Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lizziedripping]

Hi pink lady It's not unusual for pregnant women to have a slightly dilated cervix this early, and can be completely normal - especially if they have delivered a baby previously. My cervix would admit a decent sized speculum with ease at 12wks (it most definitely should not!), and was incredibly floppy and weak. Although it was closed 'on the table', if I was standing it would have likely been dilated slightly under the weight of the babies even at 12wks! Even so, the stitch strengthened it, and I went 'all the way'.

The stitch will have firmly closed up the minuscule gap, and you should be absolutely fine now darlin'. Remembering that IC is a purely mechanical problem, it is potentially straightforward to fix. The main issue with it is getting clinicians to recognise it and treat accordingly. In your case they have hun, with plenty of time and cervix to spare. You're gonna be fine

JJee - welcome to the forum petal Yours doesn't have all the typical signs of a genuinely weak cervix, because you did make it to 31wks last time, but because it is on the shorter side of normal already in this pregnancy, then getting the stitch is a brilliant precautionary step which certainly can't hurt. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 9mths, and please feel free to stop by any time if you need support xxx

 

[sunkiss]

hello lovely ladies, sorry i havent updated, i went back to work on monday and doing well, that bowel issue is totally gone yay!! must of been a side effect indeed. i have been taking it easy, just going to work, i sit most of the day and no one lets me do too much there which is great ...when i come home, i get straight in the bed...only thing i feel is a lil heaviness in the bottom of my stomach...i felt this a lil bit b4 the cerclage also and scans came back fine, just showed her active and her head facing down...its not painful just feels weird...i hope all is ok there, my appt is not until next week friday but if this feels weird tomorrow maybe i should call to get checked earlier, i dunno i went to er b4 the cerclage for this n turned out to be nothing at all, maybe me just worrying, i will see where my heart takes me, better to be on safe side...hope everyone is doing well and babies are all still cooking and going strong !! will go read some updates now

 

[liven1980]

Hi everyone!

Jj: sounds like u are doing great Thank u for charing ur story! We are all thinking bout u and the little man

I wish you all a very happy easter, but hope u pop by here during the weekend... I have some update and questions...Lizzie maybe u know...
First, I was at doc yesterday. Everything fine with baby. They did not check my cervix as we did that last week and it was closed. When I came home I had a lot of slimy mucus (sorry bout tmi). I have had a lot before as well, but this was much more, kind of hanging out...(again sorry...). I decided not to worry bc I knew everything was fine with the baby. But today I also had som blood in the mucus (peach colored, not red) and it was not a lot, but more than the threads of blood I have had before. I was wondering how it is with us women with cerclage and the mucus plug? can it come out? if so, how does it look? and does it mean that the cervix has opened? Secondly, if I know everything is fine with the baby, should i worrybout the blood? it was not even a teaspon and as i said it was peach-pink. I have some pain, maybe a bit like menstrual pain, but its kind of on and off (not contractions) and i do not even have Bh now. they have been gone for weeks...

 

[liven1980]

also, when i woke up today, i coughed a lot this morning... Almost so I had to throw up because my nose and head is full of mucus (sorry.....) as well... My OH think this it explains the blood as it defenitely pushed the bay hard against the cervix. Can it be a probable explanation??

 

[JJEE]

Thankyou ladies, i am most certainly going to be sticking around..it has been so helpful to me reading all of the advice, and knowing there are people out there going through the same thing!

I have a couple more queries..i have been doing most of my research via the net, which i realise is perhaps not the best source! My cervix on the last scan had begun funneling..i noticed that my doctor had only written ' slight funneling'..i was then given Progesterone suppositories which i began at 15weeks, it was the next scan at 16 weeks where the CL had shortened to 2.3cm. Because of the funneling, is it likely that i will remain on bedrest, or will the stitch and progesterone keep it stable enough for normal life to resume??

Also..sorry 20 questions..what is moderate bedrest? Does this allow me to take my kids to and from school? It is literally a 5 min walk.

I have been given such conflicting advice..the guy who did my cerclage said that life would resume as normal after this initial 2week bedrest..but my Obstetrician said to stay on bedrest until week 30?? I guess it all depends on my appt on Weds..has anybody out there returned to normal life after a cerclage?

Sorry to bombard you all with questions..and Congratulations to Jimmyjam on the birth of your baby!

x

 

[chistiana]

Sunkiss- Hey hun, so great to hear you re totally back to normal and the people at work are so nice and understanding! I wouldnt worry about this heavy feeling if it s nothing extreme or painful, baby is getting bigger and i guess it depends on how she s sitting...i ve been holding my tummy like a little whale whenever i get up because i feel like she s going to drop! But if you dont want to wait till your next scan i d still go in and be reassured everything is fine!

