Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[penuche]

Thanks for the welcome

Glad to hear things are going well so far for your Kimbotrav! When you say your cerclage held until 34 weeks, was that when your doc decided to take it out, or did you have some kind of bleeding or complication? Not really sure what to expect with the stitches, so every little cramp and twinge is scary!!! 34 weeks is awesome though - crossing fingers you go all the way!

Prayerfulmom - I feel for you!!! It is rough being so early on still, but it sounds like there are lots of women who have gone the distance and had healthy babies. Hopefully we will both make it a lot further before these babies come.

Can I ask you ladies about your progress so far? I am only day 4 of bed rest like I said, but two mornings so far I have had bright red spotting when I've woken up and gone for a pee. It didn't last long and didn't get any heavier, so I'm hoping it's not a bad sign, but has anything like that happened to you?

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

Thanks for the welcome

Glad to hear things are going well so far for your Kimbotrav! When you say your cerclage held until 34 weeks, was that when your doc decided to take it out, or did you have some kind of bleeding or complication? Not really sure what to expect with the stitches, so every little cramp and twinge is scary!!! 34 weeks is awesome though - crossing fingers you go all the way!

Prayerfulmom - I feel for you!!! It is rough being so early on still, but it sounds like there are lots of women who have gone the distance and had healthy babies. Hopefully we will both make it a lot further before these babies come.

Can I ask you ladies about your progress so far? I am only day 4 of bed rest like I said, but two mornings so far I have had bright red spotting when I've woken up and gone for a pee. It didn't last long and didn't get any heavier, so I'm hoping it's not a bad sign, but has anything like that happened to you?

I had no bleeding after my procedure just a spot here or there a day or two after the procedure. I heard some bleeding is normal after but if it continues , gets worse or is accompanied by any other symptoms I would call the dr or go into the ER. Take it easy. I timed my bathroom breaks. I would try to go like every two to three hours and I kept my booty higher than my chest for the first week. I did everything I could to make sure I kept as much pressure off my cervix as possible. I'm a little over 2 weeks in and I still pay attention to every little sensation. It gets better with time I hear! hopefully we can keep them in at least until the 30's week.

 

[lizziedripping]

Woah ladies, what did I miss!?! Two days and the thread has moved on 6 pages - Is everyone ok?

Kim, Hopeful - how're you doing now? Sorry stitch removal was so tough It sounds as though you're both experiencing some contraction like activity since? Hope you can hang on a few more weeks - more than possible in my experience

Shelby - your contractions aren't unusual for twins anyway, even for women with no cervical issues. It may well just be a feature of the pregnancy for you sweetie. You have done so well to make it this far. You and the girls are always in my thoughts and prayers

Welcome panuche Red spotting is to be expected after stitch. If its bright red then it's likely coming from the stitch sight as your body tries to heal around it. It's quite an aggressive procedure so don't be worried by some initial cramps, bleeding etc. if after a week or so it hasn't settled, or you get thick, clot like material coming away then it's always worth getting a check up. Please be assured tho that many more women make it to term than don't with an elective stitch, so you should remain cautiously optimistic darlin' xx

Ich - your cervix is unlikely to have changed significantly now sweet. Because it remained fully closed at your last check I'd be surprised if it had funneled now - that said its possible but nothing to be worried about. It's normal to be funneled to the stitch with an IC, and means that the stitch is very much doing its job xx

Hi to everyone else, and so sorry if I've missed any specific queries. As ever, trying desperately to grab a few moment between coughs, sneezes, toddler tantrums, sibling rivalry and increasing amounts of homework lol. All of you are never far from my thoughts

 

[lizziedripping]

What did you ladies do to distract yourselves and pass time?

Husband's credit card + Internet = perfect solution

 

[Hopeful 4 #1]

Hi Lizzie. I am getting tightenings on and off now. sometimes painful. Sometimes not. Backache, heartburn and pelvic pressure. I am wondering if my cervix is even still closed. Hoping I can make it to 36weeks+ but who knows. They had to take it out cause ctg was recording contractions at five min intervals for a few hours. Not sure if stitch removal has increased the intensity or cramps in general... or if I am in fact in early labour?! No idea. Trying to stay home as long as I can tho x

 

[penuche]

Had a doctor friend visit today (not an OB though) and she was mentioning her concern about the risk of blood clots for pregnant women on bed rest. Wondering if any of your OBs had brought this up (I won't see mine again until Wednesday), and if you were doing anything to try and prevent it? I am trying to keep my legs moving in bed, but thought it might help to ask around for other suggestions!

(Just realized I officially be 22 weeks tomorrow - I guess every day really does count when it comes to potential preterm labour!)

