Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[JJEE]

Hi Lizzie,

I can imagine how worrying that must have been for you, another week of waiting knowing you were carrying twice the load this time! My other half had brought our other children in to see me in the evening, he was so cross, he was insisting on taking me home, but I was so worried about what could happen if I left I was begging him not to say he would take me home! They did put me on a drip eventually!
Still on the plus side, that one day out of my life has bought me to where I am today! (stuffing my face on the sofa)

xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Lol JJE I had taken my kids up North to their grandparents the night before, then driven the 2hrs back to have the op. It was such a tense time and I was so anxious that the build up to that day had been fraught - to wait all day from 7am only to be told it wouldn't be happening for another week was agony. Still, once it was in and everything worked out ok I forgot the trauma.

Couldn't be cross with my consultant because for one she is just brilliant and saved the lives of my twins, and secondly she was dealing with emergencies that day - and we have benefitted from the same emergency care many times in the past, mainly due to me keep having kids lol. I was just scared, pure and simple.

If they had agreed to me being stitched by the hospital porter in the corridors, legs akimbo for all to see I'd have agreed, so desperate was I

 

[LindyB]

Millieboo how much activity/resting have you been doing since you were back in the hospital? I'm asking because my cervix sounds almost the same as yours when the stitch was placed (1.9/2.0cm with funnelling). My doctor said no to bed rest and progeterone. He said that I could go back to work but as I'm a teacher I decided against this and my GP has signed me off until the end of term. What has your doctor suggested?

Well done on 29 weeks!

 

[LindyB]

I have another couple of questions for Millieboo. How long did you wait between your stitch and 1st cervical scan post stitch? Also did any funneling change after the stitch? You said that your cervix lengthend slightly, then decreased in length and then increased - do you think that your activity levels played any role in this or was it just one of those things?

Sorry for the millions of questions. I have just finished week 1 since my stitch but have 2 weeks to wait until my consultant appointment and scan. I haven't left the house. I have mainly been in bed or on the sofa with my feet up. I'd like to know whats going on down there but also know that it's important not to have too many scans etc.

 

[LindyB]

I've been trying for weeks to get a ticker to work!

Hi hopeful - i just wanted to say you are doing the right thing coming on here and finding out about the stitch op. I didn't when I had my first stitch with my 2nd child. My consultant and a friend I knew who had had it successfully (baby went over her due date) both said it was no big deal. I was expecting it to be like a walk in the park! I just got very scared when I entered the theatre room as I had never experienced that before. It was only a small room - the same place where they do the c-sections- but there were a lot of people there and it freaked me out. I don't know what I was expecting. Anyway then it was my own anxiety that made things worse. I kept asking to go the loo - i was worried about going when the doctor was down there! I made myself into a right state and they couldn't find my veins to put the drip in then.
This time I knew what to expect so was a bit nervous but ok. They also played music and were all very chatty. I just kept chatting loads about everyday stuff. It wasn't too bad at all. I also didn't bother too much about the loo because the spinal works quickly so you can't wee/poo while its working anyway! ( I think I am probably the only person on here who worried about this!)

You will be fine!

 

[JJEE]

Hi Ladies,

Lizzie..I totally agree, I would have been happy for ANYBODY to have stitched me that day..and what's a few hours waiting around, they do do a fabulous job!!

Lindy, sorry to butt in on your post to Millie, just wanted to say my cervix was 2.3 with funneling on stitch day, I was scanned 2wks post op, and it was 2.9 with slight funneling, so had improved massively, then I was scanned 4wks later the funneling had gone! I was only scanned 1more time 4wks later, again good length, but slight pressure effect..not really sure what that means? I have remained pretty inactive the whole time..I gave up work at wk 15, we were meant to be going on holiday and had to cancel, then the very next week had the op.

xx

 

[millieboo1111]

Millieboo how much activity/resting have you been doing since you were back in the hospital? I'm asking because my cervix sounds almost the same as yours when the stitch was placed (1.9/2.0cm with funnelling). My doctor said no to bed rest and progeterone. He said that I could go back to work but as I'm a teacher I decided against this and my GP has signed me off until the end of term. What has your doctor suggested?

Well done on 29 weeks!

Ok so I had the stich at 18wks+ with funnelling and 2.5cm i think (its changed so much and it seems like ages ago now) wasnt more than that anyway it started at 3.9cm 15 weeks.

After the stitch I was told "life goes on" most midwives dont have a clue about IC unfortunately. I was told i could go back to work but I didnt feel comfortable until i had chat with consultant. I saw her 1 week later and she said no absolutely NO to going back to work and signed me off. I had my post op scan 2 weeks after the op. I had been pretty much housebound apart from my trafford centre jaunt and a walk to the shops oh and church

My post op scan read funnelling and only 1cm of cervix. I was so scared, they said there is nothing more we can do for you and this baby except cross our fingers. Luckily I had been following this thread and read about bedrest so I asked them to admit me and they did. They sentenced me to complete bedrest for 4 weeks at first

I can only say that everytime I decided I was ok and I could be active again my cervix would shorten and when I was dedicated to complete bed rest it lengthened.

at about 23 weeks they were about to discharge me and I asked for a scan before I went home they eventually agreed and I had funelling to the stitch and 0.5cm of cervix left They said your not going anywhere and kept me until 26 weeks.

