Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lizziedripping]

Angel - sounds good! Fingers crossed for you! Fertility treatment is such a roller coaster!!

Lizzie (and everyone else). I asked this before but it got lost in my mother's day pity party.

Would you/did you have steroids at 24 weeks without PTL? My consultant is suggesting I have them next week.

Also, did anyone NOT funnel/shorten with their stitch in place? I'm nearly 23 and it's still long. I was told pre-pregnancy that my cervix was soft and weak, but not short. So maybe it won't shorten, but I'm now worrying I'll experience PTL from my small cervix.

Any advice appreciated!!!

Hi hun, sorry I missed your post

I did have steroids but only when it was apparent delivery was around the corner (waters went at just shy of 24wks). Some docs advocate steroids every few weeks regardless of ptl as a precaution, but I would question their use unless there were obvious signs of imminent labour. Have they given you a reason why?

As for funneliing, I didn't have any until around 24wks and that was with two babies and a very weak cervix. At my 25wk scan there was funneling and my cervix was consequently shorter (when cl is measured, they only include the remaining closed cervix, usually below the stitch).

A cervix generally shortens before it funnels and does so if it is weak and 'gives' under the strain of an expanding uterus. Most ladies with IC have a normal cl before they are pregnant because it only shortens as the baby grows and puts it under pressure. That your cervix has remained long and closed at 23wks is a great sign and I would be very surprised if it were to shorten and/or funnel suddenly at this late stage. Hope that answers your question xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Dear Lizzie,

I just wanted to let you know about the safe arrival of our beautiful daughter Annabel. She arrived at 38 weeks and is in perfect health. The Shirodkar stitch held the entire time although it was down to 1cm from 14 weeks.

Thank you again for all your invaluable advice and kind words. You are a godsend to all who visit this thread.

Best wishes

M x

Wow honey that is brilliant news, so so pleased and thanks for letting me know Congratulations to you all, Annabel sounds beautiful.

Did you have her vaginally? Did you go into labour when the stitch came out, or did you have a section and have it removed then? Sorry for all the questions, my mind is reeling with your news and I'm sure your pregnancy success will give everyone here hope

 

[DAYDAY24]

Hi ladies how is everyone. I myself have calmed some but still scared that I might miss some signs would I have painful contractions at this point?

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

Tink. You're still pregnant! Amazing!
Hope, agiboma, doing great! For all the second trimesters, it's a matter of weeks that you're complaining of tailbone pain, reflux and big belly discomforts and I pray you enjoy all of it lol! Hang in there

As for me, missy is 5 pounds 8 ounces! She's due for her feeding tube to come out at 2am if all goes well, 24 hrs after that she will be home! Love it hope all goes well

 

[Tink_0123]

Prayer, FX crossed all goes well at her 2 am tube removal.. Glad she'll be home with you very soon!! Im very happy for you hun after all you've been thru

 

[Agiboma]

@prayerful that is great news and you are such a strong woman OMG. NICU is not an easy place at all, i wont even go into the emotional wreck i was during my NICU expereince thats for another thread. Way to go Missy!!!!

 

[wunderful78]

That's great prayer

Day I can't answer I think everyone is different , certainly at this stage you should notice pain as your baby is bigger and shouldn't be able to slip through a 4-5cm dilated cervix which is typical of IC

I'm going good , this is the most pregnant I've ever been and I'm feeling so big , massive , huge :/ my diabetes is going good with diet so that's a bonus

 

[lizziedripping]

Yey Prayer The end is in sight, can't wait for you hun

Day - at this stage IC is less of an issue and if you were to deliver early it would be ptl for other reasons. your body would need to have reasonably regular, crampy contractions to deliver your babies. Apart from the fact that you're carrying two babies (which puts you at a slightly increased risk), you are no more likely to labour early than any other oregnant lady Fingers crossed that now the IC threat is fading you go from strength to strength. Every week now is a bonus chick, not a just a step towards greater viability xxx

 

[chocolatecat]

Angel - sounds good! Fingers crossed for you! Fertility treatment is such a roller coaster!!

Lizzie (and everyone else). I asked this before but it got lost in my mother's day pity party.

Would you/did you have steroids at 24 weeks without PTL? My consultant is suggesting I have them next week.

Also, did anyone NOT funnel/shorten with their stitch in place? I'm nearly 23 and it's still long. I was told pre-pregnancy that my cervix was soft and weak, but not short. So maybe it won't shorten, but I'm now worrying I'll experience PTL from my small cervix.

Any advice appreciated!!!

Hi hun, sorry I missed your post

I did have steroids but only when it was apparent delivery was around the corner (waters went at just shy of 24wks). Some docs advocate steroids every few weeks regardless of ptl as a precaution, but I would question their use unless there were obvious signs of imminent labour. Have they given you a reason why?