 

[penuche]

Hi Lizzie. I am getting tightenings on and off now. sometimes painful. Sometimes not. Backache, heartburn and pelvic pressure. I am wondering if my cervix is even still closed. Hoping I can make it to 36weeks+ but who knows. They had to take it out cause ctg was recording contractions at five min intervals for a few hours. Not sure if stitch removal has increased the intensity or cramps in general... or if I am in fact in early labour?! No idea. Trying to stay home as long as I can tho x

Have you called your doctor??? Hang in there!!! Good luck!!!

 

[penuche]

Lizzie - I see in your signature that your Evie was born at 24 weeks! Did you know about your IC/did they do a cerclage? Or was it a surprise? How is she doing these days now that she's older??

I'm still so far away from being at term, so I'm trying to prepare for potentially having these babies super early...

 

[lizziedripping]

Hello everyone. I am on Day 4 of bed rest now after being discharged from the hospital at the beginning of the week after a routine ultrasound discovered a funnelling cervix. I had an emergency cerclage put in at exactly 21 weeks, and am now trying to hold tight and hope that my twins stay in there!!! We are hoping to make it to at least 32 weeks, though unfortunately that is still a ways away (end of Jan!).

I've been reading through the posts and it sounds like lots of us are going through similar experiences, so I thought I'd join in, share my own story, and wish you all good luck

Hi Pen - just had a moment to read back properly through your post and realised that you're actually carrying twins! Sorry hun, I hadn't noticed before.

Funneling with twins is actually fairly common, and much of the time is only because you are carrying two babies (not usual, and our bodies aren't made for it), and not because you have a genuinely incompetent cervix. Also, yours had only begun to funnel at 21wks which means it had actually held out quite well agai st the weight of two (your uterus is carrying the equivalent of a 28wk singleton pregnancy). Although your stitch is an emergent one, the fact that it was placed well before dilation or significant shortening means it stands an excellent chance of working well for you sweet.

If worst came to worst, and your babies were to deliver before 30wks (which is not as likely as you might think), then twins have an advantage over singles in that mother nature matures their major organs faster in anticipation of a premature arrival! They often do better than a singleton of a similar gestation - tho I am still fairly confident that you'll make several more weeks yet honey

As regards Evie, her premature arrival was a complete shock after previously carrying my first baby to term. I did have an emergency stitch placed with her, but at 23wks and with a dilated cervix and membranes bulging it unfortunately only bought her an extra week in utero. Though I still wish I could have carried her to atleast 28wks, given her shaky start she is now a happy, healthy 8yr old with the most generous, loving nature. Apart from having a short sighted eye, and some very minor concentration issues (which she might have had anyway), she is fine. The preemie journey is a tough one, but it can have a happy outcome. You're not there yet, but if it does happen, at the end of a long and sometimes arduous road, the rewards are many.

I'd recommend total rest if you can lovely, lots of water (1/2 glasses an hr), and lots of hope I say this so often, but there are lots of ladies who make it despite having lost all hope and in recent months there have been a few multiple mummies with stitch (and some without) who have had a poor prognosis but have gone on to defy the odds.

My cervix was already weak at 12wks with my third, twin oregnancy and probably open when I was upright. Despite that, I carried big boys to term against all those odds. You can too my sweet, hang in there

 

[AmyLouise89]

Whelp I'm 13 + 5 but having some stabbing pain on & off in back & stabbing in left side pelvic area..worried it might be my kidneys. Should I be ok Til Monday (have ob appt) or should I go to ER? I'm supposed to get cerclage in a little over a week & praying I don't have infection.

 

[lch28]

welcome penuche! i had an elective stitch done at 12 weeks. At 20 weeks my cervix was measuring 2.9 cm and slightly funnelled. howevre it remained stable a week later. I was on bed rest, and still am, but after passing 26 weeks my dr has lifted some restrictions.. do you know your cervical length? emergent cerclages have worked for so many women and i am sure you LO's will be cooking much longer! what are the genders?

lizzie thx for your reply! i am thrilled to have made it to this appointment. lol. at 20 weeks when i scheduled it in the back of my mind i was scared id never be abel to go

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey Hopeful, it could be that these 'contractions' are affecting your cervix or it might be that they aren't yet strong or regular enough to do so. If it is open at this stage you could still last another few weeks because without full blown labour, your baby just cannot come out lol! If this has been grumbling on for a while now its more likely that it will continue to do so for some time yet. Don't be surprised if you're still waiting 2wks from now . That said labour is unpredictable and as you know, there are no guarantees.

The not knowing must be making you anxious tho chick, so close to the finish line but so desperate to bake for a little while longer (I sooo understand how that feels ). Keep poppin in to update, and if there's anything I can do............

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey Ich - join the queue honey, none of us ever think we'll make the 28wk scan - wonderful that most of us do

 

[lizziedripping]

Whelp I'm 13 + 5 but having some stabbing pain on & off in back & stabbing in left side pelvic area..worried it might be my kidneys. Should I be ok Til Monday (have ob appt) or should I go to ER? I'm supposed to get cerclage in a little over a week & praying I don't have infection.

