Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[LaRockera]

I'm so very sorry. Not much more I can say really.

Hope you're back to join us soon. x

 

[truthbtold]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[apsara.m]

oh no sorry for your loss. hope to see you soon here dear

 

[vaali]

Ah! im so sorry for the loss DMJ, my prayers are with you to give the needed strength & really looking forward to meet to back sooner bud!

 

[Susanah]

DMJ - so sorry to read your news. Don't give up. Hugs.

Kate - Yes insertion with fingers is fine. Don't use the applicator. I can always feel my stitch when i insert them but since i have done this nearly every week throughout my pregnancies I dont think twice about touching it it now. Wash hands before and after. i usually shower first also just to make sure im all clean down there.

x

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Oh dear DMJ, I'm so sorry hunny! My thoughts and prayers are with you and I pray that you'll find your pregnant carrying to term. I understand how hard it is and also know there there is hope and joy from a sad situation as Amelia is our miracle baby. Please know my heart aches for you but I pray for a new little gift soon.

 

[Jadi87]

I'm freaking out right now. It's been a month since my stitch was placed. I've been feeling pressure like period cramps so like what happened last time I felt up to see and I think I felt the tape and it feels like its 4cm from my opening. Someone please tell me this is normal for the tape to be so low or should I go to the hospital ASAP. I'm in no immidate pain just this cramping like a period right now and discomfort.

Hi Jadi87,

I just wanted to let you know not to worry, i felt exactly the same thing and dashed to see my consultant in a panic. Apparently they often leave the tape a little longer as it will be easier to undo later. I know we can't help but worry but I hope this reassures you. I also often had the cramps and pulling sensation and this can also be quite normal. I got to 38 weeks with my stitch and they only had 1cm of cervix at the front to work with!!

So ffingers and legs crossed for you but if you really feel worried always go and check, they'd much rather see you and send you away than have anything happen.

Hope all is ok for you, mpg x

Well I saw my OB and my stitch thread was not left that low. My cervix dropped by an inch and the overhang thread was nearly falling out when he examined me. It's a possible dilation that was stopped. I'm now on permanent bedrest and I'm only 17weeks. The metalic smell and pressure I was glad to be worried about it and I thought I'd update u all on it so you can see the same warning signs as me.

 

[kateqpr]

Phew...that's great that you went to get checked out.

Thanks for letting us know, and make sure you keep us posted on how you're doing, especially if you're on bed rest. Keep busy!

x

 

[Garden59]

Hey ladies. It has been at least two weeks since I first posted to this forum.

DMJ- Sorry for your loss and hope all will be well on your next go round.

I first posted on November 21st I believe. I had an transvaginal ultrasound done Nov. 18th and the doctor said my cervix was 2.4 and that I needed a stitch. I refused the operation. On Nov. 22nd, I was rushed to the hospital because I was having alot of pressure and was very scared. After a pelvic exam and ultrasound, my cervix was still short but closed and the doctor at the hospital informed me that he did not think I needed a stitch at the present moment. I go to the doctor again today for another transvaginal ultrasound and I pray that everything turns out fine. I will post again after I have left my appointment and let you all knwo the outcome.

 

[x-amy-x]

Hey everyone... just a little update. my little missy is cooking good and cervix is still over 3cm with cerclage

 

[kateqpr]

Garden59 - good luck tomorrow. Let us know how it goes and hopefully your cervix is just short but strong - something my consultant tells me is quite common, so fingers crossed.

Amy - yay! I'm praying for a decent cervix measurement at my next appointment on Thursday. 3cm is so, well, normal! Like a normal pregnancy.

No news with me other than literally counting down the hours to my big day at the hospital this Thursday. Anomaly scan, cervical scan, FFN test and consultant appointment all rolled into one jolly morning. Am so hoping my cervix is holding strong, but i feel like i've been on my feet too much these last few days. My Mother in law is staying with us to 'help' and its usefulness has not exactly gone to plan....

 

[LaRockera]

Garden59- Like Kate said, we wish you the best of luck and hope your cervix stays the way it is.

Amy- this is brilliant, hon. You'll make it this time, baby. It will all be great, finally you will have a happy ending.

A bit of an update for me- well- KATE- we chatted about UTIs a while ago. I was back at the maternity triage yesterday as my lower back and lower abdomen pains came back, again, traces of nitrates in my urine. Once again, the stick did not turn pink, but it didn't stay white either. Not sure what the eff's going on, I was prescribed antibiotics again, let's hope they work this time.

And guess what? Not sure if you guys remember that wise-arse of a doctor registrar that I had to see instead of my consultant at 20 weeks. Well guess what? She was on the night shift at triage so she was the one that saw me. Typically enough, she refused to do swabs, amnisure tests and blah blah blah, told me 'it's very difficult to diagnose if you're leaking fluid' (did not make the effort anyway), and at the end wrote at my notes 'cerclage inserted in Greece. ? reason- no previous losses'. HELLO? That was the point of the cerclage, to prevent me from having one.

You know, I don't think she's doing it on purpose, but she's young and tries to play doctor and all, and she terrifies me. What terrifies me even more is that eventually a woman will actually depend on her, when she becomes a consultant.

/ end rant.

Hope everyone's doing well.

