Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[jadey_fae]

I get them too and was given the same advice. Not to worry unless u have more than 4 an hour or you get a pattern. x

How is everyone today? It's quiet - which I guess is a good thing

 

[Twinkle 3]

CW i Explained to my midwife weeks ago what I was experiencing and she said they was braxton hicks, the strange tightening feeling happend every day and quite a lot through out the day too, she wasn't concerned at all about them.. Then I was concerned about the tightenings and asked another midwife about them she wasn't concerned either and while I was talking to her I had the tHe tightening feeling and my stomach was hard but not all over and I asked her to feel, she said that it wasnt a Braxton hick! So I'm confused wether or not that i have them lol

 

[Tink_0123]

Tink stitch removal is after 36 weeks, I think on May 13th, so I'm counting the days like you said. Now getting.comfortable is a challenge,.sleeping too, but I guess it's all preparing me. Can't believe Audrey is a month old already, how is she, and your adjustment to her?
Hugs

Thats right around the corner, how exciting to be reaching the end of this journey!!

Audrey is doing great, she loves to eat, currently eating 4 oz every 3 hours. I'm kinda hoping she starts lasting longer between feeds bc its really exhausting lol. She's weighing anywhere btwn 8.5 lbs and almost 10 lbs not sure exactly, but she has a dr's appt on Tuesday for her 1 month shots and they'll weigh her then.

I hope everything continues to go smoothly for you.

 

[Craigswife]

This might be one for Lizzie. I was wondering if these pesky braxton hicks have any effect on the cervix or my stitch. Sometimes I can almost feel the tightening in that area, I think???
I didn't drink much at all yesterday, so have really increased my water intake today, I slept badly too, so wonder if the combination of these things has increased my BH today??

 

[DAYDAY24]

Ladies been crampy for last two days not extremely painful but uncomfortable

 

[Craigswife]

Day, maybe it would be worth getting checked out tomorrow.

 

[sunnylove]

May sound strange, but to those who got an epidural for the cerclage procedure, are you worried about the affect it may have on the baby? My baby was only 19 weeks at the time and I am so worried about the epidural, plus the other drugs I was given during this time. The only woman I know who had the procedure done, both her sons were born with issues, so I'm worried.

 

[baby_maybe]

I've had all four of my sutures done with a spinal and had an epidural twice in labour as well and none of my children have had any lasting effects from it. Its actually safer for the baby to have it done with a spinal rather than a general, which is why they advise it. When I had my first emergency one done they have me the choice and much as I was scared and wanted the general, knowing that the spanl was safer I chose that and have done ever since.

 

[TLM21]

Day I have also been cramping here and there sometimes lasting more than I would like. I have a dr's appt tomorrow so I will let you know any feedback. I also drink more water.than usual when I have cramps and feel like it helps, I don't leave the bathroom but I do feel better.
Tink thanks for the good wishes, thank God time is moving.
Audrey seems to be doing fantastic, I bet is tiring but so worth it. Keep us posted and send pictures to see her progress. I can't believe she is a month old already
Cw I'm also having issues identifying BH contractions, sometimes I think the tightenings are baby movements, do I don't know. Everything still.freaks me out, lol.
Hope everyone is doing well, hugs.

 

[Twinkle 3]

Tlm are you on bed rest? I can't remember if you are

Sunnylove I had a spinal and it didn't worry me as it was safer than the general like baby maybe said, it isn't directly going into your blood stream, it goes into your spinal fluid, so it wont directly affect the baby.It also isn't a lot of drugs used so If any passes over to the baby it will only be a tiny amount and I'm sure if it wasn't safe or had a high chance of causing problems to the baby then it wouldn't be frequently used in pregnancy. Also the biggest risk to the baby is if your blood pressure drops, which is a side effect of the spinal but you will have been monitored very carefully for your blood pressure. I had a permanent blood pressure cuff on to keep an eye on me. So if your blood pressure was fine I wouldnt worry.

