Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lch28]

mizzpod - my membranes were resting right on my stitch along with Jonathans head from 26 weeks + . He stayed put for another 10 weeks and so did my waters!

 

[Agiboma]

Hi, looking for some advice please, very worried at min. I have been diagnosed with IC, after a previous loss at 21 weeks and displaying classic signs. The plan for next pregnancy would be an elective stitch at 13 weeks. I am 8 weeks pregnant and just discovered i'm having twins! My consultant (I'm in the UK) has already said she would do nothing for a twin pregnancy, no stitch...nothing! I'm due to see another consultant next week but really concerned they may say no too. I'm not sure where to go from that point, I can't just sit back and wait to lose my babies. I have seen a few members who have had twin/stitch scenarios, any help/ advice and what to say to consultant would be very appreciated! thanks

My heart just fell to the ground for you. How can they refuse you a stitch and you have been diagnoised with IC. Lots of ladies in UK carrying twins get a stitch, and some of them are regular posters on this thread, i hope they can better advidse you as im in Canada. Its good you are getting second opinion.

 

[MizzPodd]

Ich thank you for your story. It's nice the more I hear everyone's experience with this. Unfortunately I've been contracting a lot again and have to call labor and delivery to see if I have to come in... Again. I hope I can hang on a few more weeks but I am getting this bad gut feeling that something is goin to give sooner than later. I hope that's not bad that I can't help but have this feeling.

 

[wunderful78]

To the ladies wondering about preterm labor , I believe they work hand in hand I have been in ptl twice in rge last week none of the times dialated my cervix 1st time tightenings every 3 mins 45 seconds second time every 5 mins 15-30 seconds I took gtn patch nifedipine but the only thing that worked to stop it was endone tablet the second time I took panadol ... The hospital I went to had seen ladies go months with this tightening thing but I feel mine are too regular to ignore , I've taken panadol once since I've been home it settles mine down

 

[baby_maybe]

Thanks twinkle

Twinkle - if you are worried that gbs may be causing your bladder symptoms get them to send a sample off for you. Gbs isn't picked up on a dip test so you really need it sent to the lab for testing, if the find it in your urine they shoud give antibiotics for it.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Holy Cats! ((faint)) I forgot how quickly this board goes.

Prayerful, Yes. Obnoxious. I was REALLY over the top. I just felt I couldn't trust ANYONE. You'd have to go WAY back to the beginning to see my story but the hospital was negligent. 24 hours lapsed and I should have had something to try to stop labor THEN we may have gotten to the stitch. Instead, the resident said there was nothing she could do and gave me two VERY bad options. It wasn't until the head Dr. realized the mistake the next morning that they decided to stop the labor. By then, it was WAY TOO late. As you said, God knows and what will be, will be. Doesn't make it any easier but it DOES make me smarter and more aggressive when it comes to medical approach. At least if "I'm" the one that's wrong it will be MY fault. On another note, not sure if anyone else feels like this but I get downright tired of fighting all the time. With our daughter I felt as though I could NEVER let my guard down. Stress isn't good no matter what type of pregnancy we have. Hopefully when we are pregnant again, I will be able to breathe a little more knowing what I need and what will happen. Yes, it's amazing what gets talked about in this thread. Could you EVER imagine talking to your families or friends like this??

LoveSee, I don't know your story as I just hopped on board (not pregnant but trying again) but wondered if you were able to have a stitch. I see your post and that your having twins. Just wondered if you had the stitch and it didn't work or if you weren't able to get the stitch and you were on just bed rest.

Dayday, so glad you've gotten this far. Oh how I can understand that scary feeling of wanting to make each and every milestone past dates. Your doing great!

Twinkle, I can answer from my perspective. I had one or two pelvic internal scans AFTER my stitch with our daughter. They don't LIKE to do them because honestly the stitch is in there. It will hold. The issue is you don't want to add anything up there that doesn't belong since the stitch is already in. That includes the speculums which I kindly refused. I DID however have 1 or two scans. I think I was SO nervous I needed to see that the stitch was holding and where exactly I was funneled. After that, I didn't have any. I had to just trust it was doing it's job. It was very hard for me to let go of the control after my first experience. Those two internal exams didn't hurt a thing though. It's just a matter of not really needing it because the stitch is in. Why not take caution is what usually is the answer. I DO remember Lizzie telling me at the time when I was worried about the BV getting up there that as long as that sucker was stitched closed, it was less likely the bacteria would get up there. It was a total emotional battle for me.

