Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[olga2424]

Lizzie, I forgot to ask you..... Going back you did mention in one of your posts that during your TVU scans a lot of sludge was seen, did it eventually go away on its own or was it present till you delivered your twins? Reason Is the prof did pick it up on my scan too. Although he wasn't concerned, he did mention some thing about my body fighting infection. He also stopped my nifedipine that I was taking. Please share your experiences as am so worried about infections

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Oh Helen, that's just awful. I'm glad your supporting each other but I'm with you on the stuff it attitude. You have to take care of yourself and that comes before work. Mommy has to be in good working order to care for her kids and her husband. Hopefully with a bit of support you'll have a lighter burden emotionally but sounds like you have quite the pile on you and that's just at work.

 

[book.fish2011]

Greetings lovely ladies!!!! Great to hear from all of you.

LR: One day down for counting. It's almost Saturday noon here in Dubai so we are almost there

JJ : I just know how terrible that night in the ward must have been. You poor thing private room will definitely make things better, although I know how annoying hospital stay is. But as few ladies pointed out you like your pa, are a hero yourself, and am sure you will make it successfully to the goal - am pretty confident and I don't believe for a second it can go any other way. Cheer up.

Chris: Is your girl kicking today? Am often concerned about the kicks too but not yet obsessed with them with the other things on my mind - at this point am really worried about preterm labour and am feeling all sorts of pain in my abdomen( they aren't severe, but noticeable to me). Am sure your girl is having a good time there

Olga: congratulations. I think we need to add your name to the heros list as well. You are doing so well girl ( touchwood). I hope everything continues this way and you make it to 38 weeks.

Helen: really sorry about the problems you are facing. I hope something works out for you soon.

Kate: how was the secret night?

Liven: still having troubles while posting?

Lizzie: how are you dear? I need to ask you about Braxton hicks. Did you get them with twins ? I feel am having them now. In fact since past couple of weeks. There's this tightening feeling in the stomach that lasts for about 20 seconds and this happens on an average 3-4 times in a day.

Since yesterday am experiencing some pricking pain on the left side of my stomach. It's annoying to say the least. It's not very severe, but nagging me for sure. I don't seem to notice it if am busy doing something like watching a movie etc. but otherwise can feel is constantly. I have even identified an area on the left side of my stomach where this pain is coming from. When I press that area, it hurts. What could this be any idea?

 

[LaRockera]

It's going to happen TODAY!!!

We just came back from the doctor's. Apparently bubba has almost run out of fluid and she seems to be spine to spine, so he doesn't see why he has to wait until Monday. I'm preparing the last of my stuff as we speak!

Thank you so, so, so, so, so very much everybody for your friendship, support and help throughout all these months. It's been absolutely invaluable, and I've made some great friends here!

I'm nervous and excited, and for some reason, not scared at all. Perhaps because it all happened so fast that I still haven't realised what's going on.

Please wish us all good luck.

I'm not sure how soon I'll be able to log back online, my phone dates from the dinosaur era and they tend to keep you for five days in the clinic after a c-section. But G will be there- with his laptop and his portable internet device, so who knows, maybe I'll be able and fit to log on earlier.

Thank you again. You've been great friends to us and our little girl.

Let it all go well, please please please, so we shall meet Xanthe-Eleni today!

 

[chistiana]

OMG LAROCKERA!!!!! I cant believe it!! Your post was such a shock!!!i have this huge grin on my face and for some reason i m proud and emotional for you
And xanthe...another one of us made it to her goal safely!!!!!!GOOD LUCK hun, all the best, will be constantly thinking of you guys and i m 1000% sure everything will go fantastically!!you ve got all my love xoxo

 

[chistiana]

Olga- hey hun, so so happy you re finally out of the hospital and safe and sound in your warm cosy bed!!!everything is looking up for you touch wood, i am confident you will make it all the way!!I bought a doppler as doon as i reached 11 weeks with this pg and it has been my savior especially with all the second trimester bleeding!bubs is still not very active (a kick here and a kick there) but i have used my doppler a few times in the last week and her little heart is always beating away at 160bpm! I think she might be facing my back bacausr i get these sharp pains in my back out of nowhere!!!anyway, have a great day and rest in your lovely home babr, so glad for you!!

