Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[Hope2302]

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!!

Am sure you are glad to be home. Baby is a good size which makes a whole lot of difference. Hoping baby stays put.

 

[sweetbuthyper]

not experienced them myself but was told to get them checked out if i had back cramps that come and go as it could be a sign pre term labour, give your hospital a call and see if they wanna check you out hun, also could be sign of a uti, that can give kidney pain that can come and go.

 

[MizzPodd]

Hope- thank you sweetie I agree with sweetbuth, go get seen because I was having that before and it was preterm labor symptoms. Fingers crossed its not that tho!! Hope you are doing okay right now!

 

[Agiboma]

@hope i dont have expereince with this type of cramping with this pregnancy but with my son its a cramp i know all to well i got it when i was in labor. Please have it checked out as it can be nothing but you just want to be sure.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hope - I did have lower back cramps in pregnancy, but they happened both at full term with my first and led to labour a day later, and with the twins off an on from 26wks but didnt amount to anything! They can signify the beginnings of labour, but at this stage they can also be indicative of stretching, growing and generalised gearing up for delivery - which can still be several weeks down the line. I'd say that if they remain regular, come more frequently than 3 times in an hour and/or get more painful you should get checked. This is probably something and nothing normal for most women at 30+ wks but given your history its always sensible to be cautious. Good luck xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Mizzpod, wow you have alot going on - you seem to be coping with it so well Hope it helps to know that many more women than not stagger on like this with ineffectual contractions to term! So long as they're not affecting your cervix significantly then there's no immediate threat. It's certainly possible to make a few more weeks at least. I am certain that if I had been placed on a monitor when having my bh they would have registered as contractions - bh which plagued me every day from 20 to 34wks Good luck xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

MA - lots of luck with the baby making sweetie :yey:

I managed the kids and the school run (they were still at school then) until I reached around 20wks, but it was nerve wracking and I had lots of pressure after the stitch. From then we hired a lady to come in and help get them ready for school, drive them there and pop back later in the day to collect them and make their tea. My dh was able to do the bed time routine and when he wasnt there they were thankfully old enough to take themselves to bed. It wasn't ideal, but it's only for a few months and they can't even remember it now. Our hired help came in from 7.30am til 10, then back at 3.30am til 6. That worked well for us.

With a toddler I'd recommend ensuring you have help at busy times so you can avoid lifting her or being upright for prolonged periods. Maybe have someone come in at bath times or meal times when your dh can't be there? I have always found that toddlers are happy so long as they can see you, and it won't hurt to settle her into a routine of movies/quiet activities during the afternoons - tasks she can do whilst you rest alongside her. Its such a short lived time sweet you really shouldn't worry too much about its effect on her. She'll reap the rewards of a new sibling for years to come so it's totally worth it xxx

 

[faibel]

Thanks Lizzie, its good to hear of sucessful twin/IC pregnancies! I must admit when they said twins at the scan, my heart dropped to my boots! I've done lots of research to bombard the next consultant with, so they may listen and hopefully place the stitch, I pray!
I'm so tired, I've barely slept for worry! I will no doubt be back with more questions and an update.

Good luck to all the ladies on here, wishing you all a peaceful and speedy time to term

 

[bethneebabe]

Hi ladies--I just got a call from my OB after my anatomy scan saying they are worried about an incompetent cervix. I don't know how bad it is yet but I have an appointment in a few hours. I'm 20.5 weeks and I'm really scared. Any advice going into the exam?

 

[Agiboma]

@beth welcome well IC vaires so much their are a lot of things we can tell you but its best to hear teh extent of what they have to say, why they are concerned and what is the present situation of your cervix. For example is it closed, soft, dilated, are you funneling, bulging membranes all these terms can thrwo your head into a tail spin. Thats why its best to ask and see what they recommend.

 

[MizzPodd]

Lizzie thanks! My cervix before the stitch complwtely disappeared now and i had a feeling i was dilating because of similar pains i had with my Angel girl Chrisna. It's just still scary because i dilated with dd2 my angel and these were the same symptoms. History of preterm labor. As long as my stitch stays put im happy. membranes are sitting in stitch now but im really taking it easy and will stay positive!! I really hope they r just BH but my gut just tells me otherwise. But all is okay right now and I hope to pass the ffn tomorrow!! Thank you for your thoughtful replies

 

[MizzPodd]

Beth Agiboma is right on with her answer. I hope you do have a okay enough smooth 20 more weeks of your pregnancy.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi ladies!

Hope, I had them all throughout my pregnancy. I'm not sure if it's because my uterus was and still is tipped all the way back to my butt or if it was just stretching. Always lower back cramping. It wasn't contractions though. Like lizzie said, time them. If they are close together you need to have it checked.

Lizzie, thanks so much for the insight. It will give me a focus to work on a nanny for the evenings. Gathered from everyone here that gave input I will probably have Doug put her down for a nap around 230pm and have the sitter come around 430 when she usually gets up and stay for dinner, bath and bedtime. I'm guessing 5 hours for 5 days starting from maybe wk 13 or 14 whichever wk I get the stitch until homecoming or a wk or two after depending. Usually I'm pretty good once home and Doug should get some leave time. You've all helped a great deal. I just wanted some kind of idea of what we'd do ahead of time so we could budget for it instead of waiting and wondering. The rest is just waiting and relaxing until we get a BFP. So I'll be lurking once in awhile.

Love and hugs to you all.

 

[chocolatecat]

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

Hi there, congrats on your pregnancy! Twins!!!
If your other consultant isn't helpful please get in touch with one of the TAC specialists, who will almost certainly help (I saw Prof Bennett at Queen Charlotte's london, though I'm from Sheffield).
Abbey Loopers a google group is full of useful info on the specialist TAC stitch, which you probably won't need/want, but these doctors will also do TVCIC stitches. Hope that makes some sort of sense!

 

[lizziedripping]

Mizz - lots of love and positive vibes your way lovely. Am I right that like me your first baby delivered at term with no issues? Forgive me for not keeping track, I have lost so many stories this past few weeks along the way xxx

 

[MizzPodd]

Lizzie thanks I delivered full term but had GD with insulin, pre eclampsia, gestational thrombocytopenia, omg... Many issues but no preterm labor whatsoever!!! My second pregnancy issue was unexpected

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Prayers Mizz. I can empathize with the medical issues. I also have type II diabetes and hypothyroid. I'm on an insulin pump. No fun.

 

[MizzPodd]

Prayers Mizz. I can empathize with the medical issues. I also have type II diabetes and hypothyroid. I'm on an insulin pump. No fun.

Oh wow you r a very strong woman to go through all of that plus pregnancy. See women like you help me to stay optimistic because I see how much we go through to produce beautiful little miracles I wish you the best in TTC

 

[wunderful78]

I'm confused , at 19 weeks my cl was was 3cm trans vaginal US, 21 Wks 2.5cm with funnelling so I got a stitch and progesterone .. Things stayed relatively stable until 28 weeks 1.7cm more funnelling I was given steroids ;( then 4 days later I was sent to Sydney for PTL where I had another TV US it measured 3.7cm no funnelling how can this happen ! I'm really happy but I was u set the impression my cervix would only keep getting worse , did I really need the stitch ? Do I really have IC? Has the stitch prevented my cervix getting worse and improving so dramatically in a week ? Has the last measurement been a mistake ? It just seems strange the one different sonographer has given such a different length ;(

This is good news but I'm in two minds to believe it

 

[wunderful78]

Holy wow I'm almost 75% complete ... Loving my ticker ATM ... Happy dance