Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[lizziedripping]

Thanks for update Sunny You all sound as tho you're bearing up pretty well xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Welcome Holly Thrilled to hear you got your stitch placed whilst your cervix was looking so good. It's great that you still had 2.7 cl with only mild funneling, you were right to push for a scan and then a stitch, and relieved that you have a proactive consultant. With a stitch placed in these circumstances, your chances of making term are very good

The pressure you feel is fairly normal with IC, and even with the stitch you will feel all kinds of aches, pains and tightenings purely because of its presence and the irritation it can cause. My uterus gave me hell from 12 to 28wks because e stitch irritated everything in general and mimicked contractions, so you can rest assured that you can expect some pretty scary sensations which amount to nothing in the long run.

Amniotic fluid is fairly unmistakable - it is literally like water and feels much like a lightly running tap which pools as you sit and trickles as you stand. It sounds like you have normal discharge to me, again very normal and typical with stitch. The warning signs to look for are suddenly increased pressure (abnormal to you), bleeding, regular cramps and/or tightenings.

Make sure to take things easy, and please feel free to pop in here any time. We've all been where you are so you don't even have to begin explain how this feels hun. Take care xxx

 

[HollyGo77]

Thank you Lizzy for your reply,

I laid down for an hour and then stood up, and no trickle, so am hoping that I am totally paranoid...and is just normal combined with it being a bit sweaty especially with the lying down and pads and all..

I was scanned before being discharged and the cervix was measured at 3.4 and closed completely so I am hoping this will keep going strong.

This is so frightening, I am so scared I will lose my baby.

 

[katyb1982]

So following my scan yesterday I am currently in hospital after having my cerclage put in last night. On the scan my cervix was dynamic and measuring between 2.4 and 1.3 so not goor but not desperate. There was also some internal funneling but only when babies moved and put pressure on the cervix. As it was quiet they did stitch last night. It all went OK. Consultant said it was closed externally but a bit soft. Howevwr there was no sign of membranes. Had a few hours of minor tightenings aftetwards which stopped and now I feel fine except for a tiny amount of light spotting and some mild cramping (does this all sound normal?) As soon as spotting goes getting progesterone and as am nearly 24 weeks get steroids tomorrow. Still petrified but at least feel like am doing something! Kx

 

[monro84]

I am worried about dilating with the stitch and it ripping kinda like sunny's did. I know if I see any blood I am going to the hospital or dr office immediately. But what if it is fast dilation for some reason. That is the main thing that worries me right now is the stitch tearing out.

 

[faibel]

Katy - So pleased you got your stitch in and it went well. Spotting and cramping are normal, it should subside in a few days. Rest as much as possible!!! Are they allowing you home? I hope it all calms down for you now x

 

[DAYDAY24]

Hi ladies hope all is well !! My lil boys are already 3 weeks old. I'm so exhausted but extremely in love with them!!!

 

[lizziedripping]

So so pleased they agreed to a stitch Katy. Everything looks good, and don't worry about the soft cervix. Mine was completely atonal at 12wks (absolutely should not be soft until late pregnancy) yet the stitch reinforced it enough to get me to 38wks.

Cramps might continue for a few weeks yet (mine did) so don't be unduly alarmed. Only if they get intense/regular and/or there is new bleeding should you be concerned. Allthe signs are good honey

 

[lizziedripping]

Monro, what happened to Sunny is thankfully quite rare as far as IC and stitches go. Before a stitch tears there are usually lots of symptoms warning of impending labour or significant dilation. I have only heard of this happening twice out of many hundreds of women xxx

 

[HollyGo77]

I am sorry to keep asking so many questions, I am exactly a week after my stitch and am going slightly crazy lying down and not being able to do anything.

I wonder if anyone knows if my stitch would be classed as emergency or elective? They did give me other options and fit me in so quickly as they had a slot free.

How much should I be doing now? The consultant said to take it easy and avoid anything strenuous, no sex, and no baths. Just to listen to my body.... As I have an office job, then they are happy for me to go back to work, how did others manage this, any advice for me?

How often should they be checking me now? I have my anomaly scan next Thursday which I am worrying about anyway and I have an appointment with my consultant afterwards so need to go armed with all my questions.

To be honest, I am scared every time I stand up, and have spent most of the week panicking about how this might turn out I am feeling very down and not very positive.

If the stitch was going to trigger ptl would it have done it by now or is that wishful thinking?

Katy, I hope all goes well with your recuperation

 

[katyb1982]

Thanks guys. If all goes well am home tomorrow after steriods and progesterone
They are just keeping an eye on my blood pressure.. I have issies with it dipping very low- not a new thing have had it for years but needs to be stable for discharge!

 

[sunnylove]

I am worried about dilating with the stitch and it ripping kinda like sunny's did. I know if I see any blood I am going to the hospital or dr office immediately. But what if it is fast dilation for some reason. That is the main thing that worries me right now is the stitch tearing out.

I wouldn't worry too much about it! I think in most cases you will know beforehand if your stitch is tearing away. I slept through most of it but I think that is pretty rare, like Lizzy said. But the stitch tearing away does not mean you would need an immediate c-section or anything; my water never even broke. So rest assured!

