Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[JJEE]

Good luck Yellowyamyam!

 

[Van1116]

Hi. I'm new posting. I've been reading the blog for a little while. I need help with IC, contractions, and funneling.

I am 38 years old and on my 2nd little one. 24 weeks today. (We were watching my cervix this time because I went into labor with my 1st little on at 20 weeks). It shortened from above 4 to 2.6 in one week...week 14 I think. We did the cerclage the next day. 2 weeks bedrest and was stable. A few contractions, but we weren't worried. I went back to work for 3 days (stand 8 hours a day) and cleaned house. My cervix gradually decreased so on bedrest again. Started Nifedipine at 18 weeks every 4 hours. By 19 weeks cervix down to 1 with funneling. Started Nifedipine every 3 hours and a 2 day course of indomethacin. 21 weeks 1.3 still with funneling. Contractions never really stopped, but decreased. I received my first steroid shot today. No preterm labor this time.

Side note....with little one number one I contracted the whole time. I was on bedrest, nifedipine and terbutaline pump(recalled now). I was on that until 37 weeks and was induced at 39 weeks.

I think my question is does this sound like IC or something different. I know IC risk goes down soon, but with the other complications I don't know if I can ease up on the bedrest at that point.

 

[chistiana]

Hello Van and welcome on the thread! Wow, what you went through with your first lo must have been so stressful... Thank goodness you managed all the way to 39 weeks! Anyway, yes your story really points to IC for sure but you ve done brilliantly to have reached 24 weeks and now with the shots you re so much safer! When you say "that point" do you mean 28 weeks? I m not sure what your doc will advice you and i guess you should definitely go by that but i was put on bed rest at 12w4d and thought i d be allowed to move a little more after 28w...i wasnt but i was allowed off bed rest roughly around 32 weeks.With that said, i m still not allowed to walk for too long or to lift my son or do heavy work but as you say i ve eased off strict bed rest. Anyway, again, I guess it depends on how your cervix will behave in the meantime and what your doc says! I m wishing you all the luck in the world and even though i know how hard it is to be in bed with a lo around it is well worth it as you well know!

 

[millieboo1111]

Hello Everyone, i hope you are all doing well!

Im 22+1 today!! Im so happy, ive never been this pregnant before and even though im stuck on bedrest the time seems to be going quite quickly at the moment

I went for another scan on monday, i didnt think there would be much difference to friday but my cervix had grown from 21mm to 26.5mm astonishing and the sonographer compared friday and monday scan pics of funneling and that had reduced from a sharp V to an ever so slight ) im amazed this can happen with bedrest and prayer alone! Baby is also growing well and is so active which is reassuring also baby did a big yawn at scan so lovely. im so excited to meet baby. My consultant who is lovely called me a clever girl lol

Van Im so sorry to hear your having another trying pregnancy but well done to getting to 24 weeks. Your story also gives me hope of carrying full term. I would say your case does sound like IC from my limited knowledge and what i have learnt recently is that our situation can change dramatically in such a short time frame. which is why it is so important to really rest, while your body concentrates on pumping blood and fixing other bits of body doing daily chores, when on bed rest it can concentrate on most important issues like baby, cervix and funneling.

I have been on strict BR for 2 weeks and have seen a dramatic change in my whole situation. I am now feeling more confident to go for a little stretch of my legs occasionally just to the end of the ward and back and a real nice shower and wash of the hair. Also i feel i can enjoy being pregnant again. It is a full time job now getting my baby to term and it does require some serious focus and a certain mental attitude being on BR and i know will be even tougher with a LO but so worth it.

Keep us posted and i hope things improve for you xxx Ellie xxx

 

[book.fish2011]

Hello All

Got access to net after four days, hence updating. Am okay, babies are okay, still pregnant. I had severe cough on Saturday night, so went to A & E , second time in 2 weeks. They found too many preterm contractions on CTG; so admitted me. I was given some medicine through IV for stopping contractions. They stopped the next day. Was on observation and just came home now. UTI is better but persists. Still on antibiotics.

Doctor is hoping that I'll make another few weeks, but shes concerned. I have pains all the time.Cervix is okay according to her but since an a small woman, one baby is pushing against the cervix a lot. Am trying to lie down on my left side all the time, praying for just a few more weeks to bring these babies home healthy. Need one last little miracle. On Monday they weighed about 1350 gms and 1550 gms, which doc said is okay for Indian babies (small physique)

Chris, Lizzie, Helen, Sunkiss, and all other lovely ladies - how are you?

