Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[x-amy-x]

Just poppin in to first of say i hope you're all well

and secondly to let you know i never made it to my stitch... my little girl was born too soon 17+5 xx

 

[dippy]

Thnx chase for the advice appreciate it. Think I'll have a private scan on tues and risk being broke for a week than risk this baby xxx

 

[Chase]

Amy - I haven't spoken to you before, but I am so sorry to hear that you have lost your little girl. Xxx

 

[HelenGee]

Amy - I am so saddened by your loss, you've been through hell and deserve a good outcome. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dippy - I had a rescue stitch placed at 20 w5. My consultant was far from optimistic and when I asked for progesterone, she agreed as she was willing to throw everything at the situation in the hope of a good outcome. It was the first time I had met her, I had no other risk factors and no reason to believe I had ic prior to my awful cervical length scan. I believe my ic is purely mechanical and not complicated by ptl, I'm sure it was caused by the ventouse attempt to deliver my first.

As for scans- I went to maternity triage at 17 weeks with awful pelvic pressure. I'd been feeling it for a while, had seen 2 midwives, a different consultant and my gp twice and was fibbed off. At 17 weeks, they did an abdominal scan which showed my cervix to be long and closed. By 19w6 I was still feeling awful so went to mums in Solihull for a 20 weeks scan and cervical scan. My cervix was 18 mm which, mike, the consultant said was borderline. He reported his findings in my green notes and wanted to know when my next contact with my hospital would be, which was 5 days later for my 20 week scan. He made a note in my green notes for my hospital to perform a cervical scan at this appointment. As the head of obstetrics for solihulll, they didn't dare ignore him, although I had to argue to be seen. If they wouldn't perform the scan, mike told me to contact him and he would contact them personally.I should also add that he talked me through the courses of action, the first of which was progesterone, which he said had been proven highly effective in a recent study and then a stitch.

At this scan, my cervix was 13mm with funnelling, I was devastated and was offered a stitch for the following day.
The funnelling must have gone, as they placed a shirodkhar stitch. I was also on progesterone pessaries twice a day, although I know you suffer with thrush,
so it may be better for you to insert them rectally. I put myself on bed rest.


Anyway, at 29 weeks my stitch was still holding, with a c length of 35mm, the max they measured was 45mm. My stitch was removed at 35 weeks on dec 20th and in 2 hours time, I will be 38 weeks!

So, ask for the extra scans, and with your history, I would request a stitch and definitely the progesterone. Any findings in a private scan should be followed up by your consultant.

Good luck xx

 

[mich1365]

Helen, I guess I beat you to it

Welcome to our son Adrian. Born perfect at 6.2 ounces, 36wks 5 days.
World easiest birth. Water broke at 6pm while up doing dishes and he was in my arms at 8pm. I had an epidural that barely made it in time and I wonder now why I ever did my first naturally. What a difference. I feel so honored and fortunate and it has been all I have been able to think of all day..just how lucky I am.
I do believe it was all due to the rest...3 days after being up a lot and going out to do errands, my water ruptures. I dont think it is coincidence. Sounds to me and to the docs that I did have this short cervix issue with my 1st son, who was born 4 days later gestationally. They believe my short cervix dilated early allowing the water to rupture early in both cases. Having a short effaced cervix sure makes for quick deliveries. Fortunately at a safe gestation in both my cases. Our family is complete and my cervix is retired.

I sooooo wish everyone here the same outcome. And I really believe you will have it, as odds seem to be that you all will.

I will update soon. Oh and no excessive hair!

 

[mich1365]

So, just had some time to go back and read posts. Amy I am so sorry. I feel insensitive for writing my happy news when you must be suffering immensely. Im just so sorry.

 

[HelenGee]

OMG! Congratulations Michelle to you, your hubby and your son. We're so pleased for you and can't wait to see some pictures. Well done, I'm so glad it wasn't traumatic for you.

Sending you and your family hugs and best wishes

YOU MADE IT!!!!! Xxxxx

 

[Chase]

Congrats mich1365 xxx

 

[berryblue290]

So sorry about your loss Amy.
And congratulations mich!!

 

[dippy]

Yeh ur right I will ask for scans regularly . How do u insert the pessaries rectally and are they still as effective as vaginally? Congrats to u Helen for getting as far as u have. Congrats to mich on her arrival. Amy I'm sooooo sorry for your loss sweety- pls b strong. X

 

[HelenGee]

Dippy- I don't know if the pessaries ate as effective rectally, I think they are. As for insertion I'm afraid it's a finger up whichever orifice job. I used sterile gloves to put mine in so the risk of infection was as little as poss. I have some packs of sterile gloves left if you want them. You don't livefar away so I could post them to you to save a few quid. X

 

[Vaudha]

amy my heart aches for your loss hun Pls be brave.

