Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[nkbapbt]

Rensben, you said your cervix has shortened? Is this from the stitch down? Or the entire length?

Mine is still 1.38 - 2 cm from the stitch down...it's not shortening there at all. It's just funneling above the stitch.

I have to admit I am so friggin LOST when it comes to this matter....

I hope things stabilize for you. Do you have any help? Are you on bed rest? I am on strict bed rest, but my hubby works from home. It must be so tough without yours home!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi NK - At my 21wk scan with the twins, the consultant initially thought I had dilated right thru the stitch, and was very, very concerned - I could tell she didn''t think I would make it. Then she realised in the next moment that what she was seeing on scan was lots of "gunk" which gave the illusion of an open cervix, when in fact it was long and closed. At 25wks, it had funneled to the stitch, and she was in contrast, not the slightest bit concerned and was very confident things would hold for a long while to come. From that point on she completely relaxed, because I had only funneled to the stitch, and I had made it to the magical 25wks, when IC is less of an issue. Funneling to the stitch is ok, and does not put you at more risk for further dilation - the stitch is very much doing its job.

What I cannot vouch for however is the contractions that both you and Rensben (hi Ren) report. I haven't had an issue with preterm labour in pregnancy, mine is a mechanical, cervical problem which can be fixed with a stitch. Contracting is a seperate issue which can complicate matters, and which the stitch doesn't necessarily take care of - as Ren discovered in her last pregnancy. I knew however that carrying twins added to the risk of prematurity, because twin ladies often go into labour early for reasons other than IC. I feared that as a seperate issue all the way thru - I realised that the stitch couldn't stop that if it were to happen

So far, your contractions have not caused your cervix to dilate, nor is there any reason why they should now that you have reached this point. Similarly, tho Rensben is contracting, those contractions haven't yet caused her to go into full-blown labour, and it may be that she can continue like this for the duration It really depends on the resons for your contractions. There is much more to remaining pregnant than just keeping a cervix closed - tho if that is the main problem, your stitch will be more than taking care of it, and the fact that you are now 30wks with funneling is testament to that hun.

Ren, I do hope things settle for you hun. You had such a hard time in your last pregnancy that I had hoped things would run smoother for you this time Keep remembering that you did make 30wks last time after an emergency stitch, so this time there is every chance you can get there too, if not further. An elective stitch has the potential to do so much better. Get in touch if you need us xxx

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi ladies

Ren and NK, just wondering if you think your dealing with PTL issues, will they put you on 17P injections like me??

I'm in the opposite predicament. They REFUSE to deal with IC because they believe the issue with my last pregnancy was PTL ONLY. So I'm stuck with no stitch but I have the 17P injections which were started today. Just wondering if it's not too late to have the 17P injections. Usually the injections are given between wks 16 or 20 until wks 36 but I wonder if it could help where your both at? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask if PTL is an issue.

AFM: No gender at todays scan . I was slightly disappointed as the office only ordered cervical measurements BUT the kind sonographer blessed us with a peek of a little wiggler and a heart rate of 160. What a relief to make sure the baby is alright.

The scarey part of it all is that my cervical measurement went down YET AGAIN. I'm still in the "safe zone" but the fact that the length is going down from 39 to 37 now to 35 has me on alert. The Dr. said she kinda new I'd be on that when she came in and said if I'd like she'd monitor every week. I'd rather NOT go in if we don't have to at this "safe zone" to potentially cause more IC issues, but if I get down to 30 I may start to panic. That's when I'll be having appointments every week to FIGHT again for that stitch. I'm just PRAYING that my cervical length will stick to 35 for the remainder as I don't want an "I told you so moment" where I actually have to be stitched like I had suspected all along. I will be SO MAD because the best time to stitch is during wks 13 and 14 as you all know and they downright REFUSED to do a preventative on me.

At any rate, the nurse let Doug give me my 17P shot (because he's an RN) and gave him the rest of the doses for the rest of the month so he'll administer it at home. I've been told the shots are VERY painful but Doug has a method that cuts the sting so I had no pain! I do have intense nausia from the added progesterone though. My hope is that maybe the 17P shots will calm the cervix enough to keep the length where it's at.

Baby is doing well though. I get the feeling it's a girl but I won't know until the gender scan in two weeks if "he or she" cooperates.

Love and to you all Praying for all these babies to stay in our wombs until our due dates or close to them at least.