 

[chistiana]

Hello everyone!
BF- so glad you re ok hun, you ve made it this far, i m sure you ll make it a few more weeks! Good think the contractions stopped and you re out of hospital! Just stay off you feet completely now!

Ellie- yaaayyyyyaayy for growth n no funneling, your progress is amazing and you re so close to v day now!!!

Quick update from me: had a scan today...yah right...bu and luck of space...bull.... If you ask me! Bubs was head down a month now and doc had assured me it was extremely difficult for her to turn again due to the bu...yeah right...cheaky little monkey turned into a footling position again..bummer...i so wanted to have a vaginal birth again but my chances are getting slimmer by the day! Anyway i wont say too much because agter two losses all i really want is my baby sfe and sound really but...bummer for feet down! She s also rather small, 2100g just like her brother was but i guess with my luck of space and possible ic that s a good thing. Have another nst next thursday and then we ll decide when we ll be taking the stitch out i guess. That s it from me.. Just in case, i need all the fingers i can get crossed to get her head down again! Any tricks ladies??

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies, sorry I've been absent for a few days, we have builders in to fix a leaky roof - never imagined how much chaos there'd be!! I did keep popping in to check if there were any urgent matters that I could help with but thankfully you have all seemed relatively ok

Ellie, brilliant news! Not surprising with IC and the benefits of rest are truly remarkable. Women are amazed how thing s can look really grim but they either stagger through like that for weeks, or their cervixes lengthen and strengthen again, almost over night. The dream of a full term pregnancy slowly but surely creeps up on you. Take each day as it comes, and be 'lifted' by each passing week hun.

That goes for you too SK - your cervix is definitely feeling the strain, but so long as the funneling remains at the stitch and not beyond, you can go all the way xxx

BF - yey, you are at 31wks! Don't think your doc thought you'd make it this far, so don't assume you can't make another few weeks or more. The contractions can be normal with twins, but more often than not don't develop into full blown labour. You are petite, but so are your babies - the two balance each other out and your smaller frame is more than capable of carrying two 'smaller framed' babies.

My twin a was breech and had his feet and bottom way down in my pelvis, pushing up against the stitch. He was so low that my consultant had trouble seeing him on the abdominal scan - it didn't cause labour, or affect my cervix. He was like that from 32 to 38wks. Fingers crossed for you darlin (love as always to your parents - hope they're holding up ok) xxx

Christiana - again, you're still pregnant and it's brilliant Advice for trying to spin the little munchkin. I got down on all fours and gently dropped my back, and swayed my bottom (not a flattering or dignified position lol) from side to side. It did encourage twin b to go head down at 33wks, and moved twin a away from my cervix. It felt really comfortable too! Good luck xxx

Van - welcome to the thread honey

IC is so difficult to diagnose because the contractions you describe both in this pregnancy and last time often accompany the condition once the cervix has begun to thin out and shorten etc, but technically speaking IC is the 'silent' dilation of the cervix without the influence of strong regular contractions.

With my daughter I had already dilated to 3cms before I got to hospital, but apart from some mild lower back ache, I didnt contract. Once I'd had the emergency stitch however, the contractions came thick and fast. The surgery probably caused labour, but only because my cervix was sensitive and vulnerable because it had already changed so significantly by then.

I'd err on the side of caution and say you have a weak cervix which changes very early on, then goes on to become irritable and vulnerable to contractions once it has shortened significantly. The contractions you are experiencing are obviously not strong enought to cause full blown labour, but strong enough to affect your already weak cervix.

I'd be inclined to rest fully until 30wks, then increase actitivities (excluding heavy lifting etc) slowly and see how your body copes with that.

Preterm labour could be a complicating factor for you now, but if you make 28wks with no significant changes despite it, then I'd say it is a 'something and nothing' issue if that makes sense? Apart from causing you additional stress and worry, an irritable uterus made more so due to ICand the presence of a stitch, is not a direct threat if you take appropriate rest and recognise your limitations. I suspect you may be plagued by the threat of preterm labour for the duration, but it's doubtful it will actually develop into anything significant.

Jees, hope that makes sense chick, I'm a bit puddled this week - the 'brain has left the building' type of thing lol! Take care, you know where we are xxx

Yellow - hope stitch has gone well sweetie

JJE - how many weeks are you now?

