Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[LoveSeel]

Hi ladies. I haven't been on here in months! My twins are now nearing 10 months old.

I just wanted to provide some comfort to you pregnant ladies.

My funneling, bulging membranes, and dilation was not until 24 weeks, so I was too far along for a cerclage. Even without it my babies held on until 34 weeks!

I was on hospital bedrest for 7 weeks and home bedrest for 2. It wasn't fun, but well worth it.

My little twins only spent 20 days in the NICU as feeders/growers.

I found a lot of comfort in the forums here during my pregnancy and NICU stay.

Prayers and warm wishes to you all!

 

[4 boys]

*** good to hear your all going good ***.

Nordiclass and loveseel -

 

[aussieoutback]

Currently 24 weeks, 4th baby. Lletz (CIN3) in July 2011, one healthy pregnancy since (baby born October 2012 induced by balloon catheter and broke waters). No issues, easy delivery. Bled for 6 weeks post partum, mirena inserted, bled for further 6 weeks until removal. No bleeding since January 2013. Breastfed until July 2013 and acidentally fell pregnant in August. Have had post coital bleeding since 13 weeks. Not every time but at least every second. Had ultrasound to check for placenta previa, placenta is in correct place. Went to dr to establish why I am still having this bleeding and they did a speculum exam and have said that the source is where I had the previous surgery and that there is something outside that should be inside. They didnt go into great detail. Told me to get myself to townsville as soon as I can to get checked out. Have made appointment for thursday 23 January 2013. It is 1000km away from me. The dr said something about my cervix deciding to open up and this made me check my previous scans and at 14 weeks my cervix measurement was 3.53cm and at 20 weeks it was 2.58cm. Should this shortening be of concern to me? What are the risks associated?

 

[4 boys]

Aussieoutback-- welcome and congratulations on this pregnancy.

From what your saying it does sound like incompitent cervix I suggest you read through this post your on now as it supported me through my pregnancy.

If it is then I think they will give you the cervical stitch and there's different ones but I'm not a expert so don't want to say something wrong
I know you have to travel a long distance but if you've been advised to go please do they might leave you as you are and go regular for scans check ups but at the same time they may decide to admit you for the stitch depending on length and what's there?

I hope everything is good, bleeding in pregnancy can cause you to worry and stress but it could mean something is wrong or it could just be nothing and how your body is..

Please keep us updated and hope all goes well at your appointment.

Please read this post from the beginning to end it's long but trust me the ladies/ mums on here are really nice and supportive the best they can.

 

[sunnylove]

Doctors are only concerned if the length gets below 2.5cm.

 

[BabyMaybe917]

This is my first pregnancy and hasn't been easy from day 1. If you want you can scan through my journal about details but basically at 9 weeks we lost a twin, possible due to SCH was off work for 2 months following that ordeal due to continued cramping and spotting. Dr sent me back to work and 3 weeks later I have new issues!

At 19w6d I started having contractions and was admitted to labor and delivery for monitoring. I was sent home after fluids given and started on Procardia to stop the contractions. Had a follow up 2 days ago with my OB and she found I had a short cervix. She sent me to a maternal/fetal specialist who on ultrasound found my cervix to be .7cm so I was admitted to the hospital again. Upon physical exam the dr said she thinks my cervix is more like 1.5cm. Either way... too short.

Initially the doctor thought she was going to do cerclage but realized with the contractions I'm not a candidate. Apparently it can irritate the uterus even more. I have funneling but I'm not dilated. So the plan for now is Procardia for contractions, Prometrium for short cervix, and bedrest.

Anyone have any experience to share? I could use some hope, I'm terrified. I should mention baby looks perfect. Absolutely no concerns with her very detailed sono.

 

[sunnylove]

First of all, so sorry you are going through this, maybe baby! It sucks. I know. At 19 weeks my cervix was .9 and it continued to get snorter. A cerclage does irritate the cervix. I never had contractions or braxton hicks until right after my surgery, but they did settle down after about 2 weeks and the 3 weeks leading up to my son's birth I never had contractions again. I would at least talk more extensively about getting a cerclage... since your contractions aren't dilating you, I'm not sure why you wouldn't be a candidate?

 

[BabyMaybe917]

First of all, so sorry you are going through this, maybe baby! It sucks. I know. At 19 weeks my cervix was .9 and it continued to get snorter. A cerclage does irritate the cervix. I never had contractions or braxton hicks until right after my surgery, but they did settle down after about 2 weeks and the 3 weeks leading up to my son's birth I never had contractions again. I would at least talk more extensively about getting a cerclage... since your contractions aren't dilating you, I'm not sure why you wouldn't be a candidate?

My doctor said it's because the cerclage irritates the uterus. She's afraid it will worsen the contractions I'm already experiencing. She feels that the meds and bedrest will be a better option. She also mentioned a pessary? apparently it's used in the UK but not so much over here. She was going to consult with the other specialists to see what they felt about me being a candidate.

