Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[sunnylove]

Shelby, he is SUCH a wiggler! He has a field day with the nurses. They tuck his feet and arms in, and he immediately kicks them out! He always has a foot hanging out of his "pod"!

Jessika, your length is on the short side, but not diagnostic yet. I probably wouldn't wait 2 more months to have your next scan, though. Incompetent cervix is a problem up until 26 weeks with shortening, so I wouldn't wait until 28 weeks, just to be on the safe side. I'd say you're in a pretty good place though since you're not terribly short. But it needs monitoring.

 

[jesssika]

Shelby, he is SUCH a wiggler! He has a field day with the nurses. They tuck his feet and arms in, and he immediately kicks them out! He always has a foot hanging out of his "pod"!

Jessika, your length is on the short side, but not diagnostic yet. I probably wouldn't wait 2 more months to have your next scan, though. Incompetent cervix is a problem up until 26 weeks with shortening, so I wouldn't wait until 28 weeks, just to be on the safe side. I'd say you're in a pretty good place though since you're not terribly short. But it needs monitoring.

I don't really have a choice when I get the next scan I have to wait until the radiologist calls me, I'll ask them about making it 26 weeks instead. I do have another midwife appt at 24 weeks but its just standard antenatal.

 

[lizziedripping]

Woo hoo Twinkle, congratulations honey! Bubs is here safe and sound So pleased for you

Good luck for stitch removal tomorrow Shanny

 

[katyb1982]

I just had my follow up OB appointment after my 20 week scan last week, and he said my cervix was on the lower end of normal (it's 2.7cm) and they really start to worry at 2.5cm about cervical insufficiency, he told me he was slightly concerned and would be booking me another scan for when I'm 28 weeks to check up on the length.

Anyone had this? What does it mean for baby and I? From what I've read you ladies have had it so horribly,
Hope all your LO's are doing well

Hi, I would definitely push for another scan sooner. My cervix was 3.7cm at 13 weeks and was 2.6 at 20w (so similar to you) HOWEVER 3 weeks later it was dynamic and changing between about 1.4cm and 2.4cm. I was told that I had a 50% chance of delivering my twins in the next 2 weeks and had my stitch put in that evening! I'm 29 weeks now but I honestly believe that with no stitch they would be here by now. I'm not trying to scare you, I'm expecting twins which might be a contributing factor in how fast I shortened but If I was you I would try and get a follow up between about 22w and 24w.

Radiance- Good luck today. You don't need an epidural to have your stitch out but they do generally give you a spinal anaesthetic (which is similar) to have it put in. You do in the UK anyway, although I think that they can do it under general too.

Thanks for your advice on my social life guys. I toasted my friends with a half glass of Merlot last night and didn't have any BH all night so it might work!- Very rare for me and my irritated uterus full of twins! Only down side was that I couldn't dance and sat sedately eating the buffet. Don't think consultant would be too impressed if I busted my stitch throwing funky shapes on the dance floor!

 

[ShelbyLC]

Radiance - just realized I've given you a bit of bad information. They usually don't give any medication when taking the stitch out (as I said in my previous post) but they do when putting it in. Sorry I skipped that part!

 

[Radiance]

Radiance - just realized I've given you a bit of bad information. They usually don't give any medication when taking the stitch out (as I said in my previous post) but they do when putting it in. Sorry I skipped that part!

It's okay! Thank you for answering my question!

 

[Radiance]

Time to update, warning you it's long- sorry!

My beautiful baby is giving me some scares!! I had a gush of amniotic fluid so decided to go to the ER, they only took my blood (came back fine with some lows) and did an ultrasound that showed baby was low in some areas but it looked okay and was not concerning.

My issue is that there is a little swab test that takes about 15 minutes to test positive or negative, they didn't do it!! I know my water didn't completely break and that's all they were concerned about. SMH- I was there for 8 hours.

I got up and stood and walked for the first 10 minutes in those hours (waiting for my husband to get me), got home and my underwear was wet already. Wake up this morning (had put on new ones before bed) and they are completely wet. No smell or texture, it's very obvious to me that I am leaking- this isn't my first and I've dealt with this my others.

So, I'm happy baby is moving and doing good but I'm slightly upset about the ER. I do still have an appointment tomorrow with the specialist and it's an ultrasound, thank goodness!

Baby was almost head down but high in my tummy two weeks ago and is now completely head down and very low, half the ultrasound was on the top of my vaginal area so baby has moved very low. I will be resting more, I have been picking up my toddlers a lot the past two weeks.

One more thing!! I'm pretty sure baby is a girl!!! There was nothing in between the legs the entire ultrasound at any angle, the tech wouldn't tell me because of policy, you have to be at least 19 weeks at this hospital. I'm not going to call baby a girl until I know it's official.

 

[shanny]

Best Wishes Radiance.............

Stitch removal was pretty good they thought I was expecting a spinal!!! But last few have not had them so we tried the other way first ..nice doctor and mw and some loud tunes on my ipod and some/ a lot of gas and air...........a little bleeding but no pain afterwards...........monitored for an hour or so and then out...........just a little tired now..............only there for 3 hours but its an hours drive away so early night for me!!!