Mich congrats!!!! more pics please

Ladies, I am coming back from hospital after staying for 2 days there. I went to hospital asI was feeling less movements. They did Non stress test for me. Movements very fine but NST showed contractions. I wasnt having any pain though. My OB thought she should remove my stitch so she did on that night. Surprisingly it did not hurt a bit!. Since they removed my stitch at 35 weeks, they gave me 2 steroid shots 24hrs apart to mature baby's lungs just in case I go into preterm labour. Well that raised my suger levels to 300!!(I have GD). I was kept in hospital to control the suger level. Last night all of a sudden I felt period like pain and started feeling contractions 10 mins apart lasting 30 seconds. Well towards morning the intensity went lower. They did ultra sound for me. Everything was fine. No dialation as such. Cervix length 3cm and closed. My doc says from now on I may get such contractions. Unless I get 3 contractions within 10 mins lasting 30 seconds minimum, nothing to worry.

I am just back home. Was quite eager to talk to you all. Missed your support while I was in hospital

Love
Vasu

 

[Vaudha]

lol, one more thing. I always go to a particular sonographer who knows my history and I very much rely on her. Today morning she wasnt at the hospital and some one else did U/S for me. At 34 weeks AC measured 30.22 cm (done by my fav sonographer) and this time at 35 weeks it measured 29.77 cm (lesser than last time). I mean how come it is possible right?

 

[Vaudha]

Girls, why do I feel bored and depressed? I am really greatful to god that he has brought be so far. I never thought I will reach 35w. But still I feel dull and bored towards the evening. May be the series of hospital admission and full time at home lying on bed, alone whole day. I have at least 3 more weeks to go. I hope I will be able to keep my sanity
If I see all of you, I feel you girls are so much emotionally stronger than me. I really dont know how to be emotionally strong. I am sorry for venting out on you all

/Love
Vasu

 

[berryblue290]

I feel like it may be normal Vasu, just anticipation for the day your baby is born! I am on bed rest too and I am so bored, I am taking myself of at 34 weeks so I can get some things done. But I'm glad to see everything was well with your doctors appointment!

 

[Vaudha]

berryblue-you are right dear. Thinking of the day when I will have my baby in my arms brings me back to life. Though, I am not very sure how exactly does it feel as this is my first baby .
you will reach 34 weeks and beyond for sure dear. My wishes with you.

/love
vasu

 

[HelenGee]

Vasu and Berryblue - I feel exactly the same and I've got to 38 weeks. It's frustration at feeling that you've lost yourself and the fact that these babies consume our every thought because we are so afraid. I've spent days crying, just wishing I could be someone else for a little while to take the stress away. I have the most amazing, supportive husband whom I have driven insane with my constant insecurities.Vasu - at about 22 weeks I was admitted to hospital with severe anxiety, I thought I was having a heart attack and my consultant kept saying to me that she just wished she could do more to relieve the burden as it's inescapable stress that consumes you.

The only time I feel reassured is after hospital appointments when they say all seems to be ok. That lasts about 2 hours then I worry again. It is hardly surprising that we feel this way given the stress that we're going through. I really think there should be professional counselling for ladies in this predicament.

It's only been the last few days that I've felt comfortable with getting things ready for the baby, I've been cleaning the pushchair and washing blankets etc. Mich's good news has really boosted me and made me feel that this baby is
actually a reality now and I'd better get my act together.

Take care and keep posting no matter how silly it seems xxx

 

[mich1365]

Vasu and BB...I felt the same way and felt guilty about it..why should I have been so "over it" at 34 weeks when I should have been so elated to have reached that point? The bed rest is just plain hard. Now, 2 days after the birth, I am fine EXCEPT the bed rest after effects. My muscles are atrophied still. I took two long hospital walks and my extremeties feel so weird. I realized today it was the 1st time Ive walked so much and to do it without FEAR of something bad happening....wow! I walked by the room where they did my cervical measures, where I had a couple very bad measures and three times was sent directly to the high risk unit in Denver from there....and I cried as I was walking by. It made me just sick to remember it. What we have been through was very hard and wont easily be forgotten. BUT oh how intense this joy is now that the baby has arrived safely. That is the upside. It is always immense, but there is certainly a heightened awareness of just how lucky I am. It is very emotional, but all good!!!!

Soon Helen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jessabella]

aww mich congrats..show us some photos

 

[Sherri81]

Ah, so much to catch up on.

Amy, I am so sorry for your loss. It really just isn't fair.

Michelle, congrats to you! It must be an amazing relief to finally have the baby out and safe! You did it!

Vasu, I am sorry you had a rough few days, but guess what?? Your baby is good to go!! I mean, you are almost 36 weeks! Can you believe that?!?! I know bedrest is hard; trust me I know, but you did it! And you are so close to having your baby. Are there any good books or something you can read to just distract yourself for the last little bit?

I'm still just waiting on the hospital. Will be calling Monday afternoon if I don't hear anything in the morning. Having some sharp pain on my cervix, so I hope that's nothing. It was kind of related to getting up and playing the PlayStation Move... Geez, it was just Bacci Ball. So yeah, I guess I will take it easier now. I thought I felt a little fluttery stuff in the past few days, so perhaps that is the baby. I try to reassure myself it is, especially after that big blow out with my husband the other night. But other than that, so far so good, thank God!