Liven- hi! I never actually saw my mucus plug with ds so dont really know what to say but i would go and get checked just in case. I just wanted to share that about 8 days ago when i had that bronchitis and i was coughing like crazy..that's when i had that spotting and the doc said it was just superficial from the cervix and not to worry as the stitch can irritate it. Hope everything is fine!

JJEE- I dont think that slight funneling necessarily means you have to stay on bed rest...i guess it really depends as you said on your appointments...you may find that at your next scan everything has remained nice and closed and you can go about your life as per usual (with a little more caution!). Ask your doc about what he means by moderate bedrest.. the way i understand it is you dont have to stay in bed all day long, you can get up and make some dinner or walk around for short periods of time but no lifting or heavy chores. I really hope you can resume normal life soon (sorry i still havent so not one of the stories to reassure you). xo

 

[liven1980]

Hello again,
When i read my latest post, i see that i kind of forgot my most important question.... if it is the mucus plug, is it dangerous? when i read about the mucus plug of other ladies with normal pg, it seems that it doesnt matter, they have to wait for contractions anyway...so they life goes like normal until thr labour starts the next day or 3 weeks later... But in our case, with cerclage, is it a different issue? Are we more prone to infections for example?

 

[kateqpr]

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the board JJE!

Sunkiss - good to hear things have settled down really well for you since the stitch was placed. Hopefully you can have a more normal life now for the rest of your pregnancy. Regarding the heaviness in your stomach, i would say it sounds like normal pregnancy stuff. I remember having lots of heaviness, pains and twinges around the 18 - 24 week mark, when things were beginning to stretch and get heavier. Obviously get checked if you're really worried, but sounds like familiar pregnancy sensations.

Liven - hello lovely. Sorry, i've forgotten, how many weeks are you now? I've had LOTS of discharge, especially in the second trimester, which was often mucusy and thick. I would have thought it was normal, and unlikely to be a mucus plug as i'm assuming that is situated behind you stitch and nearly impossible to lose without actual bleeding. Lizzie i'm sure will be able to shed more light, but my motto is, if you're really worried about something, then get to the hospital or call your doctor for some reassurance. I also had pink discharge and spotting repeatedly throughout this pregnancy, and it was always just an aggravated cervix, or harmless polyp.

JJE - hello! Different doctors will always have different views on bedrest. Some don't advise is at all, others will fully encourage it. I think generally it's worth putting your feet up as much as possible during the weeks 18 - 28, and then starting to get slowly more active, based on how things are going. I was told to go on moderate bed rest too, so to basically stay at home, lie down when possible, but to get up for showers, cooking lunch, etc, to keep my legs and body vaguely active. It's also mentally torturous to do full on bed rest for any length of time, so a bit of limited activity is sometimes recommended, just to keep you sane. I would just take it easy until your next scan (when is it?) and see how your cervical length has settled. If things look like they're stable, then a couple of minutes walk could be just fine, i'm sure. Just take each stage as it comes and see how comfortable you and your doctors feel after each appointment.

If its any consolation, my CL was 1cm pre stitch at 18 weeks, then went up to 2.3cms and stayed around that for the rest of the pregnancy. I'm now 38 weeks, 2 weeks post stitch removal, and my cervix is still holding strong!

I see you're in West London - me too! where abouts are you?! (just being nosey!)


Christiana - wow - 30 weeks this week. What an achievement. I'm hoping you're starting to feel a lot more relaxed now. I know at week 30 i suddenly started venturing out a lot more (for sneaky pedicures or coffees) and started a bit of online baby shopping. I hope you're slowly starting to enjoy this pregnancy a bit more now!

Bookfish - i hope you're okay honey. You're getting there! Each day and week is doing so much for your babies right now, and you're doing brilliantly to have got this far, still intact. Hopefully soon you will start to relax a bit too.

I have NO NEWS! No baby. Pah!!!!! I had more spotting and cramps yesterday, but then again it all stopped again after a few hours. So many false starts! I'm also worried that my baby is now changing position. She was head down all through the pregnancy, but on Monday at the hospital, her head was starting to shift over at an angle towards my hip. Today my stomach feels so uncomfortable and her bumps feel like she's moved into a transverse position. Nooooo!! God, i just hope she goes back head down. I'd hate to arrive at my due date and have to have a c section when i've been mentally preparing for birth again all this time. Come on baby, get that head engaged!