Just gotta stay put til after holiday.............back on 9th then its operation baby out.....

 

[sunnylove]

Have any of you ladies heard about microbial biofilm? It's also known as amniotic fluid sludge. (I've attached a picture.) It's a relatively new finding, so there's not a ton of information on it, but it's associated with intraamniotic infection. They discovered it with my baby at 20 weeks, right after I got my cerclage, so I think the two are related, because it wasn't there the day before I got my cerclage put in.

The doctor was never incredibly clear on what exactly it was, because it didn't mean that my waters were infected, necessarily. Just that it is a possible sign and I had to check my temperature everyday just in case. He did tell me he wasn't happy with the finding, however, because there is a higher risk of premature delivery with it. I also found a study that showed the risk of premature delivery was much higher with biofilm present.

After a couple weeks it seemed to clear up, at least they couldn't see much of it anymore. I didn't deliver due to infection or my water breaking, and neither the baby or I got an infection. But I was just wondering if any of you ladies had heard or it, or have had it?

 

[Radiance]

Have any of you ladies heard about microbial biofilm? It's also known as amniotic fluid sludge. (I've attached a picture.) It's a relatively new finding, so there's not a ton of information on it, but it's associated with intraamniotic infection. They discovered it with my baby at 20 weeks, right after I got my cerclage, so I think the two are related, because it wasn't there the day before I got my cerclage put in.

The doctor was never incredibly clear on what exactly it was, because it didn't mean that my waters were infected, necessarily. Just that it is a possible sign and I had to check my temperature everyday just in case. He did tell me he wasn't happy with the finding, however, because there is a higher risk of premature delivery with it. I also found a study that showed the risk of premature delivery was much higher with biofilm present.

After a couple weeks it seemed to clear up, at least they couldn't see much of it anymore. I didn't deliver due to infection or my water breaking, and neither the baby or I got an infection. But I was just wondering if any of you ladies had heard or it, or have had it?

My ultrasound picture is above- mine looks just like that! Please look at it-
I have a low grade temperature several times a week with some symptoms. Interesting, I will be looking this up!

 

[Swisswife]

I had sludge at my 28 weeks appt ( i have a
short cervix and no cerclage) but it seemed to go away in the next appts. I had two dr and they arent really sure what it represents and didnt want
me to focus on this particular aspect as its still a very vague factor( though googling didnt really reassure me)

 

[jessiemum]

Hi ladies,
Please could you offer me some advice? I have an awful pain which feels like a pushing or pressure pain in my bits. It feels more toward the anas, do you think this has anything to do with my stitch coming away? I've had these pains before but nothing quiet as bad. Any advice would be great as really starting to worry me x

 

[shanny]

I am sure others will have some ideas too but any thing else? bleeding discharge?

I was getting a lot of pressure a while back I think at about 30 weeks ish too and then it passed

Ring MW is the other thing I would say...............

 

[Craigswife]

Jessiemum ~ twinkle and jadey both have experienced loads of pressure. Is your stitch still in?
I would probably get it checked out if its new for you.

 

[sunnylove]

If it feels like your insides are pushing or "falling" out, you need to get checked. Otherwise pressure is pretty normal, don't get alarmed unless there's blood.

 

[jadey_fae]

I experienced a lot of pressure that eased off by week 27 - I think? If there is no blood or funky discharge I would try lying down as this always eased my pressure. If it still doesn't go, call your maternity unit and get checked.

Having my stitch out next Thursday! So excited. Very scared though. The doc said she offers no pain relief during :/
I don't think he will be long after removal as all this week I have had period like cramps and loads of increased discharge. I think my body is getting ready.
Had a growth scan today 34+5. He is very small 4lb 11oz - so he needs to put on another 1/2 lb before stitch removal!

 

[jessiemum]

Thanks for the advice ladies, I still have the stitch in & its coming out in 3 weeks time No discharge or blood just horrid pains. After sitting down for a bit it eased off but even now everytune I stand up it there again. It would be pelvic pain which I will ask the mw about as I'm off to see her tomorrow.
Sweet dreams everyone x

 

[shanny]

Jadey

get some music ready to listen to ......it really helped distract me..........funny how different places offer such different things...................where do you have to go for it? I went to labour and delivery where they thought I was in for a spinal!! If you find it really painful though I would have thought they would be obliged to give you something........Having said that my first removal was probably my easiest so maybe its just old age and too much previous fiddling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hope its easing jessiesmum

 

[jadey_fae]

Thanks, I am going to L+D also. My doc is convinced, it's only uncomfortable and no need for pain relief. I hope I can have something to calm me. Smears always really hurt me :/

 

[ShelbyLC]

Jadey, maybe take a dose or tylenol before the procedure? Kind of how babies get a dose of tylenol before vaccines to help nip things in the bud. I don't think you'll have any trouble though. Since I joined this thread, I have seen many ladies get stitches taken out, and they are always worried like you are and then they post after removal that they barely felt a thing.