 

[LilRaskal]

Hi all,

I'm new to posting but have been reading the threads for months now. My story is long but here goes. With my first baby I went in to see the doc on a Friday cuz I just didn't feel right and was having stomach aches. During a us they saw I was funneled and contracting. This was at 27 weeks. I went to L&D immediately and stayed for a few days. They started Nifidipene and we went home after no change. I went in a couple more times over the next few weeks and had to go stay with my parents for two weeks in another town with a better NICU. Then I got to come home at 32 weeks and made it to 33 and 5 days. My daughter was born at 5 lbs 6 oz and we were in the hospital for 12 days. We knew we were really lucky as I contracted the whole time off and on. The bed rest was hard but I know its what bought us the five extra weeks we made it.

When we got pregnant this time we knew it could be complicated. We saw our specialist early and decided to do the 17p shots, bi-weekly cervical monitoring and frequent doc visits. We talked about a cerclage but he felt my issue was PTL not insufficient cervix. So at 18 weeks my cervical length was 3.42 and then at 20 weeks it was 1.9. I started crying just looking at the screen. I had felt something was off the week before but thought I was just getting sick. We met with our OB immy after the u/s and after she called our specialist it was decided that I needed an emergency cerclage. We went up to surgery and waited around for a few hours. Then my doc came in and said there was a scheduling issue in the operating room so we went home and came back at 11 am the next night. The cerclage was placed and I contracted lightly off and on that day and night. Now I was on full and complete bedrest on top of pelvic rest from 16 weeks on! I got to get up for my weekly u/s appt and to use the bathroom/shower. Every week we went in the cervical length shortened and by 25 weeks I was 1 cm and funneled to the stitch. We did fetal fibronectin tests and at 28 weeks it came back positive, so I was sent to stay with my parents in the town here our specialist is as well as the best NICU. A few trips to L&D for contractions, two rounds of steroids, and Nifidipene every 6 hours got us to last Wednesday. That afternoon/evening my contractions started to get regular and strong! I decided to have my dad take me to L&D and by the time I was admitted they were every 4 mins. I called my husband and told him to get in the car. It was 8 pm and he was on a good day 2.5 hours away. The on-call doc came in and after talking to me and watching me labor, decided to remove the cerclage as I felt like at any moment it was going to tear apart. The removal hurt extremely bad as I was contracting every 3 mins at that point. The nurses started my magnesium drip and gave me another dose of Nifidipene to try to stop or atleast slow labor down. My husband got there as the doc was heading out to sleep and told him to get ready for a really little baby. We were 31 weeks 3 or 4 days. I labored for hours and dilated to 4 cms, baby dropped to -2 station, and was completely effaced. The doc ordered Nubain for the pain and it made me so groggy I feel asleep with the contractions 1.5 mins apart. When I woke up an hour later the contractions had slowed to every tens mins and were much weaker. Then they slowed to two an hour and the doc came back in. The mag had stopped the labor somehow and so we sat and waited to see what would happen. It was now Thursday the 21st, my bday, and we were sure something would happen as that's "our day", our anniversary is on the 21, our daughters bday is the 21, and we met on the 21st. For some reason we made it thru the day and I was sent back to my parents on Friday. The following week I was 32 weeks (the age our hospital will keep preemie babies) so I went in and saw the on-call doc and was told baby dropped more, now -1 to 0 station but I was still dilated to 4 cms. So I got to go home after being gone for a month!!

Last night I started contracting like crazy again, every 5 mins, so I called my obs office and was told to come in if they got closer or stronger. I took an extra dose of Nifidipene and the contractions stayed at every 5 mins for hours and then slowed out again. Now I'm cramping horribly but don't want to go in unless its labor as they've sent me home before for similar episodes. I'm wondering if anyone has had anything similar after their cerclage was removed? I think I may have scar tissue from the cerclage? Will labor start again naturally after they stopped it? Our peanut is measuring big thank goodness but I'd like her to make it farther than our first daughter. I'm 33 weeks and my hospital doesn't stop labor at this point.

Thanks so much and I cant tell you how helpful it was to read other peoples stories while we were struggling.

 

[rensben]

hi again everyone,

first to answer NK: My cervix is measuring 25mm. The stitch is 15mm from the bottom of my cervix so that leaves me with 10mm above the stitch. I have funnelling and the os opening is 17mm. I lost 15mm in 3 weeks time as I was at 40mm when they checked me 3 weeks ago. I had lots of contractions in those 3 weeks. In fact they are tightenings or braxton hicks which are normally harmless but for me they open my cervix. I get them all the time whether I am lying down or active. I get them when the baby moves, when I have a full bladder, if I bend down etc.. i don't know what sent me into labour with my first pregnancy. They couldn't find a reason. Real contractions started and they they held off the birth for 2 days with strong drugs so I could get steroid shots. I have an appt next wednesday and if I have lost more cervical length I will get the shots over 2 days at the hospital. I really don't know what to think. Now that I am at 25 weeks IC isn't the main issue. It's the contractions which cause me to dilate and go into labour. I am getting some help from my mother in law who is wonderful and does what she can but my family is far away in Canada. As for the 17p shots. I have never heard of them and they have never been offered to me. I don't know if they give them in France. Wish me luck for Wednesday! Thanks for the encouraging words Lizzie...hope you are well!