XX

 

[chistiana]

Kate- Hey hun! I was wondering about you!!! Yes, 30 weeks on sunday and definitely a little more relaxed although me and hubby keep extending the safety milestone (it was 28 weeks a few week ago, then moved up to 30 weeks about 2 weeks ago and now it s gone up to 32-34 weeks...hahahahahhah never satisfied are we????) I m having my next scan at 31+3 and getting my shots then so i guess after that i can feel even more safe!!! Cant wait to go out again!!!
I cant believe your girl is still giving you a hard time...COME ON GIRL!!!! They threaten to come out when you want them in and then when you want them out they just sit there nice and cosy and comfy!!! Keeping my fxed that she'll turn her head down again...maybe she s just having a final stretch before engaging and coming out!!!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies

JJE - the fact that your cervix was funneled is indicative of IC, and I'd recommend doing modified bed rest atleast until you have reached 28wks. The stitch can and will close up the funneling, and you can feel more confident with moving around, but it is always better to play it safe since it is impossible to predict how your cervix will behave long term. it is more usual for doctors to recommend a reduction in strenuous activity but rarely do they order strict bed rest.

Only time will tell with you honey. If the next few scans show minimal changes, you feel physically fine and all is progressing as well as can be expected, then you could be a bit more adventurous.

Modified bed rest is lying horizontal if and when you can, minimising household activities and generally taking things easy. The 5 min walk to school is fine so long as you aren't feeling any unusual pelvic pressure or bulging. Lifting is a definite no no, as is vacuuming or standing for prolonged periods preparing meals. I took a chair into the kitchen so that I could sit down even when cooking.

Let your body and scans dictate. All should become clear in the next few weeks hun. Certainly in the short term you need to 'claw back' your cervical length, recover from the surgery and so rest accordingly. I know how hard it is when you have kids to look after, but at the very least stick your feet up as and when you can x

Liven, sorry Hun how many weeks are you now? This could be a touch of the mucus plug, but since you're quite far on now, it isn't unusual to lose little bits here and there without it necessarily meaning labour is around the corner.

The stitch won't stop the plug from coming away, nor will it stop dilation of the cervix due to strong regular contractions. you're not having contractions yet, so it is unlikely this is the plug as such, but more likely some of the associated mucus and cervical discharge which is abundant at this late stage in pregnancy.

It is usual now for your cervix to soften and even open slightly in preparation for labour. This isn't a problem even with the stitch in place, and it has probably,been happening for weeks now. As part of this process there are increased vaginal secretions, and some of the plug may well come away as part of that. It is probably replenished as quickly as it is lost too, until the whole thing comes out once full blown labour is established (then of course there is no going back lol).

The actual plug is a massive jelly-like blob of 'snot' tinged with brown and red streaks (sorry). It is unmistakable and when labour is imminent it comes away entirely. It is usual for women to labour during or not long after its appearance. Your loss is not the mucus plug darlin', and you still have a very sterile cervix no more prone now to infection than anyone else's.

In a nutshell, this is nothing to worry about sweet. Your body is now doing everything it should to prepare for birth. None of this is sinister, nor are you at increased risk of infection. You will know when things are on the move, and will have plenty of time to act and get the stitch removed (if its still there that is). Hope that helps xx

SK - as the other ladies have said, the weird lower abdo pressure is very normal and purely related to the pressure of your growing baby/uterus. The rapid expansion really takes you by surprise, and just adds to the worry (as I remember well ). With the twins on board I had this feeling from as early as 10wks! It's all 'growing pain' related lovely xxx

Kate, you poor thing! Your baby really is giving you the run around - she is obviously going to be quite the little character lol. It does sound as if labour might be sooner rather than later for you tho hun. Your cervix is clearly doing something, but then all these aches, pains and bleeding aren't unusual for you anyway. Sending labour vibes your way tonight and hoping for some baby news very soon

 

[blav]

I've been stalking this forum on and off since we lost our first baby at 22 and a half weeks due to IC. Well, we've just found out I am pregnant and we are so excited, cautious, but excited. I have my first appointment on April 11 (I'll only be about four weeks but they said they want to see me sooner this time around). I'll feel a little better after the appointment I hope! I know this pregnancy will be a lot different this time around but my doctor seems to have a good plan for care. I will be seen every two weeks even at the beginning and will also have a high risk doctor with cerclage placement around 12 weeks. I'm sure I'll be spending more time here too! I've already seen what a valuable place for information and support this place is!

 

[JimmyJam]

Hello Lovely Ladies.

Just thought I would pop in & wish you all a Happy Easter.

Christiana - 30 weeks on Sunday, girlfriend you are on the Home Stretch, the early thirties Woo-Hoo!!

