Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[jessabella]

Hi all,

We're home and things are ok, isabella's arm is very slowly gaining movement and she is healthy in every other sense, a real milk monster! All the professionals that I speak to seem confident that she will regain full mobility as she has power through the nerves to her hands. Thank you so much for all your wishes, it made me feel so much better.

Mich- you look amazing in that photo, Adrian is just gorgeous. I'm jealous, when I get my photos on here you'll be able to see what a wreck I look! My upper chest muscles hurt too, along with my back, my legs are fine though. Don't forget that babies make your arms ache anyway as you're stuck feeding in the same position.

Nikita- so sorry that you're still bleeding, things are never simple are they? Hopefully it'll stop of it's own accord.

Anyway, this is how it all happened...my water broke at 5:30am when I went to the loo, I heard a loud pop and then a gush. I was sooo calm and called the hospital. By 5:40 I was having contractions, by 5:50 they were 10 mins apart, and they were all in my back. This scared me as I knew this meant that she was in the spine to spine position, as was my first. My mother in law got to our house at 5:55 and we left for the hospital, calling them to tell them at the contractions were 10 mins apart. They took me straight to the assessment unit and tried to persuade me to have a vaginal delivery and I constantly refused! By this point I was struggling to sit still so they could put the monitor on. They started prepping me for surgery, still debating whether to let me have a section as I seemed to be progressing quickly. I was telling them that there was no way in hell I was having a vaginal delivery!

Once the monitor was on, they realised how strong the contractions were and got me the gas and air. The doctor arrived to take me to surgery and I felt massive pressure. They did an internal and by 6:30 I was 5cm dilated. I still insisted on a section and they got me to theatre. By the time I got there they were still sorting out the epidural, still asking me to have a vaginal delivery, my husband told them that they weren't listening to me, that I thought the baby was spine to spine and so wanted a section. They finally got the epidural in and all I could say was that the baby was coming out! At this point I was fully dilated and too far gone for a section, so had to proceed.

One episiotomy, much wrestling and one stuck baby later, she was out and she took a while to get normal stats. She was breathing on her own, her heart rate was perfect, but she was sleepy and not physically responding. By 5 mns her apgar was 9. Thank god I'd insisted on a section, otherwise I wouldn't have been in theatre when she was stuck, doesn't bear thinking about.

So now we're loving doing the new baby thing. It's such a joy to have her, I can't believe it. I'm very uncomfortable as my bladder may have been damaged during the trauma, so they've arranged physio for me too (isn't
incontinence great!). But I think the bed rest was more difficult to cope with.

Anyway, hopefully there's some pictures attached...she's soooo chubby!

oh helen, georgeous!!

 

[jessabella]

View attachment 156511

Finally...had to get some help from my busy husband.
All now well, barring me now needing physical therapy for my core...back is too weak to carry a baby, much less wrestle our toddler. I guess that is a result of bed rest. Legs and all else feel much better than I would have expected though.
Getting up in the night is ok too...feels like a privilege after months worrying about the little guy.

Have not had a chance to read recent posts but will tonight or tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well, particularly the other babies just recently born.

xo
Michelle

oh how lovely...cute cute cute...i feel the same way as you do...im privaledged to feed in the night...however i only have to get up once at 5 am...so cant really complain

 

[HelenGee]

Hi all,

Just a quick one...
Isabella's doing great, her left arm is really moving now, she's definitely nocturnal and definitely a night time party animal

Vasu - at 32 weeks my weight was the same as at 6 weeks, I think partly due to muscle wastage after bed rest. However, at 37 weeks, I had gained 9 kilos, which is not a lot. Isabella was still a whopping 8 pounds, which is huge for me at 5 feet nothing and a fairly low bmi. The baby will take whatever it needs, I could barely eat by 38 weeks, there was no space for my stomach and food! Congrats on 37 weeks, you've done it! You look amazing xx

Ccb - I checked in with my doc every 2 weeks, she only ever did one internal exam, the others were from when I went to maternity triage worried about something. I only had 1 cervical length scan which I paid for privately. I do however have a Doppler that I bought so I could listen in to the baby whenever I wanted. X

 

[Vaudha]

helen - Happy to know that Isabella is doing great

Jb - Nice to see your message after long time.

Yeah I guess I need not worry about my wt. My bump looks bigger day by day. I guess that is what is needed

/Love
Vasu

 

[dippy]

hi all so heres my update.

i had the stitch placed at 19+4 on wednesday iv come home now and thought id let u all know.

still in abit of pain more so than my previous cerclage but still glad its in as i would never have made it to my scan in 2weeks with the length of shortening i was having.

im not sure what stitch it is i asked and doctor said it was a ''tape like'' that was all so dont know what that is.

anyway been told to go home and carry on with normal activity by 1 doctor and bed rest by another so thats annoying coz u dont know what doc to follow but i think ill follow the bed rest root.

iv been told nothing they can do now till wk 24 when i get steroid shots and take it from there. plz plz pray ladies they i get further this time round i really want this one to work out better for me- heres to 37 weeks.

ill keep u all posted and hope ur all well. x

 

[RachaelS]

I've got everything crossed for you Dippy, here's to each and every week! And as for Dr's advice, I would*always* say the more bed rest the better. My cervix stopped getting shorter the week I got signed off work and spent more time off my feet - I'm sure this can't be a coincidnce.

We're all here if you need us
Rach.xx

 

[ccb725]

I have another question for all of you. I'm 33 weeks today and have been noticing lots of painless braxton hicks. Is that ok when you have an ic?
I was so much more relaxed 2 wks ago. Now that I'm inching close to the end, I'm so scared of not making it!

