Re: Incompetent Cervix, sherry

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry,

I'm sorry that you're so worried. Yes, IC is more common among women

with MAs, but it is also uncommon even among women with MAs.

Monitoring cervical length is fairly controversial among docs (at

least from what I've read on this board and heard from my own

doctors). Most seem not to believe in monitoring cervical length, my

peri agreed to monitor my cervical length from 14-24 weeks for me more

or less as a favour - I don't thing that in general the medical

community thinks its worthwhile, b/c IC can happen very quickly, with

no indication. Also, a cerclage is almost always only used if a woman

has had a previous loss due to IC or (more rarely)when a transvaginal

u/s of cervical length reveals a significant shortening.

Many peris don't know of and/or understand the link between MAs and

IC. I bet most regular obs have never even heard of a link between IC

and MAs. The thoery my peri gave me (that I buy, sounds logical) is

that because MAs are a congenital anomaly, its possible that a woman

with one congenital anomaly may have other anomalies in organs that

were formed in utero around the same time as the uterus, i.e, the

kidneys and the cervix. That is why, for instance, the first test a

woman should have after an MA being discovered is an u/s of her

kidneys (a signficant if small percentage of us have only 1 kidney).

Dr. Shabib probably doesn't understand the link between MA and IC, if

he does, he may think the risk is so remote there is no point

monitoring. He may be right. That said, I understand your level of

worry (been EXACTLY there) and its important to minimize your stress

levels. Actually, I think this is why my peri eventually gave in and

agreed to monitor my cervix every two weeks - to lesson my anxiety level.

You asked re: normal monitoring of SUs. MOst women on this board

demand at least bi-weekly cervical measurements during the 2nd

trimester (of their 1st pregnancy). Most doctors seem reluctant, but

its your body, your baby, you have a right to demand a level of care

you are comfortable with.

I would phone Dr. Shabib's office again and demand an app't & u/s

asap, if only to put your mind at rest. I won't have my cervical

length monitored during this pregnancy as it held up fine during my

last pregnancy, but I think its perfectly reasonable to have it

monitored during a first pregnancy.

Re: sex, no way in my case. I'm way too much of a worrier, no sex for

us during the first pregnancy and not so far in this pregnancy either

(although I've had bleeding and generally you should refrain from sex

if there has been bleeding I think).

TAke care and good luck with Dr. Shabib,

a

almost 37!

Complete SU, unresected

DD almost 17 months old

8 weeks 5 days prg with #2

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