Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[LaRockera]

Okay, we had a bit of a scare today.

So the last few days I've been having 'pinching' sensations down there, and feeling my vulva really 'raw'. This morning I went to check my pantyliner and it had a worrisome amount of brownish discharge on it. We drove to triage straight away, they hooked me up in the monitor. No contractions apparently, and luckily, Xanthe has been moving today like there's no tomorrow.

Then they stuck a speculum in and twisted it and turned it to the point I thought I would scream. They told me it was apparent I had thrush (they took a sample too but obviously no results for a few days) and that my cervix seemed closed, although they couldn't see the stitch. They said they didn't want to hustle me more with the speculum though, as it happens sometimes for the stitch to 'hide' as per cervical position/movements?

Anyhoo, no similar discharge ever since, it's all clear, although pinching sensation comes and goes. I was given a pessary, will stick it in before I go to bed. Luckily I see my private obstetrician in Birmingham this Saturday- which seems like ages away but anyway- so hoping he'll be able to see my cervix - and the stitch- and confirm it's all in place.

Now we're thinking of changing our flight to Greece for a week sooner. I spoke to my lovely Greek obgyn today (I love this man) and he told me it's time I went back. Today made me realise how important it is for me to be with him when my baby decides to come.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Nicole and welcome

My consultant wasn't interested in checking cl after my 28wk scan. I had scans every 3 wks because I was carrying twins, and after each baby check I had a cl check. At 28wks it had remained the same so she said she wouldn't bother looking again. At my 31wk check I asked if she would look just to reassure me and she did, but it wasn't necessary. After 28 wks, if an incompetent cervix has remained closed then it is unlikely to change without contractions. It opens purely as a result of baby weight - if the stitch has kept it closed past 28wks, then it has 'passed the test' so to speak. Incompetent cervix is no longer an issue for you chick. Good luck for the next few weeks

LR - your discharge sounds pretty harmless to me hun and might just be some old blood dislodging as your cervix softens and gears up for labour in several weeks. You can dilate a little this early on too and it be perfectly normal. I agree tho that a move to Greece might be best sooner rather than later. Thought travel late in pregnancy is probably fine for most women, I am a firm believer in pregnant ladies taking extra care of themselves in the last few weeks. Travel is tiring and you should continue resting as much as you can - especially after 34/35wks Hope I'm not nagging - very well intentioned xxxxx

 

[kateqpr]

LR - how horrible for you to have a scare. But good news you're being treated promptly. I'm sure it will all be fine and your baby is so well cooked now that try not to be too frightened of anything. And yes- you get back home to your family and lovely doc if if makes you feel more comfortable. You need to feel safe and calm for these last few weeks of ore baby freedom! Just go with your gut - it is so often right xx

 

[truthbtold]

Glad all turned out well LR.

I hope everyone else is doing fine.

 

[calypso]

Lizzie

 

[chistiana]

Larockera- so sorry you had to have this scare hun but at least you probably know what it is and see

 

[chistiana]

Oups sorry accidentaly pressed send...i was saying...seeing or not seeing the stitch the main thing is that your cervix is closed so there s nothing to worry about. I ve heard (although dont personally know) that sometimes the stitch might kind of "embed" in the cervix and there might be only a bit sticking out hense not so easy to see (but i say again this is only what i ve heard) anyhow, your little bubs is well cooked now so come back home so that you can feel more reassured, spend some time with friends and family, rest a little more and maybe do some last minute shopping before bubs is here!!hope stupid thrush goes away very very soon!xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Lizzie

Hey Calypso hun, how're you? Your lo is gorgeous btw

 

[LaRockera]

Lizzie - nagging? Are you for real? You're our thread guru, I'm grateful for your very existence.

Kate, Christiana, Truth - thank you, guys.

This is all so very reassuring.

No sign of tinted discharge since yesterday morning, put the pessary in, all that comes out is clear. We are nonetheless checking for tickets for a week earlier. I'm looking forward to my MUMS appointment on Saturday as well, and my doctor there will perform a TVU like he always does, and it will give us a clearer idea on where we stand, cervix-wise.

The thing is I've been having random pinching sensations down there, which I suppose it's normal at my GA, especially since Xanthe is quite a big baby, but in conjunction with yesterday's spotting, I'm a teeny weeny bit concerned.

Anyhoo, operation Xanthe is on, I'm washing her last patch of clothes right now, next it'll be the nappies, next our own clothes, and I'll be calling our cleaning lady to give us a hand.

Hope everyone else is doing great, and thank you for being so wonderful and supportive.

 

[Nicole R.]

