Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[nkbapbt]

Hi ladies!

As some of you may already know.. I had my baby girl! Marlow Rose born at 34.3 weeks after my water broke the DAY of my baby shower (right after going home!...I was throwing up, I felt a big gush and thought/hoped it was pee...but the swab for leaks showed it wasn't)..she weighed 5.6lbs and is 46cm long. I ended up having my stitch removed the night my water broke, and then my OB thought it best to induce me because of the risk of infection and because I was already laboring and 3cm dilated when the stitch was removed (which they had to knock me out for...boo).

I was induced the next day, it sucked. I went to 6cm without any pain meds (this was with induction)...then after only 5 hours of sleep in 4 nights...I had enough, it hurt. I knew I needed an epidural because they kept upping my oxytocin every 30 mins. It was great, but slowed every thing down of course...so the oxytocin was upped and upped...finally after what seemed like forever of pushing, and almost fainting because of the lack of sleep..they vacuumed her out. =( NOT what I was expecting nor wanting.

But she's here! And doing awesome! No breathing support, no IV, no anything really. She has had some bradys and faster breathing but nothing major. She is tolerating her feeds if they are breast milk, which I am not getting much of yet. They haven't let me hold her again, which sucks and makes NO sense!

Anyways...here she is!

https://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248219_10150202815866638_523391637_7458869_3103712_n.jpg

https://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/246797_10150202816516638_523391637_7458879_5880646_n.jpg

 

[Mommy's Angel]

She is BEAUTIFUL! So glad all is well!

Funny story...My mom and husband planned on the 34th week to be MY shower too. I kept saying they were cutting it close. I'm a bit nervous. Your story made me giggle a bit as it was my fear when they planned it for that week in Sept.

Congrats again!

 

[rensben]

Congratulations! She is beautiful and such a great weight. So happy she is doing so well. I am finally 30 weeks and still not on total bed rest. My cervix has been holding at 2.5cm for the last month with some funnelling above the stitch but with 2cm below the stitch and no dilation.My next scan is tomorrow and I have a feeling I have funnelled to the stitch which might mean total bed rest for me but we'll see. I'd obviously like to make it to term but if I make it as far as you did, I would still be really happy! congrats again!

 

[rensben]

Rensben hun, you ok? I do hope you're managing to hang on chick. Thoughts are with you xxx

Hi there,

Thanks for checking in. Am doing ok. I've had the period like pains on and off but I still haven't gone to get checked. I figured if I'm not having real contractions then I will just wait until my apt which is tomorrow morning. We'll see how it goes! Will let you know. Hope you and the kids are doing well!

 

[MikaylasMummy]

she is stunning!!and doing so well!a huge congratulations to you!xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Beautiful little baby NK - well done you !!!! Brilliant news.

Ren - thank goodness you're ok, was fretting about you since you rlast post Funneling to the stitch might not mean total bed rest hun, the stitch is there to stop it funneling further. My doc was ok with my funneling at 25wks, and wasn't worried at all that the stitch would fail me. I still remained sofa bound mainly because I felt so grim if I was upright I'd still take things easy, rest when you can and no lifting, but I doubt that funneling to the actual stitch will mean official bed rest for you. Congrats on making it to 30wks btw xxx

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Beautiful little baby NK - well done you !!!! Brilliant news.

Ren - thank goodness you're ok, was fretting about you since you rlast post Funneling to the stitch might not mean total bed rest hun, the stitch is there to stop it funneling further. My doc was ok with my funneling at 25wks, and wasn't worried at all that the stitch would fail me. I still remained sofa bound mainly because I felt so grim if I was upright I'd still take things easy, rest when you can and no lifting, but I doubt that funneling to the actual stitch will mean official bed rest for you. Congrats on making it to 30wks btw xxx

I needed to hear this today and glad you mentioned it. I was at 2.0cm with a closed cervix and slight funneling upon getting the stitch. It was fine two wks ago. Last wk I didn't have a scan and I have another one on friday. I've hit my milestone week this week at 22wks and it's almost over and 23 wks on sunday will start My concern is that she keeps kicking the HECK out of my bladder and last night it was REALLY hard and felt as though she was kicking out of my vagina, I started wondering if she'd just pop out when I pee'd. Probably sounds rediculous.