Liven & Bf where are yr dates now?

Is Olga still around, I have checked briefly but may have missed her?

LaRock - how is Xanthe? Are you enjoying being a Mummy? Thanks for tip re: my signature btw, I wrote my post in email so I wouldn't lose it then copied & pasted. I want to pm each of you my email & tel no in case you're ever in London but I don't want to get done for libel!!! So have taken name & number off ...

Kate my gorg I hope bub stays engaged & doesn't go transverse but if that happens know that at least you're in good hands & baby will be safe ... That's the most important thing no?

And Lovely Lizzie & Helen I hope your weekend is full of fluffy bunnies!!

We are doing ok. One day at a time. Wriggles is close to getting a proper name & he & his mum are enjoying skin-on-skin time (when his breathing saturation reaches 100%, better than when assisted with the machine). I am beginning to believe he is mine now. I know there are still pitfalls ahead (the bloody doctors keep warning me) but he is a little fighter, punching the air with his strong little arms & legs, and I am willing hime to stay strong.

It is all a bit surreal.

Sorry if I frightened one or two of you with my graphic story, that wasn't my intent. Rmbr in addition to the stitch my primary (& more scary if I'm honest) condition was the poly which is actually what caused my waters to break, early labour & membranes to bulge. I wouldn't expect any of you to experience anything similar, you are all being monitored so closely & being so careful ...

To you ladies new to the thread I hope you find it as supportive as I have done over the last few hellish months. It is a special board & the girls one it are amazing, one & all.

Anyway. Off to see Wriggles. Don't eat too much chocolate ... O, go on then

Lots of Love. xxx

 

[book.fish2011]

Hi all lovely ladies

Am still here. Kate, waiting for your good news. JJ, are you going to post any pix of your little man? Glad he's a big boy and you are spending time with him. Wow. I wish him all the very best.

Blav, sorry about your loss. I hope doctors will take all care this time.

Lizzie, liven, Chris, Helen, sunkiss, LR....I hope you all are okay.

JJ - am 25 weeks and 1 day today.

Am experiencing some brown mucous discharge. When I went to ER on Sunday night, they took swab and blood sample. Results were normal. Cervix seemed fine after internal exam. Had lots of BH until yesterday without discharge. Today there aren't many BH but there's discharge. Will this scare ever end? Sorry for the rant. Every day seems so hard.

 

[chistiana]

Blav- sorry for your loss hun...so sad... But congrats on your new pg! You sound like a positive person and even though this is probably going to be a scary pg i m sure all the proactive steps your doc is taking will keep your lo safe in there! A happy and healhy 9 months hun!

BF- ggggrrrmmmfff i m sorry the anxiety never ends babe but good thing is everything was good at your last scan so this brown discharge is probably just from the stitch and cervix. Bh are pretty common anyway so i wouldnt worry unless they are painful. Xo

JJ-yayayayay so glad little man is doing so well and spending time with his hero mummy!! You re so much more positive now, i m sure you ll be home with lo very soon! And then you can glue him on you, i know i am when she comes!xo

 

[nhood]

I've been stalking this forum on and off since we lost our first baby at 22 and a half weeks due to IC. Well, we've just found out I am pregnant and we are so excited, cautious, but excited. I have my first appointment on April 11 (I'll only be about four weeks but they said they want to see me sooner this time around). I'll feel a little better after the appointment I hope! I know this pregnancy will be a lot different this time around but my doctor seems to have a good plan for care. I will be seen every two weeks even at the beginning and will also have a high risk doctor with cerclage placement around 12 weeks. I'm sure I'll be spending more time here too! I've already seen what a valuable place for information and support this place is!

Blav, congratulations and goodluck. I am not too far from you. I live in Maryland.

 

[blav]

Thanks everyone! I feel positive about things because my doctor has been pretty open and honest with everything that will happen and I feel like she will be proactive about preventing this from happening again. I do have some anxiety about the cerclage as I know there can be complications. I'll feel a lot better when that is over!

Nhood it's nice to have you close! I'm in Richmond!

 

[liven1980]

Chris, Lizzie and Kate, thank you for replies. The blood went away, but I think yes the mucus might be bits of the plug. Anyways, ur information calmed me. Thank you so much
I am 36 weeks today, and it seems that my ccection date will be in 12 days, when im 37+5 if she doesnt decide to come before this.

Jj: thank u for updating, so good for u to come skin to skin with ur son

Bf: I know, there is always something isnt it... I think I have had all the pregnancy complications possible- in my imagination it turnes out, but still so scary. I have not had brown discharge, but more pinkish. I always end up with the same answer at the end, irritated cervix bc of cerclage..especially after walking much, coughing or stuff like that. Congrats with 25 weeks!!!