 

[kateqpr]

Larockera - uti's are a right royal pain in the bum. I think every time my urine is checked, something is up, or there's a trace of something I've never heard off. I never thought vaginas could cause so much trouble. Am sure the antibiotics will sort you out.

I finish mine tomorrow and have been guzzling probiotics and yogurts like a woman possessed. Here's to happy healthy urine samples!

I don't envy you the midnight trips to triage. Nothing seems friendly or right in hospital at that time of night, especially when the staff aren't at their most sympathetic. But hopefully you've come hone with some sort of reassurance. I've not had a late night jaunt to triage yet this pregnancy ( but plenty with the last )but have discovered the joys of the day assessment unit and turn up unannounced at least once a week with a anxiety or symptom 'du jour'.

In fact tonight I'm lying here in bed holding my knickers ( in fact sniffing them...) as I've either just wet myself post pee, or I'm leaking fluid. Obviously my anxious brain tells me it's fluid and to rush down to triage. The sane bit of me says it smells like wee and I should just wait and see if any more liquid appears. So much fun, these nocturnal worries.

 

[pinkladyangel]

Hi there all
I had a normal pregnancy in 2000. My 2nd pregnancy however was far from normal, although after reading a few stories on here it sadly seems that it's quite common.
In March last year we found out I was pregnant and were prepared for the severe morning sickness I had with my first pregnancy. I handled it a lot better than I did last time and it soon past. I had my 20wk scan and was told we were going to have a girl. 2wks later I went to hospital with a tiny bleed and was told that my cervix was dilated 3cm and waters were bulging. I had an emergency cerclage and was told to rest and do nothing for 2weeks. Although frustrating I did as I was told and returned to hospital 2weeks later for steroid injections and internal scan. The scan showed that I'd dilated more and was rushed to another hospital with a neonatal unit. I had our beautiful Rubie at 25weeks and she was with us for 15 precious days. We were devastated that something like this could happen. It's turned our world upside down.
When we came home I had an appointment with my consultant and he said that it definitely wasn't infection as all the swabs taken from the first visit and thereafter were all clear. He doesn't think I have an incompetant cervix but can't be 100% sure as this is the first time it's happened. He said that if we decide to try again he would put the stitch in at 14weeks.
I'm 39 years old next month and if we decided to try again would definitely be our last chance of having another baby.
Has anybody with a similar story had a stitch early on and gone on to have a normal pregnancy. Or has anybody not had the stitch and risked it.
We really don't know what to do and would appreciate any advice/reassurance.

 

[LaRockera]

Welcome, Pinkladyangel. First off, I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Elective stitches do work, and I would definitely advise you to have it done. So you should definitely, definitely go for it, especially if you feel this is going to be your last chance. An elective stitch will carry you to term, and it's placed soon enough to decrease the danger of PROM, as your membranes and baby are still quite high at this stage.

 

[heychickie]

Pinkladyangel - first, I am sorry for your loss. I had my first pregnancy last year, knew it was a boy, and went in to the hospital at 23w 5 d like you due to a tiny bleed. I was dilated to 4cm and waters were bulging. Grayson was born at 24w 1d. He did great for about a month in the NICU, but developed NEC and we lost him on December 9th.

I am pregnant again, due almost exactly a year later from when Grayson should have been born. I had an elective stitch placed at 12 weeks, and I get checked about every 2 weeks now. I'm at 30 weeks on Thursday.

The stitch works, more so if they can place it before your cervix shortens or funnels.

Best of wishes headed your way

 

[cyn3angels]

Hi pinklady,so sorry for your loss...I like you had a normal pregnancy the first time around (well....until the end when I developed Hellp syndrome) but cervix wise I was fine.. Then I lost my daughter at 24 weeks dilated w hourglass membranes and twins at 19 weeks....doctors didn't think I had ic because my first was term.this time I made the decsiOn to get the cerclage and although it'sbeen a bumpy crazy pregnancy I am now at 28 weeks and on just about everything there is to keep this boy in....anyway I think you should go for it..... Get it as early as possible and you'll be fine...good luck!
P

 

[kateqpr]

I think i've been overdoing it.Was up and about this morning for a few hours, getting everyone washed and dressed, Poppy's first nativity (hilarious and a tear jerker all at the same time) and then babycino's to celebrate.

I'm now back home but so uncomfortable. My stitch feels really sore and everything down below feels so stretched and twingey. I'm so annoyed at myself for being up and about so much, as i normally only get up for ten mins at a time.

Can you feel a chance down below when you over do it? I'm now back in bed, bum propped up for a bit.

Does this feeling sound normal?

 

[kateqpr]

Oh, and pinkladyangel - yes go for the stitch! Have an early one and i'm sure it will give you peace of mind as your pregnancy progresses. A stitch kept my little girl in until i had to be induced!

 

[Garden59]

Hi everyone,

I had my transvaginal ultrasound done yesterday and my cervix did not shorten. Thank God!!! I've been praying. It was actually 2.13 cm the first ultrasound and on yesterday it was between 2.3 and 2.4 cm so it actually lengthened a little. I will be monitored again in three weeks. I am feeling fine right now, at work with my feet propped up so I will be fine. I will just contine to pray that I will go full term and deliver a healthy and normal baby boy to complete my family. I currently have 3 children ages 3,5,7. So thanks to everyone and I will keep you all updated.