Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[kateqpr]

Truthbtold - when i had mine out they just removed it and sent me on my way. No scan or examination. Waters broke a week later and i went on to be induced.

 

[x-amy-x]

I deffo feel like that some days but i think its just the pressure and tenderness more than anything. The stitch wont just fall out. My doc said to me if something is wrong with my stitch/cervix i'd know about it pain wise!

 

[lizziedripping]

Kate hun - I go tthe 'tampon sensation from 20wks, right after the hideous vaginal pressure had vanished. It was in fact my prolapsed uterus which was causing this feeling, it had moved down quite low as the babies got bigger. This is normal, and has no detrimental affect on the stitch or cervix and does not cause premature labour xxx

 

[kateqpr]

Thanks Lizzie and Amy

I shall now breathe and relax.....

 

[DMJ]

Hi ladies.

I have had some good news this evening...

I got a phone call back from the hospital in london and the consultant has said she wants me swabbed, scanned and stitched all at 11 weeks.
Im so glad that they are going to take me on and look after me

Got an appointment to see her on the 7th december to discuss things further, so i will need help nearer the time to make a list of questions

Thankyou all so much for your help

xxx

 

[truthbtold]

Thats great news DMJ!

 

[LaRockera]

DMJ, this is BRILLIANT. Well done, hon.

 

[kateqpr]

Brilliant news DMJ!

It's so reassuring when you feel well looked after. I'm sure everything will go smoothly for you. Now try to relax and not worry about it - for a few weeks at least!

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi ladies.

I have had some good news this evening...

I got a phone call back from the hospital in london and the consultant has said she wants me swabbed, scanned and stitched all at 11 weeks.
Im so glad that they are going to take me on and look after me

Got an appointment to see her on the 7th december to discuss things further, so i will need help nearer the time to make a list of questions

Thankyou all so much for your help

xxx

Praise God! What great news!!

 

[lizziedripping]

Fabulous news Dmj - you've clearly found a brilliant Doc who is prepared to do whatever it takes - so so happy for you darlin'

Btw Dmj, infection is classic with IC and you're right tracks 'north' into an already dilated cervix and triggers labour after the fact. I still cannot understand why Docs are reluctant to acknowledge IC when it seems so obvious. Ic usually comes first, then infection and labour second x

 

[HelenGee]

Hi all,
Sorry I've been reading and running, just haven't had chance to type as we've all had a bit of a bug, all ok now tho fingers crossed.

Kate- I echo what the other ladies have said about the pressure feeling, I had that too, it eased off a little while after my stitch placement and especially after bed rest, and since Bella's birth I've had a vaginal prolapse. It's nothing to worry about tho and will not affect the stitch at all. I was exactly where you are now, about a year ago and some days I worried that all was calm, and then scared myself that I was experiencing a false sense of security. Bed rest does push your sanity to its limits, no question is a crazy one.

Susannah - OMG - you're having a baby LOL! It's such a strange feeling when you finally accept that it's happening, it didn't sink in until about 32 weeks for me. You are just amazing and I can't wait to hear all your stories of lil bubs and Charlie bean xx

DMJ - OMG OMG thank heavens for your new doctors I was appalled (although I think La Rockera summed it up a bit more eloquently for me ) when I read about the 3 losses "pre-requisite." I haven't had a loss and my stitch was placed after much badgering of understudies, then finally a private TVU. I then got to see my consultant who did not hesitate to offer a stitch at 20 plus weeks. She was very pro-active. Your former consultant is quoting utter bollocks (sorry) "guide" lines for a reason that is beyond my understanding. The suggestions are merely that, and many choose to go on their own experience of cases, taking a more pro-active stance. My consultant was fab and basically told me that she would take the risk, as the benefit outweighed the risk. I wonder if they don't have a good track record at your former hospital, and so avoid stitches when they can. Progesterone helped me, but the stitch was the belt and braces approach that I needed. Well done for standing your ground. I'm sooo very happy for you xx

Truthb - I had no checks after my stitch removal, I went 3 weeks after stitch removal before my water broke. How exciting for you....

Amy- you are such an amazing lady, my heart breaks when I read about the awful traumas you have been through. You deserve so much better than the medical cock-ups you have had to go through. I am rooting for you and bubs and know you will be holding your beautiful, full term baby next year.

