Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lch28]

lol i am already driving my fiancee nuts and we have 30 weeks to go..

 

[HeatherBabe]

Hi everyone, how are you?
I am nervous, going in on tuesday to get my stitch removed. I will be 36+0 weeks, will it hurt? I had constant spotting all through first and second trimester and they couldnt figure out what was causing it, I was also on cyclogest for a long time and the last couple of weeks been getting lots of pains in the cervix, like a sharp quick stabbing pain. I also have constant dull lower back ache! I was told by the consultant/OBGYN that it won't hurt but I am so nervous and scared...the idea of having scissors up in there with no anesthesia scares me!

 

[ChovieGirl]

Hi everyone, how are you?
I am nervous, going in on tuesday to get my stitch removed. I will be 36+0 weeks, will it hurt? I had constant spotting all through first and second trimester and they couldnt figure out what was causing it, I was also on cyclogest for a long time and the last couple of weeks been getting lots of pains in the cervix, like a sharp quick stabbing pain. I also have constant dull lower back ache! I was told by the consultant/OBGYN that it won't hurt but I am so nervous and scared...the idea of having scissors up in there with no anesthesia scares me!

I have absolutely no experience with the removal of the stitch yet, but from what I have heard the stitch is mostly painless when they take it out. I did read that you would feel some pressure.

Congrats on making it to 36 weeks!!!

 

[LaRockera]

Ich - elective stitches are usually put between 12-16 weeks. I had mine at 13+3. Before that, when the danger of m/c is still relatively higher comparing to the later on, they won't do it for obvious reasons. So you're having your stitch at the earliest GA possible.

Heather - when I went to have my stitch removed the doc told me 'be prepared it's going to hurt'. So I took a deep breath and waited and waited, and felt my lower uterus area tightening and I said here we go, it starts, and he said 'right then, off you go'. So no, in my experience, it didn't hurt, and whatever it was I felt lasted for a couple of seconds. No need to worry, it's a brilliant milestone you've reached.

Chovie - I drove my husband nuts throughout my whole pregnancy. Trust me, when he holds your LO in his hands, he'll know it was all worth it.

 

[Alisa F]

LaRockera - what type of cerclage did you have if you dont mind me asking? Like Heather, i'm freaking out about having mine taken out without pain relief as i have modified Shirodkar (placed super high with merseline tape!!!).

Heather - Massive congrats on 36 weeks...yipee! What type of cerclage do you have hon? I think i read McDonald comes out easy-peasy, but Shirodkar is the painful one, especially if its up really high...yikes! Hope I'm wrong.

 

[LaRockera]

Alisa - I think I had a Shirodkar, but it was never verified. I know my stitch was quite high too because at 32 weeks they couldn't find it with a simple speculum at the maternity triage, and my private doc in the UK had to both look through a TVU, and put his hand in there to feel it. I stupidly never got to ask my Greek obgyn who put it there, however, once at the maternity triage notes in the UK, they jotted down 'shirodkar'.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi all, usually a shirodkar is removed with anaesthetic because sometimes it gets embedded xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Spinal anaesthetic that is x

 

[LindyB]

I rang the hospital this morning and spoke to a midwife about how I was feeling strange down below. I have felt like something is stuck or coming out from my vagina when I walk around since before my stitch. I had mild pains in what I think was my cervix last night - but they were mild and I probably panicked too much. She said that as this is my 3rd child it could be a weak pelvic floor that I am feeling. I mentioned that sometimes it feels like something is going to fall out?
I have only ever done about 30 pelvic floor exercises ever! (terrible i know!).

Also , since my stitch, when I pee its not the same. It kind of trickles out slowly and takes a lot longer.

Does anyone think that this sounds like a prolapse? Can this happen mid pregnancy. I haven't had any symptoms like this up until 3/4 weeks ago. Lizzie did Helen Gee have something like this?

I see my consultant on Thursday so I'll talk to him about this.

I suppose I just hope it is something like this and not my cervix funnelling further and the baby pushing down on my cervix.

The baby is still low and again the midwife said that this happens in subsequent pregnancies. So maybe everything is kind of hanging down more than before!