BF- i guess the no kicking thing is just another thing on our long list of worries! But i agree, when i m stresses out about other things i dont notice as much! Also just wanted to say that i ve been experiencing braxton hics for some time too and it is completely normal! It s a good sign your uterus is preparing but not necessarily for early labor (i had them with ds too and went full term!) also that sensation you have in your left lower abdomen could be stretching or just the babies pushing inside! I get it both around my belly (like on the lines that form) and aroung my belly button...it feels as if i have a huge bruise from the inside, it is sore to touch!xo hope you re having a great day!!

 

[JimmyJam]

Hey Everyone,

O wow o wow La Rock! Sending every possible positive vibe under the sun ... She's cooooming ..... !! Hope today goes brilliantly hon. Thinking of you ...

Olga sweets - such fantastic news my lovely, so glad you've been discharged & seem more hopeful. Think you have every reason to be darl ... At my clinic I was told that Shannen & Bennett (who I'm under) were the two best in the country, so you are in good hands my love!! And so jealz you are at home, that is fantastic. Good luck & take lots of care.

BF I've been having Braxtons for quite a while now, sometimes more often than others. I've mentioned them a couple of times in hospie & they've said not to worry unless they're accompanied by pain ... Thank you for yr words of support, you are a poppet. Hope you're feeling ok today?

Helen, Christiana - you ladies on this thread are amazing. I am no more a hero than any of you dealing with what you are. How you cope with all these challenges when you already have babies, I can only imagine. All the girls on this site are heroes, strong, capable ladies facing up to scary things without folding. It's a privilege to be part of.

Helen you have been through so much. It is typical of women to try & be everything to everybody & if we struggle to feel somehow it is our fault. Your school needs to recognise what you've been through, appreciate your talent & not make you feel guilty for the leave you had on bed rest. I feel angry that you're being exploited & made to feel 'grateful' for a job you clearly excel at. Darling you don't have to put up with this, there are alternatives. It may take more effort & will at first but you can make changes & you're not trapped. I think you should seriously consider private tuition, that you could build around YOUR life. My heart goes out to you, lovely, I read yr posts & hear how much you have on - & you probably haven't recovered yet from the pregnancy with Bella - either physically or emotionally ... You are amazing Helen, rmbr that. What you have been through is extraordinary & you have shown courage & strength. It's in you. Don't let them beat you down. xxx

Liven - I've been reading back over old posts & wanted to thank you for yr kind, sweet words. In the dark hours on my own here in hospital I take so much comfort from this thread. It is a lifesaver, truly.

Bit Anxious today. Last night my temp was up a bit, they gave me some paracetamol & it went down. This morning first thing it was fine but an hour go was back up to 37.5 - which is the danger zone for infection. Bit scared now as the amnioreduction places me at greater risk of infection ... please, please don't let me have an infection, please ...

Lizzie? Can you wave a magic wand?

Ladies will check in later.

Sending you on big mutual love in, my new friends - you're all, every one of you, fabulous ...

JimmyJam xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Olga - the extra gunk that was evident on my tvus never went away and was there up until my last cervical scan at 31wks. The consultant felt it was in reaction to the stitch, my body's way of trying to eliminate it - much like a splinter in your finger and the white blood cells which accumulate around it to force it out. It never caused any problems for me or the stitch Hun So glad to hear you're home from hospital sweetie - I knew you'd be ok, and I have a sneaking suspicion that you just might go 'all the way' now Hun xx

Bf - bh contractions were with me throughout the twin pregnant, from as early as 8wks! They picked up pace from 20wks and I had them every day over a few hours and they could happen as frequently as 3/4 times an hour. Sometimes they we even painful. Very common with twins and probably made worse by having a stitch too. They are awful and very frightening in ladies like us, but fear not my sweet, they never had an effect on my cervix

Your stomach pain, is it high up or low down near your hips hun? Probably just ligament or muscular pain. My skin in the end was pulled so tight that I felt constantly like knives we being jabbed into my stomach just under the skin. Pin prick pain at this stage is probably the stretching and growing of your uterus, which at this point with twins is probably the size of a 28wk singleton uterus xxx

JJ - glad you got a side room honey, was going to suggest pushing for some privacy. In my experience, hospitals aren't very proactive unless you give them grief They seem quite insensitive to the plight of mums like us, and will overlook the obvious if it makes their life easier!

