Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[DAYDAY24]

Thanks its so uncomfortable I was just hoping its not like a uti even though im on antibiotics but for a bv

 

[Tink_0123]

Thanks its so uncomfortable I was just hoping its not like a uti even though im on antibiotics but for a bv

I think the meds used to treat bv and a uti are different. I took Flagyl for bv and some other med for a suspected uti earlier in my preg. it made me pee neon green almost. If the difficulty to urinate persists, it doesn't hurt to have your dr check for a uti and prescribe the proper treatment for it. Just keep an eye on it to see if it persists or goes away.

 

[DAYDAY24]

Ok I will it happen yesterday as well but stopped then started again today so maybe it is baby

 

[Melblizz]

Lizzie,
Thank you sooo much for the reply!! Right now we are taking it day by day and praying for the best. Whenever I hear success stories it definitely brings comfort but obviously never enough until my little girl is in my arms.

In terms of the opening at the bottom that is where my confusion came in and why I wanted your opinion. Guess I need to ask more questions to my doc, who by the way has been wonderful and very proactive. When i had my trans vag and sono two weeks ago i was told length was 5 cm and it was closed. My doc insisted something just didn't feel right when he did the internal but since scan showed everything was fine we left it alone and couldn't figure out where bleeding was coming from. Back two weeks later doing exam he confirmed I was dialated and reason the scan didn't pick it up was because it was opening at bottom. So confusing. Right now I am happy it is at least closed and praying for the best. Just trying to make sense of it. To make matters worse I have anterior placenta so I still haven't felt movement at 21 weeks 4 day so every doc appt I find myself stressing. I give credit to everyone who has endured a complicated pregnancy and women who have easy ones dont realize how lucky they are. Thanks for listening





QUOTE=lizziedripping;25526117]Hi Melblizz and welcome

Have just read through your post, and remember being exactly where you are (except was 23wks) 8yrs ago and remember also just how frightening the whole thing was, you have my sympathy and support sweetie

Ok, a dilated cervix and bulging membrane at stitch placement is not ideal but neither is it catastrophic - you are already doing better than I did after my emergency stitch, and because a week has now passed since surgery things are looking more and more positive for you and this pregnancy honey, so hang in there and keep the faith.

Firstly, I'm puzzled that they say you were only open at the bottom- for the membranes to bulge your cervix must have been dilated throughout. Also, it's impossible to be accurate about length or cervical status from an internal, manual exam alone - only an internal u/s scan give an accurate picture. I would strongly discourage them from keep doing manual checks too since this only irritates an already changed cervix and raises the risk of infection - both definite 'no no's' with IC! If you feel able, please ask them not to keep checking and press for an internal u/s at regular intervals to determine how things are looking.

The fact that you haven't bled nor had cramps since the stitch are good signs. The pressure might indicate a funneled (open above the stitch) cervix, but this would be expected in an incompetent cervix and is not typically cause for alarm - funneling can be detected by u/s alone. You aren't dilated below, or through the stitch because you'd have symptoms of such changes at this point so you can rest assured that for now the stitch has closed things back up and is holding well. Even if your cervix is now short (and it shortens before dilating), the stitch should keep it closed enough. The pressure down below you're experiencing is indicative os a cervix under strain and can be normal for IC ladies - it doesn't necessarily mean anything sinister is happening. I did have lots of pressure with my 24wker which indicated imminent delivery, but I also had copious bleeding and contractions, it was obvious I was in ptl. To reassure you I had exactly the same pressure and discomfort with the twins (which is why I was scared to move even an inch in 7mths), but I sailed relatively easily to 38+wks with them. You have had a lot going on down below this past week, it makes sense that you have some resultant pressure. It's amazing you aren't experiencing more!

My advice now would be to listen yo your body. If you feel pressure when upright then stay horizontal as much as is possible. Any changes unusual for you get checked immediately, and insist on an TVU not just a manual exam. Wishing you lots of luck honey, please keep in touch and don't hesitate to post as many questions as you need to help get you through this difficult time [/QUOTE]

 

[chocolatecat]

Shelby - they're so beautiful! You lucky girl! Though I agree, how you're coping with twins I don't know! Well done.

Glad all is well with the rest of you.

Melbizz - sounds like you're doing well now the stitch is in. I'm crossing my fingers for you. It might be worth reading around the various ways that people feel PTL starting, so you can recognise the symptoms early. And discuss if your doctor would stop labour with tocolytics or not. Good luck honey.

 

[Twinkle 3]

Thank you lizzie for the advice

I'm really worrying lately about whether my stitch will get me to term. Im 15weeks at the minute, a week after the stitch. I feel like I'm at such a crucial stage because if I go into labour now nothing will be done and the baby is so far away from viability. I'm praying I make it to atleast 24weeks, which is my first aim... Then second aim is to make it to 29 weeks and IF I do I will be so happy and relaxed. Every pain or ache I get lately I panic that's it's the onset of something such as labour or my stitch coming out. I keep getting aches and pains in my back and stomach but nothing constant. It's mainly at night or when I'm sat down so I think it might be the position I sit/lay in.... But I'm scared it's labour and I'm not recognising the signs (I know I'm paranoid lol) I just really hope I can come out of this with a healthy live baby as this pregnancy is my last attempt. I really can't go through another loss I just keep trying to think positive.

I'm also looking for anyway possible to keep this baby in as long as possible, so if any of you have any tips, I'm open to ideas. Such as iv heard live yogurt is good as it keeps your "lady bits" free from infection. Iv also heard folic acid prevents preterm birth aswel when taken every day.

