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Aussie business owner forced into bedrest following shock diagnosis during pregnancy

By Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh |

For Melbourne business owner Phoebe Simmonds, finding out she was pregnant for the first time was an incredibly exciting time and a time she thought she would be working hard before the baby arrived.

However, following a surprise diagnosis at 21 weeks pregnant, the expecting mum was forced into complete bedrest - unable to even go for a walk by herself.

During her 20-week-scan Simmonds was diagnosed with Cervical Insufficiency, a pregnancy condition she had no awareness of and one that came as a huge shock. "It was not what I thought my pregnancy would be like," she opened up to 9Honey Parenting.

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Phoebe Simmonds pregnant and with step-son.
As a step mum to a five-year-old, Simmonds struggled to accept that she was on forced bedrest for most of her pregnancy. (Supplied)

"The baby was measuring really well, which tracked, as I had started to feel good and had finally settled into my body, and my mind in pregnancy," she recalled.

But following an inspection of her cervix during the scan, Simmonds was sent straight into surgery warned that she was in immediate danger of a pre-term delivery.

Cervical Insufficiency, also called 'Incompetent Cervix', is a condition where the cervix opens too early in the pregnancy without any signs of labour. It affects about one in 100 pregnancies in Australian women.

Simmonds' cervix had shrunk from 38mm at 13 weeks to just 4mm right before her surgery, leaving her and her partner terrified.

"We had to prepare for the possibility that we were either going to lose the baby, or spend significant time in NICU," she recalled.

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Phoebe Simmonds pregnant.
Simmonds was forced to change the way she worked and rely on friends and family for help. (Supplied)

The couple were relieved when the surgery was a success, although weren't in the clear as yet.

"I spent the next eight weeks on super restricted bedrest," Simmonds explained. "Being the owner of two businesses The Blow and The Memo and a mum to a five-year-old stepson, it made things extremely difficult and had a big impact on her mental health.

"It went from a mindset of celebrating pregnancy to really just survival and getting through it," she told 9Honey Parenting. "I'm not someone who likes to wish time away, but in this instance, I just wanted to get the baby to viability and then a safer term."

The ordeal has caused an abundance of anxiety for the expecting mum who has struggled to deal with the lack of exercise and independence she's been able to experience.

It's been a lot to process, for both her and partner, Shaun. "We had to plan for everything early and prepare for every outcome. I packed my hospital bag at 22 weeks. We have had a lot more check-ups with our OB."

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According to her obstetrician, Briohny Hutchinson from Sage Women's Specialists, there needs to be an increased awareness of Cervical Insufficiency for those women with risk factors.

"Often the diagnosis of cervical insufficiency is made following the loss of a pregnancy in the second trimester. Sometimes the condition is identified too late to place a cervical stitch and the baby is delivered at a very preterm gestation," Hutchinson told 9Honey Parenting.

While many women like Simmonds are lucky to catch the diagnosis in time to correct the condition, it can still cause major issues during pregnancy.

"The diagnosis can have a huge impact on the physical and emotional wellbeing of women," Hutchinson warns. "Women who are prescribed a period of bed rest are at an increased risk of anxiety and depression. They feel a huge range of emotions - anger at their body for 'failing' them and grief over the loss of the ideal image of an uncomplicated pregnancy."

Now approaching her due date, Simmonds is "operating at a 'restful' pace" but has been able to venture out a little more than usual.

"Since learning of my pregnancy the goal has always been just for the baby and I to be healthy and safe," she says. "We stay positive and take it a day, a week at a time."

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