 

[rensben]

Hi all,

I'm new to posting but have been reading the threads for months now. My story is long but here goes. With my first baby I went in to see the doc on a Friday cuz I just didn't feel right and was having stomach aches. During a us they saw I was funneled and contracting. This was at 27 weeks. I went to L&D immediately and stayed for a few days. They started Nifidipene and we went home after no change. I went in a couple more times over the next few weeks and had to go stay with my parents for two weeks in another town with a better NICU. Then I got to come home at 32 weeks and made it to 33 and 5 days. My daughter was born at 5 lbs 6 oz and we were in the hospital for 12 days. We knew we were really lucky as I contracted the whole time off and on. The bed rest was hard but I know its what bought us the five extra weeks we made it.

When we got pregnant this time we knew it could be complicated. We saw our specialist early and decided to do the 17p shots, bi-weekly cervical monitoring and frequent doc visits. We talked about a cerclage but he felt my issue was PTL not insufficient cervix. So at 18 weeks my cervical length was 3.42 and then at 20 weeks it was 1.9. I started crying just looking at the screen. I had felt something was off the week before but thought I was just getting sick. We met with our OB immy after the u/s and after she called our specialist it was decided that I needed an emergency cerclage. We went up to surgery and waited around for a few hours. Then my doc came in and said there was a scheduling issue in the operating room so we went home and came back at 11 am the next night. The cerclage was placed and I contracted lightly off and on that day and night. Now I was on full and complete bedrest on top of pelvic rest from 16 weeks on! I got to get up for my weekly u/s appt and to use the bathroom/shower. Every week we went in the cervical length shortened and by 25 weeks I was 1 cm and funneled to the stitch. We did fetal fibronectin tests and at 28 weeks it came back positive, so I was sent to stay with my parents in the town here our specialist is as well as the best NICU. A few trips to L&D for contractions, two rounds of steroids, and Nifidipene every 6 hours got us to last Wednesday. That afternoon/evening my contractions started to get regular and strong! I decided to have my dad take me to L&D and by the time I was admitted they were every 4 mins. I called my husband and told him to get in the car. It was 8 pm and he was on a good day 2.5 hours away. The on-call doc came in and after talking to me and watching me labor, decided to remove the cerclage as I felt like at any moment it was going to tear apart. The removal hurt extremely bad as I was contracting every 3 mins at that point. The nurses started my magnesium drip and gave me another dose of Nifidipene to try to stop or atleast slow labor down. My husband got there as the doc was heading out to sleep and told him to get ready for a really little baby. We were 31 weeks 3 or 4 days. I labored for hours and dilated to 4 cms, baby dropped to -2 station, and was completely effaced. The doc ordered Nubain for the pain and it made me so groggy I feel asleep with the contractions 1.5 mins apart. When I woke up an hour later the contractions had slowed to every tens mins and were much weaker. Then they slowed to two an hour and the doc came back in. The mag had stopped the labor somehow and so we sat and waited to see what would happen. It was now Thursday the 21st, my bday, and we were sure something would happen as that's "our day", our anniversary is on the 21, our daughters bday is the 21, and we met on the 21st. For some reason we made it thru the day and I was sent back to my parents on Friday. The following week I was 32 weeks (the age our hospital will keep preemie babies) so I went in and saw the on-call doc and was told baby dropped more, now -1 to 0 station but I was still dilated to 4 cms. So I got to go home after being gone for a month!!

Last night I started contracting like crazy again, every 5 mins, so I called my obs office and was told to come in if they got closer or stronger. I took an extra dose of Nifidipene and the contractions stayed at every 5 mins for hours and then slowed out again. Now I'm cramping horribly but don't want to go in unless its labor as they've sent me home before for similar episodes. I'm wondering if anyone has had anything similar after their cerclage was removed? I think I may have scar tissue from the cerclage? Will labor start again naturally after they stopped it? Our peanut is measuring big thank goodness but I'd like her to make it farther than our first daughter. I'm 33 weeks and my hospital doesn't stop labor at this point.

