still more pain...in the proverbial!

[littlelady]

Hi ladies,

Sorry to be a pain ('scuse the pun), but I am still getting vaginal and cervical pain, it's happening every day now, and is very sharp and uncomfortable.

I had laser surgery on my cervix back in 2002/3 (can't remember exactly) for abnormal cells, so I am aware of the incompetent cervix issue.

I went to my doc about it a couple of days ago; she did a speculum exam (which I really was reluctant to have, but needed to know), to see if my cervix was opening at all. It wasn't - she said it was "nice and tight" (!)

But...the pain is still there - it's high up, on the right hand side (so can't tell if it's vaginal or cervical) and it pinches like mad.

In terms of discharge, which I know can be a sign of an incompetent cervix.......(sorry, TMI), I get the odd "flood" (not a major amount, prob about a teaspoon, if that) of watery stuff, and then the odd blob of thicker stuff - almost like I used to get before pregnant. No spotting/bleeding.

What annoys me is they say another symptom is a "heavy" feeling in the pelvic area....well, i'm 16 weeks, and beginning to get a bump, and so I do feel "heavy", although more so after food/drink!!

Does a closed cervix definitately indicate that I DON'T have an incompetent cervix, or could I still have one? Has anyone on here had an IC?

I'm so worried that my cervix is trying open. The funny thing is, when I lie down flat, the pain goes away. Am seriously considering getting a scan to check the cervix (but I guess this will be vaginal??....which I don't like), and getting it done privately. My doctor said they would only refer me for a scan if my cervix had been open.

Finally (phew, sorry!) Has anyone had these pinching pains at 16 weeks?

If anyone can shed some light on this, it would be so, so helpful.

P.S: I got a doppler, and the heartbeat is there, galloping away

Thankyou ladies, and sorry for being such a worry-wort!

Littlelady xx

[Ruth Walker]

Hello Littlelady

I haven't (thankfully) had any experience of an incompetent cervix myself, though a friend of mine lost 3 babies in the second trimester that way, before it was diagnosed and she was given 'a stitch' in two subsequent successful pregnancies to stop the cervix giving way. I wasn't aware you could have a scan to detect a weak cervix, but if it's true that you can, then in your position, if it was becoming this kind of worry for me, I would pay for it privately and have it done.

With regard to your symptoms, the flooding and gunk sound perfectly normal and I have had the same with my pregnancy with Sam and this pregnancy. In my case I am sure the flooding is wee, and it often is associated with a pressure feeling down low, which I think is the baby pushing on my bladder, and hence causing both problems. If you are worried the flooding is amniotic fluid, you can get 'pads' to use in your knickers to test for this, I got some when I was pregnant with Sam, they were called 'amniosense' I think and I bought them on-line, they turn one colour if you are producing wee and another for amniotic fluid. If the discharge is only the same as you had pre-pregnancy, my guess would be that this is 'normal for you' and nothing to worry about.

With regard to the vaginal pain, I do have this sometimes, but not every day, in my case I think there is just some muscle up there that gets pulled awkwardly, as I've had it before from playing badminton. Could you see your doctor or midwife to ask them what they think the cause of this pain is in your case? If they come up with a plausible explanation, you will know not to worry, but if they can't, then equally, you will know to push them further.

Sorry I can't be more help than that. I hope someone else may have more advice.
xxx

[Saharabreeze]

Hi Littlelady

i don't have any experience of what you are going through but just wanted to send you lots of hugs. I would support what Ruth has said and if you can get a scan go down the private route, I know it probably wont be cheap but if it gives you the reassurance and a better diagnosis then that is priceless. Be thinking of you.

Sb xx

[Helen]

Hi Littlelady,

I had lots of twinges, as well as the gushes and feelings of heavyness and all was fine but I do agree that you should get any worries thoroughly checked out, for your peace of mind if nothing else.

Good luck and keep us posted

Love Helen xx