Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[Agiboma]

@twinkle i think that is a great idea, all this stress is not good for you.

 

[Craigswife]

Twinkle, I wonder if its worth seeing your midwife and telling her how much you're struggling, she might be able to offer extra support or scans to reassure you. The stress and worry isn't good for you. I'm no expert but if you we're experiencing contractions would they not progressively get worse as time goes on?
Be kind to yourself and give yourself some treats, like online shopping or paint your nails and take it half a day at a time, each day your baby is in your tummy is a day nearer to your goal of 24wks. keep smiling Xxx

 

[Craigswife]

While sat here resting, I thought I'd make myself a ticker! I've copy and pasted it into the edit signature and I can see it in the preview, I ask it to save the changes but it doesn't seem to have appeared here? Any ideas where I'm going wrong?

 

[Craigswife]

Sorry, it's there!! I'm new to all this!

 

[Twinkle 3]

Thanks CW I am trying to not stress but Its so hard, I'm deffo going to tell my midwife how I feel lately I don't know whether to call her today but with it being Saturday I know no ultrasounds are available and I wouldn't want a speculum examination to check all is ok so i don't know what to do thinking of resting until Monday and judge it then just hoping these tightenings wether they are Braxton hicks or irritable uterus arnt a anythin to worry about.. Sorry ladies iv been filling this thread with panic and questions I'm just scared that this is the end of journey... Hoping it isnt

 

[faibel]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is still cooking. Love seeing the people reaching term, really gives hope...congrats!

Twinkle- I'm new to the forum but was reading your posts, I'm so sorry your having a rough time, I'm dreading the 'danger period'. Keep thinking positive and rest, I'll be thinking of you.

I'm now 11 weeks with twins, I was diagnosed with IC after losing my daughter at 21 weeks. I have my second opinion consultant appt on thurs, as my original consultant said no to the stitch with twins. I've read that you measure 6 weeks or so ahead with twins and I've definately 'popped' already, I'm huge. I'm really scared that this will cause IC to rear its ugly head earlier?? Will I last until 13 weeks when stitch will be placed? Will I have lost alot of length already? Panic is setting in already!

 

[Tink_0123]

Ladies,

Today I've reached a HUGE milestone by making it to term. Im beyond myself with happiness . Next goal is to have my beautiful healthy baby in my arms .

 

[lizziedripping]

Yey Tink Congratulations sweetpea, so pleased for you

Twinkle - You poor girl You are absolutely right to be vigilant, and to get any new symptoms checked out BUT keep remembering that I had bh a few times every day from 20-34wks, was achey and had pressure but it NEVER had an effect on my cervix honey. There is nothing that can make this period any easier on you, only to keep reminding yourself of what we've all been through and that most of us made it safely to term

Hey faibel - I had my twin stitch placed at 13+4 by which point my cervix was very floppy and opened easily with a speculum (not normal so early in pregnancy). My consultant says I would have lost the boys at 16wks without the stitch, but I think it would have been more realistically 18wks or so bearing in mind that my cervix began to fail at around 22wks with my singleton daughter. I felt lots of vaginal pressure with them from 8wks, and began to loose teeny bits of plug from 11wks I also had tightenings which indicated uterine irritability from that point which didn't really abate after the stitch, but the plug loss stopped immediately.

I measured 3/4wks ahead at 12wks uterus-wise so was relieved that the stitch went in when it did. So long as you get a stitch around 13/14wks you should be fine, and even upto 16wks is likely ok but just takes you nearer to the 'danger zone' as it were. So glad you're seeing someone who will support you getting a stitch. There is no reason at all why twin ladies with IC shouldn't be stitched. Good luck xx

 

[faibel]

Yey Tink Congratulations sweetpea, so pleased for you

Twinkle - You poor girl You are absolutely right to be vigilant, and to get any new symptoms checked out BUT keep remembering that I had bh a few times every day from 20-34wks, was achey and had pressure but it NEVER had an effect on my cervix honey. There is nothing that can make this period any easier on you, only to keep reminding yourself of what we've all been through and that most of us made it safely to term

Hey faibel - I had my twin stitch placed at 13+4 by which point my cervix was very floppy and opened easily with a speculum (not normal so early in pregnancy). My consultant says I would have lost the boys at 16wks without the stitch, but I think it would have been more realistically 18wks or so bearing in mind that my cervix began to fail at around 22wks with my singleton daughter. I felt lots of vaginal pressure with them from 8wks, and began to loose teeny bits of plug from 11wks I also had tightenings which indicated uterine irritability from that point which didn't really abate after the stitch, but the plug loss stopped immediately.