La Rock - 24 weeks is the first milestone, well done!!! Happy baking my sweet xxx

Garrick and Vaali- you are both doing brilliantly. I was 30 weeks this time last year, it all comes flooding back in an instant and I completely empathise with your situations now - still nervous, but desperately wanting to enjoy the pregnancy. Happy times are ahead xxx

Hey MA- so pleased the scan was clear, you sound like the perfect Mummy. I don't know any new Mum who doesn't think she's doing it all wrong, and certainly can't imagine another baby in the mix. But it all just comes together, some days are better than others, but everything just calms down as your baby is easier to understand and able to communicate a little more, and Mums get better at picking up baby's cues. Some days I have to go outside and scream at the wind, but 99.9% of the time we have such fun x

Carry- how are you going?
Looking forward to the new year and a new batch of babies to coo over xxx

 

[apsara.m]

lizzie
for the past two days i had pain in my lady parts when getting up from bed it goes away when i walk and a bit painful some times in passing urine(sorry TMI) but i don't have UTI as it is ruled out

 

[lizziedripping]

apsara - it sounds very much like your pelvis is seperating to make way for baby All pregnant ladies experience a softening and stretching of ligaments to allow the bones to seperate thus allowing the baby to pass through the birth canal. In some women however the pubic bone seperates a little too much and causes pain on moving and parting the legs. i had it with both my first baby and the twins due to their size - it is uncomfortable and by the end can be very painful, but thankfully is harmless and unrelated to your cervix. x

 

[apsara.m]

lizzie.. thankx a lot... every change worries me a lot thank god it had nothing to do with my stitch..lov you lizzie

 

[kateqpr]

Hi everyone,

Had my first appointment since my stitch was placed last week at my pre term clinic. Had a scan, and the good news is my stitch seems to have got slightly longer, up from 1.6cm to 2.6cm.

I had a FFN test done, and unfortunately that came back positive. I swear, i felt my world had fallen apart at the moment (i'm feeling a bit melodramatic these days, can yo tell?) as i was truly expecting it to come back negative. I know a positive test is less helpful than a negative, and i am only 19 weeks (you're not usually tested until later) but it means my consultant has said to rest up as much as i can. Not total bed rest, as she thinks that will drive me to distraction (she's right) but to lie down alot, not do any big walks, and basically said to call in lots of favours from friends to help me out at home and help watch Poppy.

I was really hoping i'd walk out of my appointment today with the green light to return back to normal, but now feel like the next few months will be such a challenge. I'm busy trying to plan visitors and childcare help, but i just wish that bloody test had come back negative, for my own peace of mind...

 

[may12]

Hello everyone,

You cant believe how happy I am to have found this thread, although I wish that none of us were having these complications, and are suffering / have suffered in the way that we have.

I had 2 late losses last year, one at 21 weeks and one at 20 weeks 6 days. The first time my waters broke and the docs diagnosed an infection, the 2nd time I went into hospital with a suspected leak at 18 weeks and was found to be severely dilated. I had an emergency stitch but unfortunately this did not work and I gave birth a couple of weeks later.

Back to the present and I am now 14+3, have been on progesterone suppositories since 6 weeks and I had a stitch put in on Monday.

I just wondered if someone could give me some advice with regards to what Consultant care I can/should expect now. I asked what care I would receive and was told that I would see someone at 16wks, again at 20 wks and again at 28. When I asked if I would have any monitoring they said no. In my ideal world I would have my cervix measured regularly as my Consultant will not sign me off and put me on bed rest. In my head I can cope with not being in bed rest (as I am being careful at home and I have an office job) however I want to know if there is a drastic change in my situation so that I can insist on being signed off.

I know I must sound neurotic but I have some many doubts and worries flying round my head. I do speak to my DH and he has been such a star through it all but he is of the opinion that what will be will be and the docs must know what they are doing. Where as I know that every case is different and I need to fight for what I believe in.

Any help / advice / ideas will be gratefully received and I am looking forward to joining you all on this precious journey.

xxx

 

[LaRockera]

Hello, May.

First and foremost, I'm so terribly sorry to hear about your two losses. You sound like a very brave person and hopefully this time you'll get the happiness you so deserve.

I am not among the most experienced ladies here, as this is my first time with a stitch, too. I've had mine put at 13+3 in Greece due to funneling at 12 weeks.

When I returned to the UK, I was told I would be followed by a consultant as opposed to just midwife (interestingly enough the midwife turned out to be much more helpful than the consultant, but that's another story). Anyway, I last saw my cervix at 15 weeks, in Greece, after I had the cerclage inserted.

