Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lch28]

thanks lindy, i am getting the cerclage at 12 weeks electively. just wanted to know what is considered a short cervix

 

[snflwrgrl9]

Hi All,

I haven't been on the site in a few weeks, but just wanted to update you and give you hope, especially those on bedrest. I am finally home from the hospital after being there for 10 weeks and 2 days. The little guy is still "cookin" in my belly and last week at my ultrasound he was 5 pounds 6 ounces.

I did not have a cerclage and was dialated 1 cm at 23 weeks with no measureable cervix. I was checked again at 28 weeks and as 3-4cm dialated and 75% effaced. At last check I was still 4 cm, but 90% effaced. I feel bedrest was what helped. Stay strong ladies!! I didn't think I would reach 35 weeks and here I am. If I can do it, you can do it!

 

[Alisa F]

Thanks for the well wishes, I think it helped because the cerclage was apparently a success and I'm home now after an overnight stay.

My doc said now the only issue will be infection especially seeing as I'm really prone to them no matter what I do. Also I've always had to strain at least a teeny bit with bowel movements.

Any tips on either two issues? What can I possibly to avoid infection?

 

[lch28]

snflwrgrl9 i am so happy everything worked out for you

Alisa F glad the cerclage was a success.. i am sure lizzie will have a good answer

and i have a question too for lizzie =D

soo my mom is sick and she really needed help cleaning, without thinking i lifted her huge gigantic heavy vacuum up the steps and im worried sick about it. i feel its bad to begin with plus im high risk. i don't have any cramping, and its nothing i haven't done before, i always vacuum for her. just not since the BFP

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey Ich - lifting the vac won't do any harm at this early stage, your cervix is not currently under 'baby strain'. I'd recommend staying away from any heavy lifting from now on tho x

Alisa honey, remind me again what infection history you have? Is it purely urine/yeast infections? Have you been battling them so far this pregnancy? X

 

[lch28]

thanks lizzie, i won't be doing that any more thats for sure =]

 

[Alisa F]

Hi Lizzie, I have chronic interstitial cystitis which they found after we lost our son in 2010. During this preg they found group b strep in my urine about 3 weeks ago but treated me with antibiotics. Vag swabs done at the same time came back clear.

Since I wrote last night we had to call me an ambulance and I spent a lot of time in emergency as I couldn't breathe and was in horrific pain in the rib cage area. But I think it's unrelated. When I was there they asked about my bleeding after cerclage. It wasn't until this morning that I realised I've had a liitle more blood then in hospital (suture was Monday midday) and it's now Wednesday morning and I've still got pink blood on the pad and it's not a lot but a tad more than at hospital. Maybe it was all the walking around at A&E.... What was your experience with bleeding? When is it supposed to taper off and stop?

A x

 

[DMJ]

Hi ladies ...

At hospital now and have been asked to take part In the progesterone study .. Can someone give me an insight to this, I have read the information papers but just wanted to know if anyone else has taken these aswel as having a cerclage? il be taking them until 34 weeks.

Had my first ffn test also and just waiting for the results of that ...

Xxx

 

[chistiana]

Alisa just wanted to let you know that during my pg i was very prone to infections too especially after the cerclage. For some reason this foreign object attracted infections constantly and i was treated with antibiotics 4 times! In the end they stopped giving me antibiotics because they wouldnt clear the infection. Just make sure you get monthly swabs and monitor discharge. Re the bleeding it lasted for about 4-5 days for me if i remember correctly

 

[Alisa F]

Alisa just wanted to let you know that during my pg i was very prone to infections too especially after the cerclage. For some reason this foreign object attracted infections constantly and i was treated with antibiotics 4 times! In the end they stopped giving me antibiotics because they wouldnt clear the infection. Just make sure you get monthly swabs and monitor discharge. Re the bleeding it lasted for about 4-5 days for me if i remember correctly

Thanks fir letting me know, it's reassuring to know you delivered safely despite the infections, I'm so happy for you.

I've already had 2 courses of antibiotics for group b strep in urine and for before/during cerclage procedure. They've said they will do monthly swabs for me and fortnightly urine culture but that they aim to only use topical creams(???) rather than oral antibiotics if they find any infection on th stitch.

Anyone had topical ointment for infection on stitch?

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Alisa hun. Bleeding after cerclage is to be expected and yours doesn't sound like much or anything to worry about

As for infection, there is no reason why your cystitis should affect the stitch or pregnancy, neither should strep. Lots more women would be found to have these bugs if they were screened (which most aren't), and the majority make it to term with no known problems. You're in a good position now because you will be extensively screened. I'm not sure treating the infections will make a huge difference, but its always a good thing to rule it out as a potential complicating factor.

