Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[dippy]

thnx lizzie ur always a real help- u and helen.

im glad the cramp question was asked im abit confused as to what growing pains should feel like?

anyway hope u and all ur babies are well !!!

 

[Emilyc]

Hello all,

I have been having my weekly scans and im still on the cyclogest 400 but im worried! I am 26 weeks on wed which is great but im still so worried.
My cervix still has the slight funelling which the consultant said I have had for weeks now! he said its not a worry and its only slight, and I can still do all the normal things walks, shopping, housework etc etc. My cervix is 21mm at the start it was 29mm so its always been short.
The consultants I have seen 4 in the FMU weekly clinic all seem not worried, but I am worried sick. When I look up funelling is worries me but they say not to worry.
I have 2 questions
1) if I have my baby boy at 26 weeks would he have a chance of life?

2) should I do the same activites as before like they say or should I do less? . I know they worry if I do less as Im on blood thinners due to clotting.

Im so worried x

 

[RainbowGift]

Emily,
I hope it makes you feel better to hear that by 26 weeks, I had ZERO cervical length left (100% effaced) and I was 1-2 cm dilated..... BUT tomorrow I will be 32 weeks! I know it's impossible not to worry, but take some heart in knowing my story and believe everything will be ok for you.
As far as survival goes... I was in the hospital, in pre-term labour, at 25 weeks.

I talked extensively to NICU doctors. Basically, every baby is different. If a baby survives at that gestation, some truck right through and others deal with a lot of problems. If you want me to tell you more in-depth info about what we discussed, I will. But, I think you are doing great and you have little to worry about at this time. You have some good cervical length.


As far as activity... I can't comment. I have been laying flat, even to eat... for a loooong time now. If your doctors tell you activity is best due to clotting issues and are not concerned about your funnelling, I would think they know best. Maybe you could call another practice and just ask for a second opinion to ease your mind?

Your situation sounds very promising to me and I think you have a long time before your baby makes an appearance.

Lots of love,
Jen

 

[Emilyc]

Dear jen,

thankyou so much your doing so well makes me feel bit silly for being so worried. Please keep me posted on things (hugs) xx

 

[RachaelS]

Hey Emily,

I had some funnelling and have been 11mm since week 24, and am now at 36 weeks. I was on cyclogest from week 20. Bascally I have tried to do less, but didn't stop doing everything (if I needed to walk to the shop or get to the hospital I would). My doctors didn't tell me to stop doing things and they didn't seem TOO worried, however I talked to my GP who did sign me off work and I do know when I need to stop doing things and lie down.

My advice would be to listen to the drs, but listen to your body too. If you need to put your feet up, do it. Also, I know it's impossible (I have been SO paranoid) but try not to get yourself too worked up because you will make yourself feel worse. Easier said than done though!

If you want anyone to talk to, you know where to find us all and always feel free to PM me

Rachael.xx

 

[ccb725]

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

Thanks so much, you've put my mind at ease! You're absolutely right, I've been evaluating every little feeling and it's horrible. I just want to let loose and enjoy the rest of this pregnancy.

 

[HelenGee]

Emily - I had a cervical length of 13 mm with funnelling at 20 weeks when I had my stitch done. I went on full bed rest despite not being told to. I would rest whenever possible but obviously the clotting issue is more of a factor for you. Can the docs give you any physio exercises you could do to keep the blood flowing? Also water and loads of it plus compression stockings will help. Just listen to your body and rest when it feels like the right thing to do. You are doing brilliantly x

Rachael - OMG you're 36 weeks, that's brilliant! I'm so excited for you x

RG - it's great to hear you're doing well, I'm so pleased for you too. Keep hanging on in there and congrats! X

 

[Vaudha]

Rachael , RB - Congrats!!

/love
Vasu

 

[mich1365]

Jen, Congrats on 32 weeks. I had been thinking and wondering and hoping you were doing well. Im only checking in now once a week. Life is certainly busier with two. Gives me even more appreciation for Lizzie's commitment to helping everyone here.
Emily, I agree with her. You have a great outlook! I was 75% effaced, funneling and 1.3 cm at 23 weeks with NO stitch...and delivered at 36+5 a perfect little guy.
HeyChickie...just read your new blog. You are amazing and I think of you all the time and am hyper aware how I could have been in your shoes with a simple twist of fate. Im so glad you are finding writing helpful and are thinking toward the future. I think I will feel very guilty if I ever complain, so I will try not to when my husband returns to work and things get tough some days.

 

[dippy]

hi emily i think ur doing brilliantly. if uv got this far on just cyclogest without the stitch and bed rest i think ull do pretty well.

as far babies born early i mean its not something i would want to have again if I can help it but my baby was born at 26 weeks and shes now a healthy happy 7 month old. you can't even tell she was ever that early.

so just relax and stay of ur feet with minimum activity have short quick walks to keep ur blood from clotting. take care xxx

 

[ejsmom]

Hi Ladies..

I am going for my NT scan today. I am ridiculously nervous about it. I don't even get it entirely. I am supposed to get scheduled for my cerclage today. Perhaps, it's the reality kicking in. The next few months are going to be so hard.. my poor kids. I feel like I am so selfish all of a sudden for wanting another baby. I know I am being partially but.. I am having one of those moments, I guess. Wish me luck.. and good luck to everyone.. I don't much here as of yet. I am hopping I can get my stitch within the next few days. I would a few rest days before the 5th. It's my mom's surprise birthday party (she's 50)..and we are headed to Florida the following day. Yep.. everything at the same time.. That's my life. I tried to get pregnant for about 10 months. I get pregnant when I have all this going on.. not complaining but that's me. I am of course taking it easy in Florida..no roller coasters and such..more lounging with exception of taking the boys to Disney and Seaworld. Ok. Enough feeling sorry for myself.. I will be fine..so will the baby..and the other stuff will fall into place.