I'll definitely do my pelvic floors after this baby but just not yet as I'm not sure how they affect a stitch.

Sorry for the big essay on my lady parts!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Lindy, I have a uterine prolapse and with the twins felt exactly what you describe from very early on. It felt almost like a tampon sitting too low, and was almost certainly my pelvic organs pushing in on my vaginal walls. After 22wks the feeling did subside as my uterus moved up and away from my pelvis, but gave way to new sensations which were equally as frightening Sometimes I felt pressure in my back passage too which was probably due to me having a tilted uterus - as it expanded the weight was felt at the back. All very disconcerting.

As for the stitch wreaking havoc with your bladder. I was in pain when I peed right from stitch placement until it was removed at 38wks. The vaginal walls are very closely tied with your bladder and the stitch is sewn in through and around both. It makes sense that bladder sensation is affected. Have you been checked for a UTI? That could also be causing the difficulty in peeing. With you hun, every step of the way

 

[DMJ]

Pinching and pressure like pains down below ... Is this all a normal part of having the stitch in? I'm having no problems weeing, itching etc so I don't believe it's an infection.

Iv got my next cervix measurement on Wednesday and iv been over worrying that I may have started to funnel? would I know if I had started to?

Xx

 

[ChovieGirl]

Pinching and pressure like pains down below ... Is this all a normal part of having the stitch in? I'm having no problems weeing, itching etc so I don't believe it's an infection.

Iv got my next cervix measurement on Wednesday and iv been over worrying that I may have started to funnel? would I know if I had started to?

Xx

I get those too sometimes...not constant and I was worried it was my cervix changing too, but the last check up, my cervix hadn't really changed much so I am thinking they were not anything. Sorry not a definite answer. I betting and praying that you are okay.

 

[LaRockera]

DMJ-I had all those, but I think your TVU on Thursday is going to be more reassuring.

 

[lizziedripping]

Pressure and pinching does seem to be a normal part of a cerclage pregnancy dmj, and for me it wasn't sinister and I was in lots of discomfort down below. LR is right that o ly a TVU will reassure you, but in the meantime, be assured that most of us felt the same way but nothing came of it

 

[chistiana]

Dmj just echoying the other ladies, had serious pinching but my cervix behaved just fine! Nothing to worry i think!

 

[DMJ]

Thank you for the replies ladies

I hate all the waiting around in between appointments lol xx

 

[Emerald87]

Hi ladies. I'm heading back into the hospital today to request to talk to a consultant and get a second opinion plus an explanation. I'll keep you updated

 

[Alisa F]

Hi ladies. I'm heading back into the hospital today to request to talk to a consultant and get a second opinion plus an explanation. I'll keep you updated

Good luck, hope the potential future boss doesnt change his mind and come in today after all

 

[LindyB]

I hope everyone is well. I have some good news.
I was feeling unwell yesterday and last night. A headache and nausea which was making the top of my stomach feel like it was tightening. I rang the hospital this morning and asked me to go in. All the tests- urine etc came back clear. When the doctor came to speak to me I was in a bit of a state and just admitted that I'm terrified to move, walk etc because I'm so scared about whats going to happen with the funnelling. She went and got the senior consultant, who is may consultant who placed this stitch and my previous pregnancy stitch. He did an ultrasound scan (just trans abdominal) and shown me that there was no funnelling today. The baby looks good, amnio fluid is plenty and my membranes where where they should be! Cervix is still short - he didn't measure it , I don't think you can get an accurate length unless its the internal scan. I still get to keep my Thursday appointment and internal scan. I feel so much better and reassured. The hospital staff are brilliant and very thorough and they want me to ring whenever i get worried. I think they realised that I have been worrying too much at home and making myself feel ill.

Another interesting bit from the scan. My consultant showed me where the stitch was- it is right at the very top of the cervix which is now closed but was funnelling quite a bit before. He must have sewn the funnelling closed if this makes sense. After seeing it I feel lots better.

 

[ChovieGirl]

LindyB-
Great to hear you had such a good visit. It is always nice to feel reassured.