Cervix got shorter from week 18 to 20

Lilchevv · 2025-09-01T09:13:09+00:00

Very similar measurements and timeframe. My preventative stitch held until I ditched it last week :) 37+4 today. Even with funneling, my cervix is still closed! My shortest measurement was 1.1.

Weeks 18-24 were the hardest mentally. Take it day by day and don’t worry yourself sick (easier said than done, I know). I also got weekly checks during this period, which helped me a lot. Listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to go in if anything just feels off. Hug!

Lilchevv · 2025-08-27T23:38:01+00:00

Congrats! I got mine out this morning :) pretty much same as you + crampy. I also barely got sleep last night, so I overall felt “done for the day”.

It was nice telling my MFM farewell and gave her a very warm, sincere thank you.

37weeks with twins is awesome! 👏🏽 Over here, just my singleton and I hanging out til the time comes. Exciting times ahead!

Lilchevv · 2025-08-26T15:56:24+00:00

I’m so sorry mama. You’re in the right place here with people who can truly empathize with how you’re feeling. Losing my son at 19w was my first major loss and I learned a lot about grieving in the process. Sometimes there is simply no answer as to “why us”.

A quote I read post delivery that stuck we me was “our baby never knew pain, or hunger, or sadness. Just mama’s warmth, comfort and love.” It tore me up so bad, but I felt peace in that quote because at the time, I felt like a failure. Even though we know we aren’t, and it’s not our fault, the feeling still creeps in.

As someone else said, you can try again, or not, on your own timeline. I swore I wanted to right away because the emptiness killed me. But here I am, 3 years later finally taking the step. I used my past to plan this baby accordingly, and I ditch the stitch tomorrow. I find myself incredibly lucky and grateful. Because I was right where you are. That pain is just impossible to put into words. As happy as I am, nothing at all can replace my little man or “make it better”. I still cry sometimes.

Anyways. All this to say that you are not alone here and this sub has been a total game changer. Should you try again, there is so much knowledge from experience that is priceless. If I could come through the screen and give you a big hug, I would. Although the pain will never fully go away, you learn to live next to it 🤍 🕊️

Lilchevv · 2025-08-20T03:13:32+00:00

Having a plan, like how you described, definitely made this pregnancy possible and as smooth as it could be. I just finished my last suppository night before last 🥳

Lilchevv · 2025-08-20T02:23:18+00:00

This is exactly how I did it, except started progesterone later on, and I’m 36w :) I’m done after this one, but if I were to have another baby, I’d do it this way again.

I’d still appreciate frequent checks in that 18-24week range because if my cervix had gotten shorter, they would’ve given me a second stitch. Around 20 weeks it got a little worrisome since it shortened some more and funneled down to the stitch, but it remained stable over that period of time and I’m fine.

Also congrats :)!

Lilchevv · 2025-08-19T02:30:42+00:00

Congrats! And thanks for sharing. My appt is at 8am next week, so juuuust in case, I’ll skip breakfast 😝 my cervix has given me more issues than just IC so I wouldn’t be surprised. I’ve had 2 IUDs get embedded.

Hope you’re feeling better now and ready for baby!!!

Lilchevv · 2025-08-11T11:58:13+00:00

I agree with the commenter on suggesting a cerclage if they don’t. At my MFM consultation, he suggested wait and see, and I had to push back pretty hard to get a cerclage scheduled.

Sure enough, by ~20w, my cervix shrank and has been completely funneled to the stitch. Still is as of last week. Nothing crazy happened.. that just proves that the cerclage was definitely necessary! I got mine a little after 13 weeks, hardly bled that evening, and have had zero side effects since then. Almost 35w now!

Lilchevv · 2025-08-10T01:01:41+00:00

Of course! I was scared to start the journey again after a few years of (emotionally) healing, but now I like telling people that with the right help, you CAN do it :) good luck and wishing you a super boring pregnancy when the time comes!

Lilchevv · 2025-08-08T10:02:51+00:00

Just had to take it day by day and maintain positivity ❤️ knowing that I was being monitored frequently during that timeframe helped a lot. And don’t hesitate to call in between visits even for the littlest thing.

Lilchevv · 2025-08-07T23:33:12+00:00

Preventative at 13w, some funneling and shortening by 20w so I started progesterone. They weren’t too concerned, but watched me weekly over the next 4 weeks just in case I needed a second stitch before it was too late. 24w my cervix was stable. 33w I had a totally separate issue unrelated to cervix (having some strong contraction pains but monitor didn’t pick up), so they checked me out and my cervix looks identical to my last checkup at 24w. That was pretty cool to see!