I think we have to take things in to our own hands sometimes, my consultant originally said no need for bedrest just after the stitch. Some docs dont believe in it and some do. The consultant I have now got really cross when she heard the midwives were telling me to go for a walk!! I think the older generation understand the benefits of BR more than younger less holistic, more drug focussed docs.

One young registrar came and told me I could go home and possibly back to work if i wanted at 23+ then i had that devistating scan result. My GP has now signed me off until august. I wouldnt, couldnt and believe I totally shouldnt go back to work. Your job includes so much time on your feet, so unpredictable of what you might have to deal with and because there are no warning signs to cervix shortening I would go for better safe option if possible.

I took bedrest to mean being in bed 95% of the time. I went to the loo, a shower every 2 days. washed my hair once a week if the scan was good, sat up to eat and sometimes in my chair to eat if scan was ok.

Your doing the best thing for yourself and bubs. Stay off your feet it works, it makes so much sense. The heavier baby gets the more pressure is put on cervix and the more we are stood the more gravity pulls baby down. Sthimples

Hope i havnt just babbled and actually answered your questions!! Anymore and im more than happy to be of some help. Also this is only my experience so doesnt mean any of it will happen to you. Well done on your 21 weeks!! x x x x x x x x xx x x x x

 

[LindyB]

Thank you Milleboo and JJE! You are both doing brilliantly. I haven't got an appointment as yet to see my consultant and have a scan - I have rang a few times this week. I need to be more pushy when I ring on Monday - it's just too important. It's good to know that you asked for a scan and to be admitted and they did. The midwives were also in favour of me walking around after my stitch even though they said that that they don't have many patients having stitches. They don't seem to be able to answer many questions about it which is why I am on here everyday.

My GP gave my husband iron tablets when he went to pick up my doctor's note today. It turns out that even though I have good haemoglobin iron levels my ferritin levels are low. I am surprised by this as I haven't had caffiene since about conception and I have my pregnacare with a big glass of orange juice evryday. I eat well. I was low on iron at the very end of my second pregnancy and fine throughout my first. I'm just worried about constipation with a stitch. I've manage to avoid it so far with all bran and loads of fruit and water. What a bummer! I only have to take 1 tablet a day so I'm hoping Ill be ok.

 

[LindyB]

Hopeful how did you get on? Hope you feel ok

 

[lch28]

Hi ladies, this thread is getting hard to keep up with! I love the long posts and all the information. My stitch is scheduled for August 6th, ill be 12w3d. Is it possible to have any funneling then or my cervix to be short? I am so uneducated on this =[ Do you think ill be on bed rest after the stitch? Should i stop working after it? My doc mentioned one of the good things of getting it electively is that i should be able to keep working. I am just so scared. I want to stay at the hospital for 24 hours for observation. Will they let me hear the HB after to make sure babes is okay?

I am also gonna be so upset about the bleeding. How much is too much?

 

[Alisa F]

Ich - I had mine at 12+3 also they should keep you in for 24 hours to make sure you don't go into ptl. Apparently light bleeding for 4-5 days is normal (pinkish brown). So far I'm on track except I hav a sensitive cervix that bleeds to the touch according to a couple docs who've examined me before so reckon I will bleed longer. I'm now on bedrest only sitting up for meals , toilet, daily shower. Am supposed to work from home next week but thinking about telling them to get stuffed until my consultants appt next Wednesday afternoon after I see what he says....

 

[lch28]

thanks for replying hun.. i am going to double check with doc at next appointment (not till july 26th =[ =[ that i will be there overnight. is it normal to be on bed rest a few days after surgery or are you on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy?

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi everyone, Ich it's not common to be funneled as early as 12wks, but theoretically possible to have shortened by then. I've come across it occasionally but it's rare - most problems come after about 15wks, and usually around 18wks.

Some centres hold onto you for 24hrs, mainly because they catheterise you for 12hrs after surgery, and want to make sure ptl isn't a problem (again rare). My bleeding was surprisingly minimal so try not to worry about that.

Here in the UK it's uncommon for them to listen in for a hb before 15wks. It's not easy to find one at that early stage so most here don't bother trying.

As for bed rest, it's advisable to stay completely off your feet for a few days (I found it almost impossible to move afterwards anyway), and then beyond that it's personal choice. I haven't come across a Doctor yet who recommends bed rest after an elective stitch, but I did it anyway because I felt like I would go into labour if I moved around too much, and I didn't see the harm in doing everything possible to stay pregnant. I am sure tho that had I felt 'normal' and not quite so much pressure and cramps I would have moved around more.

Hope that helps xx

PS - the pattern of tvu after my stitch was as follows, thought it might be useful for you ladies to see how things worked with me. I was scanned more than mosy because I was carrying two babies and had a stitch, and each team varies in its management of IC. Some docs don't do cl checks at all after surgery unless there is a problem.

