Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[baby_maybe]

Thanks angel. This is my first pregnancy with an ap and I'm definitely feeling the difference in how much I'm not feeling this time round. I've also never laboured in my back before, but have always had straight forward fairly quick labours, so I'm hoping for more of the same! lol I've also noticed I'm carrying rather high this time round, as you said, probably better for the suture. Coincidentally this is my first boy pregnancy so I'm going to blame all the differences on carrying a different gender

 

[angel229]

Thanks angel. This is my first pregnancy with an ap and I'm definitely feeling the difference in how much I'm not feeling this time round. I've also never laboured in my back before, but have always had straight forward fairly quick labours, so I'm hoping for more of the same! lol I've also noticed I'm carrying rather high this time round, as you said, probably better for the suture. Coincidentally this is my first boy pregnancy so I'm going to blame all the differences on carrying a different gender

ha ha wish I could blame the gender on my difficulties this time round but I am carrying my 3rd girl.

 

[JustinsMama]

Thanks angel. This is my first pregnancy with an ap and I'm definitely feeling the difference in how much I'm not feeling this time round. I've also never laboured in my back before, but have always had straight forward fairly quick labours, so I'm hoping for more of the same! lol I've also noticed I'm carrying rather high this time round, as you said, probably better for the suture. Coincidentally this is my first boy pregnancy so I'm going to blame all the differences on carrying a different gender

I wish I was carrying high! You make an excellent point re: pressure on the stitch. Baby boy being super low doesn't help me, lol.

 

[lch28]

I have an anterior placenta also. Its a huge difference thats for sure.

 

[baby_maybe]

Thats funny justinsmama, I've carried all my girls quite low!

 

[JustinsMama]

I am not funneled to the stitch! I still have 2.5-2.9 cm of cervix left (almost 2 under the stitch!). So relieving. I am just a paranoid freak

I love great visits to MFM!

 

[lch28]

thats great! when was your last length check?

mine was at 21 weeks, i was 2.7 cm and funneling a tiny bit..

im scared at 28 weeks ill have no cervix left =[ but you have given me some hope!

 

[angel229]

No cervix at 28 Weeks is not an issue. Only an issue if you go in to labour. Stitch has done its job by 28 Weeks and kept baby in. can't just fall out anymore, lol x x

 

[JustinsMama]

thats great! when was your last length check?

mine was at 21 weeks, i was 2.7 cm and funneling a tiny bit..

im scared at 28 weeks ill have no cervix left =[ but you have given me some hope!

I get them weekly. But I felt different things this past week so I am happy with no change.

Don't stress mama!

 

[JustinsMama]

No cervix at 28 Weeks is not an issue. Only an issue if you go in to labour. Stitch has done its job by 28 Weeks and kept baby in. can't just fall out anymore, lol x x

Too true!

 

[lch28]

lizzie has said that, i am so looking forward to 28 weeks.. and v day of course which is in 3 days!

 

[hopingforit]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for my situation. Last week I had some spotting so went in for a checkup. The dr said my cervix was closed and i had no funneling with a length of 2.9cm. I had some issues today so got sent to L&D. They said my cervix is still 2.8-2.9 but is dynamic, still not funneling, and dilated 1cm from the outside. Plus, I'm having mild contractions. I was put on indocin and will have my growth scan tomorrow and another appointment on Saturday. I am on strict bed rest until then and if anything changes, I'll be admitted to the hospital and given steroid shots as 23 weeks is viability at my hospital. I'm just so worried about going into early labor with my twins. Does anyone have any advice or encouragement. I honestly just feel like crying right now because I'm so scared for my babies.

 

[ShelbyLC]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for my situation. Last week I had some spotting so went in for a checkup. The dr said my cervix was closed and i had no funneling with a length of 2.9cm. I had some issues today so got sent to L&D. They said my cervix is still 2.8-2.9 but is dynamic, still not funneling, and dilated 1cm from the outside. Plus, I'm having mild contractions. I was put on indocin and will have my growth scan tomorrow and another appointment on Saturday. I am on strict bed rest until then and if anything changes, I'll be admitted to the hospital and given steroid shots as 23 weeks is viability at my hospital. I'm just so worried about going into early labor with my twins. Does anyone have any advice or encouragement. I honestly just feel like crying right now because I'm so scared for my babies.

Try to keep calm and keep your stress levels low - it's no good for you or the babies. You've got a good amount of cervix left and a lot of people stay dilated to 1cm for long periods of time. As you've been having contractions, it's likely that they are the reason for the dilation and stopping them will prevent any further dilation. It's great that your cervical length hasn't changed and try to keep that in mind.

Also try to remember that just because things are happening now, it doesn't mean they will continue to happen. Just try to stay off your feet as much as possible and drink PLENTY of water. I can't stress fluid intake enough. Dehydration will cause contractions!

If you have any other questions or just need to talk, let me know. I've been on strict bedrest for 5 weeks with shortened cervix, twins, and no cerclage. I know how you're feeling and it's scary, but things don't always get worse and what you're dealing with, at this stage, with these measurments, is completely manageable.