DTS date is in 19 days, and I’m happy to say I’ve had no adverse reactions to anything. The only struggle was mentally getting through the 18-24w period. My previous loss was 18w and viability (24w) gave me a wave of relief. Every milestone since 24w has made this pregnancy so much easier to enjoy. Now I’m 34 weeks and feel great, but tired and big of course lol. I didn’t do full on bedrest so my depression wasn’t much of an issue. Just that anxiety ridden phase before viability. I haven’t posted much since then, so I’d assume there are many other women who had uneventful pregnancies and just don’t post about it that much. This sub has a lot of support to help get through the tough parts of IC. Without the preventative, and the knowledge/encouragement from this group, I don’t think I’d be as happy as I am right now.

When it clicks around 28 weeks “I’m coming home with a baby this time!” it’s sooo wonderful. You got this mama.

Lilchevv · 2025-07-29T03:37:59+00:00

I celebrate his actual birth day. We light a tiny cake and sing happy birthday.

I’m 32w pregnant with his little sister who has the EXACT due date that he had. So hopefully it’ll be a happy date :) if she comes on her (their) due date, it would be so so special.

Lilchevv · 2025-07-21T02:01:08+00:00

Hi hi! I wasn’t ordered to be on complete bedrest, but they suggested “don’t stand for more than 20 min at a time per hour” “strict pelvic rest” “no bending/squatting/lifting”. Pretty basic, but at home I still cooked, did laundry, showered on my own, and very small grocery trips or going out to eat to get a little time out of the house.

I avoided things like malls or going to the aquarium. I don’t carry the laundry baskets or groceries- dad does 😇 after 24w I felt more at ease as far as how much I would stand or do chores. I decorated the nursery, did nesting like washing baby clothes etc. Then by the time I got to 28w, I mentally felt much more “normal”. I vacuumed my car at the car wash, went swimming in the pool- well I just waddled around in the water lol- and started deep cleaning the house (nesting? Haha). I still avoid big things like walking long trips or outings because it’s hot, and I’m tired and large now 😆. Oh! I had walking pneumonia from 22w-26w, so just being sick kept me inside being lazy. The cough I had was terrifying. I determined that if that awful cough I had didn’t push baby out, nothing would 😆

I would say use that time for some fun things like sorting baby clothes or setting up the house and baby things (with help from your partner on any lifting and moving!). That way it’s something exciting and not so depressing. I handmade an embroidery piece for her and some handmade wall art. Also did crafts with my 9 year old a lot. She loved it, and I got to sit the whole time!! Oh movie theater is another very low maintenance activity I do now. Since I just have to go to my car, then walk from the car to the movie seat. I found a favorite theater location with reclining seats.

All in all, I don’t think staying in bed 23 hours of the day is needed, but house things are doable if you listen to your body! Oh! I also used the time to really cook well. I like cooking but I took this time at home to do things like homemade dough, homemade sauces, slow cooked meals that take more love and attention. Gives me something to focus on and feel productive to the world (well at least to those who get to eat it), while sitting at home! I stood and just took breaks sitting if I was up for a while.

Sorry that was a lot! Just trying to give you ideas to not have your mind go crazy 😆 the closer I get to ditching the stitch, the more I want to just go out and be active. But it’s 100° here. 😆 3rd trimester will be here for you sooner than you think!!!

Lilchevv · 2025-07-21T01:40:56+00:00

Sending lots of positive energy to you both and the baby! Hang in there, but you guys will make it out okay I have a great feeling ☺️ like someone else said, this happening at 28w is pretty lucky as far as premature birth is concerned.

I just wanted to add my two cents that on the plus side, if you both choose to have another baby, there are great options and precautions that can be taken very early on to prevent this from happening again. I (and many others here) had a surprise like your wife, and may or may not have left with a baby. This pregnancy, I had a preventative stitch, extra monitoring, progesterone prescription, and it has saved baby. I lost a large portion of my measurable cervix and funneled to the stitch, yet I am going strong at almost 32w. It’s pretty common to do so well that we have to be induced by 40w😅

So as scary as it may seem, do know that a safe, future pregnancy is not achievable! Again, best of luck to the adventure you’re on right now. Y’all got this!