Hi HOPE! Nice to meet you too. I see our daughters are close in age. You've given me hope too. How are you doing this with a toddler? I've actually come to the board to see how others are doing it. We're going through fertility treatment as we speak. I needed a heads up. SO glad to join on this board again even if it's just to chat. Nobody understands IC like we do. Some think that once your pregnant you don't have to worry again. It's not really how it goes with us. So it helps to be around like-minded women. I figured it would be nice to start relationships NOW and just waltz in smoothly when we find we're with child by the grace of God.

Tink, I see you agree with the draining aspect I just spoke of. We're ttc again and both my husband and I are in agreement that this is the last child through my body. I can't handle all the hormones to get pregnant and THEN deal with the emotions of the stitch, 17P injections and idiot Dr.'s we have here. I get sick of fighting all the time with Dr.s in order to advocate for the health of myself and my child. After this next child, we're going to adopt. We've always known we'd adopt since before we got married so it's a bit easier to transition. Especially having gone through the gift of pregnancy and birth personally and just knowing it will be time to bring a child into our life a different way...born in our hearts as I like to say.

Agiboma, God also got me through much of my grief and pushed me to move forward a year later to ttc. I know He's with us during this ttc journey as well. Your comment brought tears to my eyes. To God be the glory!

Wunderful, again I'm in tears. I actually just wrote a few days ago in my journal about those who get pregnant easily. Your right, there's just a sense of fellowship here because we understand that this is not only a gift but one we don't take for granted like most do. I whole-heartedly agree with you. I pray that you continue your pregnancy with peace and strength as you push through the fear of the unknown that you speak of. I pray for VICTORY and a safe and healthy delivery as a safe and healthy time.


MIZZPODD, so sorry to hear of your latest news. I haven't any knowledge of that but just wanted to share some encouragement and hugs. I'm just reading and seeing you have updated. Praying that the contractions subside and that you can keep baby in a bit longer.

Congrats Baby_Maybe! It's always good to see a happy ending. It gives hope to those who've been struggling.

Faibel, Lizzie had a stitch with her pregnancies and she's from the UK. I'd get a second and even third opinion before 14wks. Fight it!


Finally just wondering if Lizzie comes by once in awhile still? She's a WEALTH of information but I know she has her hands full.

Love and hugs to you all. Nice to meet you ladies and I hope you don't mind me lurking a bit while we ttc.

 

[sweetbuthyper]

mommys angel yeah lizzie pops in ever so often her posts always seem to calm everyone down and she usually appears when we are all in a tizz

psych wasn't as bad as i thought it would he noticed straight away that i was exhausted and wasn't going to get much out of me so thats good at least he wasn't pushy. not got to go back for 3 weeks hes agreed that baby comes first at the min and so appointments will be spaced out so that i can deal with them.

fell asleep in the paitent transport home and then had a 2 hour nap at 5 stil tired but not as bad as i was.

just want the next 2 weeks to speed up so i hit 24 weeks then i can go for the next goal.

edit as i can't spell today

 

[Agiboma]

Ich thank you for your story. It's nice the more I hear everyone's experience with this. Unfortunately I've been contracting a lot again and have to call labor and delivery to see if I have to come in... Again. I hope I can hang on a few more weeks but I am getting this bad gut feeling that something is goin to give sooner than later. I hope that's not bad that I can't help but have this feeling.

hope thingds settle down soon

 

[Hope2302]

