Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lch28]

aww bluestar i admire how strong you are being hun. so glad baby is doing well, Sophia always moved away when they were doing ultrasounds, turned her back so we could only see her spine! she hated them!! Do they have a dvd player? maybe you could ask OH to buy a new tv show series to get into on dvd. After my gallbladder surgery i had complications and was in the hospital for 9 days (not nearly anywhere close to what you are going through) and watched like 5 seasons of Law and Order lol.

 

[LindyB]

Hi hope everyone is ok.

I am 21 weeks on Sat and due my anomaly scan and third cervical scan tomorrow. My cervix has remained at 2.9cm for both the previous cervical scans. My consultant said they are looking for it to go to 2.5cm or below. This is my third child. Last time I had a stitch at 16 weeks as my 1st little boy was born at 34 weeks and I had had lletz treatment for abnormal cells twice a long time ago. I have the same consultant this time and this time he is measuring 1st. Most midwives and doctors were very surprised that I had a stitch last time.

Anyway I have been feeling a bit different down below. STMI but my vagina feels very swollen. I don't feel pressure it's just on the outside. Anyone else have this? Last time I didn't worry as I had a stitch and so I am probably being more panicky about simple symptoms this time.

Also all my friends are asking me whether I am going to find out the sex tomorrow whereas thats the last thing I'm concerned about! I'm too worried about cervix length amongst other things (my second boy was born with a profound hearing loss and has a development delay). I think I need to just chill out and enjoy my pregnancy!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Lindy, sounds like you might have varicose veins on your lady bits hun. Perfectly harmless and very common in pregnanc, especially in subsequent pregnancies. It does feel like everything is swollen down there, and sometimes you can actually see blue, bulging veins. Failing that, it's probably the increased blood flow and pressure on your pelvic organs which is causing the sensation of swollen bits. It may be a combination of all these things, but certainly doesn't sound cervix related hun xx

 

[lch28]

i had a procedure for abnormal cervical cells too.. and they scraped them off my cervix.. oh my god did that cause IC?!?!

 

[LindyB]

Ich I had the lletz procedure once but then the cervical cells came back. I can remember the gynanocologist saying he had to remove a larger area of the cervix then to ensure the cells didn't come back. Then I had further complications with excessive bleeding. I don't think mine was a straight forward case. I'm not even sure if I have genuine IC but I know that my cervix is shorter because of the second procedure. Lots of people have lletz treatment and have no trouble with their cervix in pregnancies - like my friend who has just had her second child and both were about a week over due. I just had lots of complications.

Thank you Lizzie. I'm seeing mu consultant later this afternoon. I hate talking about my bits with them! Even though thats why I'm there! Last time I asked about the orgasm/short cervix thing and it was hilarious. Glad I did though. She said the same as you - it's not going to cause any problems that are not already there.

Anyway I've got an hour to decide whether or not to find out the sex today. I'm 99% sure its a boy!

Hope you are all well xx

 

[LindyB]

I'm back from the hospital and it wasn't great news. My cervix is 1.9cm with some funnelling. It is closed at the bottom but funnelling at the top. I'm having a stitch put in tomorrow morning. The last time my cervix was measured was 3 weeks ago and I feel angry about this because it could have been caught at a longer length if I was measured last week. Also last Wednesday I almost called the hospital as I felt quite a bit of pressure below. I was going to ask to be scanned . I so wish I had now.

Lizzie what do you think my chances are? I will be 21 weeks on Saturday.

 

[LindyB]

Hell ladies, I'm off for my 20 week scan tomorrow,was 2.2cms 3 weeks ago so got fingers crossed for higher numbers! Still lurking and reading all the great info and advice given on this thread. X

Hi Skyy. Just wondering how you got on with your scan. We're quite similar dates and cervix lengths. Do you have a stitch in already?

 

[lch28]

anyway i am having a bad bad day. nurse called and apparently i have hypothyroidism. she says its amazing i managed to conceive with my level (did not make me feel good) so now i am on thyroid med which i don't feel too great about taking my whole pregnancy. then she proceeds to tell me my progesterone is 12.5. and she sounded all excited about it. i think 12.5 is not good at all. in 2 weeks it only rose from 10 to 12.5 on the suppositories. most websites say that is low. and i am bummed

lindy this is my first time i will get the stitch and don't know much about cervical length but i wish you the best honey

 

[JJEE]

Hi Ladies,

Lindy, I think 1.9cm is still a good length to get a stitch in, mine was put in at 2.3cm with funneling, I have read stories of people having them placed after being 1cm dilated..try not to worry Hun. I really hope your stitch placement has gone well, and that you can relax a little knowing you have that added support!