Hi hun. difficult to say. This does sound so much like typical pregnancy aches and pains, but with all that you've been through, what's the harm in getting checked out. From about now is when the uterus really begins to stretch out of shape and enter your abdomen, so these twinges aren't uncommon, but if you're anxious then visit L&D. Are you drinking plenty of fluids? Xx

 

[lch28]

it is absolutely wonderful! every day that passes a bit of the worry is lifted from me. so basically do you think even if i am funnelled to the stitch i still have every chance of lasting till stitch removal?

 

[AmyLouise89]

Whelp I'm 13 + 5 but having some stabbing pain on & off in back & stabbing in left side pelvic area..worried it might be my kidneys. Should I be ok Til Monday (have ob appt) or should I go to ER? I'm supposed to get cerclage in a little over a week & praying I don't have infection.

Hi hun. difficult to say. This does sound so much like typical pregnancy aches and pains, but with all that you've been through, what's the harm in getting checked out. From about now is when the uterus really begins to stretch out of shape and enter your abdomen, so these twinges aren't uncommon, but if you're anxious then visit L&D. Are you drinking plenty of fluids? Xx

I'm not going to lie, I haven't been drinking much water..mostly juice or sweet tea..water seems to make me sick. I drank a cherry limeade today then water but as soon as I drank sweet tea I started getting back pains. My cervical length last Tuesday was 3.1-3.3cm which Dr said is normal so I don't think it has to do with that..just worried about a kidney infection.

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

Whelp I'm 13 + 5 but having some stabbing pain on & off in back & stabbing in left side pelvic area..worried it might be my kidneys. Should I be ok Til Monday (have ob appt) or should I go to ER? I'm supposed to get cerclage in a little over a week & praying I don't have infection.

Hi hun. difficult to say. This does sound so much like typical pregnancy aches and pains, but with all that you've been through, what's the harm in getting checked out. From about now is when the uterus really begins to stretch out of shape and enter your abdomen, so these twinges aren't uncommon, but if you're anxious then visit L&D. Are you drinking plenty of fluids? Xx

I'm not going to lie, I haven't been drinking much water..mostly juice or sweet tea..water seems to make me sick. I drank a cherry limeade today then water but as soon as I drank sweet tea I started getting back pains. My cervical length last Tuesday was 3.1-3.3cm which Dr said is normal so I don't think it has to do with that..just worried about a kidney infection.

Amy, teas are dehydrating . Try fruit like watermelon or flavors for waters. Water will help with some cramps if any. Dehydration has been linked to premature contractions.

 

[AmyLouise89]

Whelp I'm 13 + 5 but having some stabbing pain on & off in back & stabbing in left side pelvic area..worried it might be my kidneys. Should I be ok Til Monday (have ob appt) or should I go to ER? I'm supposed to get cerclage in a little over a week & praying I don't have infection.

Hi hun. difficult to say. This does sound so much like typical pregnancy aches and pains, but with all that you've been through, what's the harm in getting checked out. From about now is when the uterus really begins to stretch out of shape and enter your abdomen, so these twinges aren't uncommon, but if you're anxious then visit L&D. Are you drinking plenty of fluids? Xx

I'm not going to lie, I haven't been drinking much water..mostly juice or sweet tea..water seems to make me sick. I drank a cherry limeade today then water but as soon as I drank sweet tea I started getting back pains. My cervical length last Tuesday was 3.1-3.3cm which Dr said is normal so I don't think it has to do with that..just worried about a kidney infection.

Amy, teas are dehydrating . Try fruit like watermelon or flavors for waters. Water will help with some cramps if any. Dehydration has been linked to premature contractions.

Thank you, I will force myself to drink more water & less tea cause definitely don't want premature contractions again.

 

[angel229]

Had a doctor friend visit today (not an OB though) and she was mentioning her concern about the risk of blood clots for pregnant women on bed rest. Wondering if any of your OBs had brought this up (I won't see mine again until Wednesday), and if you were doing anything to try and prevent it? I am trying to keep my legs moving in bed, but thought it might help to ask around for other suggestions!

(Just realized I officially be 22 weeks tomorrow - I guess every day really does count when it comes to potential preterm labour!)

I was told by the hospital if on strict bedrest you should be wearing surgical stockings to help prevent blood clots. If you are on moderate bed rest or light then it doesn't matter so much cos you are moving about. Hope this helps x x

 

[angel229]

it is absolutely wonderful! every day that passes a bit of the worry is lifted from me. so basically do you think even if i am funnelled to the stitch i still have every chance of lasting till stitch removal?

Hi hun, I am funnelled to stitch and have been since stitched placed at 18+6. I am now 34+1. Just go with the flow, lol x x