Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lch28]

hey one time i had a dr remove abnormal cervical cells.. she just used this thing to scrape it though.. do you think that could have caused ic?

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies, not really sure if i belong in this thread but i have to see a consultant next month after a LEEP procedure in january, and i'm trying to do my research before i get there. Keeping everything crossed that they will be fine but after they didnt tell at the actuall procedure that it could cause issues with pregnancy i want to be armed with as much info as possible.

Hi Cookie and welcome

You said it all really in your second post, some ladies have Leep with no lasting effects and normal pregnancies, whilst others wind up with a shorter cervix which needs stitching. There is no way at this stage to know for certain, except to watch the cervix for early shortening and/or funneling. Hopefully your consultant appt will include a scan which gives a baseline starting point for your cervix with which to measure its progress.

Incidentally Leep tends not to cause IC generally speaking. Even if it leaves your cervix slightly shorter than normal, this isn't the same as it being incompetent and chances are you should carry a baby to term with no real problem at all cervix-wise There are many women with shorter than normal cervixes who go on to carry a baby just fine. Good luck x

 

[lizziedripping]

Hello everyone!

I've joined this thread after searching IC on google and spending the last couple of days going through some of the previous posts. My story....had a cone biopsy in 2009 (CIN3) and this is my first pregnancy. I had a scan at 17 weeks and the cervix was measured at 2.2cms, i'm now 19+1 and i've been put on bedrest for the last couple of days as I've been getting some very low down pressure and pains, very much felt like period pains. When resting up the pain goes away if I walk around the house for 15 mins they come back. I don't have another scan booked til 21 weeks and i'm worried that this is the early stages of IC? thinking maybe I should ring the midwife tomorrow morning and pester her for another scan as I'm due back in work on Saturday?

Anyway i'm really looking forward to chatting to everyone on here and reading everyones stories and advice! x

Hi Sky and welcome to the thread

At 2.2 your cervix isn't catastrophically short hun, tho it is important to keep a close eye on it. As I said in my previous post, there are women with cervixes slightly on the short side who go on to carry babies to term and it is cervical weakness rather than starting length which determines this. If your cervix is short but strong then it will be fine, if it's shorter length denotes it is weak and has changed over a short period of time during the pregnancy, then that might indicate a problem.

The aches and pains in themselves don't necessarily mean your cervix is misbehaving, but since they go away with rest then you're doing absolutely the right thing by staying off your feet. Until you see on your next scan what is happening with your cl then it's definitely best to play it safe considering your cervix is already shorter than normal.

Period-type pains aren't unusual for all pregnant women at this gestation so it might be something and nothing, but it could well indicate further cervical changes which need monitoring. If your pains increase with rest then it might be worth going in for an earlier scan if loss hun. Don't hesitate if you're uneasy - L&Dnever mind looking, even if only to reassure you. Good luck xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Good news about the beta Ich I'm not sure your progesterone is anything to worry about either, tho it's good your doc is so proactive. Have you had low orogesteron issues in early pregnancy before? It's usually something you have enough of or not, and it's unusual for you to suddenly have issues with progesterone production if you haven't had them before.

Progesterone suppositories are fine and don't leave much residue, neither should they interfere with sex lol. x

 

[lch28]

i have never had a progesterone issue not even with my first pregnancy so i am scared kinda to take these

 

[Skyy82]

Thank you everyone for your replies, means so much to actually be able to talk to other woman who have been or are in the same situation. Lizzie you are a font of knowledge! this was my understanding that 2.2 was short but not necessarily a sign of IC, I think my main concern is the period like pains as they have been going on since the weekend and I'm one of lifes planners I like to know what to expect but there's no manual so its confusing as no two women go through the same thing I know. I think i'm going to wait until tomorrow and see how I feel as I'm due back at work on Saturday, and then call the midwife then if no change. thank you!

 

[Alisa F]

Hi all, I’m scheduled for a modified Shirodkar suture on 2nd July when I will be 12wks+2, and was wondering if any of you ladies has had one?

Basically just want to know what to expect, what to ask, what they should and should do to me and what recovery is like. That’s a lot of questions

A xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Alisa, I had one with the twins and it worked brilliantly. It is placed high up at the top of the cervix and as such creates an overall tension to a weak cervix. It does involve dissecting the vaginal walls away from the bladder so they can get access to the top of your cervix, but during the procedure you don't feel a thing.