Chris: 30 weeks tmorrow, yay!

Blav: welcome

Kate: oh, so excited for u. hope baby will turn right way for u

Lizzie: thank u for expert help regarding mucus plug feel much better now

Happy Easter everyone

 

[pinkladyangel]

Hi All
Been allowed to sit and use laptop again. Woohoo. All this resting is so frustrating and its only been 4days since my stitch. Any ideas apart from reading and watching movies. Daytime tv is so crap.
Well all is still ok. Bleeding stopped yday and now only have slight discharge. Think this is normal from reading previous posts on here. Am feeling a little more hopeful that maybe things are looking good for our future now. I don't think I could cope with losing another child. Trying to stay positive now and keeping fingers crossed.
Hope everything is well with all you ladies and I look forward to getting to know you all when I'm allowed to sit for longer.
Big hugs to you all and Happy Easter.

 

[LaRockera]

Hey everyone.

Kate- sigh... I hope your LO shifts again into position. Even when I was told I would have to be induced due to low fluid levels, I was hoping it would have been a vaginal birth, but when at 38+4 Xanthe was exactly in the position you're describing, I knew it was a c-section for good. However, this was precisely because I was running out of fluid and bubber had to come out. My best friend here in Greece, who was pregnant the same time as I was, was induced after week 40 as her bubba was still high up and had a vaginal birth. So baby not being in position doesn't mean a c-section necessarily.

Jimmy- I'd love to exchange details with you, and arrange a meeting in London with you & Kate and whoever else wants to come. Kate's got all my details. Everything will be absolutely fine with your bubba, I promise! Look how far you've come! Your story is an inspiration!

Pinklady - you've got an mp3 player?It's so much better than daytime crap tv. Alternatively you can ask your DH to install the DVD player in your room and watch TV series.

Blav - so sorry for your loss, hon. But this time it'll all be fine, I promise. Getting a cerclage is the best possible plan, and one that will work for sure, esp. at 12 weeks. Be nothing but positive.

Sending out my love to Lizzie, Christiana, Liven, nhood, bookfish and all the new ladies.

 

[HelenGee]

Hi lovely ladies,
JJ- thank you for your updates, although I don't know how you find the time. I'm so glad that Wriggles is doing so well, and that you feel so much more optimistic. I've got everything crossed that he'll breeze through special care, and be home safe and sound so very soon.

Your labour story was incredibly dramatic, poor you. It's great that you were taken seriously, tho, after a few fobbings off from stupid midwives, and that your consultant delivered Wriggles. That must have given you so much more confidence that you were getting the best care.

It's always lovely to hear how you're getting on, and how much you appreciate your gorgeous baby- it's not wrong to be optimistic, it seems as if the doctors want you to take on 2 different mentalities, which will drive you nuts. They are only reminding you to be cautious so that you can't blame them for not telling you about possible complications. If your gut instinct is that Wriggles will be totally fine, then go with that instinct. Whatever lies ahead, he is being monitored and cared for with medical experts on hand at the moment. That stands him in brilliant stead for breaking through this and coming home with you soon. Happy Easter, wishing you a happy spring, full of new life x

Kate- for what it's worth, a c-section is some ladies' worst delivery, but to be honest, it's actually not that bad at all. I truly would not worry about it if bubs is getting cosy in the wrong position, in my experience a section can be calmer and more reassuring than a vaginal delivery. Happy Easter to you and Poppy, hope the Easter bunny has hopped by your house x

Liven- congrats! I didn't realise you were so far along, so very exciting and certainly further than the docs ever thought eh? Hope the mucous plug things is all calm, but remember, it's not generally a problem if it does come out soon, just get to the hospital quick so you can get your section before things progress. Good luck

Bookfish- as long as you have been checked and swabs done, try not to worry my sweetie. I had a few brown bleeds along the way, usually after a speculum exam as they can dislodge any old blood that just hasn't made it's way out yet. Sending you lots of love and hugs for all the great work you are doing, baking those babies x

Blav- I'm so very sorry for your loss, but so very hopeful that the stitch will keep bubs safe this time around. Good luck and try not to worry about the actual procedure, it's not that bad at all.

Hey LR- how's Xanthe?

Sending fluffy bunny wishes to Lizzie, LR and MA, don't forget to treat yourselves a little too....I've resisted so far, but don't think I can for much longer! Trailing round a local National Trust garden in the rain yesterday on the Easter bunny trail has given me a chocolate craving!

Has anyone heard from Olga? Hope you're ok...? Xxxx