Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[penuche]

i amm sooo happy to say I am 28 weeks today!! i feel so blessed my scan is in 5 hours, ill update after!

Hooray!!!! Congrats!!!

 

[mpg1502]

Hi ladies, (inc. the new ones - Twinkle welcome )

Twinkle, so sorry for the loss of your little boy sweetie I can't promise that you won't feel atleast some of the same symptoms as last time, since having a stitch definitely causes some side effects which for me mimicked ptl. but I can say that stitches work extremely well if placed early, and much of your anxiety will be groundless hun (tho pretty terrifying all the same). Pregnancy after loss is never 'normal', but you can feel confident that despite the worry and associated physical symptoms that came with IC and the stitch, it is likely you 'll make term and have a happy outcome darlin' xx

MPG - I so feel for you love. I remember these Tightenings well and their ability to cast doubt. It is normal to have them, and I was plagued with them from 18wks with the twins. I also had the pressure in my back passage you describe, but that did ease off from 22wks ish as the babies moved up and into my abdomen. You'll find that this will happen for you too.

If your tummy feels hard then it probably is, but again these bh type contractions seem to come earlier and more frequently in ladies with stitch (probably due to it's presence and associated uterine irritability).

All that said, they should be doing atleast one or two tvu exams partly for your peace of mind, and partly to check your cervix in order to have a baseline measurement. In the UK internal u/s isn't necessarily routine after stitch, and depends very much on consultant preference, however I would ask outright for one to be certain that these painless contractions aren't having an effect - just to be on the safe side. For what it's worth, they really don't sound strong, consistent or uncomfortable enough to be affecting any changes tho my lovely

You're entering the really scary stage at this point honey. What are inconsequential pregnancy symptoms to most women, take on a sinister edge for us and make the middle trimester pretty unbearable at times The majority of the women here have felt these exact same symptoms at this point (some much worse), yet have thankfully gone on to make it to term without incident. With an elective stitch it is rare to encounter problems.

It is still more likely that your stitch is aggravating your pelvic region rather than something happening cervix-wise mpg, but why worry or take the risk. Ask for that tvu hun - if your regular appointments can't accommodate you, then go to L&D, ask to see a registrar and demand one. It is your right, and you won't be refused. Good luck and pm me if you need to reach me in a hurry xxx

Oh Lizzie, you always know just the right things to say and I will always be eternally grateful to you. You are the Incompetemt Cervix Sufferers Mother Theresa!!! Honestly you give up so much of your time on here to help us all we are so very lucky to have you! And I am sure all the other ladies on here agree!!!!

Its funny just last night i remembered the phrase "irritable uterus" which is what they said i suffer from but nonetheless you're right we mustn't take chances as last time i did go into labour at 23 weeks i didnt even know as it was painless! I'm going to email my consultant and say could we organise a scan just to check when I see them at 26 weeks (2 weeks time).

It must also be that the baby etc is all so much heavier now and that is causing the pressure that I feel now (still got it if I'm up and about for long periods... difficult not to be with a 2 year old!). I guess what frightened me all over again was the lady in the bed opposite me, also 23 weeks and her first baby. She woke up at 3:30am waters broken and called the nurse. The nurse repeatedly said, don't worry its probably just your bladder...blah blah. The poor girl took ages to persuade her to please get the doctor and sure enough, her waters had broken and cervix had opened. I was in tears for her, listening to her cries of its too early please do something. Astonishingly they gave her the full 'we're so sorry its so early, there's nothing we can do but wait....your baby if it comes will likely not live or be very disabled and we cannot intervene'' I wanted to run over there and help her. They didn't even tell her to lie down and raise her legs up to preserve what waters she had left and only after 10 mins did they happen to mention that maybe they could do an emergency cerclage if possible. When they left her to cry on her own I went over and tried to reassure her but it was hard not to cry with her! I said look I am living proof that things can be alright, I laid on a bed at 45 degree angle and luckly i preserved my waters and the contractions stopped, they popped in a stitch and my daughter stayed in till 37 weeks. I have no idea what happened to her as they moved her to a private room but I so wanted to tell her about this thread so she could get all the info on here. I hope with all my heart she is ok. She could do with a Lizziedripping right now!