Afterwards I was vaguely unwell for a few weeks and felt some bladder discomfort throughout the pregnancy, but this was probably as much due to carrying two babies as it was to the stitch.

After stitch placement there is some uterine irritability and tightening, but again this is normal with a stitch and rarely causes any cervical changes etc. good luck with the surgery xx

Ich, taking the supplements won't cause any harm hun even if you don't have progesterone issues. It will simply support your womb lining and raise your own natural levels slightly. It's probably uneccessary, but essentially harmless x

 

[Alisa F]

Thanks Lizzie. I will discuss this with the doc next week as I have chronic interstitial cystitis so the bladder bit worries me.

What kind of anaesthetic did they use on you so you don’t feel anything? I’m on Clexane (low molecular weight Heparin) and have been told I can’t have epidural while on it… eeek!

A x

 

[DMJ]

Hello all and welcome!

Blav - I had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks and had some spotting for 2 or 3 days after the procedure and also felt some discomfort for a little more than a week. Even now at 18 weeks, I still get pressure or discomfort at times. I think it is just part of having a cerclage and pregnancy. I was told by my doctors that if I had severe cramping and heavy bleeding that I should come in. It is hard not being paranoid when pregnant, especially with IC.

Cookie - I have never really heard of LEEP, but I looked it up and see that it is a procedure where they remove some tissue in the cervix. Is this correct? I also read several posts where ladies stated that they had the LEEP procedure and went on to have healthy pregnancies. The LEEP procedure could possibly weaken your cervix, but your cervix could be just fine too. I would suggest making sure that your doctors keep a close eye on you. Have you heard if this is something that a possible preventative cerclage could help with? I am sorry that I do not have any knowledge on this, but you came to the right forum for support...everyone has been so great!

Sky - I am really learning that bed rest can be one of the best things for pregnancy. I have been on bed rest now for 4 weeks and have actually seen my cervix improve from 2.6cm to 3.7cm. I try to only get up to grab a bite to eat and potty and I take quick showers every other day. I would definitely try to stay off your feet as much as possible. Also, I do feel pressure at times, mostly when I am gassy or can't go to the bathroom; however as mentioned above, if you have severe cramping and heavy bleeding, I would call your doctor or midwife. Just for your peace of mind, you might call your midwife and have her take another look...always makes me feel better to know how things are. Just curious, have they put you on progesterone gel or shots?

Ich - I don't have experience with the suppositories, but if they are anything like the gel, it can make things a little more messy down there. I would assume they might make it a little more messy during sex, but you might call your doctor just to make sure if it is okay. Also, the progesterone gel does cause me to sometimes feel a little more sensitive or irritated down there...nothing too bad, but can be a little uncomfortable at times.

Okay I have another question.... Does anyone feel like their heart is beating heavier while on bed rest? I don't feel it when I am up or when I am laying down to sleep ...mostly when I am just reclined back (not fully on back - dr said I could use reclining chair). I have had this for about a week now and have been chalking it up to anxiety, but it won't fully go away. Just curious as I know that being pregnant causes more blood to have to be pumped and started worrying about my heart. There is always something to worry about, isn't there. lol

Still saying prayers for all the ladies on this forum! ::

Hi hun.. I too have been feeling this and like you said always when I'm in bed resting. The beating of my heart actually takes over and can really feel it in my head. I take my bp at home and the last few days has been quite low I'm wondering if this is the cause of that. Xx

 

[lch28]

okay so i used the progesterone last night before bed. it is called crinone. is anyone else using this? i thought it would be like the monistat stuff that dissolves, but nope, it was just a bunch of gel..

anyway i am freaking out because i just don't think i put it in right. i didn't feel any of it leak out and none of it is coming out this morning. no extra discharge nothing. plus i squeezed it after i took it out to see if any was left and like a dime sized amount came out on my finger. i literally think the stuff that came out on my finger is what was supposed to go in!