I would rather take the risk of he spinal and give my baby a chance of surviving as without the stitch I wouldn't have got this far I don't think

Tink i can't believe Audrey is a month old already, time flys I'm happy to hear she's doing well though

 

[whistle]

Sunnylove, I had a spinal and was told that it doesn't pass over the placenta, not sure about epidural. As other ladies have said it's pros and cons - I certainly know tht if I hadn't had my stitch last time neither of my sons would have survived. Sometimes when you're a mum you have hard decisions and have to pick the best of a bad lot, but you have done your best by your baby by having the stitch and any associated drugs.

Oh, and despite being a 25 weeker and having numerous medical interventions pre and post birth my son has no lasting effects, so it doesn't have to mean that there will be problems in the future.

 

[Twinkle 3]

Hi ladies, as you all know I reached my goal of 24 weeks over a week ago and I was told to continue life as normal by my consultant ever since the stitch was placed. when I started with aches and pressure then I was told to rest, so I stopped doing everything and basically put myself omto bed rest.. Anyway since making it to 24weeks I have been a lot more content and the pressure or aches arnt as bad as they were and hoping they stay this way(touching wood)

The thing is now, I have had a thought! I don't know wether my stitch has held the baby in longer than my last pregnancy or the resting has done it.. Or a combination of both.

My consultant says I will be surprised what the stitch can do and how far it can get me.

So now I'm wanting to start getting my life back together, going shopping etc but not extreme shopping... I won't be walking for hours or anything like that, just a quick pop in to babies r us or kiddiecare. I also don't rest as much as I was doing throughout the day. Like yesterday I made buns with my little girl and I'll do some housework like folding the washing or dusting... Mainly light duties.

I am not feeling achier by doing these actually I'm feeling better!!! (touching wood again)

So what do you ladies think? Do you think my body can handle the shopping trips and the increase of activity?

I just don't want to get this far and undo all my hard work of keeping this little one cooking but I want to get out more as my consultant thinks its fine.. once I hit 28weeks, well if I am lucky enough to reach 28weeks then I will deffinetly be continuing normal life, just wondering if at the minute I'm jumping the gun a little..

Decisions, decisions! There so hard to make, I wish I had a crystal ball so I knew what to do for the best lol

 

[Pink_Sparkle]

Hi girls just a quick wee update. Ashton is now 1 week old and doing very well! He has a long road ahead of him and is no where near out of the woods but the way he fighting daily just amazes us. He truly is a beautiful little miracle. I dont want to keep clogging up this thread with Ashton updates but I have made a facebook page called AJ's Journey where I post regular updates and pics....Feel free to like.

A couple of days ago me and his daddy got to hold him and we've been allowed to change his teeeny tiny nappys! We've also been allowed give him a little kiss too which means the world to us! xx

 

[jadey_fae]

Good question twinkle! If I get as far as you I will be looking to resume normal activities also

Now I am really worried and I am too scared to google. Fir my stitch I asked if it would be better to have a spinal but was told there was no greater risk than a general! Given how scared and anxious I was about it I was advised to have a general. Thinking about it the stress I would have fekt if Id been awake nay have been worse for the baby as I hate ops. Anyway now I am scared of the effects of a general!

 

[TLM21]

Hello everybody
Twinkle I am on bed rest, doing slightly more than before, but my belly weighs more so it still freaks me out if I'm up around the house and feel the baby too low. I put myself on sbr after I was told I was funneling at 20 weeks, the Dr still thinks I'm in mdr and there is no point in correcting him now. I am a super worrier so I don't go anywhere but to my dr's appts, I figure shopping and Baby's room is just going to have to wait until I can go. I will send my.husband or mom for some essentials as I still want to do some shopping, but I realized it wasn't that important for me now. My mother in law is super worried as she is a planner, maybe it's the islander in me that is a little more chilled with having everything ready... If you feel ok doing some light stuff do it, but don't over work yourself. Dio a short trip to a store but don't get carried away and lift anything. 24 weeks is a huge milestone, 28 is another big one. I was just too scare and cautious, it's also the control freak in me... Lol, this has been such a learning process, and more to come, lol
Just keep listening to your body and start slow. I know consultants would say to carry on as normal but I also felt it was my baby and I was going to be a nervous wreck if I did.
I know it's a big decision, and I'm confident you will make the best one, listen to your body and if you have to wait a little it's not a big deal..
Please continue to take care, love watching your ticker move

 

[jadey_fae]

Pink sparkle I can't find your fb page?

