Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[HelenGee]

Garrick -from what I understand the mirena works straight away, but with the bleeding etc it took me a long time to rely on it iykwim?! X

 

[kateqpr]

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for your kind messages. They really helped when I was having a sleepless night on the ward!

Just seen the doctor and looks like I'm in for another 24 hours. The pains and bleeding have nearly gone but just want to wait for it to totally settle before I can go. I had my first shot of steroids last night. Jesus Christ that hurt! Was not expecting that to be so painful! I actually screamed out loud ( pardon my French...) 'shit, that fucking hurts, what are you doing to me!!' on a busy ward. Real classy.

I'm feeling a bit more positive now. Baby seems okay, pains are gone and blood nearly too fingers crossed. Im happy ive been given the steroids as i know they can really help. And who l Knows why im bleeding but i did have this repeatedly up until 16 weeks and never knew why. Cervix and stitch looked closed so thats good.

I've got piles of books and a Mad men box set to keep me busy so shall now try to think positive and stop googling!

 

[LaRockera]

Kate - I'm really relieved to hear things are somewhat stable, I was really worried about you- we all were. Glad to hear bleeding and cramping stopped- to me this sounds like a cervix infection but then again I'm clueless, so... I'm sorry you had to go through that pain- f*** class, you were in a hospital, you can scream as much as you feel like.

Cervix closed and stitch in place sound great. Plus, you're almost 25 weeks and from the looks of it, bubba wants to stay in there, so that's something to give you strength and hope.

We all love you to bits here, gorgeous. Were we in London we'd all come down to see you! Please keep updating!

 

[blav]

Ahh, that is great news Kate! I'm soo happy and relieved, as I'm sure you are as well. I'm so sorry you had this scare and hope that the rest of the pregnancy allows your mind to rest a little!

 

[HelenGee]

Phew Kate, what a relief. That's good news, been on pins waiting to find out. Phew again! Glad it's not just me who swears like a trooper, my fondest memories of Oliver's birth were tarnished by my anaesthetic wearing off as they were stitching up my c-section wound. LOL- me:"I can feel that that....ow..."
Anaesthetist:"does it feel like a tingling or a pin prick?."
Me:"S***, it feels like someone's f*****g stitching me up."

Nothing like bringing a touch of class to the maternity ward eh?!

 

[garrickbaby]

phew kate, what a relief. That's good news, been on pins waiting to find out. Phew again! Glad it's not just me who swears like a trooper, my fondest memories of oliver's birth were tarnished by my anaesthetic wearing off as they were stitching up my c-section wound. Lol- me:"i can feel that that....ow..."
anaesthetist:"does it feel like a tingling or a pin prick?."
me:"s***, it feels like someone's f*****g stitching me up."

nothing like bringing a touch of class to the maternity ward eh?!

too funny!

 

[apsara.m]

kate............ honey thank goodness was waiting for this update from you.... thank god bubba is fine and cervix is closed and stitch in place...

 

[vaali]

my fondest memories of Oliver's birth were tarnished by my anaesthetic wearing off as they were stitching up my c-section wound. LOL- me:"I can feel that that....ow..."
Anaesthetist:"does it feel like a tingling or a pin prick?."
Me:"S***, it feels like someone's f*****g stitching me up."

Nothing like bringing a touch of class to the maternity ward eh?!

Helen! he..he.. that was funny..

 

[Susanah]

Hi Everyone
Kate - sending you my love and good vibes... So hope things settle down for you !

We are doing ok. 12 days until my section. I will be 37 weeks tomorrow and can't believe how quickly its gone. Am having a few aches and pains, stitch is still in and REALLY pulling but apart from that, i think things are ok. Check up and final scan tomorrow !!!

Charlie bean is great - really enjoying her learning new little tricks and funny facial expressions. She was also poorly over last few weeks - just a constant flow of colds/cough/d and v/conjunctivitis etc etc - as soon as one thing got better she got something else!

Anyway... need to pack my hospital bag and get my act together really - havnt got my head around things one bit.

Love to all
Susie

 

[kateqpr]

Hi everyone,

thanks for all your positive thoughts and messages! Keeping me sane these last few days.

Well, i'm being kept in for another night. I feel like crying, as i was so sure i was home today, and i'm just so so tired. 7 hours sleep over two nights is not good, its just making me feel a bit weary and its hard to feel positive when you brain just feels like a tired mush!