Thanks so much and I cant tell you how helpful it was to read other peoples stories while we were struggling.

hi there,

Wow, you've really had a stressful last few months! First let me say that the fact that you have made it to 33 weeks is great. My son was born at 30 weeks and did really well.An extra 3 weeks would have been even better. It's always stressful to have a preemie no matter what the term but you can be confident that your little one has an excellent chance of doing just fine.

I have to say that I am surprised that they let you go home at 4cm dilated. After I had my stitch taken out, my son came 2 hours later. If you are contracting a lot I would say get yourself back to the hospital pronto. You can never be too careful and it's better to be sent home than to wait too long. Best of luck to you my dear. Please keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Sherri81]

Hi ladies, sorry for not checking in more. I do read all the time though.

Still in White Rock. My cervix is no longer considered dynamic, and was tightly closed and 2.6 cms long last Wednesday. I am having no contractions, and no change in discharge. Basically no signs that this baby is coming soon.

So now I am wondering if this shows a clear cut case of IC... I didn't get contractions with Greg until after I was dilated to bout 2cms. Then I had contractions and had him.

This time around I'm not even getting BH.

So I'm kind of in this crappy waiting game. At my MILs. Don't feel like I need to be here anymore. Want to go home, but they won't let me go yet...

They said it depends on what the cardiologist says on May 9. I have moved up a bit with bedrest. I'm still not allowed to do housework or lift heavy items etc... But I am allowed out, occassionally, for a 20 minute trip to Starbucks or Walmart etc.

I was out for an hour yesterday, walking around and everything, and I had no issues whatsoever.

So here's what it comes down to with me... If the cardiologist is unhappy with my heart rythems, I must stay down here and deliver at St Pauls hospital. If they decide I am okay to deliver elsewhere, then I will probably deliver at BC Womens. If I make it to 31/32 weeks and the baby still shows no sign of coming, I may be able to travel back home, and I can deliver in PG, which is an hour North of me.

But here's the problem, unless they can 'beam' this baby out, none of the convention birthing methods really work for me. The problem with vaginal is the width of my pelvis. It is extremely narrow and has bony spurs that are growing in and making the birthing canal narrower. This is why they had a hard time doing the Sharodkur. If the baby gets much bigger, then vaginal is more than likely out.

C-Section under spinal. No go because of Aspirin and Fragmin injections. I refuse to just stop them cold turkey, and the Aspirin must be stopped 7-10 days before a spinal, in order to be safe. As for the Fragmin, they'd have to switch me to 12 hour Heparin and make sure it was cleared from my system before doing a spinal. I refuse to be taken off Aspirin unless they agree to monitor him 24/7 in the hospital. It seems silly to get this far then come off of them and find out that blood started clotting again in the placenta, and then sorry, there was nothing they could do. Problem 2 with a C-Section and epidural, if I go into labour before all of this weaning and switching of meds, then there is no way I can do the epidural.

C-Section with general. Apparently this isn't an option for me due to the fact that my airway closed spontaneously and tightly during the cerclage. The Drs hve been skirting around this C-Section debate with me for a while now, and I finally called my OB in Williams Lake, whose husbad was actually down here and administered the anesthetic during the cerclage. He said it was an unfavourable response, and it happened quickly. They had a tough time intubating, and it is believed that with more blood volume, a heavier chest, and more heart issues, this airway closure would happen worse this time around. Apparently the 4 anesthetists, (2 teachers and 2 trainees) have all said they won't do general on me again.

Sooooo... how on earth is this baby getting out??

That is the question to answer now. I see the cardiologists on May 9, and my next MFM appt is either May 11 or 12th, depending on whether I go to Surrey Memorial or BC Womens.

I have a wisked bad case of heartburn. Was on the maximum dosage of Ranitadine and it worked for maybe 2 hours out of the day and then the other 10 hours I just had to deal. They switched me to a Proton Pump Inhibitor today and it isn't working at all either, and now I can't even take a Ranitdine to get 2 hours relief. So needless to say, I am an unhappy girl right now. I am dealing with esophageal burns most of the time now.

So that's whats happening here.

Sorry I really don't have any answers or suggestions for anyone... For those suffering from constant contractions, if your not on a Progesterone supplement of some sort, I would reccomend looking into it. I still take my suppositories 2x/day and I am doing good. And my cervix is onlyt .8cms long above the stitch, and like 1.8 or so, below the stitch. Doesn't sound good to me, but it seems to be doing its job...

 

[mich1365]

Keeping up with the posts, but I guess I have nothing useful to contribute since most have already read all the old posts here. Just hope my experience gives some hope, as I am sure do all of the stories with pos outcomes here. Im so sorry you all have to go through this. Adrian is now 4 months and I can honestly say I think about how lucky I am a minimum of 20x a day, and how I can not imagine life without him now, and how hard those months were and how harrowing the doctor visits, and how I would endure it all again to have him here, on and on. This experience changes you forever and is always there, that is for sure.

