Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[faibel]

Day - Knowing you've got to good gestation with the McD stitch, gives me hope! It's not selfish at all to want your babies to go home with you, thats normal! Keeping my fingers crossed for you

 

[DAYDAY24]

Thanks u can do it too

 

[ShelbyLC]

Day, you don't sound selfish at all, wanting to bring them home right away. You sound like a mom! In a month or so, you'll have your boys, and they will be perfect, and you will be exhausted, but all of this will be behind you and oh so worth it. (Whoops, think that rhymed some... It's the Dr. Seuss in me! )

 

[lizziedripping]

Awww Day, none of us want our babies to spend even one night in the NICU, especially after a previous loss or preemie. Its totally understandable, and I was desperate to bake til atleast 37wks to avoid intensive care - despite the fact that I was in agony constantly by then. Having a low baby definitely doesnt mean early labour either - my breech twin was very low and kicking my cervix for weeks, it didn't mean anything so try not to fret sweetie, this is all normal stuff for twins xxx

Shelby, thanks so much for the birthday wishes. Can't believe they're 3 already - where does the time go? Totally feeling you regarding guilts over the preemie start for our girls. I had it and shed tears over it, but I have to say that now on reflection, that whole start toEvie's life has just served to make her unique, strong and so special. Without it she wouldnt be who she is if that makes sense?

I love all my kids, but somehow she seems extra sensitive, tough to her core and has an additional wisdom which I think developed because of the challenges she faced. She loves that everyone 'awws and aaahs' when she shares her birth story, she truly is a miracle and knows it Just keep loving your girls hun (and wow what a loving Mom you are!), and whatever trials they might face in life they'll tackle with supreme confidence

 

[lizziedripping]

Jadey, bathing fine hun. I did it frequently withthe twins, it was the only thing which relieved my pain I waited for about 4wks post stitch then bathed pretty much daily xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Karen - your cervix sounds fantastic! If it holds around 3 til 28wks then there's every chance you'll make term sweet xxx

 

[DAYDAY24]

Thanks ladies my doc checked my cervix tues and didn't say anything besides no dilation so I know thats good plus one of my lil men is over 4 lbs which I believe the other is also since they never had that much of a weight gap

 

[Gwenylovey]

Hi ladies,

Well, I'm back for some more advice. My cl last week at 20.5 weeks was 3.1 cm and there was some funneling noted on the ultrasound. My MFM doc said that she thought I was having a contraction and that they had underestimated the length of my cervix. I went back today at 21.5 and my cl measured 3.8-4 and there was still some funneling noted. My doc this time (same doc) said that I was contracting again which caused my cervix to look longer than it actually was and that again she was getting around 3 cm, maybe slightly longer just like last week. She said that the funneling was normal and that the shape of the uterus (did I misunderstand this?) is normally open a little at the top. I don't understand this as my understanding is that funneling is never a good sign.

Anyways, I am not on bedrest or progesterone. I know my length is "normal" but should I continue to take it easy? I'm just so worried and don't know what level of activity to maintain.

Thanks ladies!

Hope you are all well! Pink, still thinking and praying for you and Ashton.

 

[ShelbyLC]

Gwen - I contracted every time I had ultrasounds. My body couldn't take the combination of external pressure (the ultrasound wand) and internal stimulation (the babies moving because of the ultrasound). Did you feel like you were having a contraction?

Can't really answer your actual question(s), just wanted to let you know that contracting during an ultrasound is normal (for me).

 

[TLM21]

hello ladies
awesome weight day, you are doing great.
I got a bit more pressure yesterday and was kinda freaking out about the baby being super low, my appt is not until Monday. no discharge or anything else just the feeling of baby being lower, when I got up a little bit ago I felt the baby higher, thought I was contacting since it was hard on the top to mid, so I don't know what's going on... lol
twinkle I understand the feeling of not wanting to buy anything, by now my mother in law has bought some clothes, and we have a crib, that's about it. oh and my friend will give me her newborn carseat. I really want to buy sme things but still afraid of leaving the house. so will send for some essentials and everything else will just have to wait until I can go, maybe after stitch removal.
jadey my Dr didn't say to go on sbr, I did put myself on it after he said I was funneling to the stitch, for my mental health sake as well, so just think about yourself physically and mentally and do what feels right to you.
hope everyone else is doing well, xxxxxxxxx

 

[Gwenylovey]

Gwen - I contracted every time I had ultrasounds. My body couldn't take the combination of external pressure (the ultrasound wand) and internal stimulation (the babies moving because of the ultrasound). Did you feel like you were having a contraction?