Olga - how're you? X

Ladies, if I've missed anything or anyone, give me a slap and hit me with your question/concern again. This thread moves too fast

 

[bluestarlight]

Hi, I just got back from my first check up since I found out last week. They told me last week I was measuring 2.2cm with slight funneling. This week I am slightly shorter at 2.0cm but the funneling hasn't increased. They told me they wouldn't do a stitch because I am so far along now that the risk of infection or my water breaking is higher. They are putting me on nightly progesterone suppositories (I'm waiting for about 3 phone calls to set that up). They are keeping me on the same restrictions for the most part, allowing me to work only if I do mostly sit down work and no lifting at all. No more trains, my mom is going to be driving me into and from work. I am to rest laying down at home as much as possible. To monitor myself for increased discharge, back ache, cramps, signs of preterm labor. She also did a manual check and said cervix looks good and closed from that end, doesn't look like there is any infection. They said there isn't much else they can do at this point. My next assessment will be when i'm 24 weeks on June 8th, 3.5 weeks from now. At least I will get to see my regular doctor then. And that we will go from there with any increase or decrease in restrictions.
Sigh. I've been having nightmares since last week. Last night before my appointments today was the worst. The doc said the goal is to first get past 24 weeks then to get past 28 weeks as being the best for baby.

 

[yellowyamyam]

Hi ladies,

Just a quick update that my surgery went well. Cervix had shortened to about 1.5cm so the stitch isn't as high as the doctor wanted it to be. She mentioned something like she left the stitch slightly loose to make easier in future to remove? I thought the stitch is supposed to be tight? She didn't mentioned about funnelling but she did say "the neck of the womb has opened"(?). Do any of you know what that means? Maybe she was referring to the shortened cervix.

She didn't say that I need bed rest; in fact she said life goes on as usual. Only no sex and to remember to continue my progesterone twice daily through my 'back passage'

13 weeks tomorrow. 24 weeks to stitch removal!

 

[yellowyamyam]

Hi again,

Have anyone of you flown to somewhere after stitch? We are looking to do a domestic flight within UK for the jubilee weekend to the in laws. Am not sure if this is advisable?

 

[Currituckgirl]

HI! I am new to this forum, I posted earlier and was directed over to this thread... Can anyone please help??
I have been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. I am 20 weeks My cervix length is only 1 mm!!! I am so scared. I cannot find anything on the internet with woman that had the same problem so early with only 1 mm left. I have tried searching this site but to no success. I am on bed rest and taking prometrium vaginally. I was told that the "stitch" would be very dangerous since my water bag is right on the other side. Is there any hope, has anyone had this happen and still gone on to have a healthy baby. PLEASE!! Even if it is bad news, I would rather hear the truth. My doctor said that there is no telling how this will work out, but that of course doesn't help me. Any help or experience is very much needed. I have had three miscarriages and this is the furthest I have ever been. I am so scared.

 

[chistiana]

yellow- hey girl, so happy everything went well with the stitch! And your doc sounds so relaxed so i guess he/she is not concerned which is brilliant! Sorry, cant really comment on the loose stitch!Hope you re feeling really good and more relaxed!

blue star- Going down from 2.2 to 2 doesnt mean anything hun, the measurements depend on so many things when we re talking about such small differences...it could probably be back to 2.2 or longer if they measured again tomorrow! The opening of the womb does sound like funelling but dont take my word for it as it is really a personal guess. Stay positive hun, with bed rest you can definitely make those milestones!

Currituck- hi hun, so sorry you re going through the roller coaster of ic. Are you sure it is 1mm or could it be 1cm? I dont have any stories or anything but since you re already pn bed rest, have you tried elevating the bottom of your bed a little to ease the weight a little more from your cervix?

 

[chistiana]

ps: Lizzie, thanks hun, i will be trying the position you said and also try the one with the flashlight and music even though it sounds quite funny!

 

[Van1116]

Hi Currituckgirl. I'm new here too, but I can tell you about me. My last pregnancy I went into preterm labor at 20 weeks and had a cervical length of 1.7 i think (it's been 2.5 years). Wouldn't do a stitch. I was having contractions the rest of the pregnancy. i was on bedrest and nifedipine and eventually terburtaline. I had to be induced at 39 weeks so it is possible.