Ich, I haven't a clue about progesterone levels in pregnancy, but I have every faith that you will be fine..and you are now 7weeks! :

Lizzie, I know you have posted about this a hundred times, but I can't find any of your posts...I am almost 30weeks now, am I still meant to be taking it easy, or am I allowed to be myself now?? I am still housebound, but have been on my feet a lot more in the house, should I still be cautious and resting lots?

I hope everybody is well, I was so looking forward to being more active this week, but we have been visited by the chicken pox fairy! So my poor daughter is covered and I am expecting my son to come down with them any day! Luckily I have had them!

Take care ladies. Xxxx

 

[lizziedripping]

I'm back from the hospital and it wasn't great news. My cervix is 1.9cm with some funnelling. It is closed at the bottom but funnelling at the top. I'm having a stitch put in tomorrow morning. The last time my cervix was measured was 3 weeks ago and I feel angry about this because it could have been caught at a longer length if I was measured last week. Also last Wednesday I almost called the hospital as I felt quite a bit of pressure below. I was going to ask to be scanned . I so wish I had now.

Lizzie what do you think my chances are? I will be 21 weeks on Saturday.

Hi Lindy, I am so sorry your appt didn't go too well but you still have a decent remaining length of cervix and are only funneled not dilated so the stitch still has a good chance of working honey.

I like you am angry with the 'wait and see' approach in women who have previously shown signs of IC. Not sure if it's my imagination, but here in the Uk there seems to be a new trend towards not stitching, even in women who have previously had them. I'm not sure if this is to do with the recent pressure on the NHs to reduce the numbers of so called 'minor surgeries', but it is worrying.

I know that your case wasn't clear cut, and your first child did hang on until 34wks, but still. At 2.9 your cervix was clearly on the shorter side of normal, that coupled with your history should have inspired caution - even if that just meant scanning more frequently than every 3wks.

Good luck today with the stitch, and remember to stay off your feet now as much as possible. Because you are further along than most ladies having a stitch, you have a much shorter spell of rest to endure before you hit the 'safe zone' of 28/30wks (tho I'm sure that will still feel like a lifetime for you darlin').

Take care and let us know how it went

 

[lizziedripping]

JJEE - tough call hun. You are 'safe' in the sense that IC is a problem mainly when baby is so tiny that he/she can deliver through a 3cm gap. Your cervix could still chnage because it is weak, but the consequences are not as catastrophic. It would need to contract regularly now to dilate enough to allow your baby through it. If you did too much, you might be slightly more at risk than other women of going into ptl, but increased moderate activities are unlikely to cause a problem now. A weaker cervix is not necessarily at more risk of turning into ptl, but because it could funnel and shorten more with increased activity, there is still a small chance it could trigger labour.

All that said, there is nothing wrong with relaxing the rest, moving around and getting out and about a bit more now. No heavy lifting, prolonged, exhausting time spent on your feet and definitely no intense chores I still remained on rest until 38wks, but then twins are so much more complicated and inclined to deliver early anyway that I daren't risk it.

Hope that helps xx

 

[lizziedripping]

anyway i am having a bad bad day. nurse called and apparently i have hypothyroidism. she says its amazing i managed to conceive with my level (did not make me feel good) so now i am on thyroid med which i don't feel too great about taking my whole pregnancy. then she proceeds to tell me my progesterone is 12.5. and she sounded all excited about it. i think 12.5 is not good at all. in 2 weeks it only rose from 10 to 12.5 on the suppositories. most websites say that is low. and i am bummed

lindy this is my first time i will get the stitch and don't know much about cervical length but i wish you the best honey

Ich hun, you poor thing Can understand how this news must have increased your worry further. I know that the diagnosis must be a shock, but please be reassured that the treatment is not known to have any effect on a developing baby. The dosage will be adjusted throughout to maintain healthy levels in you, and it is far better to treat it than to leave it alone in pregnancy.

As for the progesterone, why not give your Doc a call and ask his opinion. Because you saw a healthy embryo and hb on scan, this is much more significant than progesterone levels, which can vary hugely in healthy pregnancies. I think anything above 9 is considered normal in the first trimester.