I measured 3/4wks ahead at 12wks uterus-wise so was relieved that the stitch went in when it did. So long as you get a stitch around 13/14wks you should be fine, and even upto 16wks is likely ok but just takes you nearer to the 'danger zone' as it were. So glad you're seeing someone who will support you getting a stitch. There is no reason at all why twin ladies with IC shouldn't be stitched. Good luck xx

Thanks Lizzie, when you say losing the plug, would that be yellowy thick discharge? I've had this every now and then (usually after a bm, sorry tmi!) for the last few weeks? Hadn't realised it could be the plug so early, thats scary! I've had pressure too, it freaks me out. If the cervix is short or soft, could placing the stitch be more risky i.e infection or rupturing the membranes?

On a different note, were you on strict bedrest? I have a 6yr old and a 4yr old, so although I fear I will be on bedrest, what are the chances of it being moderate?

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Faibel. The plug for me was mucusy and brown, and kind of stringy like snot (tmi). I doubt your discharge is plug, it sounds to me like normal pregnancy discharge.

Having a short or floppy cervix does not increase the risks at stitch placement. So long as the cervix is closed, no matter how short, it shouldn't be an issue early in pregnancy. Ask for a shirodkar stitch, it is placed high up at the very top ofthe cervix and is perfect in a twin pregnancy.

As for bed rest. I wasn't on strict rest with two older kids to look after, but I did stay on the sofa all day whilst they were at school, only getting up to prepare dinner. I kept a chair in the kitchen so that I could sit down regularly too. I had to occasionally get their clothes together or see them into bed, but in general if I had been up for more than 20mins I would try to lie down afterwards. In general I was horizontal for the majority of the time mainly because being up and about felt awful, the pressure down below made it impossible for me to carry on. Let your body dictate honey, if you feel pressure lie down, only getting up to do essential jobs

 

[Tink_0123]

Prayer, I just remembered a post you wrote a few weeks ago about making it to term for the both of us.. Well we did it

Hows Missy doing today??

 

[Hope2302]

@ twinkle, I am sure in a couple of weeks this phase will be a distant memory. I totally understand your fear and panic but keep strong Hun! We've all been through this phase and as you go further you will begin to feel more confident. I am seriously praying that you get to 24 weeks and way past.
@ tink, Yay!!! Congrats on reaching full term. It's so amazing that you have come this far especially with only bed rest. I am so pleased for you. Baby Audrey coming soon, can't wait.
@ faibel, I am glad the stitch is going in soon! Wishing you a long pregnancy
@ prayer, how is missy doing?
@ agiboma, still dancing azonto or bouncing on the birth ball? Or both?
@ shelby ,babymaybe, iCh, how are you mommas doing and your babies?
@ Tlm, you are moving fast along that ticker, welldone!

Other ladies, how are you All?

 

[Prayerfulmom2]

Prayer, I just remembered a post you wrote a few weeks ago about making it to term for the both of us.. Well we did it

Hows Missy doing today??

Tink yes we did! Lol so happy for your family. Missy is great. She has periodic bradycardia episodes ( heart rate drops) during some feeds. So the dr restarts her 48 hr timer:/ she's had to have 2 full days of finishing her bottle without those episodes. So we're waiting ....

 

[baby_maybe]

Hi ladies :wave:

Sorry not been posting lately, have suddenly found myself rather busy with 4 children to care for!! Anyway last weekend Ruben gave us a bit of a scare when he stopped feeding properly and we ended up in nicu for a couple of night while hey did some bloods and gave him 48 hours worth of precautionary antibiotics. Thankfully his bloods came back clear and he started feeding well again and we came home after 2 nights. He's doing great now and on Wednesday when he got weighed he was 8lb11oz, so already past his birth weight

Twinkle - I'm so sorry you're having a tough time, I remember the fear of the 'danger zone' well and although I had successfully carried two previous babies to term with the help of a stitch, I still feared not making it to 24 weeks and beyond this last time. I think I said before, but I had BH from around 17 weeks onwards, a lot of them at least 30 a day towards the end, as well as pressure while I was up and about, but neither of these ever resulted in any cervical changes, even when I was diagnosed with a lot of extra fluid, the weight of that plus the baby still didn't affect it. I know how hard it is to relax, but with the stitch in place you are very likely to make it to a safe gestation for your baby to be born at. The success rate of elective sutures is something like 85% and if I were a gambling person I wouldn't bet against those odds! Chin up my love, soon this will all be a distant memory and you'll have your precious baby in your arms.

Agi and Tink - massive for reaching term, especially you Tink with no suture in place

I hope everyone else is doing ok and I wanted to add that I've now had 4 sutures, 3 of which have got me to term, so if anyone wants to ask anything specific feel feel to send me a message. You can post in here too, but at the moment I can't guarantee that I'll see it!

 

[Agiboma]

Prayer, I just remembered a post you wrote a few weeks ago about making it to term for the both of us.. Well we did it

Hows Missy doing today??