 

[Vaudha]

dippy good that your stitch is in I also suggest bed rest as much as possible. I got my cerclage at 17 weeks and now I am 37 weeks with complete bed rest except for getting up for bathroom. And the wonderful ladies here helped me in my difficult times.

We are all with you and praying for you

/Love
Vasu

 

[Vaudha]

ccb - when I was 35weeks I had BH contractions. Painless. I wasn't even aware of it. One day I went to hospital complaining reduced fetal movements and they did NST for me. During NST, the movements were recorded alright but it recorded contractions too. Well, only then I came to know that I was having BH contractions. I did feel some kind of pressure in my pelvic area on and off. Now I know that was BH contraction. My dr removed my stitch on the same day and gave me steroids shots for baby's lungs development. I am not sure if all doctors follow this protocol.

I guess you should let your doctor know about your BH contractions, the intensity and frequency and let doctor take decision.
Try not to panic hun. You will make it to full term

/Love
Vasu

 

[Vaudha]

JB olivia looks sooo cute in this profile photo

 

[ccb725]

Vaudha: Oh my goodness, I can't believe you're already at 37 weeks! Congratulations to you! You look great too! Thanks so much for your response. I will call my dr first thing in the morning. I've been waiting for him to come, but he keeps canceling. He doesn't want me to get out of bed for any reason, but he may change his mind if I call him with this update.

 

[Vaudha]

ccb - Thanks hun. Let me know how your visit with dr goes.

Ladies - I started walking from past 2 days after each meal to control my glucose level. Finally allowed myself to buy some new born clothing yesterday. I am praying for everything to go well in next few weeks. I need prayers of all of you. You have been so wonderful to me. I just can't thank enough you guys.

/Love
Vasu

 

[dippy]

Sorry girls this is going to sound sooooo gross but I need some advice. I had my stitch placed at 19weeks only 3 days ago but I cant stop this diarrhoea. Im worried it will affect my stitch. Sorry tmi but I'm worried. X

 

[HelenGee]

Dippy- I don't think that the runs will affect the stitch, it may be a side effect of the anaesthetic. Did you have to take a tablet before the op to take the acid off your stomach. I know the bowel churning is uncomfortable, but I was taking lactulose to soften my stools as I was constipated. That's not pleasant as I felt like I was straining the stitch. Just keep a watch to make sure you haven't got an infection. I ended up having my stools tested as they turned a little yellow and soft. Turns out it was all the bananas I was eating to keep things running!

I just hope now that this never gets repeated anywhere. I'm a teacher and the kids would have a ball with this one! Xx

 

[dippy]

Awww thnx Hun ur a star.x

 

[lizziedripping]

I have another question for all of you. I'm 33 weeks today and have been noticing lots of painless braxton hicks. Is that ok when you have an ic?
I was so much more relaxed 2 wks ago. Now that I'm inching close to the end, I'm so scared of not making it!

BH are fine hun, and should have no effect on your cervix if they are irregular and relatively painless. I had lots of sometimes painful BH in the twin pregnancy (from 20wks), they terrified me, but NEVER affected my stitch or cervix length

 

[lizziedripping]

hi all so heres my update.

i had the stitch placed at 19+4 on wednesday iv come home now and thought id let u all know.

still in abit of pain more so than my previous cerclage but still glad its in as i would never have made it to my scan in 2weeks with the length of shortening i was having.

im not sure what stitch it is i asked and doctor said it was a ''tape like'' that was all so dont know what that is.

anyway been told to go home and carry on with normal activity by 1 doctor and bed rest by another so thats annoying coz u dont know what doc to follow but i think ill follow the bed rest root.

iv been told nothing they can do now till wk 24 when i get steroid shots and take it from there. plz plz pray ladies they i get further this time round i really want this one to work out better for me- heres to 37 weeks.

ill keep u all posted and hope ur all well. x

Dippy - rest, rest, rest!!!

I have lost count of the number of ladies who have said to me that their Doc never told them to take bed rest officially - including me!! I swear by it - taking the weight of an already weak cervix can never be a bad thing to do
So relieved you got the stitch in the end hun - was worried about you. Take care, and take time to recover from the surgery. It does leave you feeling grotty for a few weeks, so listen to your body and take things easy

Vaudha - weight gain hun. I only gained 32Ibs with the twins, when it's recommended that you gain over 40Ibs!!! I ate and ate and ate, but despite that still put on less than the recommended minimum.

The babies were still huge - weighing 9 and 7Ibs at 38wks. I was told by doc that they had taken all my calories, and had prevented me personally gaining lots of extra weight. They were big and healthy, so please don't worry. Weight gain in pregnancy is much to do with genetics (as is baby size) - so long as you're not dieting, and eat healthily, you baby will be fine

 

[ccb725]

vasu & lizzie: Thanks so much for the info. Dr. offered a med to relax uterus, but I declined.

Now, here comes another question...what about crampy feeling. Not consistent, but sporadic throughout the day. Should I be concerned?

 

[Vaudha]

lizzie - Thanks. I will stop worrying

 

[lizziedripping]

ccb - sporadic cramps at 33wks can be completely normal hun. THe rule is that cramps which become more intense and/or regular (less than 15mins apart) are worth investigating. WHen I say more intense, I mean they build slowly but surely. YOur cervix and uterus will be preparing for labour from now on, and "practice cramps" and growing pains are all ok and what your body should be doing.

Us IC ladies tend to "micro manage" every twinge hun, which is perfectly understandable. Your cramps are probably not strong enough or regular enought to be affecting your cervix, and at this point your IC is no longer an issue anyway. You have to go into proper labour to deliver your baby now. Try to relax love. If things change then pop in for a check up, but otherwise keep the faith - you have come so far, not long now xxx