 

[honeyprayer]

Your story sounds so similar to mine. I didn't lose a twin but I did have an sch that caused really scary bleeding from 7 weeks to 15 weeks. At 19w3d I had my anatomy scan and it was noted that I had a 1.5cm cervix. I too was referred to a MFM and it was decided that I get the cerclage. They said it was my decision to either get the stitch or go on bed rest with progesterone. I took the cerclage because I felt it would give me a better chance. Two days later, I had the stitch put in.

I'm now nearly 32 weeks and baby is almost 4lbs! I do take progesterone and am on modified bed rest but I really feel the cerclage is what has gotten me this far. I get my cervix checked and measured each week and it's been stable between 1.6-2.2cm. It's still short but I'm told that since it's stable, it's a great sign. I do have some funneling but not enough for the doctor to be concerned. As of now, my stitch is scheduled to come out at 36 weeks.

If I were you, I'd push to get the cerclage if possible. Good luck!!

 

[nat2]

Currently in hospital.... 34+4...woke up at half 1 with horrendous period pains and constant Braxton hicks.... They say in contracting and have just taken my stitch out!! Slightly uncomfortable, just a little worse than a smear. Have had a steroid shot. Cervix not dilating yet... Am in for the duration of the day i think as need another steroid shot in 12 hours... Will keep u all posted. Xx

 

[BabyMaybe917]

Nat2 wishing you the best of luck!

As for me the cerclage is not worth the risk. I'm still shy of 21 weeks. The last thing I want to do is have procedure that could cause more contractions.

 

[sunnylove]

The cerclage was the only thing that kept my baby in as long as he did. I wouldn't write it off just yet!

 

[nat2]

Mines out.... 5 contractions every 10 mins lastin around 30-40 seconds... Scared!!!!!

 

[baby_maybe]

Good luck nat, my second dd was born at 32+ weeks after having an emergency stitch put in at 24 weeks. She was 4lb2oz at birth and did really well with me having had the steroids. Also if you have a longer labour it helps to mature everything too, something to do with the hormones that are released.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you

 

[nat2]

Good luck nat, my second dd was born at 32+ weeks after having an emergency stitch put in at 24 weeks. She was 4lb2oz at birth and did really well with me having had the steroids. Also if you have a longer labour it helps to mature everything too, something to do with the hormones that are released.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you

thanks. Consultant thinks its just an irritable uterus as they aren't getting any stronger and I'm not dilating. If there's no change in few hours then will let me go home after second lot of steroids xx

 

[mills80]

Good luck nat, my second dd was born at 32+ weeks after having an emergency stitch put in at 24 weeks. She was 4lb2oz at birth and did really well with me having had the steroids. Also if you have a longer labour it helps to mature everything too, something to do with the hormones that are released.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you

thanks. Consultant thinks its just an irritable uterus as they aren't getting any stronger and I'm not dilating. If there's no change in few hours then will let me go home after second lot of steroids xx

Goodness me! Hope things stay stable and you r able to keep bub in for a little longer. Even so you r at a good gestation to hav him anyway..

How r u holding up? Also wondering abt the steroids? My doc said thy won't giv thm if i go into labour after 34 weeks.

Thinking of you..

Mills

 

[mills80]

Nat2 wishing you the best of luck!

As for me the cerclage is not worth the risk. I'm still shy of 21 weeks. The last thing I want to do is have procedure that could cause more contractions.

Hi,

Am sorry you r having a difficult preg. I would say tht ur doc knows best so follow her advice. You could ask for a second opinion tho to see if u r still eligible for cerclege. Have thy given u progesterone? It's a pressery thts inserted vaginally, its supposed to keep the uterus calm.

If nothg else keep doing strict bed rest, you hav a few more weeks till viability. Hope all stays calm nd no changes in cervix..

 

[nat2]

Good luck nat, my second dd was born at 32+ weeks after having an emergency stitch put in at 24 weeks. She was 4lb2oz at birth and did really well with me having had the steroids. Also if you have a longer labour it helps to mature everything too, something to do with the hormones that are released.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you

thanks. Consultant thinks its just an irritable uterus as they aren't getting any stronger and I'm not dilating. If there's no change in few hours then will let me go home after second lot of steroids xx

Goodness me! Hope things stay stable and you r able to keep bub in for a little longer. Even so you r at a good gestation to hav him anyway..

How r u holding up? Also wondering abt the steroids? My doc said thy won't giv thm if i go into labour after 34 weeks.

Thinking of you..

Mills

thanks mills. I'm ok. Just have a real bad headache as been at hospital since 2am and its now 12noon. Not had much sleep

still getting the odd tightening but not like it was. I just want my bed!!!! They say she is fine to come now at was 4lb 2oz estimated at 33 weeks so at nearly 35 she must be a bit more. They gave me steroids at 2am this morning in the bum;!! And it hurt like hell!!; another due in 2 hours. Not lookin forward to it!! hopefully ill go home today xx

 

[~Brandy~]

FX for you that all goes well Nat If you do deliver in the next few days your LO will be just fine! Thinking of you

 

[baby_maybe]

Aww glad things have calmed down a bit for you nat, hopefully you'll be able to go home later. I'm with you on the steroids, they hurt like a b***h but are so worth it!