I am a bit confused on how much phsyical activity i can safely do aswel, I havnt been told to rest or been given any restrictions on what I can and can't do. Im trying to rest as much as possible and I don't go out much as I daren't walk a lot. What activity can I safely do? I daren't even put a load of washing in the washer as I feel achey after iv done housework... Think I'm paranoid again lol x

 

[TLM21]

twinkle I just read your post and know exactly how you are feeling. I'm at 24 weeks 5 days now looking forward to getting to 28, then 32 and so on. I see my ob every 2 weeks, sometimes wishing I can weekly so he can ease my anxiety. although I have an appt in a few hours and getting anxious by the minute...lol trying to keep the negative thoughts away is the hardest, thing, but I know is what I have to do daily. I stopped reading anything else, just this blog. I'm also trying to keep my mind, busy, which sometimes works sometimes doesn't...
I'm resting as much as I can, if you can let someone else do the laundry, and house chores pls do so. trying my hardest to overlook all that has to be done.
I just wanted you to know it is completely normal to be worried and you're doing good after your stitch. hang in there hun, rest and drink plenty of water. I'm drinking at least a full glass an hour, just like Lizzie said.
sending prayers and hugs your way

 

[TLM21]

so I just got home from latest ob appointment, and had you all in my thoughts. scan shows funneling is a bit worse, which doesn't help my anxiety levels! stitch is definetely doing it's work. I wish I can sleep like Batman so gravity can help out... lol. Dr said continue to lay down as much as possible which I have been anyway. I'm going to try to put my hips a little higher to see if it helps, don't know what else to do! trying to get to 28 weeks next big milestone, then Dr said the baby will help block the way so the membranes dont bulge out... baby weighs 1 pound 11 ounces and of course it's sitting down so the legs are down, which explains some low.kicks...
I'm hanging in with every single cell in my body... so complicated sometimes.

 

[Agiboma]

@tlm great weight and you are doing the right thing resting as much as possible

 

[Twinkle 3]

hi TML, thankyou for the reply and advice the anxiety is the worst part about being pregnant, I myself have had to stop searching the Internet and iv tried my best to take my mind off things. Congratulations on making it to 24weeks I hope I can do the same.... Your baby is a brilliant weight and fingers crossed you can keep it in to term I have been told by a midwife to lay with a pillow/cushions underneath my bum so my pelvis tilts back releasing the pressure off my cervix. So that might help you a bit. I think sleeping like a bat would be brilliant lol. It would help so much. My OHs mother said she's going to hang me upside down until I'm ready to give birth so the baby dosnt come out lol...
The stitch sounds like its helping you a lot fingers crossed you can make it to atleast 28weeks x

 

[chocolatecat]

I was doing some reading and came across data saying fish oils help prevent ptl as it helps prevent the membranes becoming inflamed. I hate fish so I'm on the omega 3 capsules. Horrible fish burps: (
I also feel every ache, am trying to do very little but there s so much to do!!!

tlm - sorry you're funeling, but the weightsounds good!

 

[chocolatecat]

Fish oil review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21535434/?i=10&from=fish oil preterm labor

 

[wunderful78]

Choc cat , just an idea keep your omega 3 stored in the coldest part of your fridge it'll help with the fish burps

I've never realised how many cooking shows are on tv here until bed rest , they make me hungry lol

 

[TLM21]

chocolat I actually have been taking fish oil along with my prenatal vitamin. some of them won't give you such a bad after taste.
wunderful I sometimes change the channel as I wish I had my personal chef all the time...lol

 

[wunderful78]

I'm starting to loose my mucus plug ..... I'm scared I hope I can last longer it's only a small amount but still distinctive .. I have my ob appointment tomorrow should I wait or not ?

 

[TLM21]

wunderful can you call them, I would think that based on your history the may have you go in today.
please take care hun

 

[lch28]

wunderful is it bloody? plug can regenerate and usually does with in 24 hours . i lost mine constantly from 12 weeks on

 

[wunderful78]

No Ich it's not bloody , I'm really hoping that it does regenerate , I'm not having contractions which is a good thing , though I'm really sleepy the last 2 days I remember with my daughter I list my mucus plug about 5 days before I had her and was tired also I'm hoping every pregnancy is different rule applies to me! If I get blood or contractions I will go to ld

 

[Twinkle 3]

Wunderful in my last pregnancy I lost my mucus plug a lot and it kept replenishing its self for months, it also wasn't bloody but then when I actually did go into labour I never lost my plug as it had already been lost x

Iv got another question for everyone.... Sorry for all the questions

I keep getting what I think are Braxton hicks, iv have them nearly every day For the last week. I think there Braxton hicks but not 100% sure....

It feels tight below my belly button and feels like my baby is squirming or turning... Not sure if it is actually my baby moving as it mainly happens when I sit with my legs closer to my belly if that makes sense, I don't know if the position I sit in is restricting the room in my uterus and that's why I can feel it or if it's Braxton hicks... So unsure
with my previous pregnancies I could tell when i was having Braxton hicks as I was further along and my whole belly went hard so it was obvious but with this one I'm only 15weeks so it's hard to tell. Also with my first pregnancy I had Braxton hicks the night before I gave birth and that's all, then with my second I had them a week before I gave birth. I'm hoping if they are Braxton hicks I'm experiencing now then I won't be giving birth anytime soon. Does anyone know if Braxton hicks affect the stitch and open your cervix ?


Sorry for another long message x

 

[wunderful78]

I'm being sent to Sydney , I'm in labor