Sorry to hear you had a rough day in the week It is hardly surprising considering the massive strain and uncertainty of the last few weeks. I hope the privacy helps a little - psychologically it must have been so draining to see and hear other women having their babies. Thinking of you chick, you are never far from my thoughts

Helen - glad you managed to speak to someone hun. I think you're absolutely right to try somehow and 'let go' of the situation a little. The school's obvious lack of support does not deserve you working yourself into a break down. Them expecting this level of input and work from part time staff is unreasonable and unjust. Your family are more important, as is your sanity. You can only do what you can do, and if that is the best you can give (without compromising family life), then so be it - they truly can 'stick it!'

LR - Hope as I type this you are holding Xanthe safely in your arms Massive congratulations honey, can't wait to hear details

Chris, MA, Kate (where're you may be lol), and Liven, a big 'Lizzie hug' to you all - you know where I am

 

[lizziedripping]

Just seen your MSG JJ - what is your normal temp in pregnancy Hun?

I have a temp consistently above and between 37.5 and 38 in pregnancy right from the moment of conception. It's how I knew miscarriage was imminent because my high temp suddenly dropped and I was shivery and cold - sure enough it was at 36.9 and I began to bleed the following day.

In hospital they will be using zero tolerance with you because you have complications and a greater potential for infection. 37.5 is normally not considered a fever in adults. The only time it is is in newborns who have a cooler core temp and so anything above 37.3 is considered high. I believe this to be them operating caution rather than it being a genuine fever indicative of infection. Do you feel well in yourself? Are they taking daily bloods to spot white cell markers? if the white cells are within normal range, then this usually signifies there is no infection present.

With Evie I had steadily rising white cell markers in my blood, but I had no fever, nor did I feel poorly. It did indicate I was fighting something tho. After his birth, Noah (one of the twins) had a temp at or above 37.3. Because he had respiratory distress and fluid on his lungs at delivery, there was an increased risk of infection for him. As a result they took the elevated temp very seriously and put him immediately on antibiotics - they also ran tests. In the end he was nothing more than over heated in the sweltering hospital environment, and there was nothing to worry about. They howevere insisted on playing it safe.

I cannot obviously say without exception that you are bug free, BuT at the moment I would still say it is more likely this is normal temp fluctuation and not necessarily indicative of infection. It is relative to your normal body temp so far in pregnancy, so it would be useful to know that? X

 

[chistiana]

Hey jj just to echo lizzie i wanted to tell you that even though my normal temp during pg os around 36.4 (really low) i have had the one or two occasions when my temps rose to 37.5. It was nothing really, just me stressing out and being totally psychologically down. If you go though get another high then just for your peace of mind tell them to do your bloods as lizzies suggested!hope you re already feeling better.xo

 

[JimmyJam]

Hi Ladies,

Have been v anxious.

My normal temp is 36.something. Yesterday I asked if my blood cell count would be done & no one came. Last night the midwife came after my routine temps were taken b/c my temp was reading 37.5. She said that the doctor had told her my bloods didn't need doing today but as my temp was up she'd take them. She gave me paracetamol & an hour later temp had gone down.

This morning it was ok first thing & then went up to 37.5 again & I was told by the doctor this afternoon they hadmonly done CPR not full blood count so I insisted they domit again ...


Aaah Stop Check, midwife's just been in, my temp is down to 37.1 & blood count normal range - yay!

Anyone: why did my body do this? I've been a wreck all day!!!