 

[lizziedripping]

Alisa, they used a spinal anaesthetic for my stitch placement which is what they'll probably do for you. I doubt your cystitis issues will be made worse by the stitch, but they will take precautions anyway with antibiotics just in case x

 

[lizziedripping]

Chovie, as dmj mentioned, the pounding heart could be a combination of pregnancy, anxiety and bed rest. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but get checked to put your. Ind at rest hun x

 

[Skyy82]

Okay so probably tmi, but i was in the bath and for whatever reason I decided to feel below as its been a bit uncomfortable this afternoon. Just on the inside of my vagina at the top feels like a rounded tip, could this be my cervix? I'm sure its not normally there, just feels like Its taking up all the space, should I be concerned or am I overcomplicating things? sorry for the tmi! but hoping someone may know.

 

[ChovieGirl]

Hi hun.. I too have been feeling this and like you said always when I'm in bed resting. The beating of my heart actually takes over and can really feel it in my head. I take my bp at home and the last few days has been quite low I'm wondering if this is the cause of that. Xx

Hey DMJ

Thanks for the response. My blood pressure does tend to sit on the low side. When I had my cerclage procedure done it really went low due to the spinal and I was nauseated for a bit until my blood pressure went back to normal, which is still low. I have just been trying to take deep breaths and focus my attention elsewhere...but it is hard at times. I think I am going to ask my doctor if there is anything I need to do or watch for next time I see her.

 

[ChovieGirl]

okay so i used the progesterone last night before bed. it is called crinone. is anyone else using this? i thought it would be like the monistat stuff that dissolves, but nope, it was just a bunch of gel..

anyway i am freaking out because i just don't think i put it in right. i didn't feel any of it leak out and none of it is coming out this morning. no extra discharge nothing. plus i squeezed it after i took it out to see if any was left and like a dime sized amount came out on my finger. i literally think the stuff that came out on my finger is what was supposed to go in!

Crinone 8% is what I am using. It is thicker than something like Monistat, but trust me, it works. It took me about two weeks to get used to this stuff. I believe the papers say that if there is a little left from the tube, not to worry and that you would be getting the correct dosage. I tend to give it a couple good squeezes to really make sure that I get as much as I can. Also, try to make sure that you are putting the applicator far enough in. I put mine in almost to the sqeeze part. Sometimes it feels like the applicator isn't going in straight and sometimes I have a hard time getting the applicator to just go in...usually if I tense up. You might also notice that the Crinone will make your vaginal walls a little more sensitive. It will just take some time to get used to.

One more thing about this stuff that is icky...After using is for a couple of days, you will start to notice bit of the stuff coming out in clumps that are cream colored. This is normal and my doctor had warned me about it. Just a little weird.

 

[ChovieGirl]

Okay so probably tmi, but i was in the bath and for whatever reason I decided to feel below as its been a bit uncomfortable this afternoon. Just on the inside of my vagina at the top feels like a rounded tip, could this be my cervix? I'm sure its not normally there, just feels like Its taking up all the space, should I be concerned or am I overcomplicating things? sorry for the tmi! but hoping someone may know.

I am sorry that I do not know an actual answer, although I bet Lizzie does.

I do know that the way it feels inside can change at times for whatever reason.

 

[ChovieGirl]

Hi Alisa!

Normally they can use either an epidural/spinal or the general anesthesia that knocks you out. It is nice that there is more than one option.

 

[Alisa F]

ChovieGirl - thanks. I'm really anxious now awaiting my next appointment next week because I'm on Clexane (low molecular Heparin) and I was told that I can't have any epidural/spinal or general anesthesia while on it. I'm sure I'm not the first person in this situation, but just waiting to have it clarified is drivingme nuts....

 

[danielita]

ChovieGirl - thanks. I'm really anxious now awaiting my next appointment next week because I'm on Clexane (low molecular Heparin) and I was told that I can't have any epidural/spinal or general anesthesia while on it. I'm sure I'm not the first person in this situation, but just waiting to have it clarified is drivingme nuts....

Alisa, I am on Clexane as well (since November 2011) and when I had the cerclage I had general anesthesia (intra venous). I stopped Clexane 24 hours before cerclage and then, 24 hours later (after the cerclage), I started it again. Was not a problem at all. I do not know why you've been told if you are under LMWH you can not have an anesthesia. You only have to stop Clexane one day before intervention.