I know that all our stories are different and some of us have lucky outcomes and others not. Its a horrendous thing to go through and the terrible fact is that until you are 24 weeks they really don't take it seriously as the baby is not considered viable till then. There just isn't enough information in the system when this sort of thing happens. I know this thread has taken off and so many people have benefitted from us all putting in what we have learnt. Its invaluable to have all this info and thank you Lizzie again for being there for everyone and helping so many of us.

Will keep you posted but to anyone reading who is being offered a stitch... take it with open arms it is your very very best chance. Especially an elective stitch early on. Sounds scary but it is worth every bit of pain and worry. And for emergency stitch later on, well I can recommend those too!

6 days to go till I reach 24 weeks and counting! Then I might be able to relax a bit more. Thanks again Lizzie xxx

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

i amm sooo happy to say I am 28 weeks today!! i feel so blessed my scan is in 5 hours, ill update after!

Ich congrats!!!!!!

 

[ShelbyLC]

lch - congrats on 28 weeks!


Dilated to 6-7cm and all of the doctors are refusing to say, "Oh, well obviously delivery is coming, let's go ahead and end her misery and deliver her now!" The only doctor that is willing to help me by doing that is off until Monday. So I am being forced to sit in the hospital, having contractions, in pain, for the whole weekend because nobody else wants to deal with me.

I know every day counts for the girls, and the fact that they're still inside me is great, but isn't labor stressful on babies too? Surely this must be as miserable for them as it is for me.


Sorry for being such a downer in all my posts lately. Hospitals are depressing places.

 

[angel229]

lch - congrats on 28 weeks!


Dilated to 6-7cm and all of the doctors are refusing to say, "Oh, well obviously delivery is coming, let's go ahead and end her misery and deliver her now!" The only doctor that is willing to help me by doing that is off until Monday. So I am being forced to sit in the hospital, having contractions, in pain, for the whole weekend because nobody else wants to deal with me.

I know every day counts for the girls, and the fact that they're still inside me is great, but isn't labor stressful on babies too? Surely this must be as miserable for them as it is for me.


Sorry for being such a downer in all my posts lately. Hospitals are depressing places.

Aw babe is there nothing no one can do. That's terrible waiting til Monday. Good luck hun. What pain relief are they giving you for the contractions?

 

[angel229]

i amm sooo happy to say I am 28 weeks today!! i feel so blessed my scan is in 5 hours, ill update after!

Congrats on reaching 28 Weeks, that's great news. Keep baking x x,x

 

[angel229]

Update on Scarlett day 3. She is now off everything and in a normal cot instead of incubator. She is taking 20ml of milk every 2 hours through a tube using the gravity feeding technic. She will be moving from intensive care to special care as soon as a space becomes available for her.

I am still feeling very tender but that's to be expected after 3 sections, lol x x

 

[baby_maybe]

lch - congrats on being 28 weeks, hope you're appointment goes well.

mpg - I can't say anymore than lizzie already said, but wanted to echo your words about electives stitches and even emergency ones. 2 of my babies were saved by emergency stitches and I'm currently on my second elective suture. I'm a really good example of how well they work, as are a lot of the ladies on this thread

Angel - thanks for the update on Scarlett, it sounds like she is doing brilliantly and your soreness is to be expected, although I hope you start to feel less sore over the coming days.

 

[ShelbyLC]

I'm actually not getting any pain medication at all. My contractions aren't always painful - it's my cervix that hurts! Baby A is so low that she's pressing on my cervix and it's causing alot of sharp pain.


Wonderful news about Scarlett! Glad she's moving along quickly.

 

[baby_maybe]

Shelby - I'm sorry that you have been left to deal with your contractions for the weekend! I can't believe that none of the docs that are there want to take responsibility and get you delivered. Before they know it you'll be delivering them yourself if they're not careful

 

[lch28]

so i am back from my appointment and not really sure how to feel about it.. =[ hoping lizzie reads soon lol..

so since 21 weeks I have gone from 2.7 cm no funneling, to 1.3 cm all the way funneled to my stitch - and my water bag is on my stitch. they want to do another tvu in 2 weeks, and if the water bag has moved down more, will give me steroids. is this normal / to be expected? do you think i have any chance at all of making it to stitch removal? the doctor said that if the water bag doesn't move down anymore that i will most likely make it.. but if it does im at a great risk to go early.. he asked if i was having cramping and i said no (i honestly am not) but now feel like i should have said yes and maybe he would have given me the steroids today. what do you ladies think?? should i ask for them now?