 

[Susanah]

I agree completely and feel the same. filled up reading your post! Charlie Jane is 2 months old tomorrow and really cannot believe how happy we are to have her here safe. Really hope that what we have been through can help others. The pregnancies have been the most stressful experience of my life - but SO SO SO worth it! x

 

[rensben]

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is doing ok. Just wanted to give an update on my situation. I'm being scanned on a weekly basis and my cervix has remained stable at 2.5 for the last two weeks. This is due to the fact that I am staying off my lot more and my mother in law is taking care of my so. She picks him up in the morning and brings him back in the evening. I see him at lunch time because my MIL comes and makes me lunch. I miss him very much and it kills me that I can't take care of him like I so badly want to. It has made a huge difference though and the fact that my cervix length is stable is proof of that. I'm not on complete bed rest yet. If my cervix gets under 20mm I will have to be. My first goal is to get to 30 weeks (when my son was born) That will give me some peace of mind as I know she would be ok. Anything after that is really a bonus. Take good care ladies!

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Glad things are staying put! You only have a few shot weeks until you get to 30wks. I'm looking forward to that victorious milestone and then some!

 

[Sherri81]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing.

I have just come back home after being down in the Vancouver area for 5 weeks. It was a ridiculous stay. I got nowhere!

Lets see, cardiac wise, I still have issues, but there is nothing more they can do for me there until after the baby is born. St Pauls Hospital has decided for delivery I am a low to moderate risk, so I can deliver in any hospital, as long as they are made aware of my issues. Lets see, as it stands, I haver leaky valves, and I do have a hole in my heart. Its very hard for them to see the views they need since the baby is in the way no matter which angle they do. They wanted to do something called a 'bubble test,' which I've never heard of. I'm so glad at this point for my sucky IV veins. Everyone I asked about this bubble test said it was okay for the baby, so I did the whole set up etc. I was led to believe all they would do was start and IV and inject a dyed saline into my veins to see if the dye came through to the left side of my heart before the pump had fully pumped. This would show the exact place and dimensions of the hole. Okay, sounds safe enough. So I'm waiting for the IV team which took 45 minutes, trying to google this on my blackberry the whole time. So she finally gets there, tries to start me 2x and it doesn't work out. So I question, while she is paging another IV tech, why the need for the IV if its just dyed saline, which was when she said its actually agitated saline, so they wanted to inject hundreds of tiny air bubbles into my blood stream to see if the bubbles come through. Well, aren't air bubbles in a vein a bad thing? So I questioned this and she said they were smaller than the ones that would have caused me problems. But then I asked her about the baby's veins, as his are tiny compared to mine, meaning these would be the big, lethal air bubbles to him. She said I'd have to talk to someone else about this, and left. So the Echo tech came back in and I said I was uncomfortable with this test, so she said she'd go back and talk to the Obstetric Cardiologist. Well she comes running in like 3 minutes later saying the test has been cancelled because it is unsafe in pregnancy! WTF?!?! Turns out the Echo Tech upstairs was the one who called for this because her views of the heart were so obstructed. Its normal practice to do it normally, but not on a pregnant woman, and she never checked into it, just scheduled it!

So thankful for my crappy veins there, cuz it gave me time to question things.

So I still have an arrythmia despite the heart meds. They are still keeping me on them until after the baby has been born at least, when I will go back down for an MRI of my heart, the bubble test and some more tests to see if the arrythmia clears up when my blood volume goes down.

As for the baby, well he is 3 and a half pounds now. My cervix is still sort of dynamic and has funnelled a bit, but the stitch is still holding. I asked if this is normal now that the baby is bigger and they didn't really say either way. But I expressed how unhappy I was being at the MIL's house, and I explained the situation to them about how she wasn't really co-operating with having me there. So they all agreed it would be better to move me up north at this point as the lack of nutrition and the stress would cause more problems for me if I stayed down there.

I am 1 hour away from PG, and they take babies at 31 weeks, so I am 3.5 days shy of their cut off. As long as I take it easy, I think I should get there.

Lets see, because of the lack of nutrition at his mom's house for the past 5 weeks, I have developed gestational diabetes. My reading is just over acceptable levels, which they said is completely explained by the lack of protein and calcium and the meals that consist of pretty much just noodles only, served whenever she feels, whether its 7PM or 9:30PM.