Can't really answer your actual question(s), just wanted to let you know that contracting during an ultrasound is normal (for me).

Thanks! That's interesting, I didn't know it was common to contract during an ultrasound. Did you find that it ever affected your cl measurements? I didn't feel the contraction, but my doctor said that can be normal.

 

[Twinkle 3]

Gwen I always udnerstood that funnelling isnt a good sign aswel as that's what they look for on my ultrasounds to see if my cervix is opening but If your consultant dosnt seem too concerned then I don't know.. Medical staff baffle me, they all have different ideas and ways of dealing with things, just keep rested and keep an eye out

Hi ladies what are normal incompetent cervix signs as you get further along? I'm in agony with my back, legs,hips, groin. I don't know if it's spd and sciatica causing it or incompetent cervix.. Both of my knees are slightly swollen aswel. It's getting harder as each day goes by as I'm always in pain and he hospital say just to take paracetamol and codeine. I want to make it atleast another 3weeks. Are the pains normal IC symptoms? If not i think they maybe the spd and sciatica as my hips have started clicking aswel... I'm falling apart lol. I don't want to complain too much as I would rather be in pain and keep my baby cooking for as long as I can it's worth it

 

[Twinkle 3]

Tlm your doing so well at 34 weeks my baby's been really low since 18weeks, every time I have a scan they can't measure his head as its too far in my pelvis.. Hope your ok. Not long to go now

 

[ShelbyLC]

Gwen - I contracted every time I had ultrasounds. My body couldn't take the combination of external pressure (the ultrasound wand) and internal stimulation (the babies moving because of the ultrasound). Did you feel like you were having a contraction?

Can't really answer your actual question(s), just wanted to let you know that contracting during an ultrasound is normal (for me).

Thanks! That's interesting, I didn't know it was common to contract during an ultrasound. Did you find that it ever affected your cl measurements? I didn't feel the contraction, but my doctor said that can be normal.

I honestly don't know if it did. Around 19-23 weeks, I had no idea what a contraction felt like, so when the ultrasound techs asked if I was having one, I said I didn't know. After 24-25 weeks, any time I stood or moved around, my body basically did one long contraction. My bump would be extremely tight and firm the whole time I was standing/moving. Wearing anything other than really loose pants/shorts also made me contract. And of course I wore my maternity jeans when I went out, which made it worse. So, since I was almost always contracting when I saw the doctor, I had no way of knowing if my measurements were altered in any way.

 

[jadey_fae]

Jadey, bathing fine hun. I did it frequently withthe twins, it was the only thing which relieved my pain I waited for about 4wks post stitch then bathed pretty much daily xx

Thanks Lizzie, you have such a way with words that seems to calm everyone

 

[jadey_fae]

Hi ladies,

Well, I'm back for some more advice. My cl last week at 20.5 weeks was 3.1 cm and there was some funneling noted on the ultrasound. My MFM doc said that she thought I was having a contraction and that they had underestimated the length of my cervix. I went back today at 21.5 and my cl measured 3.8-4 and there was still some funneling noted. My doc this time (same doc) said that I was contracting again which caused my cervix to look longer than it actually was and that again she was getting around 3 cm, maybe slightly longer just like last week. She said that the funneling was normal and that the shape of the uterus (did I misunderstand this?) is normally open a little at the top. I don't understand this as my understanding is that funneling is never a good sign.

Anyways, I am not on bedrest or progesterone. I know my length is "normal" but should I continue to take it easy? I'm just so worried and don't know what level of activity to maintain.

Thanks ladies!

Hope you are all well! Pink, still thinking and praying for you and Ashton.

That's interesting what you were told about funnelling! Has anyone else been told this?
When you google image babies in the womb quite a few seem to have a slight funnel shape. I also have funnelling and shortened cervix with stitch.

 

[jadey_fae]

hello ladies
awesome weight day, you are doing great.
I got a bit more pressure yesterday and was kinda freaking out about the baby being super low, my appt is not until Monday. no discharge or anything else just the feeling of baby being lower, when I got up a little bit ago I felt the baby higher, thought I was contacting since it was hard on the top to mid, so I don't know what's going on... lol
twinkle I understand the feeling of not wanting to buy anything, by now my mother in law has bought some clothes, and we have a crib, that's about it. oh and my friend will give me her newborn carseat. I really want to buy sme things but still afraid of leaving the house. so will send for some essentials and everything else will just have to wait until I can go, maybe after stitch removal.
jadey my Dr didn't say to go on sbr, I did put myself on it after he said I was funneling to the stitch, for my mental health sake as well, so just think about yourself physically and mentally and do what feels right to you.
hope everyone else is doing well, xxxxxxxxx

Your right it's getting that balance right!