At any rate, she could be just fine up there, but she's so low I keep wondering if there was more funneling to the stitch itself. Reading your latest comment helps a bit but I was wondering if since I'm only at 22wks if they would put me on full bed rest if they were to find funneling to the stitch on Friday of if it would be like you said...moderated still. For the most part I don't leave this room unless it's to go pee. I have gone on rides with my husband a couple times where the seat is in lower position than normal just to get me out of the house at times. Other than that. I spend much of my time on either side with those pressure stockings on.

I'm going with the flow here. Seems as though I'll make it past 22wks. The funneling issue scares the heck out of me...but as you've said, that stitch is supposed to hold her in. NK's latest story has me a bit nervous as her water broke early. I know there are no guarantee's this early on and I'm PRAYING to get at least to 34 wks without any mishaps. Is the water breakage a common thing? I think that's what the 17P is for right? To stop anything having to do with preterm labor which is what NK went through.

Also, I'm pee'ing A LOT. Not in volume of course. But it seems I'm going more with less volume. Keep having the culture sent out and no UTI. Could this be the issue of her kicking my bladder ...maybe she's on it or something??

Never having been through any of this it's so odd because I never know what to be on alert for.


WTG Rensben for making it to 30wks. I pray you make it FAR beyond.

 

[nkbapbt]

MA - Im sorry my story made you nervous...I thought twice about posting about her birth here at all...since it's not a complete success story...but what happened with me isn't the "norm" with IC, I clearly have IC, PTL and PPROM issues...as it has happened with both of my kids now. I was sure it was just IC but when my water broke I knew it wasn't.

Please don't let my story scare you as I am sure LD will agree it's not something that typically happens...(even though yes I had funneling to the stitch).

 

[Mommy's Angel]

MA - Im sorry my story made you nervous...I thought twice about posting about her birth here at all...since it's not a complete success story...but what happened with me isn't the "norm" with IC, I clearly have IC, PTL and PPROM issues...as it has happened with both of my kids now. I was sure it was just IC but when my water broke I knew it wasn't.

Please don't let my story scare you as I am sure LD will agree it's not something that typically happens...(even though yes I had funneling to the stitch).

Oh no, I'm GLAD you shared the birth of that little blessing! She's at a great weight, though it wasn't the optimal outcome for you I'm sure...she's healthy and that's what matters.

I think we all know that many of us are on alert mode so it's typical that "anything" would make us wondering the "what ifs". I wouldn't mind going into labor if she was at the weight your little one is at. It's wondering right now with her kicking so low if those could possibly be risks for us if in fact we continue to funnel. We're almost at 24 wks so we'll see how everything goes at the scan. Hopefully it's just her positioning and she's JUST FINE!

Mind if I ask if you were on 17P injections for PTL?


I am sure glad you posted though. I would want to hear this anyways.

Never having been through any of this, I never know what to expect. I'd like to get WAY past viability week though. First goal is 24, then 28 and then 36. We'll see

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi MA - As NK said already, her pregnancies tend to be complicated by other issues such as preterm labour and PPROM. Preterm labour and PROM can come after dilation of a weak cervix, even with a stitch, but in hers and Renbens cases, preterm labour was likely a seperate issue once the threat of IC had actually passed. If the stitch holds past 26wks, there is every chance it will hold for the duration - if the only issue is IC.

Your kicking low down, and need to pee are very normal for this gestation and just mean that baby is kicking in all the "wrong" places - places which stress Mom out that is

As for bed rest, clinicians vary on their advice. Mine never told me to rest officially at any stage - only when she thought my cervix had dilated right thru the stitch (thankfully it hadn't). Some do advocate it even with mild funelling. I chose to because I wasn't taking any chances, particularly with it being twins. If your cervix hasn't changed, or if it's funneled, it's likely you'll be told to continue to take things easy, but not necessarily strict bed rest.

I always advise rest, atleast until 28wks. If after that point, nothing has changed much, and the stitch is still holding - even with funneling, then I'd say moderate movement is ok. In Rensben's case, I was trying to reassure her that funneling to the stitch doesn't necessarily mean resting more than she is already - funneling is funneling, whether it's to the stitch or not. A true IC is likely to funnel down to the stitch whether your rest or don't - that is the point of having the stitch placed. Resting is always beneficial, because putting less strain on an opening cervix, even with a stitch, makes total sense. Feel like I'm waffling now, so will shut up

Suffice it to say, the baby kicking will not affect the stitch, and the peeing is not a bad sign, only a sign that baby is getting bigger and your pelvic floor is feeling the strain (not stitch related). Good luck with the scan hun, and let me know how things are looking. Hope I've made sense tonight - quite tired, vomiting baby required hosing down at 2am this morning lol xxx

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi MA - As NK said already, her pregnancies tend to be complicated by other issues such as preterm labour and PPROM. Preterm labour and PROM can come after dilation of a weak cervix, even with a stitch, but in hers and Renbens cases, preterm labour was likely a seperate issue once the threat of IC had actually passed. If the stitch holds past 26wks, there is every chance it will hold for the duration - if the only issue is IC.