They just said watch how much sugar I consume, eat more protein, and eat more frequently and at 'regular' intervals. That was the only help I got from them diet wise. They will re test my levels after I've been home for a week or so to see if that made the difference.

I also either have a bad allergy to something down in the Vancouver area, or I have Obstetric Cholestasis. I developed a terrible itch on my arms, hands and legs. I've scratched so bad that I now have little weals of blood all over my arms and hands. They can't decide what it is, so they are running the liver test just to be on the safe side. In the meantime I was given over the counter hydrocortisone cream to help out.

He is moving good, so things seem to be good thank God! Hopefully they carry on like this for a few more weeks. My OB in Williams Lake will take over my care at 35 weeks, when her hospital can deliver, and she has said we will do an elective c-section at 36-36.5 weeks, with a planned stopping of the aspirin and eventually heparin, starting at 35 weeks or so. So I will probably be in hospital for a week or so before they stop the blood thinners, just to monitor the baby and make sure he is okay with that. Obviously if I go into labour sooner, they will be forced to do a c-section under general cuz of the thinners.

But at least there is a bit of a plan right now. I'm feeling a bit better.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Sherri, were you given a monitor to test your blood sugar levels? How high were you? THIS I can help with as I'm type II diabetic and I'm on an insulin pump.

Peanut butter, hummus, and all meats are healthy with every meal for you. Eggs in the morning with turkey bacon (or regular, but I'm assuming with your heart issues it may not be good for regular bacon).

Grab some protein shakes and some protein bars...keep away from the soy protein though. Whey is better while pregnant because soy mimics estrogen.

Cut out ANY white pasta, White rice, White bread, cookies, cakes and sugar things. Substitue with whole grain pastas, brown rice, 12 grain breads and if you NEED a cookie, grab Kashi whole grain cookies. Beans and brown rice equal in portion size also equal a WHOLE protein together. Greek yogurt is awesome and has excellent benefits as well. Green veggies are low on the glycemic index as are all the berries in the family. They are slower to process sugar so are good for you. Be careful of bananas and other fruits other than apples and berries because the rest have natural sugars that will quickly raise your sugars.

All in all, portion control and try to eat several small meals a day to keep your sugar levels even throughout the day or night.

Mine are out of whack because it gets crazy in the second trimester. Since 17P injections mimic morning sickness, I still have aversions to meat and am not getting enough protein in so I'm going to supplement with protein shakes and bars while letting the Dr. know tomorrow that I don't feel like I'm getting enough protein in my diet these days.

Glad your home again, try to get the best meals possible and I'm glad everything is going well thus far. Praise GOD for stopping that test too. I would write a letter and send it to the CEO of the hospital letting them know of that neglegence that could have caused a horrific outcome had you not questioned it. That issue needs to be dealt with!

I'm looking forward to hearing a VICTORY story from you. Only a few short months till the baby is to term. What a blessing! Your almost there.

 

[Sherri81]

My GD levels were literally just over the cut off. So they performed a 2 hour fasting glucose challenge test on me, even though I understand the norm is a 1 hour test. They said it was easier to just get this one out of the way. So I fasted for 12 hours, had blood done, did the glucose drink, 1 hour later blood test, and another hour later, final blood test.

My first blood test was like 5.4 or 5.5, and it should have been lower than 5.1.

My second was like 7.8, and it should have been lower than 8.

My third result was like 7, and it should have been below 10.

So as you can see, it was only 1 result was was slightly high. And when I say slightly, I mean slightly.

It used to be that you needed 2 bad results to be classified as GD, but now you just need one. So I had one, and it wasn't even that bad. Every Dr consulted so far has agreed that it was a result of the diet I was on down there. So for diet counselling, they told me to just resume my 'normal' diet, which was varied with lots of fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and some carbs, but usually whole grain ones. No more of her white bread and noodles for me!

As for the Obstetric Cholestatsis test, it was negative. So this rash/hives is from something else. So far Benadryll cream, Hydrocortisone cream, and calamine lotion have done nothing, and same for the first Benadryll tab I took last night. No relief whatsoever. Seeing my GP today to see if she has any ideas... Did cut out my new heartburn pill as I only started it 11 days ago, and the itching started 2-3 days later. That was really the only new thing that was added to me. So we will see if that helps. If it were a pollen I was allergic to, I should have had relief by now as I have been away from that pollen for almost 48 hours.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi Ladies!

Came back from our scan and Dr. appointment. Good news is baby is doing well! The head measurements were good, and all the other organs and such were on target. We're scheduled for an echocardiogram for the baby which is a common thing to do with babies of Diabetic mommies but as far as she could tell the baby's heart was doing fine. They just couldn't see all of it because of the way the baby was positioned.

