Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[monro84]

CW--Some days I can bairly get past one bottle of watter but I have been managing to get 3 or 4 bottles on average and each is about 16 oz. I have gotten through 6 to 8 before but that does not happen often. I also started drinking white grape fruit juice in the evening. It has helped the BH alot. I have a scale that tells you your water % but for the past 3 wks except for 1 day I have weighted my self about 10 times and all times but 1 it was under 50% one time it was even 40 and it says that for women if your under 50% then your dehydrated.

 

[jadey_fae]

No Jadey, stitch or not getting to 26wks and funneling to the stitch with no further changes is a very good sign. If the stitch holds beyond that point then it will likely continue to do so unless you have other pregnancy issues which predispose you to ptl that is xx

Thanks Lizzie. That's reassuring. I always thought the heavier baby got the more likely he stitch would be to fail. Esp if u were funnelled to the stitch.

If only our doctors knew as much or were happy to explain as much as you!

 

[jadey_fae]

No Jadey, stitch or not getting to 26wks and funneling to the stitch with no further changes is a very good sign. If the stitch holds beyond that point then it will likely continue to do so unless you have other pregnancy issues which predispose you to ptl that is xx

Ooh Im glad i read this! Good question jadey,

I hope my stitch continues to hold now iv made it to 26weeks I'm still not happy though until I reach 28weeks I would like to know what my cervix is doing at the minute but don't want to know because Ill be scared if its had a drastic change from last time, fingers crossed its still long and closed.

Lizzie your the person who has given me so much hope through this pregnancy, especially with you carrying twins funnelling to the stitch then going past stitch removal! Everything you wrote to me that was reassuring I screen shot so I can read it when I fly into a panic. It calms me down and make sme have a positive mind set, especially helpful in the times when I was on the verge of losing the plot with worry lol! You should write a book

I feel the same way about wanting to know what my cervix are up 2 but at the same time am too scared to know. Mine were pretty bad at the point of getting the stitch

I also save some of Lizzie's posts! LOL

 

[lizziedripping]

Shelby - it is entirely possible (and in fact more likely than not) that your issues were twin related and if you were to carry a singleton, you wouldn't experience the same issues hun. Twins run the risk of delivering early anyway for all kinds of reasons and just because there are two babies - also, there is a greater risk of twin-related IC, again relatively common and purely because of all the extra stretching that twins bring. In such cases those same ladies who have lost twins go on to carry one baby to term just fine. We are simply not designed as humans to carry two babies. I would have lost the boys at around 16/18wks, whereas I'd probably manage a singleton til around 23wks without a stitch.

It's wise to think ahead and plan for close monitoring in any future pregnancies hun, but since you staggered without a stitch to 29wks with the girls then there's every chance you'll do just fine with one baby. I would love another one, and take great confidence from the fact that I managed the boys (albeit with a stitch) to term. 16Ibs of baby is a whole different ball game to 9/10Ibs, especially when you factor in an extra placenta and amniotic sac too - singleton pregnancy is a cervical breeze in comparison lol.

Xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Thanks Jadey and Twinkle, just glad I'm able to help It's why I'm so keen to share my story because if a stitch can support two larger than average babies, then it more than has the potential to work for everyone. I still can't believe I made it to 38wks but thankfully I did and you guys can too

Hoping to get a blog up and running where I can post everything as a permanent record for IC/twin/pregnant ladies. Just need to find myself a few spare hours............who am I kidding lol

 

[lizziedripping]

Jadey, the larger the weight the greater the theoretical risk is of the stitch failing BUT the fact still remains that if you make it with only funneling to 28wks, then the chances are you'll go several weeks beyond that. Beyond that ptl is still a risk for other unrelated reasons, but IC-wise the outlook is excellent xx

 

[Craigswife]

I had the call from the hospital today about my measles immunity. Thankfully I am immune which is a relief, so now need to find something else to worry about, lol!!!
The last couple of days I've had a really comfy bump, I feel really well and although I try and sit down lots, I don't feel I need to as there's no pressure etc. This seems crazy considering the baby is getting bigger you would think the pressure and discomfort would increase???