 

[lch28]

angel its wonderful to hear about your baby girl! glad she is doing well!

gosh shelby you must be so frustrated. im so sorry dear.

 

[ShelbyLC]

lch - I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure if your doctor was super concerned, he would have asked you back in a week, not two. I'm sure Lizzie will be along shortly to say all the right things to put your mind at ease.

 

[lch28]

thanks hun, lizzie does have a very good record of doing that lol

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

lch - congrats on being 28 weeks, hope you're appointment goes well.

mpg - I can't say anymore than lizzie already said, but wanted to echo your words about electives stitches and even emergency ones. 2 of my babies were saved by emergency stitches and I'm currently on my second elective suture. I'm a really good example of how well they work, as are a lot of the ladies on this thread

Angel - thanks for the update on Scarlett, it sounds like she is doing brilliantly and your soreness is to be expected, although I hope you start to feel less sore over the coming days.

Baby maybe, sorry but I just noticed how many cerclages you've had. This is my first and was a rescue out in at 17 with funneling. I'm 20 now and I want more kids but bedrest and cerclages are turning me off. I had my first via section so any other is going to be via csection... I can't imagine 2 spinals with each pregnancy. How did you do it ????

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

lch - congrats on 28 weeks!


Dilated to 6-7cm and all of the doctors are refusing to say, "Oh, well obviously delivery is coming, let's go ahead and end her misery and deliver her now!" The only doctor that is willing to help me by doing that is off until Monday. So I am being forced to sit in the hospital, having contractions, in pain, for the whole weekend because nobody else wants to deal with me.

I know every day counts for the girls, and the fact that they're still inside me is great, but isn't labor stressful on babies too? Surely this must be as miserable for them as it is for me.


Sorry for being such a downer in all my posts lately. Hospitals are depressing places.

Aw babe is there nothing no one can do. That's terrible waiting til Monday. Good luck hun. What pain relief are they giving you for the contractions?

Pure madness. You can call administration if its that bad. You have that right!

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

so i am back from my appointment and not really sure how to feel about it.. =[ hoping lizzie reads soon lol..

so since 21 weeks I have gone from 2.7 cm no funneling, to 1.3 cm all the way funneled to my stitch - and my water bag is on my stitch. they want to do another tvu in 2 weeks, and if the water bag has moved down more, will give me steroids. is this normal / to be expected? do you think i have any chance at all of making it to stitch removal? the doctor said that if the water bag doesn't move down anymore that i will most likely make it.. but if it does im at a great risk to go early.. he asked if i was having cramping and i said no (i honestly am not) but now feel like i should have said yes and maybe he would have given me the steroids today. what do you ladies think?? should i ask for them now?

I think you should request the steroids. It won't hurt to get it early just in case. It's a few doses so now is better. Be honest with your doctor and I'm sure he will consider. You could always make an emergency appt for next week.... Complaining of something to have tvu done and request steroids. They make a hugeeeeee difference. I think you can make it until 30 weeks but as moms we are always proactive! Besides even though you don't have contractions you're water could break . I think you should just call. You'll feel better. In the meantime rest and put yourself on strict bedrest. Either way you're at a safe point. So, breathe! Think back to the beginning and remember how far you've come!

 

[ShelbyLC]

lch - congrats on 28 weeks!


Dilated to 6-7cm and all of the doctors are refusing to say, "Oh, well obviously delivery is coming, let's go ahead and end her misery and deliver her now!" The only doctor that is willing to help me by doing that is off until Monday. So I am being forced to sit in the hospital, having contractions, in pain, for the whole weekend because nobody else wants to deal with me.

I know every day counts for the girls, and the fact that they're still inside me is great, but isn't labor stressful on babies too? Surely this must be as miserable for them as it is for me.


Sorry for being such a downer in all my posts lately. Hospitals are depressing places.

Aw babe is there nothing no one can do. That's terrible waiting til Monday. Good luck hun. What pain relief are they giving you for the contractions?

Pure madness. You can call administration if its that bad. You have that right!

I don't think anything would be done, as it's "unethical" for them to deliver me "for no reason" at this point.

 

[lch28]

they probably think that if the babies arent showing signs of stress that its fine to keep you like this.. its a difficult situation hun. how long have you been in the hospital?

 

[ShelbyLC]

I've been in the hospital since last Tuesday (the 12th), so a total of 12 days so far.