Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lizziedripping]

Hi Bf Wow, you are doing well honey The pains you describe bring back so may memories of those last few weeks pregnant with twins!

The pain under my skin, across my abdomen and particularly around my tummy button were excrucitating. It was alike a knife was going in, and I thought the skin would literally tear open. It's just your skin stretching beyond full term size, we weren't meant to stretch that much, and boy do our bodies protest! My stomach was painful to the touch and at times it was frightening, but totally harmless sweet. You are doing amazingly, defying all the predictions..........I knew you could do it xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

LR - lovely to hear from you Your Lo is an absolute poppet, you must be so proud. You seem like a fantastic Mum, a natural. Thanks for sharing

 

[sevilla24]

Hi Ladies,

I am not new to BnB but I am new to this thread. Instead of telling my entire story, I hope it's okay to just ask a question. With my daughter, I had a "funneling cervix" detected around week 26. I was put on modified bed rest and made it to 37 weeks. They never called it an incompetent cervix - however it did shorten to about 1 cm around 30 weeks.

Anyway, I am pregnant again, and starting to enter the stage where I know the baby is getting heavier and starting to put pressure on my cervix. My hospital is great and is planning on weekly ultrasounds starting at 17 weeks (to continue for about a month and a half). I feel lucky they will be keeping an eye on it... and if it starts to shorten they will probably put a stitch in. HOWEVER I have read too many stories where women have gone in for ultrasounds, everything looks fine and two days later their water breaks and they deliver

So, my questions are:
*If you have an incompetent/funneling cervix with a pregnancy, do you think you will have it with all pregnancies?? I mean, if you have a weak cervix, I'd think it will always be weak???
*How quickly have you noticed your cervix shorten? Have you gone in and had it be completely normal, then two days later it shortened drastically??? I am SCARED it will happen too quick to catch.

Thanks for any advice/support you can give me. It's nice to hear from people in similar situations.

 

[book.fish2011]

Hi Bf Wow, you are doing well honey The pains you describe bring back so may memories of those last few weeks pregnant with twins!

The pain under my skin, across my abdomen and particularly around my tummy button were excrucitating. It was alike a knife was going in, and I thought the skin would literally tear open. It's just your skin stretching beyond full term size, we weren't meant to stretch that much, and boy do our bodies protest! My stomach was painful to the touch and at times it was frightening, but totally harmless sweet. You are doing amazingly, defying all the predictions..........I knew you could do it xxx

Thanks for the assurance Lizzie. Just hoping day and night all this ends well.

How are you feeling now?

 

[LindyB]

I am so worried about my 2.9cm cervix. It's keeping me awake now. I was ok before as I just thought the consultant would put in a stitch like with my second pregnancy. Do people think I should just ask for a stitch anyway?? I don't see the benefit in waiting for it to shorten first.

 

[LindyB]

Sorry Lizzie I didn't see your reply before I posted again! Thank you very much for your advice - I really do appreciate it. This forum must be keeping you very busy and with four kids as well! So again thank you I am being measured twice over the next 4 weeks and seeing the consultant at the same time. Although he is away for my next appointment so I'll see his registrar. The consultant is looking for it to get below 2.5cm first before he'll do anything. Thats before 24 weeks and then after that I'm not too sure. He talked about taking it easy and not lifting etc.

Welcome Sevilla! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am around the same weeks as you (i'm 16 weeks today) and although this is my third child I'm kind of in the same boat as you as it's the first time my cervix has been measured and monitored so early. You will get lots of great advice on here. It sounds like your doctor is doing the same as mine - monitoring until they think a stitch is needed. You got so far last time without one - further than me, so they probably think you will again. Good luck!

LaRocka - Xanthe is beautiful. What a lovely picture and a lovely name too!

 

[sevilla24]

LindyB - Yes we are very close!! I am glad to find someone I can relate to!! I read your previous post, and I can see your frustration for "waiting to see if it shortens". I kind of agree, why wait? Just put in a stitch! Ugh, I guess we need to just trust that our doctors know what they are doing and be happy that we are being monitored.

It will be a huge financial burden if they put me on bed rest again, so aside from being nervous about the dangers to the baby, this is my other fear. Plus, how do you go on bed rest when you have another child at home under 2 running around??? Sometimes I wish they would just put in a stitch... but then again, maybe I won't need it??? I just hate having to go a whole 9 months thinking my water could break and I could go into labor at any minute.... UGH

Keep me posted on your measurements, I'd love for us to support each other!! Mine will be measure again on June 11th.

 

[nhood]

Hi ladies,

I haven't been on in a while and that's because Ive been very depressed lately.

I am almost 21 weeks with twins. For those of you who remember, I had a cerclage placed in me at almost 12 weeks.

I have been hospitalized twice for unknown reasons. One, I kept having dizzy spells, where I have extreme hot flashes and nearly faint after eating. Tests came back negative for GD, although, I am anemic and have been on iron. Secondly, I had some cramping a few weeks ago, where they admited me in the hospital for uterine iritability. I am now not able to work, but not on a strict bedrest either.