@ mommy's angel, I hope everything goes well with the fertility treatment and pregnancy afterwards. It is certainly hard work with a toddler but we had a nanny prior to me being on bedrest as I worked full time. We just decided to keep her on to help with the toddler and help with the housework. I really don't know what I would have done without her. She takes care of me too bringing me meals and doing more than her job description. I am left to still take care of my daughter in the evenings and weekends cuz DH simply hasn't got a clue. Lol! We lay in bed together with all sorts of apps on the iPad and she gets to play musical instruments, colouring and so on. It is tough and I feel bad for her as we can't do normal things like go for a walk but its only temporary. I am sure you would cope just fine with your lo when the baby is on its way. I do pray everything goes well for you and this group is really a blessing. Everyone is kind and strong also supportive of one another. You will be a valuable addition to the crew

 

[Hope2302]

@ faibel, I do know that a stitch with twin pregnancy is not unheard of if placed early like you plan on doing. Pls get multiple opinions and if possible sort out an expert who specialises in twin pregnancies together with incompetent cervix. I am sure there must be someonein the medical profession who is qualified to do just that. All the best and pls fill us in on how things progress. ALso I have heard a lot if good things about a Dr NIck Wales who specialises in IC in Chelsea and Westminster hospital ESP in mid term and high risk pregnancies. You might want to investigate further.

@ shelby, you do keep spoiling us with pics of the girls. They really are growing beautifully.x

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey ladies MA!!! Wonderful to hear from you So so pleased you popped by and lovely to see you're doing ok. Someone mentioned youre doing fertility treatment? Are you trying again? You must fill me in on your news. Since Christmas I haven't been here daily, but do try to check in every few days - the thread is sooo much busier now which is brilliant thatso many more women are supporting each other, but a nightmare to keep up with lol. As ever this is a fantastic thread where everyone is lovely Thanks for stopping by, really missed you How's the little cherub? Xxxxxxx

Everyone What have I missed over the past two days, anyone got any specific questions? Faibel - there is absolutely no reason not to place an elective stitch with twins. Some misguided clinicians don't see the point, their argument being that twins can deliver early for a myriad of reasons, a weak cervix only being one of them!?! They seem to believe that stitching is not only pointless but mighht actually complicate a twin pregnancy further. Whilst its true that twins do deliver earlier than singles in general, eliminating one of the risks (IC) can only be a good thing, and whilst it doesn't prevent preterm labour, it does solve the purely mechanical issue which is IC. Please, please see another specialist honey. I had a stitch at 13wks with the twins, and went all the way to my planned section at 38wks!! I don't have other complicating issues in pregnancy, but without the stitch I would have lost the babies at 16wks You are absolutely entitled to a stitch and doubly so with twins - the strain on your cervix is several fold compared with a single baby. Good luck and keep us posted

 

[Twinkle 3]

Lizzie I'm so glad your here I'm a nervous wreck. Iv got signs of a bladder infection or possibly group b strep. Iv had it a week and just literally took my first dose of antibiotic. I'm so scared its going to affect my baby or cause me to go into labour the antibiotic iv got only treats UTIs not group b strep so I'm hoping I can sort it tomorrow for a diff antibiotics, just hoping nothing goes wrong in the mean time as I'm very uncomfortable.

Do you hav any advice on this ?

 

[lizziedripping]

Wow, 8pages since I last looked!! This thread is going crazy lol. From now on ladies I will be in he daily, probably around 11pm UK time - hate missing so many posts and it's impossible to catch up. Love to you all

 

[Twinkle 3]

Just to add I have an infection but not showing what yet. Got put on a broad spectrum antibiotic but going to doctors tomorrow to change it to amoxicillin for peace of mind so it treats group b strep aswel. Hoping I won't b too late and my baby stays safe

 

[lizziedripping]

Awww Twinkle, my heart goes out to you sweet, this really is an awful time in an IC pregnancy Please, please please try to stop worrying quite so much lovely lady. Your possible BV (and it is only possible) is not a threat to the pregnancy and only really becomes a potential issue at delivery (but even then it is only a risk if staff are unaware of the infection). Lots of women carry it, are none the wiser but do not go into ptl because of it.