Tink yes we did! Lol so happy for your family. Missy is great. She has periodic bradycardia episodes ( heart rate drops) during some feeds. So the dr restarts her 48 hr timer:/ she's had to have 2 full days of finishing her bottle without those episodes. So we're waiting ....

Prayerful have they looked into it being reflux related, that is what caused his many discharge setbacks in NICU, we did come home on medications, have them chart exactly when these episodes are happening. GL

 

[shanny]

Cant believe i have only just found this thread as it seems like the most appropraite place for me..................Hello

Had stitch put in 4 days ago all fine this is my fourth (lost first at 32 weeks PROM/ infection/stillbirth) had second at 33 shes fine, third due date hes fine and fourth due date also shes a monster but shes fine too!!!!

Any way we decided to go for another and had the usual plan with consultant who has looked after me for all since loss. Stitch in all fine, just feel lousy now --am now exhausted by about 1pm lethargic/ no energy etc could be reaction to spinal or anemia (sp?) no bleeding so i am not worried just feeling crappy............any ideas............... have the 3 kids to look after and teach 4 days a week at mo............so no time to feel rough........maybe just getting old................sorry for ramble but sometimes this is only place .............

 

[Agiboma]

welcome shanny, no advice on the tierdness im still her battling with it also

 

[Twinkle 3]

Thankyou everyone for your advice and support its really really appreciated. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you ladies to talk to for guidance and encouragement. So thank you once to you everyone, I would individually name you but there is so many of you who have helped me that it's easier to just say thankyou to you all

I am going to try and this positive and make sure this little boy stays tucked up inside for as long as possible, fingers crossed for 36weeks and stitch removal

I really need to de stress and gather Positive thoughts, I am determined to make it to atleast 24weeks and hopefully I will. All I want is to have a little baby in my arms that's healthy and well.

Tink.. You have done amazing to make it to term and congratulations on doing that you should be very proud of yourself, not long now to meet your little girl

Lizzie...thankyou for the advice it helps me so much

Hope... Hank you for the encouragement and kind words, how are you doing lately? Hope your well

Baby maybe...it's lovely to hear from you again, keep popping in I'm glad little Reuben is ok, bless him. I really do hope The stitch holds, 85% chance does actually sound like good odds iv never thought about it like that before it's given me a smile on my face to think that iv got a good chance. This danger zone period is just the worse, things it's turned me crazy lol. I hope I do make it through it like you did.

Agi... Welldone for making it to term iv seen in another thread that your having a c section soon (I think that's right)

Craig's wife... Also thankyou for the advice you've given me recently, hope your doing well

tlm, day day, prayer, chocolate cat, sweetbutheyper, shelby and forgive me if iv missed anyone (I probably have as my memory is terrible..) hope your all well

 

[Twinkle 3]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is still cooking. Love seeing the people reaching term, really gives hope...congrats!

Twinkle- I'm new to the forum but was reading your posts, I'm so sorry your having a rough time, I'm dreading the 'danger period'. Keep thinking positive and rest, I'll be thinking of you.

I'm now 11 weeks with twins, I was diagnosed with IC after losing my daughter at 21 weeks. I have my second opinion consultant appt on thurs, as my original consultant said no to the stitch with twins. I've read that you measure 6 weeks or so ahead with twins and I've definately 'popped' already, I'm huge. I'm really scared that this will cause IC to rear its ugly head earlier?? Will I last until 13 weeks when stitch will be placed? Will I have lost alot of length already? Panic is setting in already!

Hi faibel,

Thankyou, sorry you have to read my panicked and worried messages when your worried yourself, iv kind of lost the plot at the moment with worry, it has got the better of me

I was doing fine until I hit 18/19weeks then iv sort of got to the stage where iv started to feel uncomfortable and I'm terrified somthing is going to go wrong again as I lost my last baby at 22weeks.i just want to make it to 24weeks then I can relax a little knowing my baby will have a chance at surviving if he will be born early which hopefully he will wait until stitch removal to come out

I just feel so close to 24weeks but so far away ar the same time. so the danger zone is what I call it.. Hopefully time will fly until then.

I had to switch hospitals to get my stitch as the first consultant just didn't want to put the stitch in as he didn't believe they worked.. Which obviously I didnt agree with. Try not to worry as thursday isn't too far away (I'm counting down till then aswel to see my won consultant) and I'm sure your consultant will put your mind at ease, take it easy and rest until the stitch placement and I'm sure you will do well, as lizzies already said she has been in your situation and carried twins all the way to term which is brilliant.

I wish you a happy and healthy also a very long pregnancy twins sounds so exciting

 

[TLM21]

hello everybody
@baby- happy to hear Ruben is doing well, weight gain sounds great.
@tink congratulations on term! so exciting, well done!
hope everyone is doing well, hugs