Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[DSemcho]

No unfortunately - I was overseas with my ex husband in Turkey and the doc off base in Adana wouldn't do one because I was over 19 weeks.

 

[xMissxZoiex]

Have you spoken to your doctor?, I know my consultant would say you don't have an incompetent cervix because you were over due with out a cerclage just a short one. Good luck hunny!

 

[xMissxZoiex]

Ladies, I'm due to have my TAC placed on the 1st August but I'm now pregnant!

We are considering trying a TVCIC but so unsure!. I don't really know 100% which way to go. I gave birth to my twins through my shirodkar stitch due to placental abruption, I've been worried about possible damage higher up on my cervix. Urgh such a hard decision!!

 

[chistiana]

dsemcho I had ic with my 4th pg and she was born at 35 weeks despite a cerclage. my 6th pregnancy went all the way to 39+3 with a cerclage but my cervix was nice long and closed throughout. so I guess it can happen

misszoe why on earth donline i think I knew this? congratulations hun, I m not sure of the procedure you wrote but given your history they really need to be proactive I guess??? a very happy and healthy 9 months

 

[xMissxZoiex]

TVCIC is just slightly higher than Shirodkar if they can get it in, I think some doctors would just call it a high shirodkar. My doctor has offered to see how the top of my cervix looks and if he thinks its too damaged to carry to term with the TVCIC he will do a TAC there and then.

 

[chistiana]

ow OK that sounds reasonable. ..when is your appointment?

 

[xMissxZoiex]

I'm going to see my consultant on Wednesday and I think we will discuss it further then. I'm not quite as far along as I originally thought so I've had to wait another week for scan. x

 

[chistiana]

Wednesday is really close..just make sure you have all your questions ready and if you feel uncomfortable with your doctor suggestions don't back down

 

[xMissxZoiex]

I will, thank you luckily for me I have 2 doctors lol so if I don't get what I want with one I will with the other

 

[Babydaydreams]

Hi all

I have been researching around the issue of incompetent cervix for the past couple of weeks and only just found this forum which is amazing

I guess I am trying self diagnose what went wrong several months ago with my first proper pregnancy. My story is this - after an early miscarriage and subsequent MRI scan I was diagnosed with a didelphic (double) uterus, 2 cervices etc. So I have two separate uterus’s each connected to one ovary. When I was told these results the consultant said I am at slightly higher risk of second trimester loss but didn’t really elaborate much past that.

When I got pregnant again I was just excited to make it past the 12 week mark and although I was under the high risk consultant (I also have crohns disease which isn’t active) I didn’t see them till 19 weeks which I realise now is really late

Anyway she then says I need to have a cervix scan to measure the length of my cervix as this can be an indicator for preterm birth. After various phone calls back and forth I finally have a scan booked for just shy of 21 weeks. I dread it as I just have a bad feeling about the internal ultrasound, especially as the last time I had one done I miscarried the next day, but I tell myself i’m just being silly.

The cervix scan takes ages. The sonography struggles to see my cervix so goes to get the consultant who then takes another 2 attempts and also puts his fingers in to check where my cervix is because they just aren’t sure. So after having the ultrasound probe repeatedly stuck up inside me he finally comes up with a measurement of 19mm.

He says it’s short and that there’s a real risk of preterm labour and I have to take these progesterone suppositories but that a stitch isn’t useful in “women like me”. Then he dashes back to clinic and I numbly plod along to the pharmacy wondering what the hell just happened and feeling like utter crap.

I feel crap for the rest of the day and night with loads of pressure and just can’t get comfy in bed. I start to bleed a bit and make the decision to wake up hubby and go to the hospital. Well 20 minutes after arriving at the hospital whilst we are waiting to see the doctor, my waters just burst and gush out. It was such a shock and I half expected to look down and be covered in blood until it slowly dawned on me what had happened. Hubby ran off to get someone and then helped me undress. Still no sign of the doctor and by now I feel like I need to get to the toilet to do a poo (sorry tmi) and then after a big pain inside my son just seems to fall out of me. I didn’t push once and I didn’t even have what I would consider contractions.

The doctor rushes in shortly after and then big flurry of motion as people dashing in and out. I’m not even in L&D area so they have to run round the corner to get all the stuff and bring it back. They eventually pass me my son and he looks perfect and I a mother just in complete shock and shaking uncontrollably. My son Mason lives for 2 hours but because he is only 21 weeks they will not do anything for him. This is still hard as he was so strong and it feels like the only reason he died was because my body pushed him out. I didn’t. I wanted him to stay in to term but sadly my stupid body had other ideas.

Now I a more s

 

[Babydaydreams]

Sorry for the long post - even my iPad gave out.

Anyway I feel like I must have issues with incompetent cervix and feel totally failed by the consultant who sent me home the day before I gave birth too soon.

What do u ladies think?

 

[xMissxZoiex]

So sorry for the loss of your little boy , I've lost 3 baby boys to IC. It definitely sounds like you have IC!, I'm no expert but I think having a double uterus puts you at increased risk of having IC, they should have been monitoring your cervix bi-weekly so sorry you've had to go through this!. I am pretty sure a few ladies on a support group have had successful cerclages with a double uterus!.

Where are you located?, Are you on facebook?, Please private message me I can direct you to a lot of great groups that could be really beneficial for you!. There is hope that a TVC or a TAC could work for you to have your rainbow baby Xx

 

[Babydaydreams]

So sorry for the loss of your little boy , I've lost 3 baby boys to IC. It definitely sounds like you have IC!, I'm no expert but I think having a double uterus puts you at increased risk of having IC, they should have been monitoring your cervix bi-weekly so sorry you've had to go through this!. I am pretty sure a few ladies on a support group have had successful cerclages with a double uterus!.