X

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi JJ - your body didn't do anything Hun, 37.5 is usually classed as normal. Anything up to 38 is normal for an adult. The medics are 'playing it safe' and making a preemptive strike. Normally that reading would go unnoticed, but in a woman with polyhydramnios and amnio reduction, it is worth monitoring.

Everyone's temperature, if monitored so closely would have hour by hour fluctuations. It just so happens that you are being watched, today was a 'hot' day for you, and it was nothg more than a minimal shift in your core temp.

It is great that staff are being so pro active ( they are most definitely doing their job). It's not so great that every change and slight signal of a possible issue sends you into absolute terror I have been there, understand totally where you're coming from and sympathise. I wasn't worried by the 37.5 chick, but then I'm not sitting where you are right now.

Relax tonight honey, all is as well as it can be for now so cherish that fact at least. This will be an absolute roller coaster ride JJ, and it is important you try to come out of it with your sanity intact. Easier said than do I know.

 

[HelenGee]

JJ - temperature fluctuations are normal, everyone's does during the normal course of a day, and as Lizzie said, up to 38 is normal for an adult. I had an elevated temp from the moment I was pregnant, I think it's just the way different people react to pregnancy. My temp was higher right up until delivery. Now if at all possible, take a deep breath and imagine you're swimming underwater, it always help me to block out all the background interference- your baby, stitch and you are getting through this. And you've made it through another week. It's hard to feel your body and mind relax when you're so doubled over with stress, but they are managing you very carefully and you are one strong lady.
Thank you so much for your lovely words earlier. Am really enjoying my "f*** 'em weekend"! X

 

[HelenGee]

Good luck LaRock xxx so exciting x

 

[liven1980]

Good evening everyone,

Jj: I have to follow the other ladies here and tell you that my temp has been over 37 since I started measuring. Last time they measured, it was 37.4. I thought it was bad as well, but all bloodcounts etc are fine, and baby is fine, so I think its not to worry. When not preg, I usually measure under 37.
Btw: in less than 2 hours you are 25 weeks! Congrats!
Also, happy to hear you have your own room now. That helps a lot. At least it did for me. I do not manage to read books when lying on my side, but I did get my OH to borrow sound books (Not sure what they are called in english, but you can listen to books being read up on cd or ipod), and that kind of shut the world out and often i just fell asleep so more time passed. Just a tip

Bf: I found out what i was doing wrong, i used "quick reply" instead of "post reply", thats why the long messages didnt get through at once. Just showing how unfocused and disracted this pregnancy makes me...

LaR: wow! exciting! Im so happy for you! wisshing your girl welcome to the world!

Lizzie: the nausea is over (for now), thank you for replying And thank youand the other ladies who shared c-section stories, Its decided that I will have one as well, and youre stories made me relax a bit about it.

Todays big worry is feeling my girl very low, bouncing her head on my cervix. It makes me scared, cause she seems to be only centimeters away from bouncing her way out.. So today I have prepared my self that birth actually might happen sooner than i hoped for feeling frightened and dissapointed by that. The thing holding me up, and what I am telling myself is that I must have contractions for her to come out..and right now I am not..stil, im scared the pushing on cervix will kickstart contractions/labour...

I am in bed now, hoping these frghtening thoughts wont keep me up all night...
good night to you all

 

[chistiana]

Liven i really dont know if it is the same thing but i often feel lo extremely low, like on mu pubic bone and feel like she s bouncing on my cervix...it s really hurting me sometimes too. I hope this is not a sign of labor for you (or me). It had happened with ds at 31 weeks, spent the night in hospital only to be told he had got his head stuck somewhere between my pelvic bones really low. He got unstuck after 3 days. Hope it s just an odd uncomfy feeling and nothing more

 

[HelenGee]

Liven-Please don't worry, sometimes babies are just carried low, it can be due to a myriad of reasons, but is essentially harmless. It's the strength of the scaffolding holding them in (cervix) that is important, and that won't dilate without strong, regular contractions in labour. Bella was very low, probably due to my prolapsed uterus, but this didn't mean she arrived early. In fact, she bobbed in and out of being engaged, and at about 26 weeks I think, she was almost fully engaged. She then moved out of this position a few days later. I could feel when she was bouncing off my cervix, but it never amounted to anything. Even my doc used to call her the "moveable little miss!"I just stayed horizontal (yes book reading is difficult when you're lying in your side), but unless you're experiencing regular pain, I would try not to worry.