At my 20-week u/s in the UK, I was also offered a TVC which showed a pretty encouraging length- 4.9cm. I don't know if the length was the reason, or because the doctor registrant that saw me was a completely ***, but I was told I need not go back until 34 weeks. I asked for another TVC and was refused one. So I'm going privately.

The thing is, you have a totally different history, so in your case, I'd presume they should monitor you more frequently. I'd like to see what the other ladies have to say. I wonder if 16-20-28 are acceptable gaps. I'd probably push for more in between, but it will also depend on your length at 16 and 20 weeks. I wonder whether you should be offered on at 18 weeks too?

In case they don't, can you afford to go privately in the meantime, once or twice?

Rest does help. So does drinking plenty of water.

Let's see what the other ladies have to say, too.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Kate hun, so sorry about the 'bittersweet' appt today The extra cervical length is great, but I can imagine your horror at the pos ffn test I don't know much about the test, and have never had one, but what I can say for certain is that I have encountered lots of ladies who are actually experiencing contractions, and get a positive test but still go on succesfully to term. As far as I understand it just predicts a chance of labour, but is not definitive? Think I'll read up on the tests tonight, would be good to know a bit more about them.

Take things easy chicken

Hi May and welcome I am sorry to hear of your losses last year, very sad darlin You have come to the right place if you're looking for some support during your current pregnancy journey

It's fantastic news that you have got the stitch, and it sounds as though this time they're not taking any chances. It is routine to scan only at 16wks, 20wks etc on the basis that all that can be done is being done with the placement of an elective stitch. Many Doctors use discretion and scan more often, but as Rock said, if they find an issue at your 16 and 20wk scans they'll probably increase the monitoring anyway so all bases will be covered. If at those scans your cervix is holding on well and maintaining a good length, then it is likely it won't dramatically change after that anyway, but I totally understand how you'd feel about then being left until 28wks.

With the twins I did have scans every 3wks from 15wks, but that was in part due to it being twins and so much more complicated. I think all will become clear at the 16/20wk scans for you hun, and you will be very much reassured by what you see - if there is slight shortening or funneling at that point you can then push for further checks. You may not have to because your consultant might well decide to have more frequent checks anyway.

Remember hun, even if your cervix does shorten and funnel, this is entirely to be expected given your previous losses, and that is exactly why a stitch has been placed to prevent any further, catastrophic changes. Funneling to the stitch is routine in IC ladies. Sometimes the stitch creates an overall tension to an incompetent cervix too, and there might not be any shortening or funneling however (and that makes for a much less stressful pregnancy for you ).

As for bed rest - this really is the 60 million dollar question lol. Some docs do and some docs don't! My consultant is one of the leading prem prevention specialists in the country, and even she never officially told me to rest with the twins. I actually asked her how much I should be resting when I reached 28wks, and she said just as much as any other twin lady should!! Of course I put myself on bed rest anyway, since I felt so grim if I moved around even for 10mins, and I swore that this and the stitch got my babies to term. I know however that much of what I felt was twin and not cervix related necessarily, so in a singleton pregnancy I doubt I would have to be so cautious.

I'd advise you to rest as much as you are able hun, atleast until you reach 28wks, after which point you can increase your activity slightly. Even though your scans are at 20 then 28wks, you can ask for a TVU at any time if you are concerned at your labour and delivery suite. A stitch rarely fails, but if it does there is no doubting it.

I wish you lots of luck in this pregnancy May, and with the stitch, moitoring and progesterone, there is every chance you will be welcoming a helathy, full term baby into the world next year

 

[may12]

Hello all,
Thank you for your speedy replies. As far as I am aware my appointments are just with the consultants and I do not have any internal scans booked. Having read your responses I think I will insist on a couple of scans just for my peace of mind.
May12

 

[helsurf]

Hi all, I posted this on second trimester yesterday and a lovely lady (who also reassured me) pointed me to this thread, I'm on my iPhone so I will copy and paste the message, I posted, I'm still really scared and have been worrying since Wednesday when I saw the consultant,

I saw the consultant yesterday and they did a scan of my cervix and could hardly see the cervix, they think this may be because it's quite short already, ( either that or it's in an awkward position)

Because of this and because I had my son at 30 weeks and have since had a leep procedure, they have booked me in for a stitch on Tuesday, and I'm terrified!

I stupidly googles it and read about infection and rupturing of membranes and now I'm worried I'm going to be doing more harm than good.

I had group b strep when preg with my son and worried that I may have it now, and having a stich may introduce it to my baby,

I've just started feeling little flutters and just so worried I'm going to lose my bubba, either by having or not having it done

X x x