Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[Prayerfulmom2]

Ich, you have a cerclage if I'm not mistaken.... Was it emergent? Or routine?

 

[DAYDAY24]

Lizzie I just basically inboxed you was you on strict bedrest during your twins and how did you deal with being awake during cerclage placement?

 

[baby_maybe]

Dayday - I can't answer the twins part, but I've been awake for all four of my sutures, the emergency one was the scariest as I didn't even know if he would manage to successfully place it without rupturing my membranes (I was dilated and bulging at the time). Other than that you get a pre med to settle your tummy and then they walk you straight into theatre and sit you on the bed. There is an anaesthetist and a midwife with you, plus anyone getting the room ready and the midwives have always been great with me and talked to me whilst I get the spinal, same with the anaesthetist. Once the spinal is in they help you into a lying down position before your legs get to numb and then once you're numb two of the people in the room will place a leg each in a stirrup so you are in the correct position for the procedure. After that you get a curtain up in front of you, much like you see on tv when someone has a section.

Ive always felt quite apprehensive going in for the procedure but the staff are great and will talk to you about anything you like so you are distracted from what is actually going on. You won't feel any pain during them doing it, but you will feel some pulling sensations and the doc doing it gets your cervix in the right position to place the suture and when he/she is tying the stitch at the end. Once it's over I feel relieved that they have gotten it in and then wait for the numbness to wear off a bit. You feel quite sore as it does, but I always been encouraged to use the bathroom as soon as I've been able to take weight on my legs (some hospitals will place a catheter though so you don't have to be up so soon). This last time I actually went home the same day which was great to be able to sleep in my own bed.

This time I was sore for about a week after along the bottom of my tummy and I spotted for about 4-5 days I think.

Hope that helps a bit

 

[DAYDAY24]

Lizzie I just basically inboxed you was you on strict bedrest during your twins and how did you deal with being awake during cerclage placement?

 

[AmyLouise89]

Wow y'all are brave! My Dr is putting me to sleep during my procedure thankfully! Said he don't do it the epidural way. Going to preop tomorrow & surgery tuesday...I'm getting nervous tho about how everything is gonna be after procedure..will I be on strict bedrest, etc

 

[DAYDAY24]

Thanks baby

 

[baby_maybe]

Amy - with the electives I've had I've never been on bed rest, but I do try to take it easy, no long walks etc. Other than that I tend to get on as normal

 

[lch28]

Ich, you have a cerclage if I'm not mistaken.... Was it emergent? Or routine?

it was an elective/routine hun, i got it at 12 weeks, i never knew i had IC until last February my angel was born at 23 weeks, thankfully i was able to find a dr who wanted to do it electively

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

Wow y'all are brave! My Dr is putting me to sleep during my procedure thankfully! Said he don't do it the epidural way. Going to preop tomorrow & surgery tuesday...I'm getting nervous tho about how everything is gonna be after procedure..will I be on strict bedrest, etc

Why did your dr say not to do it the epidural way?

 

[AmyLouise89]

Wow y'all are brave! My Dr is putting me to sleep during my procedure thankfully! Said he don't do it the epidural way. Going to preop tomorrow & surgery tuesday...I'm getting nervous tho about how everything is gonna be after procedure..will I be on strict bedrest, etc

Why did your dr say not to do it the epidural way?

He just said he don't do cerclages that way..which makes me happy cause I'm against a needle in my back lol & I have bad anxiety so being knocked out is best I think.

 

[lizziedripping]

hey lizzie -

my doctors said i can go back to modified bed rest. i havent listened to them because im too scared.. but they were sure it was fine, what do you think?

Personally I would rest until atleast 34wks hun, but that's just personal choice and something I'd recommend to all IC ladies whether funneled or not. It's just a matter of weeks now so why not do everything possible to maximise your chances, especially since you've come so far? At34wks you can be reasonably confident that baby will have minimal issues, so aim for that after which point you can move around more I'm not saying don't move at all, but I'd defo avoid shopping trips, housework, or being up and about for long stretches - just to be on the safe side

 

[lizziedripping]

Lizzie I just basically inboxed you was you on strict bedrest during your twins and how did you deal with being awake during cerclage placement?

Hi there - I put myself on bed rest with the twins because my consultant never officially told me to do so. She basically said that I should be resting just as much as any other twin lady (more than a singleton Mom). Despite this I never felt confident enough to move around for very long though. If I was upright for more than 10mins I felt like the babies would come out, or it would trigger painless contractions! Because of that I pretty much lay down 20hrs out of 24.

As for the stitch placement - I didn't mind it at all, but then everyone is different. I don't scare easy and tend not to be anxious about surgery etc in general. That said, even if you are anxious (which is totally understandable), it really is painless, very quick (40mins) and actually feels good to be having something done which you know is instantly making your babies safe I was nervous in case the procedure triggered labour, but needn't have worried. Hope that helps xxx

 

[Tink_0123]

Hi, hope all the ladies had a good weekend! Happy to know everyones babys are still cooking..

I had a question, perhaps someone can provide some advice. Well i have my next OB appt this Weds. Unless for some reason they receive my TVU results today and see my cervix has shortened and call me to go on today..

Should i ask the doctor to prescribe progesterone suppositories?? Should i also tell him to put me on bed rest in case he doesnt say it or bring it up??