My boy always feels low also and it makes me nervous too. If u feel somethings changed then do get checked Just for reassurance.

I am totally too scared to buy anything also. I did buy some things a while bk but then got told about needing a stitch and was convinced I had jinxed myself.

 

[jadey_fae]

Gwen I always udnerstood that funnelling isnt a good sign aswel as that's what they look for on my ultrasounds to see if my cervix is opening but If your consultant dosnt seem too concerned then I don't know.. Medical staff baffle me, they all have different ideas and ways of dealing with things, just keep rested and keep an eye out

Hi ladies what are normal incompetent cervix signs as you get further along? I'm in agony with my back, legs,hips, groin. I don't know if it's spd and sciatica causing it or incompetent cervix.. Both of my knees are slightly swollen aswel. It's getting harder as each day goes by as I'm always in pain and he hospital say just to take paracetamol and codeine. I want to make it atleast another 3weeks. Are the pains normal IC symptoms? If not i think they maybe the spd and sciatica as my hips have started clicking aswel... I'm falling apart lol. I don't want to complain too much as I would rather be in pain and keep my baby cooking for as long as I can it's worth it

I'm sorry u are in so much pain hun.
I can totally sympathise. It sounds a lot like spd. Esp the clicking in the hips and if the pain is down your pelvic bone that's also a common thing for spd. I find mine is worse when I have been in active for a while and sometimes have to take codeine also but thankfully not that often.
Sciatica pain normally shoots down your leg from the hip. It's pos to have both - I did for a while.
The belt helped me ( I got a really good one the physio recommended) Your midwife can refer u to physio and sometimes they can come to your house.
HUGS

 

[TLM21]

twinkle I was just reading spd signs and symptoms and it sounds like what you are describing. I don't know if there are definitive IC symptoms once you have the stitch and what are pregnancy pains and aches since there are so many. by any means if it gets to a point that you should be calling your midwife or Dr pls do so. it sounds like spd is very painful. I think that with IC you have to keep an eye in the pressure, any discharge, contractions, that's what I was told by the Dr.
hope you feel better hun

someone near my house I think is working at their house since the Sheryl of asphalt is.very strong, making me sick, being in a hot tropical climate the smells just linger more, I just want to.tell.them to stop working, maybe some rain will.help me.... sorry for venting

 

[lizziedripping]

Twinkle my lovely, it definitely sounds spd related rather than cervical. At this stage you really will start to feel the strain of pregnancy as the baby and your uterus expand in size. Pain like this, along with the 'click' you describe are so typical of spd. IC doesn't actually cause specific symptoms which is why it is often missed, and it's only when contractions begin that you're actually aware of an issue.

Bear in mind that I had numerous aches, pains, tightenings and general discomfort all the way through pregnancy and never did it reflect a problem with my cervix. Interestingly I had pressure at 16wks with a long, closed cervix, then equal amounts of pressure with zero additional symptoms yet significant funneling at 25wks! The only real symtpoms to take as 'red flag' would be new bleeding, regular pains which occur more than once/twice an hr and any period like cramps which are unusual for you. Physiological pains which ease on lying down and are made worse with movement are seldom worrisome

Gwen - I'm really confused by your scan results and your Docs interpretation of them. Like Shelby you might have an irritable uterus which contracts under the influence of any external/internal stimulus. It doesn't mean the cntractions are significant enough to cause long term changes to your cervix, but it might alter the cl in that moment as it is happening. Just as a full bladder can give the illusion of length, so can a contraction but not by much. Generally speaking it sounds as though your cervix is holding nicely around 3/4cms which is great and not significantly different from last time. As for the funneling, I think they mean that all cervixes are slightly open at the top (appearance wise), and have a moderate baseline 'Y' shape which becomes more pronounced as the funneling increases. Because it looks the same as last scan, and the funneling hasn't become significant then they're not concerned. Every cervix would have these indivdual differences if all women were scanned in pregnancy, it is the overall behaviour, look and feel which counts and yours isn't doing anything at the moment which rings alarm bells honey - which is why I'm guessing they were happy with what they saw despite the contracting and query funneling. Hope that makes sense xx