Your kicking low down, and need to pee are very normal for this gestation and just mean that baby is kicking in all the "wrong" places - places which stress Mom out that is

As for bed rest, clinicians vary on their advice. Mine never told me to rest officially at any stage - only when she thought my cervix had dilated right thru the stitch (thankfully it hadn't). Some do advocate it even with mild funelling. I chose to because I wasn't taking any chances, particularly with it being twins. If your cervix hasn't changed, or if it's funneled, it's likely you'll be told to continue to take things easy, but not necessarily strict bed rest.

I always advise rest, atleast until 28wks. If after that point, nothing has changed much, and the stitch is still holding - even with funneling, then I'd say moderate movement is ok. In Rensben's case, I was trying to reassure her that funneling to the stitch doesn't necessarily mean resting more than she is already - funneling is funneling, whether it's to the stitch or not. A true IC is likely to funnel down to the stitch whether your rest or don't - that is the point of having the stitch placed. Resting is always beneficial, because putting less strain on an opening cervix, even with a stitch, makes total sense. Feel like I'm waffling now, so will shut up

Suffice it to say, the baby kicking will not affect the stitch, and the peeing is not a bad sign, only a sign that baby is getting bigger and your pelvic floor is feeling the strain (not stitch related). Good luck with the scan hun, and let me know how things are looking. Hope I've made sense tonight - quite tired, vomiting baby required hosing down at 2am this morning lol xxx

You made perfect sense thanks.

With Jackson Jeffrey I told you the ordeal. I lost my mucus plug, had BV that went untreated and went to the hospital where they found me 3cm's dialated and an amniotic sac bulging. I'm guessing the cervix opened up and BV wreaked it's havoc as inflammation and infection can cause PPROM which I had which most likely must have caused the PTL?

I think with my circumstance, I am taking 17P injections to ward off labor while also having the stitch. That "may" work in combination. As we all know, there are no guarantees but the studies as Rensben shared in one of her comments...proves to have good outcomes.

My Dr. has also said shuffling around is okay. I have gone on the side of caution based on everyones outcome here and have mostly done bed rest with exception to weekly appointments and days like yesterday where I just needed to get out so I took a drive with hubby and layed the seat back. Was nice, but doesn't often happen and won't until like you said, I'm a whole lot further.

Good, so I'll be shooting for that 26/28wk. I'm almost past the 22nd week now. It has given me a bit more confidence. I think every week we pass after this will be a nice breath of fresh air.

Thanks on the bladder issue as well. I was freaking out a bit about that as I've been leaking a bit of acidic urine. I'm assuming because she's kicking me. It's only a teaspoon if that, but wasn't sure if it was normal or not. She's kicking pretty darn hard the past few days. Little bugger has me on edge that low. Good to know all is well and it's normal for the gestation she's at. NOW I'm looking forward to that appointment.

I'd like to see how the length and funneling are doing and also hoping the sonographer will look into the heart issue to rule out ventricular septal defect the pede cardiologist guessed at a few weeks ago without actually getting a clear picture. Praise God my Peri decided she's have the sonographer look into it more instead of making me wait until we see him again in July. I'd like to get closure and rule that out and move on.

I'll keep you posted on Friday

 

[meglet_nz]

Dear Mommy's Angel,

I'm so sorry for your loss and hope that everything goes well in this pregnancy. Lots of hugs and prayers to you all.

I was wondering if you might be able to help me, I've had some very strange mucus last week and panicked that it might be my mucus plug. How did you know that you'd lost yours? Far TMI, but what does it look like?

Thanks so much xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi meg - mucus plug looks like huge glob of snot - sorry!!! It's jelly-like with brown/red streaks of blood in it. You can actually loose a small amount of the plug, and it does regenerate itself. Good luck x

 

[meglet_nz]

Hi Lizziedripping,

thanks so much for this! I had something similar but without brown/red streaks but am only 15 weeks now so was quite confused. I've been to the doctor and my consultant who said it was more likely to be an infection and am now awaiting test results.