My cervical length went down YET again to 32 with slight funneling this time which ISN'T a good sign. I almost landed in the hospital today to keep an eye on it, but the Dr. said "A normal closed cervical length is a good indicator of a normal positive outcome." Meaning it's at 32 right now and it won't be ABNORMAL until it gets to 25 before they'll actually follow through with a cerclage stitch.

Lizzie, what can you tell me about funneling? Exactly what IS funneling?! I hear it from you all and I KNOW it's not a good thing, but I don't know exactly what it IS and I'm assuming the meaning is the baby is going down. Can you shed some light on this with me please??

So I'm going in WEEKLY now for internal scans of the cervical length to watch but I'm NOT HAPPY! In fact, if I lose this baby because of them, I'm out for blood! I already lost one under their practice and the Dr. I actually like is under her peers who are the ones that dictate the time of cerclaging, are the heads of the department that actually TEACH cerclage procedures and they refuse to do preventative unless they see an actual problem.

I DID find out the gender though. This is all so bitter-sweet for me. I want to shout it to the world what we're having and yet...I'm afriad of losing this one now too. It's just a waiting game and while I have more intervention than I had with our son Jackson jeffrey, The Dr.'s in this state take a conservative approach to stitching the cervix because they're aren't sure what causes what...if Incompetant cervix causes Preterm Labor or vise versa. They'd rather take the more conservative and less invasive approach.

So on with the gender:

Spoiler

I hope the pic isn't too big as I'm still having issues with photobucket re-sizing.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v628/Hisirishgem/IMG_0092.jpg

It's a Here name will be Amelia Carolynn. Will you all keep us in your thoughts and prayers that Amelia will be born healthy at her due date either the last week of Sept. or 1st week of October?! We can use all the prayer we can get.

 

[HelenGee]

Hi all,
Sorry but I've been reading and running for a little while now, been meaning to post but just haven't had chance. It breaks my heart for you all to have to go through this stress, but like Michelle and Susanah have said, it is so worth it. The endless months of rest are so so hard, but you have to keep remembering that this is best for baby, even if the ic complication wasn't there, it has to be better to take it steady than to keep up the usual frantic pace.

Rensben - I'm glad you've got some help, don't worry about your little boy. I was in a similar position with my toddler and we're all doing great now. He loves Bella and dotes on her. It is so difficult, but it's just for a short time. As for shirodkhar removal and labour - my shrirodkar was removed at 35ish weeks (very early i thought, i never questioned why) and i went into labour at 38w3 (4 days short of my planned section date). Keep those feet up xx

Sherri - you are doing so wonderfully, thank god you had the sense to question those tests. I couldn't believe your section/labour dilemma when i read it, i really hope the heart issues stabilise for you. Little one sounds like he's doing great. Glad you're home too, some in laws are just precious aren't they??!!

MommyA - this pregnancy really is putting you through the wringer, but take heart from the fact that you are being closely monitored. You are doing all you can humanly do to protect this baby and you should be so proud of that. It's so difficult to bond with unborn babies when faced with this predicament for fear of losing them, it wasn't until i was well past 30 weeks that i felt slightly more comfortable preparing for her arrival. I now feel guilty that i didn't have all the excitement for Bella during the pregnancy, but I know that resting kept her safe and made her a real chunk. In that respect, I gave her every fibre of my being and that was what was needed at the time. I've got everything crossed for you.

Lilraskal - you're through the terrible 20's so you have an excellent chance of all being fine. What a rollercoaster for you though

nkbapt - how are you doing? Hope all is calm and there are no more contraction xx

We're doing fine, Bella is 4 months old and is really doing great. I wanted to as Lizzie about how she got on with the split abdomen issue. I have had this since my first baby and my gp refused to refer me as she said the nhs won't do anything about it. However, i wondered if this could contribute to ic as my abdominal muscles just hang. I also have a prolapse with my bladder herniating into my ladybits following the labour with Bella. I think i may have had this before this pregnancy, but i still feel like my insides are falling out. i've been told to rest where have i heard that before Somehow, that is NOT going to happen, but I am taking it steady. Does anyone know of anything to do with prolapse? I'm finding it really hard to find any info apart from the dreaded hysterectomy option

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi all,
Sorry but I've been reading and running for a little while now, been meaning to post but just haven't had chance. It breaks my heart for you all to have to go through this stress, but like Michelle and Susanah have said, it is so worth it. The endless months of rest are so so hard, but you have to keep remembering that this is best for baby, even if the ic complication wasn't there, it has to be better to take it steady than to keep up the usual frantic pace.