I thought not working would be great as I could focus on growing my babies, well I have been having major cramping, constipation and vomiting all at the same time. Its so bad until I cannot lay down because of the cramping. After I vomit and pass as much bowels as I can, I am usually better. Nonetheless, I cannot sit in a restaurant or go too many places in fear of the passing out, vomiting, dealing with major cramps, etc.

To top it off, my cervix was 3cm, but because of the vomiting and constipation, its 2.9. I am so afraid this constipation and vomiting everyday is going to cause further shortening and for it to dialate. My pelvic, muscles are so sore and heavy right now.

Each day I pray that I can make it atleast another 8 weeks, but each day it seems as if I have a new symptom or its getting worse. My doctors don't seem concern either, which is part of my frustration. They just tell me its just being pregnant with twins.

The onlything that is keeping me afloat is knowing my husband and I are having two beautiful girls. When I see them on the ultrasound it makes this all worth it.

Pray for me ladies that I will make it atleast another 8 weeks with them. As is, I am only a few weeks away from viability.

 

[chistiana]

LR- ooowwww xanthe is beautiful hun! Congrats, it sounds like you re doing a beautiful job!!!

Nhood- babe, if i ger it right you say you went from 3cm to 2.9cm.... A difference of 0.1 is nothing hun, seriously, it could be the slightest mismeasurement or that one of your babies was laying at a different angle on your cervix. I know you re afraid but your cervix is not misbehaving really. The vomiting and passing out sound exhausting... Did they find out what s causing them??

 

[nhood]

LR- ooowwww xanthe is beautiful hun! Congrats, it sounds like you re doing a beautiful job!!!

Nhood- babe, if i ger it right you say you went from 3cm to 2.9cm.... A difference of 0.1 is nothing hun, seriously, it could be the slightest mismeasurement or that one of your babies was laying at a different angle on your cervix. I know you re afraid but your cervix is not misbehaving really. The vomiting and passing out sound exhausting... Did they find out what s causing them??

Hi Christiana,

I know and maybe I am just being a big baby,but because of this experience, these twins will be our one and only kids. As much as I love children, this whole experience of infertility, then getting pregnant, then losing two because of IC, then getting pregnant again (which I am so thankful for) to walk on glass for 37 weeks is really just too much. Its also pains me to see pregnant women who jog around myneighborhood and are so active. Onthe otherhand, I have to sit in the wheelchair when going shopping, in fear of putting too much pressure on my cervix. I don't know, maybe I haven't quite healed from my other two losses and I keep reading how 20 -24 weeks is really a sketchy period for IC especially if you are having twins.

They just tell me the passing out and vomiting is normal. Its weird, because I didn't have this in the first trimester. I swear, you and the ladies here are so wonderful. If it wasn't for you ladies, I would be at my wits end right now

 

[chistiana]

Nhood- its scary hun, i know and i too used to almost be resentful to all those pregnant ladies picking up their other kids (while i couldnt even get up) and all my pregnant friends showing me the new baby staff they bought. But at the end of the day no matter how difficult when you get there you forget! I gave birth to my second 9 days ago and throughout this pg and after 2 losses i swore this is my last kid.. Now that everything is over n i have my daughter safe and sound in my arms i would go through it again anytime!!
Just focus on your goal babe, you re very close to viability, we re here to support you and you can vent when you need to but just focus on the two babies you ll be holding in about 3 months time.

 

[Currituckgirl]

Hi ladies!!! I had my doctors appointment this past week, and my cervix was measuring 1 mm, but at this appointment it was measuring between 8 to 10 mm! I was so happy. A couple days before the appointment I was having mild cramps for about an hour. They started back up and for the past couple of days I have continued to have them along with occasional back cramps. I am on bed rest and I am not sure if that is why my back is cramping. Could this be normal? I hate going to the L&D for what ends up being silly reasons. My stomach has not been tightening and the cramps come and go.

 

[Currituckgirl]

Also, the ultrasound tech said that a cervix cannot grow back. It was probably just a bad ultrasound picture from the hospital. Is that true, I thought they could grow back. Any help is appreciated

 

[2016]

Had my first cervical length check today - 2.8cm. I'm a bit concerned that its already shorter than at 26 weeks last time and I'm only 13 weeks!
I was also told last week to start weaning off progesterone so dropped from 200mg to 100mg for the last week and an due to drop further to 50mg from tomorrow. I was given it for short LP not my cervix but should I really be stopping? 2.8cm is ok isn't it?

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies,

I haven't been on in a while and that's because Ive been very depressed lately.

I am almost 21 weeks with twins. For those of you who remember, I had a cerclage placed in me at almost 12 weeks.

I have been hospitalized twice for unknown reasons. One, I kept having dizzy spells, where I have extreme hot flashes and nearly faint after eating. Tests came back negative for GD, although, I am anemic and have been on iron. Secondly, I had some cramping a few weeks ago, where they admited me in the hospital for uterine iritability. I am now not able to work, but not on a strict bedrest either.