Where are you located?, Are you on facebook?, Please private message me I can direct you to a lot of great groups that could be really beneficial for you!. There is hope that a TVC or a TAC could work for you to have your rainbow baby Xx

Hello MissxZoiex,

so sad to hear about your multiple losses so so unfair. If you don't mind me asking, did you get monitored more closely after your first loss? and did they offer you a preventative cerclage?

I am in the UK but not currently on Facebook - I have pm'd you for any other info you have.

Off to see the consultant tomorrow for post-mortem results and hopefully some kind of plan if we decide to TTC again - it's been a long 10 weeks waiting to speak to a doctor about all this but I know other people have had to wait even longer.

 

[chistiana]

Babydaydreams, I am so very sorry about the loss of your son. It's so sad to think nobody would so anything to help just because he was not past vday... Anyway, any MA increases the risk of IC and yes you should have been offered a preventative cerclage and biweekly monitoring. I ve had 3 angels and 3 rainbows. With 2 of my rainbow I had a preventative cerclage and even though dd1 went through the cerclage (so basically stitch failed) she did stay in long enough to be healthy. Even if they say a normal stitch won't do the trick because of the UD ask about a TAC.
So sorry again

 

[Babydaydreams]

Babydaydreams, I am so very sorry about the loss of your son. It's so sad to think nobody would so anything to help just because he was not past vday... Anyway, any MA increases the risk of IC and yes you should have been offered a preventative cerclage and biweekly monitoring. I ve had 3 angels and 3 rainbows. With 2 of my rainbow I had a preventative cerclage and even though dd1 went through the cerclage (so basically stitch failed) she did stay in long enough to be healthy. Even if they say a normal stitch won't do the trick because of the UD ask about a TAC.
So sorry again

Thank you for replying Christians, it is so helpful to hear about your experiences with a cerclage. At the appointment yesterday the consultant said they would offer me a preventative stitch, progesterone pessaries from 12 weeks and that might get me to 28/30 weeks. My main worry with having a strict is the infection risk and the speed with which I delivered last time. I know I would be better informed and probably head to the hospital at the first sign of problems but equally I only had 5 mins between waters breaking and baby appearing. That isn’t time to remove a stitch, and i’m not sure I want a lacerated cervix and even more surgery.

I get the impression from what the doctor said is that it another big factor is how far along I get and how much the uterus stretches each time. So a bit like a balloon that’s blown up and let down, each time it can stretch a bit more so there is more room for the baby and less pressure on the cervix. Again, I don’t exactly relish the idea that I might have several more losses before my body is able to carry a child to a decent term.

My gut feeling is that I would dilate through a stitch so i’m not sure it’s worth it. Has anyone on here been successful with progesterone pessaries and bed rest? The doctor seemed a bit cagey about bed rest but I plan to get signed off for weeks 18-28 in any future pregnancies. I have also said no more vaginal ultrasounds (which she agreed with) and I also said I would be very hesitant about having a growth scan at 20 weeks as it took so long and was very painful for the week after and then I gave birth. I think there is a link between my irritable uterus diagnosis and the fact I was subjected to an hour and a half of scanning leaving me tender and in pain. I feel the after effects of the that scan right up till I gave birth so I think it really set things in motion

 

[chistiana]

Babydaydreams with my 2nd I had what you are afraid of..basically as soon as I got the cerclage in my girl started to push down trying to get through the stitch..I remained on strict bed rest with legs and pelvis slightly raised for the whole duration of my pg after the stitch..only got up to go to the loo..the day I got up (my sons 2nd bday) the stitch gave way...not sure if that meant the stitch kept her in that long or the bed rest or even the combination but she stayed in long enough. If you do decide to do bed rest and progesterone then I d say get off your feet as early as 16 weeks and don't get up before 28
On another note with all that said my 3rd one wouldn't come out so not sure what my body learned

 

[Ask4joy]

Hi everyone - I’m a FTM and had my 20 week scan yesterday. Baby looks great but my cervix is a bit of a concern. It showed funneling when pressure was applied but still has 3.5cm tightly closed. My doc isn’t too concerned yet and I go back in 2 weeks for another check but I’m worried sick. Anyone else have funneling but a normal cervical length? Hoping it does not worsen.

 

[klabro]

Hi ask4joy-i was not in your exact situation but I do have an incompetent cervix and have been through a loss and a very high risk pregnancy. I know funneling is scary...however, 3.5 is a good length. Was the 3.5 with the funnel or before? Just make sure you are closely monitored through at least 28 weeks. If you don’t feel comfortable waiting 2 weeks then call and ask for a check after a week. I found the easiest way to get through a high risk pregnancy was to make sure that my voice was heard and that all of my worries were being addressed on my own time line. If I didn’t like what happened at my appointment then I called back and made sure they saw me again and addressed what I needed to know. Wishing you a healthy and happy remainder of the pregnancy. If you need anything please feel free to message me.

 

[Ask4joy]

Thank you kiabro! I am so sorry for your loss.

I called about some cramping yesterday and they did another cervical length ultrasound. My cervix measured 4cm and the funneling was gone, even with pressure. Such a relief! I get checked again next week as I have to go in for a fetal heart echo since I did IVF.

 

[Cinderella]

I have a genetic condition that means I’m at greater risk of PPROM. My sister actually lost a baby at 24wks due to this. I plan on asking for a cerclage as soon as possible, has anyone ever done this and come up with resistance from their doctor? How early can you have it? I don’t want to take any chances!