There is a debate over whether infections are chicken or egg as regards ptl. It seems tho that they can only do harm after the cervix has already dilated and they have tracked 'north'. With a stitched, closed cervix it is very unusual for infection to make it into the uterus. I had BV detected at 20wks, but I wasn't treated for another month. It didn't cause any problems and is a common bug found in lots of pregnant women.

Take care and rest up over the coming days xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Dmj - I'd personally go for it honey. There aren't any known side effects with progesterone use, but because it's a relatively new treatment it's possible long term effects (if any) are not yet known. Feel assured tho that it is a naturally occurring hormone anyway, and for just a few months it's benefits far outweigh any possible and very remote risk. I'd have paid thousands to have had the added security of progesterone in my pregnancy xx

 

[DMJ]

Thanks for your reply lizzie ... I found out after that the trial I'm taking part in is 50% of women will get the real thing and 50% of women will get a dummy suppositrie ( hope this makes sense ) its so they can then compare the two groups. so I won't know what one I'm getting just that I have to take it until I'm 34 weeks.

My cervix has no changes and is measuring 31mm and my ffn test came back negative which I'm so pleased about as my chances of going to near full term now are high

Next appointment is 3 weeks (I'm already counting down the days lol)

Xx

 

[Alisa F]

Thanks Lizzie. I'm feeling better after reading your and Christiana's responses. Indeed I've been promised closer monitoring so hopefully if there is any infection it won't go undetected too long. Feeling good about things for the first time

 

[ChovieGirl]

Hi ladies ...

At hospital now and have been asked to take part In the progesterone study .. Can someone give me an insight to this, I have read the information papers but just wanted to know if anyone else has taken these aswel as having a cerclage? il be taking them until 34 weeks.

Had my first ffn test also and just waiting for the results of that ...

Xxx

I use progesterone gel in addition to having a cerclage, but I have not done a study. The progesterone I use seems to be working really well.

 

[ChovieGirl]

Hi Lizzie, I have chronic interstitial cystitis which they found after we lost our son in 2010. During this preg they found group b strep in my urine about 3 weeks ago but treated me with antibiotics. Vag swabs done at the same time came back clear.

Since I wrote last night we had to call me an ambulance and I spent a lot of time in emergency as I couldn't breathe and was in horrific pain in the rib cage area. But I think it's unrelated. When I was there they asked about my bleeding after cerclage. It wasn't until this morning that I realised I've had a liitle more blood then in hospital (suture was Monday midday) and it's now Wednesday morning and I've still got pink blood on the pad and it's not a lot but a tad more than at hospital. Maybe it was all the walking around at A&E.... What was your experience with bleeding? When is it supposed to taper off and stop?

A x

So sorry you had to go through all that. It is so hard not to worry.
Many prayers your way!

 

[ChovieGirl]

Thanks for your reply lizzie ... I found out after that the trial I'm taking part in is 50% of women will get the real thing and 50% of women will get a dummy suppositrie ( hope this makes sense ) its so they can then compare the two groups. so I won't know what one I'm getting just that I have to take it until I'm 34 weeks.

My cervix has no changes and is measuring 31mm and my ffn test came back negative which I'm so pleased about as my chances of going to near full term now are high

Next appointment is 3 weeks (I'm already counting down the days lol)

Xx

Glad your FFN test came back negative!

 

[Alisa F]

Thanks for your reply lizzie ... I found out after that the trial I'm taking part in is 50% of women will get the real thing and 50% of women will get a dummy suppositrie ( hope this makes sense ) its so they can then compare the two groups. so I won't know what one I'm getting just that I have to take it until I'm 34 weeks.

My cervix has no changes and is measuring 31mm and my ffn test came back negative which I'm so pleased about as my chances of going to near full term now are high

Next appointment is 3 weeks (I'm already counting down the days lol)

Xx

Hi DMJ, I get the impression progesterone during pg is very much an American thing which seems to really work, but whenever I've asked about it here in UK docs have been very dismissive almost. Hopefully you won't be in the placebo group and will get all the full benefits of the progesterone, but then again I'm a big believer in the placebo effect, so you can't really go wring good luck.

 

[Alisa F]

ChovieGirl, thanks hon, and I'm wishing you and your bubba all the best xxx

 

[JJEE]

Hi Alisa,

Just wanted to say i am in London and have been given progesterone, i was prescibed it from wk 15 when my cervix began to funnel. They did mention taking part in the optimum trial, as i had already had a pre termer but withdrew that and prescibed it anyway as my cervix had already changed considerably in a week!
Maybe it's a hospital thing here...they would have given it to me after my stitch anyway..but i was already on it..i am having the baby at Chelsea and Westminster.

xx