 

[Twinkle 3]

Thankyou shanny and lizzie for your advice its nice to know that my cervix will still do all the "normal" things it should be doing in preparation to giving birth. I was afraid of it just staying long and closed then going over due.. Im hoping time flys until stitch removal I'm really pleased I have come this far though, well more of amazed lol

 

[Twinkle 3]

Hi to the new ladies

katie and holly Sorry you have had to find this thread, IC is such a scary thing but the stitch is amazing. I am 33weeks and had one placed at 14weeks, I never in a million years thought I would get this far. I suffered so badly with pressure, pains and I was too scared to even move until I reached 24weeks. Once I reached 24weeks I went back to normal every day activity and have sailed through, now I don't worry about pressure or pains as I know that my stitch is so strong and will hold the baby in. I have also been having constant painless contractions since 27weeks and I'm still powering through. Wishing you both lots of luck in your pregnancies.

Sunny so happy to hear your little boy is doing well and your recovering nicely

Katy after my stitch placement, I had bleeding cramping and just felt all achey especially in my back due to the spinal mainly. It will get better soon just take it easy and rest

Monroe, my Consultant just says to come in if there's any bleedin as that should be the first sign of your stitch tearing or also ay contractions incase they tear through other than that I'm sure you will be ok

Holly, the best advice would be listen to your body, if somthing gives you pains or pressure then rest until the pressure goes away, if the pressure reduces with rest then it is nothing to worry about. I was told you will still experience pressure but the stitch will keep your cervix closed. I didn't move at all after my stitch placement as I was too scaredto but now I realise I could have been more active and carried on normal life but I didn't want to risk it so,I did what felt right. I think if the stitch was going to cause ptl it would have done it already as that's what they monitor you for in hops after the placement. I don't know if your in the uk or not but in the uk they don't really monitor your cervix now you have a stitch placed as they say there's no need to. The thing I would be asking for is steroids when you reach 24weeks I also had the sonographers check for funneling at regular scans just to make sure my cervix was behaving. It's normal to feel down and scared but keep positive, I felt exactly like you did and I still can't believe I have made it this far.

How is every one else?

As for me yest I saw my midwife and was told my baby is 2-3/5ths engaged already. Is this somthing that's indicating preterm delivery? My midwife wouldn't answer that question?mi keep getting Braxton hicks now that cause pressure in my bum like the heads been pushed down and also last night I lost a tiny brown blob of somthing.. I havnt had any more since so don't know what to think of it

 

[geordiemammy]

They can engage early ds1 was engaged from 30 weeks ds2 from 32 ds3 was still not engaged when I was in labour and ds4 was engaged by 34 weeks so it doesn't always mean pre term labour x

 

[jadey_fae]

Holly, welcome! I cant believe u read through this whole thread lol. Rest assured now u have yiur stitch it should get u through.

Lizzie, thank u for your advice. As usual u always calm me!

Katy, how low is low? Mine is always terribly low. Normally around 80/50. No ones ever been concerned about mine. I guess it's normal for me. Hope u are recovering well

Monroe, I share ur fear of tearing through the stitch but it does seem uncommon. My mw told me to be in tune with my body and if something feels odd, different or strange then get checked incase it is the start of something.

Sunny, so glad Jessie is doing so well

 

[katyb1982]

Am home! Thanks for all your good wishes and positive vibes!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey Holly - technically your sttitch was an emergency procedure only because it was placed after some minor cervical changes. The reality is however that it was placed well before anything signficant had happened and as such puts you in a better position than usual after an emergency stitch.

I would rest as much as possible, no strenuous excercise/cleaning etc and minimal time on your feet, at least until you hit the late 20s. If surgery were going to trigger labour it would likely have done so by now, and tends only to happen in women with signficant funneling/dilation or shortening. By that point labour is a threat independent of the surgery anyway, and placing the stitch sometimes aggravates an already vulnerable cervix. You are not in that situation honey so try to take strength from that.

The next few weeks are going to be tough, at times awful but you will get through this and in the end it will be totallyworth it sweetie xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Twinkle, women can be fully engaged and not go into labour for weeks so being 2/5 doesn't mean anything hun. In the absence of any other symptoms you might go weeks more, with some mucusy, bloody loss it might mean your body and baby are gearing up for birth sooner rather than later. Lots of love xx

 

[katyb1982]

Jadey- It's normal about 90/50 but when I get paniced or have anything done to me it drops below that (but not too much!) I think the Midwifes on the ward were just panicing as it put me in the orange zone on their charts.

I have some questions that has probably been asked about a squillion times. Can you guys feel your stitch? I'm not in any pain or anything but I do have a distinct sense that it is there especially if I move in a certain way.

Also this morning the little tykes have been kicking it - They can't do any proper damage can they?

Finally- Has anyone been given cyclogest (progesterone suppositories) to take after their stitch? I have but I can't take them until 24 hours after I have stopped bleeding which I still am although it is very brown and tailing off!

Thats all I think- Chilling in bed while my husband cooks my lunch!

Oh one bonus thing. Went to MAU for my second lot of steriods this morning and they were sorting out the new scanners (I think!) so we got a free 3D scan- Think they were pleased there was someone was twins in clinic to practice on. Anyway we have some amazing pics!