I've had a few lower tummy pains this morning - though i think its mainly because i had a student midwife last night trying to find LO's heart beat and she pushed the probe so so hard into my belly looking for it, i've felt bruised there ever since! And i just could not get my bump comfortable in bed last night, so i'm hoping these niggles are just normal pregnancy pains. No more bleeding, fingers crossed.

I've got a consultant appointment tomorrow at the pre term clinic, so i think they're keen to keep me in until they've seen me. Plus they're trying to get me a scan too,so we can get an idea of whats happening to my cervix, plus i just want to check little girl is ok - bleeds just make you wonder

I don't think i can eat another full day of hospital food. Every meal for three days have been entirely yellow in colour. Last night was yellow curry, rice, followed by yellow rice pudding. And a banana. I may sent my husband to M&S on his way here to get me something a bit more exciting!

So thats all for now. If i could just sleep i might feel a little more positive...

xx

 

[LaRockera]

Susanah - 37 weeks tomorrow is as great as it gets! Congratulations, honey. Sorry to hear Charlie has been ill, glad she's recovering though.

Kate - Gah, who doesn't hate hospital food? Sending your DH to M&S sounds like a great idea, they do some pretty nice sandwiches in there. At least you should be able to 'enjoy' the food, if for anything else. Glad to hear bubba's doing great, sorry that the student decided to practice on your tummy. Hopefully the specialist will see you tomorrow and you'll be back home soon.

I'm going back for a well-being scan tomorrow in the wonderful clinic Helen recommended to see my obgyn for a private well-being scan (I go every 3-4 weeks now, like I would in Greece. I need to have my mind at ease, or, just follow things as they unfold.) Curious to see how my cervix is holding up, check that her fluids are all good, and see if she decided she liked the cephalic position and would like to stay there for the rest of her residency.

 

[kateqpr]

larock - cannot believe you're 30 weeks!!!!!!!!

I'm sure your scan will be brilliant tomorrow. And don't be freaked out if your cervix has shortened. It will start to slowly shorten now, or your baby will never get out of there!!

 

[LaRockera]

larock - cannot believe you're 30 weeks!!!!!!!!

I'm sure your scan will be brilliant tomorrow. And don't be freaked out if your cervix has shortened. It will start to slowly shorten now, or your baby will never get out of there!!

LOL Yes, I know. I don't have the nerve to complain.

Kate, I love you to bits, hon. Were I in London I'd already be by your bed in triage pestering you to insanity. It'll all be fine, and this nightmare will soon be in the past.

 

[heychickie]

Had my normal appointment today, seems they're done with scanning each time. I'm 34 weeks tomorrow. The Dr said if I were to go into labor at this point, they would not tr to stop it, would just bump up my c-section and do it then. Otherwise, baby is scheduled to arrive on February 10th. 5 weeks or less until he's here!

 

[lizziedripping]

Kate Hun, I am gone for a few days and you have a crisis So sorry to have missed it and not been there to offer some additional support : hugs:

I am reluctant to comment on your bleeding sweet because it could be due to so many things and can be very normal for some women in some pregnancies. It could be the stitch and your cervix straining against it, which is what happened to me with Evie, but then it also happens to lots of IC ladies who struggle on for weeks/months like it until delivery, and the stitch still holds everything closed regardless. I had severe and persistent blood loss the week up to Evie's delivery, but then I also had strong, regular contractions by then too - hence the bleeding and eventual PROM. The bleeding certainly doesn't signal there is a problem with lo, more likely there is a cervical issue which could well resolve itself again.

The waiting and not knowing is dreadful, and my love and support are with you every step of the way Kate Let us know the results of the scan, and then I'll be in a better position to offer some kind of reassurance as to what might be going on. IC is unpredictable, but keep sight of the fact that it can usually be overcome most of the time, and even with bleeding and/or dilation, doesn't mean you are beat necessarily. Love to you all, and keep us posted xxxxxx

 

[olga2424]

Hi Ladies, thank you all so much for the warm welcome Kate Larockera Vaali Apsaara......Just a quick update from me as am still in hospital till tomorrow, had my stitch yesterday which went well until the anesthetic started to wear off and my lady garden felt like I had just been 20 rounds of nookie with Mike Tyson....loool

Am still bleeding and cramping slightly and its not helping the fact that am extremely constipated due to using cyclogest pessaries x2 a day. I tried lactoluse, fybogel and glycerol supp and nothing has been shifted. (great!)
Ladies, how long did it take for the pains to go away after you had your stitch and how long did you bleed for? + were you monitored regularly for infection(swabs) or was it just left to you?