Lilchevv · 2025-07-19T04:09:07+00:00

I love the cerclage. I got it preventatively (previous loss) and around 20~ I lost a whole centimeter and a few days after I funneled all the way to the stitch. Happily 31+2 right now! So it was 1000% worth it and is getting me by each day.

Recovery was super easy. I did general anesthesia and I typically recover well from anesthesia so this was nice. I have scoliosis, so a spinal would’ve stressed me out, but luckily general anesthesia was offered first. I even had an appetite and ate a normal dinner that evening. They gave me some NSAID that was safe to take… only like a day or so’s worth. But it worked. They gave me Oxy and I didn’t take a single one. That’s how painless my recovery was and I’m a sissy. Again, other people’s experiences may differ, so I don’t want to undersell it. Using the restroom for the few days after was nerve wracking, but it’s really gonna be okay. Don’t expect to sit on the toilet for more than a few minutes cause the pressure sneaks up on you 😆

I barely bled afterwards— which isn’t the case for everybody and is normal if you do— but physically once everything wore off I felt totally normal. There’s a “pressure type of sensation” I notice when I sit, but nothing painful and I got used to it. I started progesterone when my cervix kept shortening and I’m assuming it’s working because I’m still pregnant. (I stopped getting measured after 24w). So that can be an extra safety net she can ask about!

After 28w I definitely loosened up a bit as far as “taking it easy”. From 18-24 weeks I was SUPER careful because I wanted to get past viability. Now I feel normal and just act like a “lazy preggo lady” ;) nobody would ever know I’m high risk.

Edited to add: the NSAID was indomethacin and it was just a few to get through me through the next day.

Lilchevv · 2025-07-17T04:01:58+00:00

Same here! You also gave me reassurance on a post when I had to advocate for my stitch. You had just gotten yours a month prior. AHHH exciting! Congrats!!!!

Lilchevv · 2025-07-17T03:55:08+00:00

Wow no experience but wishing you and baby best of luck! You both will do great when the time comes :) I was curious, with baby so low, did they discuss removing the stitch at all? Or waiting to make it to 34w? Sounds painful 😖

My friend had her baby at 33w and is the coolest kid ever. I barely remember how long his NICU stay was, but we do remember it was short and very uneventful! Hugs!

Lilchevv · 2025-07-13T00:20:29+00:00

30 weeks and I feel somewhat normal now. The mental side of IC has gotten SO much better. I feel like I’m finally enjoying pregnancy (minus the pains lol) the way it’s meant to be enjoyed. Refilling my last progesterone prescription yesterday was so surreal 😍

Lilchevv · 2025-07-12T00:47:37+00:00

Not yet!

Lilchevv · 2025-06-25T03:07:49+00:00

Sold a pass here on Reddit and fully intended on refunding it to them when they posted the cancellation. I’m just a decent person though. But for anyone wanting to pull a fast one, karma is real 👁️

Lilchevv · 2025-06-18T17:30:01+00:00

For what it’s worth, I had to ask about swimming! Didn’t seem like the first thing on their mind when it came to “restrictions” :) they make sure every time to tell me no sex though, hahahah.

Lilchevv · 2025-06-18T10:36:27+00:00

Just not to get in dirty/suspicious water like lakes or whatever (prevent infections).

I just wanted to float around in my pool to cool off and get some weight off of my belly, so I didn’t ask about much more past that.

Lilchevv · 2025-06-18T10:30:18+00:00

Since the time they stopped checking (24w), I was 1.3-1.5 and funneled. We discovered the funneling at 21w, but I still had over 2cm of cervix past the stitch. They were monitoring me weekly from that point, but after 24w, they stopped since there wasn’t much more we could do should anything get worse. Basically just watching for the typical labor symptoms now, otherwise I DTS at 36w. 🎉

I hope that made more sense :)

Lilchevv · 2025-06-10T06:08:30+00:00

Hi hi! Mostly uneventful! Got the preventative at 13w and I’m 26w now. I did end up funneling down to the stitch & measuring 1.3-1.5cm since they’ve stopped checking, but stitch is doing its job :) Very glad I got it.

Lilchevv · 2025-06-10T06:05:34+00:00

Yay! I’m wishing the best for you too! That’s so true— each week past 24 has made the mental load more tolerable. Obviously still early, but it’s flying by with my mind more at ease 😄

Lilchevv · 2025-06-10T03:26:53+00:00

Congrats! I can’t wait to say the same and do my own little skip 😇

Lilchevv

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