I really appreciate your response, thanks again xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

It's unilkely to be your plug at 15wks hun - there are many other reasons for discharge in pregnancy that are less sinister x

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Mine was a huge golf ball or larger size of mucus. I didn't have blood in mine but I don't usually get periods either on my own. My story is a bit different as I was 16wks when it happened and I believe my cervix started to open which was why I lost it. I won't go into anymore from there because our stories are MUCH more different and I wouldn't want to scare you.

Lizzie is correct though, women lose mucus and it usually comes right on back. Sounds like your medical staff are on the ball. Get that infection cleared up!

 

[meglet_nz]

Well test results are clear but I saw my mw today and she wasn't concerned as I've had no bleeding or anything out of the ordinary. Thanks so much for your replies and advice though, I really appreciate it as this pregnancy stuff is totally mind boggling!! xxxxxxxx

 

[HelenGee]

Hey all, just a quick one- we're in Wales and my phone is struggling with the Internet!
Nk- what a beautiful princess your lo is. Well done, you should be so proud. 34 weeks is fantastic , I remember thinking anything past 24 weeks would be a miracle. She's a good weight. I was born at 34 weeks and was just under 5 pounds, but apart from this ic (which my mum did not have as she carried another child to overdue) I have had no health problems!

MA- I will post more when I get home but please please please don't worry. Your stage and urine/kicking feelings are exactly the same as mine were. I think the issues are pelvic floor related and are no cause for concern at all, I promise. What you are saying echoes EXACTLY how I felt. At 29 weeks I had no funnelling whatsoever and my stitch held my cervix at 35mm. I don't think pelvic floor exercises are recommended with a stitch. I had urine test after test and they were all clear. My gp even gave me antibiotics at one point even when a dip test came back clear, she didn't want to wait for a culture. However, post birth I've realised that all of these feelings were pelvic floor related and no threat to your baby at all. Keep on resting x

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hey all, just a quick one- we're in Wales and my phone is struggling with the Internet!
Nk- what a beautiful princess your lo is. Well done, you should be so proud. 34 weeks is fantastic , I remember thinking anything past 24 weeks would be a miracle. She's a good weight. I was born at 34 weeks and was just under 5 pounds, but apart from this ic (which my mum did not have as she carried another child to overdue) I have had no health problems!

MA- I will post more when I get home but please please please don't worry. Your stage and urine/kicking feelings are exactly the same as mine were. I think the issues are pelvic floor related and are no cause for concern at all, I promise. What you are saying echoes EXACTLY how I felt. At 29 weeks I had no funnelling whatsoever and my stitch held my cervix at 35mm. I don't think pelvic floor exercises are recommended with a stitch. I had urine test after test and they were all clear. My gp even gave me antibiotics at one point even when a dip test came back clear, she didn't want to wait for a culture. However, post birth I've realised that all of these feelings were pelvic floor related and no threat to your baby at all. Keep on resting x

Thank you! I think you may have something there. I'm plus size. Not overly obese but still heavy. Anyways I have a "fluffy" pelvic area is what the nurse practitioner said at the Peri center. Kinda irritated me, but she's right. It looks like a swollen pelvic area. Not sure if that's a pcos thing where I gain water or fat in that area but it just looks UGLY! Not sure how I would get rid of it other than surgery which I'm not planning unless it will aid in keep the baby safe. Highly doubt it, so it's staying until we're finished conceiving.

At any rate, it wouldn't have bothered me so much if the nurses and interns hadn't mentioned it too at the hospital when I was there. The intern looked at my "fluffly" pelvic area and wondered if it was "normal". My husband mentioned it was FINE. I keep wondering if this is an issue that's correlating to the IC issues. Doesn't really seem strong enough to hold the belly.

Anyways, it's good to know you have the similar issues....I thank you and Lizzie for sharing the normalcy of it with me as I was pretty concerned with her last few kicks the other night. They were HARD. I just thought she was kicking out the stitches.

Now she's changed positions thank God! \o/ Now she seems to be kicking me closer to my back end. I'll take that over the bladder though. Haha

Good to see you posting!

Meg, so glad all came back clear!

 

[meglet_nz]

Thanks lovely, lots of love and hugs to you - glad LO's changed positions

xxxxxx