My consultant has not mentioned anything about the continuation of monitoring my cervix like before, all he said was I come back for my 20 week scan, then @ 24 weeks I would have the steroid shot for the babies lungs. Is this the norm? He didn't tell me whether I need to be on bed rest and when I asked him he was very vague . The cons that did my stitch is not my usual con and am hoping when i get to meet her next i can ask all the questions I didn't get the chance to ask.

Many thanks,
Olga

 

[LaRockera]

Hi Olga hon, thanks for the update.

I had mild pains and bled for about 3-4 days after the cerclage. Was also on tocolytes and antibiotics for infection. I was told that I needed no bedrest, but I would better refrain from things like housechores etc. Overall, until 20-22 weeks I took it easy, walked for about 10-15 minutes a couple of times a week, did do some bedrest (I'm a PhD student so worked from the bed) and drank loads and loads of water- very important.

I had my stitch done privately in Greece at 13+3, went to see the doctor at 15 weeks, then at my gender scan at 17 weeks the sonographer said that cervix looked closed and good (without performing a TVU though, as it was a gender scan). At 20 weeks my cervix was at 48mm and was told to return at 34 weeks (although the registrar that saw me that day is mythical to say the least, she's really awkward and unhelpful and vague - not particularly rude, just her type- and I'm terrified of her) so I started going for private scans. I had one at 23 weeks and another at 27, and tomorrow I'm going back for another one. But these are also well-being scans, so cervix is just one thing my doctor takes a look at. At 27 weeks, it was still 48mm.

Overall try to take it easy until you reach 24 weeks- and afterwards, still be cautious but you'll be able to breathe at least. I'm taking probiotics and cranberry juice (the yucky concentrated stuff from health shops) for infections, drink lots of water and also use a rephresh vaginal gel applicator once every ten days (however my Greek obgyn gave me the okay for this, I wouldn't advise anyone to do anything without consulting their specialists first really ). If you feel you may have an infection at some point, go and get checked. If the daily clinic refuses, go to your local maternity triage, they will perform it, esp. if you told them you have a stitch.

Please remind me, how far along are you? If you are between 13-15 weeks, I think they should give you another TVU to check length and stitch.

Good luck, hon. It will all be fine.

 

[HelenGee]

Hi Olga,
So glad everything went well for you. I had my stitch placed at almost 21 weeks and it took about 2 weeks before I felt less bashed around. I put myself on bedrest so it got to the point where I couldn't walk around much without feeling pressure in the ladybits.

My consultant didn't do any internal scans at all, but I did have a few speculums to check that all was fine. I also had cyclogest pessaries twice a day, yucky, but something did the trick as I made it to 38 plus weeks. I did go for a private internal scan at 29 weeks and my cervix with a stitch was at about 35mm, where it was previously 13mm with funneling.

To be honest, I think consultants play it by ear as too many internal scans ,as it can possibly introduce infection. Some only like to check if you give them cause for it. There is no harm in asking what your consultant plans from now. As mine was an emergency, my consultant was very honest and told me that the rule book was out of the window, and she would take it a fortnight at a time.

Well done you! Please know that we're here for you x

 

[HelenGee]

Oh Kate, I'm hoping for some relief for you soon, it's a no-win situation, when you're at home, your mind has time to run wild and you crave the reassurance of doctors. But when you're stuck in hospital, you feel totally isolated in a ward full of labouring women. I must have tested out the hospital facilities about 5 times before I finally went into labour. They were often so busy I felt neglected as I didn't want to make a fuss, and all the ladies around me had newborns, which made me really weepy and just desperate to be holding my own full-term baby.

I hope you get some reassurance, rest and decent food very soon,

Hugs,
Helen x

 

[HelenGee]

Aaaaarggh! Susie, only 12 days, surely you've still got the hospital bag from last time?! That has gone so quickly. Poor little Charlie and you, the bugs seem endless this winter, we're still suffering after nearly 3 months of colds. We just keep passing them to each other.


Well done, so very very excited for you x