Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[Alisa F]

i knew i should have mentioned self swab doc today did say you can do self swab at GP, that they should not force you to have nurse do speculum, but i dont want to mess it up so will only go down that route if hospital refuses to do a swab on me xxx

 

[mum2rugrats]

How strange lol but id be a bit wary id catch something or do it right. Im seeing my consultant a week today so i will be sure to bend his ear about all these worries

 

[lch28]

mum2rugrats alfie is adorable!!

what is a ffn?? i am going to be so lost when i get my cerclage. will prob post every day..

also i am getting a shirodkar. is that removed at 36 weeks or during labor?

 

[~~Bambi~~]

Hi girls, I had a preterm baby girl at 24 weeks in October. Got my cerclage placed at 13+5 think it was the shirodkar (sp?) I had. Well today I had my 20 week scan and they found cervix length of 2.1cm and funneling.
Does anyone know if the stitch is likely to keep this baby in or is it likely I'll go into early labour again. They didnt mention bedrest or anything and i work so i cant really put myself on bedrest but Im really worried now can't lose another baby.
Hope I haven't rambled too much.

 

[JJEE]

Hi Bambi,

Welcome to the thread! So sorry about losing your baby girl.

I had the Shirodikar placed at 16wks, i think bed rest also plays a big part in keeping the weight off of the cervix, is your job very active? My advice would be to rest as much as possible outside of work, i had to give up until after i have the baby, i do a job where i am on my feet all day.Are you on progesterone? This combined with the stitch have worked wonders for me, it helps to strengthen the cervix. I know a lot of doctors don't prescribe bed rest, my doctor didn't, but she was very keen on me being as in active as possible until wk 30..I know it is difficult, but could you get your GP to sign you off work?

I don't know lots on this subject,This is my first stitch pregnancy! but I am sure some of the other ladies will give you some better advice

You will get lots of support here from all the lovely ladies all going through or have been through the same!

xxx

 

[~~Bambi~~]

Hi Bambi,

Welcome to the thread! So sorry about losing your baby girl.

I had the Shirodikar placed at 16wks, i think bed rest also plays a big part in keeping the weight off of the cervix, is your job very active? My advice would be to rest as much as possible outside of work, i had to give up until after i have the baby, i do a job where i am on my feet all day.Are you on progesterone? This combined with the stitch have worked wonders for me, it helps to strengthen the cervix. I know a lot of doctors don't prescribe bed rest, my doctor didn't, but she was very keen on me being as in active as possible until wk 30..I know it is difficult, but could you get your GP to sign you off work?

I don't know lots on this subject,This is my first stitch pregnancy! but I am sure some of the other ladies will give you some better advice

You will get lots of support here from all the lovely ladies all going through or have been through the same!

xxx

Thanks JJEE.

I'm mostly just sitting in my job and lie down as soon as i get home now but read that even just sitting can put extra pressure on the cervix.

I got progesterone suppositories when i had the stitch done so hopefully that will hold it.
The doc that did the scan was really rubbish about answering my questions just seemed like she wanted me out the door ASAP. I'll see the consultant in two weeks so hopefully he'll be able to put me on bedrest or something.

Glad to see that the stitch and everything has worked out so well for you so far JJEE brings me hope x

 

[JJEE]

I have every faith that things will work out fine for you too Bambi!

I was told by my doctor, that if I could do my job sitting down, she would be happy for me to continue working. There have been other people on this thread that have managed to stay in work, and as you are resting when you get home, you are doing everything recommended!

I have found since being here, that the cervix measurements seem to go up and down almost weekly, and Lizzie, the thread genius had her cervix funnel to the stitch carrying twins, and still delivered full term!

These are the stories that have kept me sane for the past 16 weeks! I hope they will you too!

Incidentally, are you taking the progesterone rectally or vaginally? (sorry) I was told rectally to begin with, but was told by the prof who did my stitch to insert them vaginally as they work more successfully nearer to the cervix.

Xxx

 

[LindyB]

Congratulations on 32 weeks JJE!

 

[Alisa F]

Ich - I was told my shirodkar would be removed at 37 weeks.

Since hearing about ffn test I've done s bit of research and spoken to 2 docs this week. Apparently it's just a vag swab and it can detect based on cerv / vag secretions if your uterus is getting ready for labour. The only thing it can say for certain is if you get a negative result. This means no chance of labour for at least couple of weeks. A positive test is unclear because even though ur uterus is preparing for delivery it could be in 1 week 2, 3 or 10. It doesn't predict WHEN. Hope that made sense. I was told by my docs (nhs hospital in London) they only do it if you are experiencing pain cramping or early preg contractions.

 

[Alisa F]

Hi bambi and welcome! I'm so sorry about your little girl *warm hug*

I can't tell u much about the stitch holding as this is my first stitch so im a bit of a novice. I can say however I told my boss that the docs advised reduced working hours so I wl start late and finish early next week when I go back to work 2 weeks after my stitch. I'm also going to work from home during the Olympics. I know most people don't have this option but if your job is desk based - working remotely is not impossible.