 

[Twinkle 3]

CW happy to hear your immune one less worry for you also glad to hear that your not feeling much pressure either your sailing along, finges crossed it Carrys on this way for you. I have my ok days and my not so ok days.. Today's a not so ok day.. I feel all achey and the baby is really low causing sharp pains in my lady region when he moves. I feel like you when you say you don't need to rest as much. v been trying to but havnt felt the need to rest as much as he sort of gets wedged even lower when im resting and that's when i ache even more, think he has more room to swim about when I'm stood up so it feels better. Im also wondering If i am going through a growth spurt as my ribs are all achey too

 

[Craigswife]

Twinkle, ribs, yes I've been having that. I find if I lay down for long periods of time my ribs really ache. I often wake at night with achy ribs and hips. I remember the achy hips from my last pregnancy, but not ribs too. I wonder why our ribs hurt, it's only a recent thing with me.

 

[25weeker]

Shelby - I was 5cm dilated at 21 weeks with membranes bulging with my twin pregnancy. After 5 days of not going into labour they put a stitch in. Unfortunately I got an infection which triggered my labour. My consultant said there was 3 possible reasons for mine IC, infection or just a twin pregnancy.

I will be 23 weeks on Sunday with a singleton and so far my cervix has remained a good length and all swabs have been clear so it is looking like it happened because it was a twin pregnancy.

 

[sunnylove]

Got my weekly check up. I got my cerclage 9 days ago when my cervix was measuring at 0.9. Had a transvaginal ultrasound today and cervix has shortened to between 0.4-0.7. I am also having funneling now too (I had none before). They also noticed biofilm in the sac which could be an infection/inflammation. But sometimes it goes away so we'll see about that. Am on strict bed rest now, not hospitalized yet, but doc said I have that option if I want it. To say the least we are upset.

 

[jadey_fae]

Sorry sunnylove In a way I am glad they said they wouldn't scan me after the stitch. It would just cause me worry. Be strong I had a lot of funnelling 3 weeks ago. It shouldn't go past your stitch. Remember the stuff they use to stitch you is like 5mm wide! (It's strong) There are plenty of girls on here that have got beyond viability with a CL like yours. Thinking of you.

 

[lizziedripping]

Sorry to hear that Sunny The length and funneling by themsleves aren't huge cause for concern hun because thats to be expected with an incompetent cervix. In an ideal world a stitch should be placed before cervical changes to try to prevent infection and further shortening BUT even when an emergency stitch is the only option, a cervix can be 'rescued' and any chnages reversed. There are no guarantees, but I have seen many many ladies pull back from far worse cervical scenarios and go to term. Keeping fingers crossed sweet. Drink water and rest, this isn't over yet

 

[TLM21]

Sorry to hear sunny continue to rest and like Lizzie said drink lots of water. I've had a good amount of funneling since week 20 and cl from 1.6 to 3.4, usually around 2. I had an elective stitch, but still the.Dr said that is why the stitch is placed. He has done 5 stitches in the the last 6 months, all women got to past 35 weeks including me now
Sending you hugs, and lots of positive vibes hun

 

[TLM21]

hello everyone
Lizzie I have a question I'm 35 weeks and just started having the sharp stabbing shooting pains into my vagina once in a while. Haven't had a anything going on besides. Is it something I should worry about. Thanks

 

[lizziedripping]

Probably not TLM. At this stage I was crippled in agony from the extreme cervical/stitch needling pains, especially at night. One twin was breech and low, as the babies got bigger the pressure from him increased and all the kicks were low down in my cervix. As your baby engages and prepares to be born you will have increasing amounts of pressure and pain down below. With something like a stitch pulling against your internal organs it's inevitable hun. If the stitch were tearing or giving way you'd likely have some bleeding and start to experience new and unusual symptoms. Hope that helps xxx

 

[DAYDAY24]

Ladies I have started to increase my activities I don't go anywhere but now making breakfast sitting I just felt caged. In my bedroom all day my husband and mom would not let me leave unless bathroom. Do think think this ok my house has no stairs just to basement which I haven't been down in 6 months

 

[ShelbyLC]

Day, I think it's perfectly fine that you are moving around more. It's actually probably good for you! Just listen to your body. If you start having contractions or pain, sit down. But enjoy a bit of freedom and fresh air. You've definitely earned it.

 

[lizziedripping]

Agree with Shelby hun, if it feels ok to move around then do I didn't so continued pretty much on full rest til 37wks - that said I probably moved around more than you anyway because I had the two oldest to take care of. Rest for me meant full time lying down after preparing breakfast, then up to make tea and bath kids, then rest again til the following morning. On that regime I made it to term xx

 

[DAYDAY24]

Thanks ladies I haven't walked even to my kitchen in months it felt good to cook lol never thought I would say that