Take care sweet, keep in touch and hard as it is try not to fret

 

[lch28]

thanks lizzie.. he seemed pleased with the number.. he said all my bloods were normal but the tsh and i actually had to ask what the progesterone was . i want to ask him if i can up my dose. but i read that crinone 8% is only taken once a day.. and that it is enough. i dont wanna drive them crazy either

 

[millieboo1111]

Hello there ladies,

Sorry I havnt posted for a while now. Just slogging through the last weeks. Theres been ups and downs but feeling we are mainly up now and on the home straight at 28+3

I am also getting used to this resting lark and glad my hubby is able to be with me 24/7 to wait on me hand and foot while I watch tv and internet shop

I have been out of hospital now for 2 weeks after a 6 week stay!!!

My cervix seems to have stabilised at 2cm for the last 4 weeks so thats great and baby is growing perfectly.

My plan is to stay resting/housebound until 34 weeks and then get out a little bit more. i havnt had a chance to get a pram yet or show off my bump to the world i feel safe now and the fear has lifted and i can now enjoy being preggers!!

well done to all you ladies, you are doing so well. i dipped in and out and stalked a little and no ive missed out on births and such so congratulations to all of you and thank you. Has anyone heard from Sunkiss?

 

[JJEE]

Thanks Lizzie, yes it helps lots! I didn't want to return to normality if it would still put me at risk of PTL, It has been such a rollercoaster the last 16weeks, I don't want to risk her coming early when we are so so close to the end! I have kind of got used to doing very little now, I think when she arrives life will be quite a shock again!

Hi Millie, great to hear you are home and that things are going well! I was wondering how you were getting on. I am so pleased things seem to have stabilised for you, the 34week mark is so close now for both of us!

Xxx

 

[lch28]

millieboo glad you are home and baby is well hun.

lizzie i called my dr again (i am the patient from hell) and asked if he could please up my progesterone dosage to twice a day. lol. he said no and that since i am taking it vaginally it goes straight to my uterus and won't show up in my blood at all anyway which is why he was very pleased that it went from 10-12.5 by itself... buuttt i am still thinking of doing it against his orders anyway..

 

[sunkiss]

yay millie, i knew u was gonna make it hunny, i just felt it for u from the start, im so happy for u !! sorry i have not been updating at all, i was feeling so down about everything but things have turned around n i am doing well praise God !! i been on hospital bedrest since 23/5 n still here but thank God we are stable, still pregnant, no more contractions or pressure n doing great!! i cant tell u wut a roller coaster ride this has been but im sure u n the other ladies already know as we all have the same issue pretty much, we r still on this journey but i am so thankful for how far i have come, i kept praying n never gave up on my baby, i been here for 6 weeks today only allowed to get up for quick bthrm breaks n back n bed, i get to leave in 2 weeks at 32 weeks, im so excited for that !! so when i got here they were preparing me for delivery, i was contracting a little, had alot of rectal pressure n was 1 cm dilated, they were concerned cause they could see my membranes through the small opening but it wasnt bulging thank God, so they started me on magnesium to stop contractions n gave me the steroid shots, doctors kept coming in to talk to me n tell me the odds of my baby's survival if they had to deliver now n if i continued to dilate they would have to remove the cerclage, well i just laid there n prayed with my whole heart to God n begged Him to please not take my baby n how much i love her n i would spend my life making her happy if he gives her to me, all i could do was pray n put it in His hands, after that day i have remained stable here, they check me on the monitor everyday n no contractions n i am just feeling so much better all around now, i know for sure my baby will make it now, they tell me now that we beat the odds n they now believe i could go all the way to term, my cervix was .8 funneled slightly pass the stitch at is shortest n they havent bothered checking that anymore, they dont want to bother things there at this point unless i start bleeding or my water breaks, i tell u the pressure there has been so much better now i feel like it may have even grown back some...i think they may check again in a few weeks b4 releasing me n i will come back n update n let u ladies know how its going...i believe at the end of this i will go all the way to term n have a story to tell that will help inspire others. thank u so much to the ladies of this thread that have been there for me n inspired me by sharing ur stories n experience, i really appreciate it so much, lizzy u r a gift from God for us ladies, i will never forget how many time ur reassurance n knowledge has helped me...i will keep u all in my prayers, keeping baking those babies !!

JJEE, so happy to see ur still here baking too, we r so close !!

oh i had a sono today n my little girl is weighing 2lbs 14 oz, almost 3 lbs yay !!

