not the sort of information that you get off say, mumsnet. You're part of unique group and remember you may improve the outcomes for women not yet even pregnant!

Please keep us posted.

Ann

[Smiler]

Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy.

[twinmummy]

Hi,

I had cervical shortening with my twins at 26 weeks (similar measurement to you), had pessaries (sp?) and steriod injections for their lungs (anticipating premature birth) and spent 10 weeks on bedrest (but wasn't as strict as I ought to have been on account of climbing the walls with boredom).

The only reason my cervical shortening was discovered is because I paid privately to be scanned in Harley St by a multiple births expert (Nicholaides - mentioned above), I was regularly scanned and despite feeling at times that ignorance may have been "blisser", I am so glad of it now. Depsite the boredom.

I delivered my twins by c-section at 36 weeks despite all the warnings and had 2 healthy and good-sized babies.

Am sure you're really worried (as I was) so I thought it might help to hear a good news story.

Good luck! You'll never regret all the scanning and intervention despite the inconvenience.