As for funneliing, I didn't have any until around 24wks and that was with two babies and a very weak cervix. At my 25wk scan there was funneling and my cervix was consequently shorter (when cl is measured, they only include the remaining closed cervix, usually below the stitch).

A cervix generally shortens before it funnels and does so if it is weak and 'gives' under the strain of an expanding uterus. Most ladies with IC have a normal cl before they are pregnant because it only shortens as the baby grows and puts it under pressure. That your cervix has remained long and closed at 23wks is a great sign and I would be very surprised if it were to shorten and/or funnel suddenly at this late stage. Hope that answers your question xx

Thanks Lizzie I meant to say I'm worried about about my small uterus sending me into PTL, not my cervix! Crossing fingers it'll keep stretching.

We talked about the steroids, and decided that I'd have the one off dose at 23+6 and 24 and then see how we go. If I go into labour early I might have another dose, but depends when it is I guess! I happy to have steroids, as even though my cervix is good, it really can be anytime with the unicornate uterus. Though hopefully not!!

I must admit taking it easy is great, if I do go out to the shops say I can start to feel aches and whatnot, though during most days I feel fine, which helps keep me calm.

 

[meeky81]

Hi Ladies

Hope you're all doing well

I have read this thread from the very beginning and everyone seems so friendly and helpful

I had a cone biopsy 18 months ago and had my first cervial measurement today (16 wks +1 day).

Its measuring 3.7cm...The doctor assured me that this is fine, but the dreaded google tells me its on the short side?

I will be having scans every 2 weeks to monitor, but wondered if anyone else had this measurement at 16 weeks? Is this normal?

Thanks xx

 

[sweetbuthyper]

Meeky welcome, i see you are uk based from what i understand:

above 3 is good, 2.5 -3 isn't great but the nhs wont take action unless funneling is also seen, 2.5 and below they will step in to stitch.

my cervix was 2.9 at 16 week and increased to 3.6 at 17 weeks before droping to 2.6 and funneling at 19 weeks stitch was placed following day.

Try not to worry they are monitoring you and 3.6 is a good lenght if it stays stable.

hope that helped x


edit to say i believe 5 -3 is seen as normal. and to note that lenght can go up and down

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

Frustrated! Missy had a Brady spell at 2 am they still took out the tube but the dr wants to keep her THREE more days! I'm so upset. The clock is ticking and I just want my baby in my arms before I return to work! Sorry I know this the wrong thread but I really don't care to talk or complain to strangers! Sorry... #venting

 

[sweetbuthyper]

Prayful sorry to hear that they want to keep missy in longer, try to stay strong hopefully she will pick up quickly and they will change there minds, and let here go home.

 

[Hope2302]

Hope, youre doing great! 34 weeks and counting yay!! Have they scheduled ur stitch removal yet?

Yes, bed rest does mess with your body.. Although im no longer on house arrest i am now a prisoner in my own body.. O well, all worth it hehe

Yes. Stitch removal is 2 weeks from today. A bit nervous as I was told I won't be given pain relief. I don't know if that is the norm but looking forward to it. I wonder if I'll go all the way to 40 weeks after the removal. Guess I'll have to wait and see.

 

[Hope2302]

@ prayerful, so sorry that missy's stay is been prolonged. I am praying things settle down fast and she is home soon. I know how frustrating it can be in the NICU with one minute thinking she will be home and then a setback. Don't worry Hun, all will be ok.x

 

[TLM21]

hello everyone
@ prayerful, Missy is a strong girl and you will have her at home soon. hang in there hun.
@meeky welcome, just make sure they keep closely monitoring.

I have a question my ob told me to keep an eye on any pressure on the cervix, when I lay down the pressure continues, not huge but enough to feel it. last week he had explained that since the baby's head was down there, that was probably the pressure I've felt. so how would I know that the pressure is due the baby's position and not anything else? I'm 28 weeks today and it does feel the baby's head is down there, have no secretions or pain . but wanted to make sure the pressure when I'm laying down is part of IC. hope I'm making sense, I just wish I had a camera in there so I can see what's going on. thanks for any input as always, hugs

 

[DAYDAY24]

Yay congratez tlm21!!!
Prayer hope missy comes home soon .

 

[TLM21]

@day very soon you will be there, and with twins, wow!

 

[DAYDAY24]

Just had ultrasound. Babies are in 50 percentile and weigh 2 lbs each

 

[Twinkle 3]

Prayerful I hope missy will be out soon enough for you. When my little girl was in the special care baby unit they said bradys wasn't too bad as many full term newborn babies have them anyway but because they arnt hooked up to monitors no one ever realises. It's a bit overly cautious keeping her in an extra three whole days but atleast she's getting looked after and she will be home with you soon enough and the hospital will soon be a very distant memory