 

[millieboo1111]

yay millie, i knew u was gonna make it hunny, i just felt it for u from the start, im so happy for u !! sorry i have not been updating at all, i was feeling so down about everything but things have turned around n i am doing well praise God !! i been on hospital bedrest since 23/5 n still here but thank God we are stable, still pregnant, no more contractions or pressure n doing great!! i cant tell u wut a roller coaster ride this has been but im sure u n the other ladies already know as we all have the same issue pretty much, we r still on this journey but i am so thankful for how far i have come, i kept praying n never gave up on my baby, i been here for 6 weeks today only allowed to get up for quick bthrm breaks n back n bed, i get to leave in 2 weeks at 32 weeks, im so excited for that !! so when i got here they were preparing me for delivery, i was contracting a little, had alot of rectal pressure n was 1 cm dilated, they were concerned cause they could see my membranes through the small opening but it wasnt bulging thank God, so they started me on magnesium to stop contractions n gave me the steroid shots, doctors kept coming in to talk to me n tell me the odds of my baby's survival if they had to deliver now n if i continued to dilate they would have to remove the cerclage, well i just laid there n prayed with my whole heart to God n begged Him to please not take my baby n how much i love her n i would spend my life making her happy if he gives her to me, all i could do was pray n put it in His hands, after that day i have remained stable here, they check me on the monitor everyday n no contractions n i am just feeling so much better all around now, i know for sure my baby will make it now, they tell me now that we beat the odds n they now believe i could go all the way to term, my cervix was .8 funneled slightly pass the stitch at is shortest n they havent bothered checking that anymore, they dont want to bother things there at this point unless i start bleeding or my water breaks, i tell u the pressure there has been so much better now i feel like it may have even grown back some...i think they may check again in a few weeks b4 releasing me n i will come back n update n let u ladies know how its going...i believe at the end of this i will go all the way to term n have a story to tell that will help inspire others. thank u so much to the ladies of this thread that have been there for me n inspired me by sharing ur stories n experience, i really appreciate it so much, lizzy u r a gift from God for us ladies, i will never forget how many time ur reassurance n knowledge has helped me...i will keep u all in my prayers, keeping baking those babies !!

JJEE, so happy to see ur still here baking too, we r so close !!

oh i had a sono today n my little girl is weighing 2lbs 14 oz, almost 3 lbs yay !!

Aw babes I cant tell you how overwhelmed with emotion I am to hear you are doing so well!! I want to cry with happiness. It just shows what faith can do!! JJEE im so happy for you too!! we are doing it!!

Ich and all the other new ladies stay positive even when things are looking bleak. The more of us that carry through IC now the more we can learn and help even more ladies in the future.

We have to keep faith even when the odds are stacked against us and you get them looks from the midwives and the Drs that your mad!! like when I first admitted at 20 weeks and I was all like "im going to start knitting" and the midwife looks at me with that face and says "maybe wait a few weeks" like im not going to make it and my heart jumps into my tummy and I want to be sick!! Even then I kept the faith and now i have a big baby bump and a big knitted blanket!!!

Our stories are made to inspire others and i just know we are going to make it to term!! Lizzie you really are a gift from God in fact all the ladies on this thread are!! Sunkiss you inspire me so much and have been in my thoughts and prayers constantly.

oh im just ecstatic to hear from you sunkiss. We made it!!! Im glad your in hospital until 32 weeks. I was a little worried about coming home because all the ladies i know on bed rest have kids and were really worried i would do too much but i dont so im not. But I can see how hard it must be to do bedrest as a mum.

A doctor came to me the monday before i left hospital and said that they were keeping me in until term but then consultant came the next day and said right im thinking home on friday!! scary!! But its fine Im used to being at home now. Im still resting alot but dont have the same worrying niggles.

Ive met some amazing ladies on this journey and now looking back I wouldnt change this journey for the world. Ive witnessed miracles and peoples lives change and their faith grow. Most of all im stronger in my faith and experienced stuff you dont get to experience often. Im thankful for that These babies are going to be spoilt little miracles

Youve made my weekend honey, thank you so much!! Lets keep these babies baking and stay positive makes a world of difference.

aw love you guys

 

[LindyB]

Thank you for your replies. I was able to read them in hospital but just about and couldn't post a reply. This time I was in a lot more pain after the stitch op and still am. It went well and remains closed. I will be scanned again in a couple of weeks.

Lizzie I followed Kate QPR posts for a while. I know she went past her due date but can you remember what she was like around 20 weeks? I'm sure she was one of the ladies who seemed to have a lot of worries but then went full term.

Any way I will have enough time to read all 480 pages of this forum again. But not tonight cos I'm shattered!

 

[LindyB]

Just found it! She was 1.6cm and 18 weeks. She went over 40 weeks didn't she? Also scanned through lots of other success stories. This forum is a Gods send. any way I really am going to bed now!