 

[book.fish2011]

I've never known what my temp is since I fell pregnant. I've never bothered to check myself and I think the only time they checked it was when I was admitted for cerclage. They didn't tell me what it was and I didn't ask them. JJ, I just hope as all ladies here said your temp is just normal for a preg woman.

Yesterday I was alarmed by my nagging pain and texted my OB. She said goto A&E if you want to be reassured. I did. A&E was busy like hell. It took me almost 3 hours to see a doc by when the nagging pricking pin pain had stopped and a scan showed babies moving fine. I came back home starving and tired. My poor dh who was initially very worried was so bugged. As you girls said, I think it's just uterus expansion or probably some gas pains.

BH continues but am somewhat relieved to know am not the only one having this.

Today my dh and I had to go for some urgent paperwork regarding visa blah blah, so I was out of my bed for almost 4-5 hours sitting on a chair in a waiting area. My legs and back are aching and am at home in my bed now but thankfully pricking pain didn't appear today, just a couple BH.

I feel one baby move and kick dangerously low. As low as near the area where I pee ( am I even making any sense?). I have a bikini line c-section scar and I feel the baby below that incision. Sometime there are sharp electric shock like pains near cervix. Could these be the lower baby kicking the cervix?

And Lizzie, as you said my uterus is looking big, almost like am 26 weeks or so. I wasn't extremely huge last time when I reached 30 weeks. But yet you know what is my biggest fear this time is? Am scared of my uterus giving away and rupturing because of all the stretching due to twins - my previous csection wound is only an year and 3 months old now. This is my biggest fear and I haven't even discussed the with my OB, because I fear that she'll confirm it.

I try to scan around to find someone in my situation. I just know only one girl who had twins after a csection, within same time frame like mine. I don't know this girl personally but just chatted with her few months ago online, she lives in India somewhere. She ended up having preterm twins due to ptl at 33 weeks. Now , 33 weeks is an absolute dream for me. But I don't know the physical profile of that girl. She may have been taller, enabling her to carry better. Am just 5 ft tall, i can see my bulge has already reached upto my ribs and just 20 weeks. It's so scary to think what may happen if uterus just ruptures and am too scared to ask my doc.

Anyway, my anatomy scan is next Monday. It was supposed to be today at a different place but due to some issues with insurance, I've rescheduled it for next week. Am waiting for insurance pre-approval. We paid an obscene amount, close to 6000 pounds as premium (this is big money for us), for this insurance but any procedure that's a bit expensive needs their pre approval. I hope this one gets it.

I like Liven's idea of audiobooks. I should try that too. At the moment I try some Audio/videos or music like zen garden on YouTube and try sleeping during the day. JJ, I hope your day in your room is much better. How is LR? Waiting for her news!!! Hope Chris, Lizzie, Olga, Helen...everyone's doing fine.

 

[chistiana]

BF- sorry the pain was so alarming hun... The description though does make sense to me...i feel the kicks ( whenever that is!) extremely low, i ve often put my hand down there expecting to feel a sticking foot or something. At 20 weeks and especially with twins i guess it is very normal, they re 2 in there, they ve got to fit somewhere!!!hope your insurance pre approves the procedure, you ve paid A LOT of money for them to say no!!stay in bed with your feet up today hun, give your uterus some extra rest time!

 

[HelenGee]

Bookfish- just a quick one as I'm in the car, but the lady I covered for maternity leave and eventually replaced had twins after a singleton full term pregnancy, that was delivered by c-section after failed ventouse. She had her twins by elective section at 38 weeks. She was 5 feet nothing, exactly the same as me, and her twins caused her mobility issues (sciatica) and she had to have her hernia repaired after delivery, but she had no problems with anything like uterine rupture. Hope that helps! X