For some reason everytime i go i always have a list of things to ask n when im there i forget everything lol i just want to be somewhat prepared in case he doesnt recommend anything. I want my little girl to cook for as long as possible; therefore, i want to take the necessary precautions for this to happen..

Pls excuse any typos as i am on my iphone

 

[Firehol]

Hi tink
I have been on progesterone suppositories for 8 weeks now. I know that after being out on them, my cervix shortened by 1mm in 4 weeks where before taking them it had shrunk 8mm in the previous 4 weeks so I would advise asking for them. They won't hurt!
I take my rectally at night as was told its easier to keep in place and less messy and less likely to get an infection. (So I was advised anyway!)
Stick a post it to your folder. That's the only way I remember!!

 

[Tink_0123]

Hi tink
I have been on progesterone suppositories for 8 weeks now. I know that after being out on them, my cervix shortened by 1mm in 4 weeks where before taking them it had shrunk 8mm in the previous 4 weeks so I would advise asking for them. They won't hurt!
I take my rectally at night as was told its easier to keep in place and less messy and less likely to get an infection. (So I was advised anyway!)
Stick a post it to your folder. That's the only way I remember!!

Im going to ask for them.. It make since to insert them rectally as it will not be introducing any new bacteria into the vagina.

Have u been on bed rest or do u still work?? If u are on bedrest is it moderate or strict? And when did your cervix begin to shorten?? Sorry for all the questions just want to have an idea to have something to compare to

 

[Tink_0123]

Doctors office called at 8 am telling me to go in right away.. Upon doing pelvic exam, turns out im 1 cm dialated. So now im going to a high risk doc and to have another tvu to see if im funneling. Hes going to prescribe the progesterone suppositories and talk to me about my options..

Ive been put on strict bed rest (as i had imagined they would). I also have to go to the hosp on friday for an ffn test. At which point, if it is positive theyll give me the steroids to help mature the babys lungs..

Im completely beyond myself at this point.. I still have faith that were gonna make it, but right now im just needing some reassurance..

Almost forgot.. Is there a possibility for the cervix to close up again or stabilize with the progesterone suppositories???

 

[baby_maybe]

With rest and suppositories you could well get some cervix back hun, hope your next appointment goes well xxx

 

[ShelbyLC]

I've got my fingers crossed for you, Tink.

Also, because I don't think I've posted in a few days:

lch - SO HAPPY you're doing well!


And Lizzie - how are you? I feel like nobody ever asks!

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

Lizzie and friends, i went to my peri today. I went from 1.2cm to .5cm and funneling. I'm devastated. He started me on nifedipine, azithromax and Ibuprofen . Last week when I wasn't feeling well he said it could have been contractions. He's not sure. I'm to remain on strict bedrest . I'm crying and can't seem to stop. I'm so close and I'm very scared. I has a weird looking discharge when I got home after the tvu. It was like a little brown flake ( sorry for being gross). I'm a mess right now. He didn't admit me so I think that's good because if it was horrific he would send me in. He didn't mention the steroids so maybe he's hopeful I'll make it to 26 weeks. I live 45 minutes from the hospital, my husband works Monday to Friday and I have a daughter in elementary school. My biggest fear is that I am so far from my OB and hospital. Pray for me guys. I'm so sad. And so so scared. Little one was sucking her finger today and weighs 1 pound 2 ounces. She's a beauty and I want her to live...

 

[Firehol]

Hi tink
I have been on progesterone suppositories for 8 weeks now. I know that after being out on them, my cervix shortened by 1mm in 4 weeks where before taking them it had shrunk 8mm in the previous 4 weeks so I would advise asking for them. They won't hurt!
I take my rectally at night as was told its easier to keep in place and less messy and less likely to get an infection. (So I was advised anyway!)
Stick a post it to your folder. That's the only way I remember!!

Im going to ask for them.. It make since to insert them rectally as it will not be introducing any new bacteria into the vagina.

Have u been on bed rest or do u still work?? If u are on bedrest is it moderate or strict? And when did your cervix begin to shorten?? Sorry for all the questions just want to have an idea to have something to compare to

I was put on bed rest at 24 weeks. That's when my cervix had shrunk considerably and it wasn't reported on my 22 week scan by the sonographer so it was too late to put a stitch in. I was having cervical scans from 16 weeks which was at 32mm then by 24 weeks was 19mm.
I was signed off work and told to lie for the majority of the time not sit up too much as still caused pressure on cervix.
At 28 weeks doc said I could move about the home and make myself dinner etc but no walking for more than 5 mins at a time. I didn't have to be lying down the whole time either sitting is ok
Now at 32 weeks I must still take it easy, no cleaning or any thing a bit strenuous but I can go out for dinner or anything that involves sitting down basically.

When I was first put on rest and progesterone I asked all the same questions you have and was told that it can lengthen some people have had that. As I said previous mine then only went down 1mm by week 28 and after that they stop measuring as it starts to shrink naturally anyway.
Do you know if you are funnelling as that makes a difference? It's not easy being on rest but you need to keep that baby cooking. I have done it for 8 weeks now and when I was first told I could go PML I didn't think i would get this far!
Now I think I will go over! I did with my first but my cervix wasn't measured then so it's unsure if my cervix was shortening then or not.

Good luck x