This go round we put a stitch in at 14 weeks I think and my cervical length has since gone down to 1 about 3 or 4 weeks ago (so around week 20). On nifedipine to control contractions and a round of indomethacin somewhere in there to help with that. It increased to 1.4 so far..still very short, but I am focusing on the stabilization. I got me steroid shots today and yesterday (24 weeks).

I can't tell you not to worry...but try to focus on the good parts. I missed that the first time with worry, and stress is not good (again easier said than done...some days are better than others).

I hope that helps some...it is possible....feel free to ask me any questions if you want.

 

[JimmyJam]

Angels!!

Hello. In great haste. Mammoth apologies for not having posted for Donkeys, the last few weeks have been really testing.

But Soren is doing well, breathing air this week (!), starting to breastfeed, & there is talk of discharge in the not-too-distant ... It's insane. I love him soooooo much.

I don't have the time to trawl through weeks of posts but am dying to hear how everyone is doing - latest updates. I do so hope you are all ok. Send news!!

Will get back on it when things settle.

Much Love xxxxxx

Ps - have bought stuff! Lots of it! Nappies & babygrows & a moses basket & bedding & thermometers & stuff! Whoop!!

 

[chistiana]

Jimmyyyyyyyy! OMG i m so happy to hear from you and the super fantastic news about soren!!! Yaayyyy yaaayyyy and triple yyyyyaaaaayyyy! Your baby is aready 7 weeks old!!! Boy he s growing!!! And you sound so happy and peaceful despite everything you had to go through!!! Bravo my friend, seriously BRAVO!!! WE WANT PICTUUUUURES AS SOON AS YOU WANT!!!

 

[Currituckgirl]

Thank you Christina and Van!!! Unfortunately it is 1 mm not cm. I checked with the doctors office today to make sure of the measurement. Van were you 1.7 cm? That's what worries me is that I only have 1 mm which seems like nothing

 

[Van1116]

Currituckgirl...i'll check to be sure...all I remember is no one would say it will be ok....all they kept saying is we'll do our best. I'll update you when I find out.

christina...yeah I was thinking about 28 or 32 weeks. i am so tired of bedrest...i could/will do it. it just is so not natural...the constipation causes pressure down low and legs and feet are weak and tingly sometimes..i just think walking a little will help...i will wait

millie...thanks for the kind words...i'm trying to stay as still as possible. i get up to eat and go to the bathroom. i'm partially up/sideways to type on the computer mostly

Lizzie....thanks..that's exactly what i was thinking...the contrations are key. i had them up until little one number one was induced at 39 weeks...i'll just feel alot better when the dr says the words...less bedrest

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi, I just got back from my first check up since I found out last week. They told me last week I was measuring 2.2cm with slight funneling. This week I am slightly shorter at 2.0cm but the funneling hasn't increased. They told me they wouldn't do a stitch because I am so far along now that the risk of infection or my water breaking is higher. They are putting me on nightly progesterone suppositories (I'm waiting for about 3 phone calls to set that up). They are keeping me on the same restrictions for the most part, allowing me to work only if I do mostly sit down work and no lifting at all. No more trains, my mom is going to be driving me into and from work. I am to rest laying down at home as much as possible. To monitor myself for increased discharge, back ache, cramps, signs of preterm labor. She also did a manual check and said cervix looks good and closed from that end, doesn't look like there is any infection. They said there isn't much else they can do at this point. My next assessment will be when i'm 24 weeks on June 8th, 3.5 weeks from now. At least I will get to see my regular doctor then. And that we will go from there with any increase or decrease in restrictions.
Sigh. I've been having nightmares since last week. Last night before my appointments today was the worst. The doc said the goal is to first get past 24 weeks then to get past 28 weeks as being the best for baby.

Hey hun, Chris is right, the .2 is neither here nor there in terms of cervix length. This slight fluctuation is normal for all women, and can sometimes reflect the differences in anatomy on the day, or even the sonographer taking the measurement!

Continue to take things easy as much as you can, and if possible stay off your feet altogether when not at work. Progesterone has very good results in women with IC, so fingers crossed you conti use to hold steady at 2, and make it safely to 28wks and beyond

 

[lizziedripping]

Sorry ladies, had composed a huge reply to everyone else with questions late last night, then my iPad suddenly bumped me off the Internet - I lost everything! Will sit down later this morning and write again xxx