 

[lizziedripping]

How did you get on today ej? Thinking of you, and hoping all goes ok. Your cerclage should be placed sooner rather than later hun, and I strongly recommend staying off your feet even in Florida. It is a place where you are tempted to "pound the parks", and it's bloody knackering without the added complication of pregnancy with a cervical stitch - take it easy love x

 

[ejsmom]

How did you get on today ej? Thinking of you, and hoping all goes ok. Your cerclage should be placed sooner rather than later hun, and I strongly recommend staying off your feet even in Florida. It is a place where you are tempted to "pound the parks", and it's bloody knackering without the added complication of pregnancy with a cervical stitch - take it easy love x

Hi Lizziedripping,

It did go well. The baby decided not to share his/her gender. That's ok, it was early. MF decided that they would place my cerclage after Florida. She said it was fine as long as it was before 16 weeks. I am going to trust her and go with it. I spoke to my OB, she seems fine with it as well. So I am going to take it easy until then. I am taking it slow at Florida..so excited what a bummer.. In a way, I feel not having the stitch in place..hopefully, there is no issue from the delay in the stitch. I trust my MF doc..so hopefully there will not be any added complications.. I don't think so.. otherwise..I think my docs would advise against it.

Hmm.. life gotta love it.. it definitely has its moments.. wonderful, but there are moments.

Good Luck to you and everyone..

 

[dippy]

hey i think ull b ok providing there arent any massive changes to your cervix i.e. shortening dilating and funnelling. I dont normally have any changes till week 18 so I think u'll b fine. But do take it easy. x

 

[Vaudha]

38 weeks today. I am really thankful to god for that. No signs of baby coming out
My doc says head is not yet fixed and it can happen any time or during the labour. I admit I am getting a bit impatient now. To see my baby...
Is there anything I can do to get baby's head engaged into pelvis? I am doing quite a lot of walking. climbing steps. (Read somewhere that it helps )

/Love
Vasu

 

[Motsy]

Hey everyone. I had an appointment today with my new doctor. She did an internal exam to make sure I don't have an infection because I have a TON of mucus down there. She saw it all immediately and commented on how much there was. While she did the swab she wanted to check for dilation, and I'm 1 cm dilated. I know it's normal for slight dilation in women who have had previous babies, but is 1 cm still OK given my high-risk pregnancies? Also, she did an ultrasound to measure my cervix. It's now at 3.1 cm resting, 2.5 when she applied slight pressure, and 1.5 when I bear down. How does this all sound? I'm still getting my weekly 17P injections, and we discussed my steroid injections and started FFN tests. I've also been on bed rest since 19 weeks. I'm familiar with cervical length just because of my last pregnancy but not with all the different measurements from fundal pressure and bearing down plus with the 1 cm dilation. How does this sound?

 

[lizziedripping]

Vaudha - well done on 38wks hun. There is nothing that will engage baby in all honesty, except when she is good and ready Not long now, hang in there x

Motsy - applying pressure during a TVU is done to mimic the weight of your baby when you are lying down. It gives a better idea of cervical length under pressure. At 2.5 yours seems to be holding up quite well. Have they mentioned to you the possibility of stitching given that you are 1cm dilated?

 

[Motsy]

Lizzie, I don't think they want to do a stitch for me because they're not 100% sure what my issue is. They suspect IC, pre-term labor issues in general, irritable uterus, etc. Pretty much it all, but they don't really know which one(s) exactly. We know that my cervix does shorten with or without contractions (which points to IC), but we also know I contract a LOT especially starting around 25 to 26 weeks. My last OB doesn't think I'm a good candidate for a cerclage because it wouldn't have helped any with my daughter. She said the injections, bed rest, contraction meds, etc. are the only things she thinks will be beneficial at all. I'm assuming it's because of how much I contract? I have no idea. With my daughter I was funneled down to 0.7 cm at 26 or 27 weeks, and by 33 or 34 weeks I was 4 cm dilated as well. She came shortly after.

I know that the bearing down measurement shows what my cervix goes to when I go to the bathroom, contract, lift, etc., but why does this number matter? As long as the contractions aren't too frequent does it matter that my cervix shortens down to 1.5 cm during them or other times? My cervix kind of did this last time with my daughter and then shortened dramatically which is what landed me in the hospital at around 26 or 27 weeks. That night I went into labor with contractions 2 minutes apart. Thankfully we were able to stop it and hold off labor for a while.

Also, the baby has been head down for a while now (unless he's flipped in between ultrasounds and then went down again before the next one, of course). Is the head being down ideal or harder on the cervix due to pressure?

 

[berryblue290]

Hey ladies just checking in....made it to 31 weeks with an IC and I'm still going! And no stitch just bed rest, I have faith to continue further as I never thought I'd make it this far. Hope all is well with everyone

 

[Emilyc]

Berryblue290 - well done on getting to 31 weeks bet your feeling much better about things now.

Im 26 weeks now and my cervix is holding which is good im on cyclogest xx