13+4 - stitch, cervix floppy and completely atonal, not normal at 13wks and looked more like a 40wk cervix. It would admit a 5cm speculum with ease, NOT right

15+2 - tvu, cervix 2.8 no funneling

18+2 - tvu, 3.8 no funneling

20+6 - tvu, 3.1 no funneling/abdominal scan to check babies.

23+1 - went to L&D due to tightenings and had tvu with crappy portable scanner. Cervix was 3.8, but scanner not as accurate so it was likely shorter than this.

24+6 - tvu, 2.3 with funneling. Baby scan, boys not far short of 2Ibs each. (consultant very pleased and not worried by funneling, said it proved I had need a stitch and it was doing its job).

27+6 - tvu, 1.8 funneled to stitch. Babies 3.2 and 4.13Ibs ( remember that the stitch was holding the equivalent of a hefty full term singleton at this stage, and I had an extra placenta and bag of waters).

30+6 - tvu, 1.8 still funneled. Babies 4 and Had to beg for a tvu this time, consultant no longer concerned enough to even check my cervix by this point.

33+6 - no tvu, babies 7 and 6Ibs, booked in for section at 38+2 not thinking in a million yrs I'd make that date! How wrong was I. Consultant didn't scan or see me again after 34wks.

Hope that helps to show you just how brilliant an elective stitch can be ladies. I hope you don't think the journey for me was a calm, relaxed one either. It was terrifying, and the dream of making term was just that, a dream (or so I thought). I was plagued by contractions, aches, pressure, discharge and an overwhelming feeling of doom. I did make teem, and fulfill my dreams in double, so please take heart from that

 

[Alisa F]

Ich - my consultant at the hosp where i had the stitch was really vague about level of activity after the stitch, she basically said take it easy but not for how long or what she means by taking it easy.

One of the young docs who visited me day after stitch said she expected me to be up and about that day.... Wtf?!?!?!?

Then I managed to get high risk doc from my hospital where i will have my high risk antenatal care on the phone Wednesday , the day after I got home, she said rest at least a week, shower toilet and meals upright only.

So I'm taking that last bit of advice and staying as horizontal as possible.

 

[Mumzie3]

Hello everyone...am fairly new to this Site...this is my 3rd pregnancy....my first 2 were full term first being a c-section and second natural. I had my 18 +week ultrasound last week where they noticed my cervix is short....1.4 cm...they forwarded my file is to the walk in affiliated with the lab and the doctor gave me the news he then contacted my on from my last pregnancy and informed her of the report. She hen called me in the evening the same day and instructed me to come straight to the triage for further examination...I was in. More shock and concern because I never thought this would be happening to my baby and me...
I told my husband and he got up right away and we went to the triage. The doctor did her examination and prescribed progesterone and of course booked my appointment with the high risk clinic.
Came time for my appointment with the high risk clinic where I hadn't 19th+ week us done...by looking at the tech's concerned face I started panicking....she then called a doctor in the room after sending me in the waiting room..they closed the door so I wouldn't hear......
The doctor came out and called me to the reception desk and told me that it seems that I have dilated quite a bit more then last Thursday and my cervix has shortened a minute amount but to keep me from crying she told me my ob is at the triage....
As I went to triage I gave my health care and told them my doctor has been notified...after 10 minutes I had 2 nurses come out to the waiting room to take me in and one asked me if I had someone with mme I said not she said that itwould be able great idea to call someone.....I called my hubby who was at school to come....within 5 minutes he was there a me....a few hours passed and the doctor came and she told us the cons of what was happening we might loose our baby we might have it buthewill havehandicaps...
I just started crying....
After a few hours of more monitoring we decided to go for the stitch....
I am obstruct bed rest at20 weeks 3 days pregnant hoping and praying this will be successful....

 

[Alisa F]

Mumzie - so sorry you're going through this but luckily they noticed it in time to give you a stitch before you went into ptl. I wish you a long and healthy pregnancy xxx

 

[Mumzie3]

Bed rest can be soooooo irritable

 

[Mumzie3]

Thank you alisa f

 

[Keliann]

Hi
I have been following this thread for a little while, and have a quick question for ladies who have had a cerclage, I had mine placed at 24+5 with very little cervix left, I had a modified shirodkar(?) and am now 32 weeks, having been on hospital bed rest since the op. A fortnight ago I had 1.4 cms left below my stitch which looked closed. Yesterday and today I have had an increase in discharge and been a bit constipated, this afternoon when I used the bathroom I had bloody ( pinkish tinged ) mucus on wipping, I am waiting for my dr to call the ward staff back, but is this normal / okay? Could the stitch still be holding okay? we are just trying so hard to get to 34-36 weeks

 

[Alisa F]

Keliann - thankfully they caught it in time, i hope you keep baking much much longer. Sorry I can't offer any advice as I've only just had my first stitch placed this week at 12 wks.

Out of curiosity, have you been instructed to lay on any particular side on hospital bedrest? xxx