Lizzie- Thanks for getting back with me! I feel better now, almost excited, to think I could possibly discover what its like to be able to take your baby home with you when you're discharged instead of leaving them behind in the nicu! Fingers crossed!!

 

[calypso]

Lizzie, we are doing great! I owe lots of my sanity to this board! Baby is almost 6mo.

LR - things are getting so exciting

 

[HStein]

This isn't the first time I've carried past 18w, my earliest delivery was 24 weeks, and my last (the pregnancy where stitch was placed) carried to 27w after 72 days of hospitalized bedrest. Former 24-weeker is now age 12, and my last baby is now age 6. I just didn't expect the shortening this early with a permanent cerclage in place.

 

[catherine_xo]

Hey everyone,
I have a question for you all .. How long did you go until you had your baby after the stitch was removed?
I had my stitch removed a week ago today, I was 2cm dialated straight after but still no sign of baby! I have been losing a thick gooey discharge for a week now too, is this normal? Is is a pinky colour? Sorry if that is too much information but I am just a bit worried & I have been having period like pains all week too, finding it hard to sleep I am that uncomfable x

 

[kateqpr]

My waters broke a week later - but then i had to be induced as my cervix had fused shut at certain points, so wouldn't dilate properly...

Good luck!!

 

[LaRockera]

Okay, so I just called triage. They told me my swab showed clear results after all.

So what the heck was that brown discharge? I haven't seen it since Wednesday morning, and at least I'll be going for a TVU tomorrow to check cervix & stitch.

We decided to leave a week earlier. So we're flying next Friday. I'll be 34+3. Let's hope it all goes well until then, and on the day. :/

 

[chistiana]

Hey larockera, could it have been like really old blood that just came out now?like from the cerclagd procedure or from a previous thrush or something like this?anyway, hope tvu gird you some answers tomorrow and of course that everything runs smooth and easy next friday!we re expecting snow today or tomorrow so get some warm clothes!!

 

[Jen1802]

I also had the same problem with my last pregnancy and my daughter was born at 26 plus 4 in September after I presented with dilated cervix and bulging membranes. It was too late for them to put a stitch in. I'd been getting achiness for weeks and weeks and frequent bh which turned out to be actual contractions. She's doing really well now tho so and is right on target for her adjusted age of 5 weeks. Try not to worry, it sounds like you are in good hands and they are monitoring you constantly. However if you do feel as if there is a heaviness actually in the birth canal then go straight to the hospital, that's what happened with me. xox

 

[LaRockera]

Hey larockera, could it have been like really old blood that just came out now?like from the cerclagd procedure or from a previous thrush or something like this?anyway, hope tvu gird you some answers tomorrow and of course that everything runs smooth and easy next friday!we re expecting snow today or tomorrow so get some warm clothes!!

Thanks! Luckily I haven't seen anything since then, and yes, the TVU will give me some answers. Snow, huh? Let's just hope it won't be enough to shut down any airports- neither in the UK or Greece.

 

[chistiana]

hihihi it s never enough these days hun, never enough!!!let us know how the appointment goes!good luck!

 

[lizziedripping]

Good luck today LR, but I know that you're gonna be just fine . Brown discharge at any stage in pregnancy is usually harmless. The area down there is so 'busy' and vascular that it is common to experience varying degrees of discharge, and sometimes to bleed too. At this stage it is even more likely as your cervix begins to make subtle changes in preparation for labour, which is still weeks away despite it. Once things really kick off, there is no doubting it hun. Take care and let us know how it goes

Hey Catherine. It sounds as tho things are happening for you, and the discharge you describe is very much like the mucus plug. Sometimes it comes away in one huge glob, but other times it comes out slowly and over time. After stitch removal it is ironic, but most ladies thengo on to full term and beyond - being 2cms dilated doesn't necessarily mean labour is imminent either, and you can be like that for weeks beforehand.

Given that you have had aching, a 'show' and you're a little dilated I'd say it won't be long however. I had similar symptoms with my first born, but they all happened over a 24hr period just before full-blown labour kicked in at 39/40wks. I'd be surprised if you still hadn't delivered within the next 1/2wks. Good luck xxx

PS - Just to let you know ladies that we are going away for the week on Monday. I will have Internet access, but dh might get a touch sulky if I spend as many hrs on it as I do at home (it is meant to be family time after all lol). I will be checking in, but not as often. I really don't want to miss anything, nor do I want to overlook any issues which might crop up. If anyone needs my thoughts on anything specific, then please PM me since that route is likely to get to me sooner. Hope everyone is ok, and nothing dramatic happens whilst I'm gone - not that that's likely See you all on the other side