 

[WTBmyBFP]

Hey hopingforit, a bit of encouragement. I went into labor at 23 wks and 2 days and had a cerclage placed. I was on indocin, magnesium, procardia, and terbutaline pills and injections in different doses for ten weeks on hospital bedrest. My triplets made it to 33 weeks and 3 days and are doing fantastically in the NICU.

It isn't over until it is over, so do your best to stay relaxed, eat as well as you can, drink lots of water, and be sure to empty your bladder regularly. Dehydration, stress, and a full bladder can all cause contractions.

Fx for you and your LOs.

 

[lizziedripping]

Lovely heartfelt advice for 'hoping4' ladies. That's why I love this thread! X

Hoping4, I'm a little confused when they say you aren't funneled, but you're cervix is dilated at the bottom by 1cm. Usually, the cervix thins out, then begins to funnel from the top down and this eventually leads to dilation (not always, but sometimes). Have they done a tvu to confirm funneling or not? It isn't possible to see what the cervix is doing without one if it is still essentially closed. Usually a weak cervix opens first at the top, even if you were in genuine ptl it is more typical for it to soften and open throughout or at the top.

You might well have some open cervix, but if it is closed nearer the 'baby end', then that is a reassuring sign honey. Of course labour can complicate things and make them less predictable, but if this is a genuine case of your cervix feeling the strain and stretching of two babies, then there is every chance it can and will hold for many more weeks to come.

As Wtb and Shelby said, uterine irritability is common with multiples, and doesn't always lead to labour or dilation - it is simply a symptom of uterine over-distension. What triggers full blown labour is a,complex series of events which is about much more than a slightly opened cervix as a result of extra baby weight. Multiple pregnancy is a whole different ball game to singletons, it throws up lots of additional side effects and symptoms - most of which are in the end harmless (except of course that they throw Mum into a blind panic of anxiety and fear!)

Your cervix is obviously feeling the strain, as is your uterus - hence the sporadic contractions. However, at the moment you aren't in established ptl, your cervix is still pretty long and mainly closed so with rest it is capable of taking you much further. Good luck sweet, you know where we are

 

[lizziedripping]

Great news JM

 

[lch28]

Should i request steroid shots? what do you ladies think? is that normal protocal if you are at risk for ptl or only if they see you are going to go into labor?

hoping4it - oh hun, im so sorry your going through this, but its good they have caught it and like said above, the medicine should stop the contractions and any further dilation. Make sure you keep your feet up and listen to doc. Also staying hydrated is very important becauese dehydration can cause uterine contraction.

 

[ShelbyLC]

Should i request steroid shots? what do you ladies think? is that normal protocal if you are at risk for ptl or only if they see you are going to go into labor?

I asked my doctor yesterday about getting my second set of steroids, as it's been 3 weeks since my first set and I was told I'd recieve the second set 4 weeks after the first. However, the doctor said that I would only recieve my second set at this point if I was contracting on a regular basis and readmitted to the hospital. They don't do them routinely at my hospital. It doesn't hurt to ask, though!

 

[hopingforit]

lizzie - They did a TVU and didn't see any funneling but did see my cervix changing through the 2 minutes they were doing the scan. The Dr did a pelvic check and that's when she found that I'm 1cm dilated and my cervix is low (which is why I was having pressure and the feeling that something was stuck up there). So, they external os is dilated but the internal os near the babies is closed (luckily) but they are still worried that I started to dilate already.

Thanks for all the advice that everyone gave. I have been laying down since last night with the exception of going to my appointment. I'm still feeling a lot of pressure when I stand up and feeling some BH but I'm hoping that it's not causing anymore dilation. The medicine they gave me is crazy! It's making me feel absolutely horrible. I took 2 doses last night and they knocked me out then today they are making me feel shaky, weak and nauseous. I actually threw up shortly after my last dose and was told by my Dr office to take another. The good thing is that my babies are very active so I know they are doing okay. I couldn't fall back asleep after my 2nd dose in the night because they were kicking me non-stop. I had a TVU today and my cervix seems to be okay. The abdo u/s had me a bit worried as it showed a cervical length of 2.6cm but the TVU showed it was 3.1 so it looks like the medicine is helping me. My CL was under 3 for more than a week and 12 hours after taking the contraction meds, it went up by a couple of points (hopefully because they did say last night that my cervix length changes all the time). I am still dilated though. I'm hoping that everything goes well at my appointment on Saturday. My baby shower is supposed to be in 3 weeks 7 hours away (9 with all the stops) as my entire family is in a different state. and I'm going to ask the Dr on Saturday but I'm almost 100% sure she will tell me to cancel it but I'll do whatever is best for my babies. I also have any appointment with the MFM in 2 weeks instead of 4 and they made it at their office in the hospital in case they have to admit me or if I am already admitted because of my cervix. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Hopeful 4 #1]

Hoping4it. U are doing the right thing by resting as much as possible. If its any reassurance at all, my tvu showed a 2.3cm cervix at 15weeks! I am 31 weeks now with a stitch in, but am still 2.3cm and they reckon I am going to go all the way. I understand your anxiety. Rest and drink as much water as you can and try although iys hard to stay calm. I am sure they are now going to be keeping a close eye on you. Please do not feel like a pest either. Ring the hospital with any concerns u have at all x