Try to imagine that despite your cervix being incompetent, it is effectively sealed shut with the stitch just like any normal cervix. Above the stitch is a sterile environment and as such it would be extremely rare for anything to track into your uterus and cause an issue. Similarly the UTI only in rare instances can trigger labour, and usually when it is severe and has begin affecting the kidneys (still rare tho). You are at no greater risk of those rare complications than any other pregnant lady my darlin' so there is no need to give yourself additional stress because of it. IC is a purely mechanical and potentially fixable issue. If an elective stitch is in, these other unrelated infections can do no more to you or baby than the common cold. Extra precautions are taken in any woman who has experienced early delivery/pregnancy loss but not because such infections are deemed responsible (and this has never been clinically proven), but because clinicians try to 'cover all bases' on the basis of 'why not'? The presence of bugs and bacteria in the uterus after ptl are thought more an more to have gotten there only after the cervix has dilated and are not the cause of early dilation.

You are in for several weeks of aches, pains and utter terror sweetie, all of which will drive you insane, none of which are usually sinister (and in the majority of women amount to nothing at all physically). Ich mentioned her nightmare at 29wks when she wholeheartedly believed she'd practically deliver on the spot - she didn't and went another 10wks with quite significant cervical changes, all of which occurred above the stitch - beneath remained closed and stable. She is one of hundreds here with a similar story, so try to stay strong chick.

Hope that's helped, and you know where we are

 

[TLM21]

mommy's Angel feel free to join the group. I hope everything goes well for you. I've been lucky with 1 or 2 cycles of clomid, after trying for a while and having a mc at 15 weeks last year..
we are all here also for you now

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Lizzie!

You should have seen ME keep up with all the posts. A bit different when I was in here in 2011.

Yes, yesterday we started ttc. I had the baseline ultrasound and labs done yesterday and they told me everything was a go to start...TODAY (which was yesterday. lol) So I started Gonal-f and Lupron. I go back in on Friday to check follies and see if anything needs to be tweaked. This could take several rounds before we do an IUI. We have 4 more IUI's left.

Thinking this will be the last kid through fertility route. We'll adopt after our second. I grew up an only child and I'd like to have a handful God-willing.

Amelia is doing well. She makes me laugh. I honestly never thought I'd have a child to term so it's extra special. The fact we're doing this again is so funny. Amelia is dancing, singing and talking. VERY expressive! lol I can't imagine life without her.

I came in to get some information on what everyone has done or IS doing with a toddler around while on bed rest. What did you do? I can't remember.

My husband works second shift but home during the days thank goodness. So I'm wondering if I should get a sitter/nanny for 5 hours a day or if putting her to bed will be okay. I'd obviously have to pick her up myself. UNLESS we get a toddler bed in Sept. when she's 2. When DO they transition to big girl beds anyways??

So I've been thinking about lurking around here like you. Checking in with everyone and getting to know everyone so it will be an easy transition to just slide on into conversation when the time comes.

How are you? How are the kids?!


Twinkle, I had VERY BAD Bacterial Vaginosis and yeast infections throughout BOTH my pregnancies. In fact, one of the reasons I freaked out so much with the second pregnancy was because of the issues pertaining to the 1st one. Lizzie REALLY helped me at that time. As I said, I did 2 trans vaginal ultrasounds afterwards to set my heart at ease but I was REALLY nervous about my ongoing chronic BV and yeast issues. As long as the cervix is tied closed you should be just fine. As Lizzie says, calm your heart. I know it's a hard road and easier said than done but you'll be just fine!

Thank you TML! Clomid won't work for me darn it! In fact, it makes me crazier than Gonal-f. I don't know what's in that stuff but it makes me

 

[TLM21]

Lizzie I think I can speak for everyone when I say we all love having you around, thanks for putting our minds at ease.

 

[MizzPodd]

AFM- just got out of hospital and diagnosed with preterm contractions. They were so many but I didn't get any meds. Have to do ffn on Friday night and will get steroids if it comes back positive. Baby is measuring at 30 weeks and is 3 lbs and something ounces. So I'm happy baby is ahead just in case... They check everything down there and stitch was still good, but still have to get ffn. Have to go back if contractions start up real bd again. Was gonna be transferred i started dilating or if pre eclampsia blood tests came back worse than now but I think it was okay since they discharge me. So happy to be home and not transferred off yet!!

 

[Hope2302]

Anyone experienced back cramps. They come and go and I've been having them since last night. No other symptom with it and its my lower back on both sides not down the middle.