I thought not working would be great as I could focus on growing my babies, well I have been having major cramping, constipation and vomiting all at the same time. Its so bad until I cannot lay down because of the cramping. After I vomit and pass as much bowels as I can, I am usually better. Nonetheless, I cannot sit in a restaurant or go too many places in fear of the passing out, vomiting, dealing with major cramps, etc.

To top it off, my cervix was 3cm, but because of the vomiting and constipation, its 2.9. I am so afraid this constipation and vomiting everyday is going to cause further shortening and for it to dialate. My pelvic, muscles are so sore and heavy right now.

Each day I pray that I can make it atleast another 8 weeks, but each day it seems as if I have a new symptom or its getting worse. My doctors don't seem concern either, which is part of my frustration. They just tell me its just being pregnant with twins.

The onlything that is keeping me afloat is knowing my husband and I are having two beautiful girls. When I see them on the ultrasound it makes this all worth it.

Pray for me ladies that I will make it atleast another 8 weeks with them. As is, I am only a few weeks away from viability.

Nhood, great to hear from you

I feel so sorry for you having to deal with the anxiety and stress of not only carrying two babies, but also IC after having lost twins before. Very tough

Don't worry about the constipation etc causing stitch problems honey. At 3 your cervix is actually holding very well, and as Chris says the odd mm here or there is nothing to worry about, almost negligible.

As for constant and increasingly worrying symptoms, twin pregnancy does throw up so many additional side effects compared to a singleton. It shocked me just how much, and of course I was never sure what was twin related and what mimicked my daugter's early arrival Needless to say, it was just a twin thing, and none of the additional stuff was sinister.

Your docs may be right in saying you're stressing and much of this is because it's twins, but it doesn't take away from the fact that you are suffering sweetie, and it's a wonder that you aren't in a worst state given what you've been through in recent months.

Keep taking heart from what I achieved with the twinnies darlin, and I don't think anyone's cervix was as useless as mine in the beginning. I too longed to just have a normal pregnancy without being fearful of doing the slightest thing. Other pregnant women never bothered me as such, but their apparent lack of understanding for my predicament did. Those ladies who can carry on running, lifting and shopping really don't get what it means to be scared even to move from the lounge to the kitchen. You feel too scared not to rest, but cheated out of a normal, happy pregnancy.

We've all been through this my darlin', and any time you need is for support or just to vent, we are here

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies!!! I had my doctors appointment this past week, and my cervix was measuring 1 mm, but at this appointment it was measuring between 8 to 10 mm! I was so happy. A couple days before the appointment I was having mild cramps for about an hour. They started back up and for the past couple of days I have continued to have them along with occasional back cramps. I am on bed rest and I am not sure if that is why my back is cramping. Could this be normal? I hate going to the L&D for what ends up being silly reasons. My stomach has not been tightening and the cramps come and go.

Hi sweet Cramps in pregnancy, especially with a stitch can be a feature, and are usually nothing to worry about. If they carry on, or become more frequent than 2/3 times in an hour, then it's always wise to get them checked. As I always say, these symptoms are very typical for every pregnant woman, but for us with IC they take on a whole new meaning - most of the time tho they are harmless chick.

Absolutely your cervix can grow darlin, don't know why your team say otherwise. The rest is obviously paying off so well done you

 

[lizziedripping]

Had my first cervical length check today - 2.8cm. I'm a bit concerned that its already shorter than at 26 weeks last time and I'm only 13 weeks!
I was also told last week to start weaning off progesterone so dropped from 200mg to 100mg for the last week and an due to drop further to 50mg from tomorrow. I was given it for short LP not my cervix but should I really be stopping? 2.8cm is ok isn't it?

Hi 2016 - 2.8 is definitely the shorter side of normal, but it is still normal. I would definitely be asking for more scans at the very least tho, just to see what it does over the coming weeks as your uterus grows significantly(usually from around 16wks). If it were to remain steady at 2.8 then this might just be normal for you, and give you no problems.

Is there a plan to scan you regularly? X

 

[2016]

Thanks lizzie...I am booked to see the consultant in 4 weeks time but he wasn't there today so I don't know if he might want to scan every 2 weeks in case (I know I'd like him to!) Apparently he is going to call me tomorrow. That's the frustrating thing about all this - as you say 2.8 might be fine for me and it will stay that way...but it could all change quite suddenly and I never feel lucky with these things. :-/

 

[Currituckgirl]

Thank you so much Lizzie!! I am so glad that the bed rest has been helping. I was shocked to hear that it grew that much! Thank you for your words of encouragement!!

 

[DMJ]

Hi ladies

Just another quick question from me ..

Iv got my next cervix check up this Wednesday and I believe my speculam examination to screen for any infection .. So question is - is it ok to have the speculam exam done even with the stitch in place? I need it done but I'm scared it could do something to the stitch? Hope this all makes sense.

Thankyou. Xx