After the Olympics I will approach my GP and tell him that I'm in pain, can't concentrate in work and depressed (well I am) and that I want to be written off to work from home and if that doesn't work out I.e if I can't keep up with work then to be written off completely. You should find, depending on your GP, they are more accommodating with bed rest than consultants.

If youre concerned about ptl again, discuss ffn testing with your consultant (see my note to ich above).

 

[lch28]

Thanks Alisa. I have so many questions to ask at my next appointment.. 10w6d

 

[LaRockera]

Bambi - Lizzie may correct me if I'm wrong, but 2.1 at 20weeks is not too bad at this gestational age. The best thing is, to try and rest as much as you can really, put your feet up at any opportunity, but the main thing is, avoid things like house chores, lifting, this sort of thing, and no more than 15-min walks. That's for precaution.

You placed an elective stitch, which work almost always. It is there to stop the cervix from opening if you run out of length, so even if it shortens more, chances of success are still your side.

Good luck, hon. I'm so very sorry for your loss but I promise you, this time you will have a full-term, healthy baby to take home with you.

 

[Hopeful 4 #1]

Hey girlies, how is everyone doing? I am in a state of panic lol. I think I had an orgasm in my sleep!!!! Nnow i am scared to death!

 

[~~Bambi~~]

Thanks LaRockera that's made me feel much better. I have a horrible fear of going in to labour with the stitch even though I know that's probably unlikely lol hard not to worry about every little thing.

Hope everyone is okay?

 

[Alisa F]

Are we not supposed to orgasm at all?!?!?! I know we shouldn't have sex but I can't control my dreams. Ive orgasmed almost every night since the stitch :O

 

[LaRockera]

Bambi-it will all go well, I promise, hon. Just keep your feet up whenever you can and don't exhaust yourself, a little caution is all it takes, but the stitch is there, and it's pretty strong stuff.

As for sleep orgasms, hey, they're inevitable during pregnancy due to the increased blood flow to the uterus, let alone to us cerclage mummies. I don't think dream orgasms are nearly as strong as the 'normal' ones, in any case. I had my share, cervical length remained unaffected.

I'm hoping to return and participate more in this thread, like I've said a number of times. I'm just busy over my head with my LO, but if anyone wants to get in touch, be my guest (although with Lizzie here, you hardly need me). Until my powerful return, good luck to all you lovely mommies.

 

[LindyB]

I hope everyone is ok. It's 2 weeks and 2 days since my stitch . I had to go into hospital this morning as I had a bit of blood in my pants this morning. The doctor did an internal check and couldn't see where it came from. He took a swab and said everything seemed ok - cervix closed, stitch in place. He did say the ends of the stitch which are loose are 1 and a half inches which i thought is very long! I did feel a bit odd on Friday - like I had a tampon in that was scratching me. A bit odd I know! Anyway it was only a small amount and was a light brown colour. I think I'm ok.

 

[Alisa F]

Larockera - very reassuring to have a stitch veteran around there are a few of us first timers on here that will keep you busy with questions no doubt,, hope the lil munchkin is doing well

Lindy - glad to hear your doc thinks it ok. That's very reassuring. Sending you and bubba lots of positive vibes and warm hugs

 

[blav]

I have a question for you ladies. I had a cerclage done at 13 weeks, everything has been fine since then. The last few days to a week though, I had had a lot of pain very low in my abdomen...just above where the pubic hair would start. I thought it was round ligament which I guess it could be but today I'm more concerned its cerclage related. When I stand or sit there is pain/pressure/pulling? I'm not really sure how to explain what it feels like. I see my doctor on Tuesday and will of course bring it up. I'm concerned about bed rest, my job has been very stressful lately and I am in constant back pain and now this. I will be 18 weeks tomorrow.

 

[ChovieGirl]

I have a question for you ladies. I had a cerclage done at 13 weeks, everything has been fine since then. The last few days to a week though, I had had a lot of pain very low in my abdomen...just above where the pubic hair would start. I thought it was round ligament which I guess it could be but today I'm more concerned its cerclage related. When I stand or sit there is pain/pressure/pulling? I'm not really sure how to explain what it feels like. I see my doctor on Tuesday and will of course bring it up. I'm concerned about bed rest, my job has been very stressful lately and I am in constant back pain and now this. I will be 18 weeks tomorrow.

I am 23 weeks and can relate with the pain/pressure/pulling in my lower abdomen. I swear I go through bouts of this about once a week. I think I really started feeling it more around 18 weeks. Just think, your baby is really going to grow your second trimester! Even though you would think I would get used to the pains after a few weeks, it still freaks me out; however, every time I go to the doctor, my stitch still looks good. So, I bet you are having growing pains. It is so hard not to worry about every little thing! Also, not sure if you are experiencing constipation, but I have noticed that when I am having this issue a lot of times I also have gas and a hard time going.

As far as your stressful job goes... You might need to consider the bed rest. My job is usually pretty stressful as well and I am really glad now that I am at home and not having to worry about my job on top of all my other worries. Does your job require you to stand a lot?

Take care!