 

[TLM21]

Pink so happy to know Ashton is doing well hun. By all means don't worry about putting updates, I'm sure we all love to hear how he is doing. he is such a strong fighter, as weeks progress he will be stronger too, keep enjoying him, sending you bunch of prayers and hugs.
Jadey no more google for you. I had to ban myself from it. It just doesn't do any good for me or the baby. My anxiety will go wayyyyy higher, and I couldn't based my decisions on the experiences of google posters, so I stopped. I would come here and ask questions, read some pregnancy books, got all nervous specially from week 20 to 26, but I think is all normal now. Try not to worry.about stuff you can't change now, OMG I sound like my mother, lol. But the stressis not good for you or the baby. You.have a stitch, you are resting, drink lots of water and trust everything will be fine, at the same point you are now, I had to trust in a power bigger.than myself, and realized there were things I did not have any.control of, otherwise knowing myself I would have lost it with alL the worrying. I know it's hard much easier said than done now, people around sometimes don't understand our fear and worry..
Pls hang in there, we are all here for one another. I probably would have such a harder time if I didn't find this thread,
Soon you will be past 24, and we will all be celebrating with you. Lots of hugs and positive vibes your way

 

[Pink_Sparkle]

Here's the link for AJ's page for those who requested xx
https://www.facebook.com/AJsJourney2204?ref=hl

 

[Craigswife]

Twinkle, I'm exactly the same as you. Since hitting 24wks I've gradually increased my activity. I do light tasks around the house like laundry folding and a bit of dusting. I've also been out more, like you not massive shopping trips but nipping into the odd shop for bits and bobs. I've begun to do more with my son, for example he's been desperate to plant seeds, so we popped into the garden centre and got some sunflower seeds and I'm sat on a comfy chair in the sunshine while he's filling up pots with soil and his seeds! I still rest lots, but not for as long and I always lay down on the sofa in the evenings to take the weight off my cervix.
The advice I was given was carry on as usual but not do anything strenuous. I think because our stitches were elective, they were put in place before any changes happened to the cervix. I'm also going with how I feel, if I'm feeling pressure or aches then I rest but if I'm feeling ok then potter about. I certainly think doing more helps with my state of mind, I suppose you're occupied and have other things to think about. It helps the days go quicker too! I also feel better physically too, not so achy??
I was told to have faith in my stitch by my consultant! I may have mentioned this before, but since having my stitch I've learned of a friend (perhaps more of an acquaintance!) who has 5 children, she had an elective stitch with all 5 of her babies, none of them came early, her stitch held good. I've chatted to her and she says the same, she was advised to carry on, which she did, but just took life a bit easier.

Pink. I have been wondering how Ashton's getting on, never feel afraid to post on here, everyone genuinely cares and is interested. I will have a look at your Facebook page. I'm so pleased he's doing well and cuddles are so important. I loved kangaroo care, it helps with your milk supply too.

My braxton hicks aren't as frequent today, thank goodness. I think I'm just going to have to get used to them and not worry!

Jadey, try not to worry, the hospital wouldn't put you or your baby through any procedure or give you medication that would be of risk. I had to have a general anthestetic when I had my son and he had no effects from it at all.

Hope everyone else is ok xx

 

[jadey_fae]

steroid question: If u have them in the UK do go to the hospital for the injection or doctor office? Are in and out or do they have to monitor you?