Rensben - I'm glad you've got some help, don't worry about your little boy. I was in a similar position with my toddler and we're all doing great now. He loves Bella and dotes on her. It is so difficult, but it's just for a short time. As for shirodkhar removal and labour - my shrirodkar was removed at 35ish weeks (very early i thought, i never questioned why) and i went into labour at 38w3 (4 days short of my planned section date). Keep those feet up xx

Sherri - you are doing so wonderfully, thank god you had the sense to question those tests. I couldn't believe your section/labour dilemma when i read it, i really hope the heart issues stabilise for you. Little one sounds like he's doing great. Glad you're home too, some in laws are just precious aren't they??!!

MommyA - this pregnancy really is putting you through the wringer, but take heart from the fact that you are being closely monitored. You are doing all you can humanly do to protect this baby and you should be so proud of that. It's so difficult to bond with unborn babies when faced with this predicament for fear of losing them, it wasn't until i was well past 30 weeks that i felt slightly more comfortable preparing for her arrival. I now feel guilty that i didn't have all the excitement for Bella during the pregnancy, but I know that resting kept her safe and made her a real chunk. In that respect, I gave her every fibre of my being and that was what was needed at the time. I've got everything crossed for you.

Lilraskal - you're through the terrible 20's so you have an excellent chance of all being fine. What a rollercoaster for you though

nkbapt - how are you doing? Hope all is calm and there are no more contraction xx

We're doing fine, Bella is 4 months old and is really doing great. I wanted to as Lizzie about how she got on with the split abdomen issue. I have had this since my first baby and my gp refused to refer me as she said the nhs won't do anything about it. However, i wondered if this could contribute to ic as my abdominal muscles just hang. I also have a prolapse with my bladder herniating into my ladybits following the labour with Bella. I think i may have had this before this pregnancy, but i still feel like my insides are falling out. i've been told to rest where have i heard that before Somehow, that is NOT going to happen, but I am taking it steady. Does anyone know of anything to do with prolapse? I'm finding it really hard to find any info apart from the dreaded hysterectomy option

Thank you Helen, I REALLY needed to hear your words. Aside from my husband and our church we don't really have emotional support. In fact, my parents called to tell me that the landscaping guy we hired to mow their lawn so Doug and I wouldn't have to while I'm pregnant wasn't there and they demanded I call to find out where he is. Nobody figured to ask how I was doing or to even find out they were having a grandaughter. So I'm slightly over-emotional with the news of the funneling and the nonsupport I get from my parents. I WISH my mom could be my mom but I accept her the way she is. I guess that's why I hired our Doula. She takes over where my parents can't deal.

Bella is absolutely BEAUTIFUL She's getting big and I love the pics of her. As for the prolapse. I'm having terrible issues with pee'ing when I sneeze and have been wondering if I may have that issue slightly. I'll be interested to hear what lizzie shares.

Thanks again dear friend for the encouragement.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi all, and Helen, your baby is gorgeous, and growing so fast!!!

A prolapse or the split abdomen, no matter how bad has nothing at all to do with IC hun. Some women have completely prolapsed uterus' which can hang outside during pregnancy, but still go to term! I have a prolapsed bladder and vaginal walls since my first pregnancy. I have urge incontinence and my periods are uncomfortable as a result. I don't think it is as severe as you describe, but if I were you I'd give it some more time before considering any surgery. After my first and the twins it took several months for any improvement. I can't say I did my pelvic floor excercises on a regular basis, but with time it did improve. Have you been referred for proper physio at all? As for your abdominal wall, have they confirmed you have a split muscle?

Hi MA - Funneling is basically the very top of your cervix beginning to open. If you imagine a plastic funnel used to fill a bottle with liquid, the cervix is looking exactly like that - kind of 'Y' shaped. The top of the Y being the part they refer to as "funneling". It isn't catastrophic because the rest of the cervix is still long and closed, but it is a sign of very early cervical changes hun.

The funneling can progress, and as it does so it would naturally shorten the remaining closed length of the cervix, or it can close up again. Total rest can reverse the funneling.

I cannot understand why the docs are still refusing to stitch - and I feel frustrated that they continue to be so complacent - as you too must be feeling. They are technically correct that the situation is not urgent unless the CL drops to 2.5 (with or without funneling), and certainly a stitch placed at that point can still be very successful. They are being sensible in increasing their monitoring to weekly, but I personally would be pushing towards preventative measures i.e. a stitch asap from now on hun.

I really hope not to scare you MA - that is not my intention, and I genuinely feel at this stage there is no need for panic, BUT your cervix has changed, there is evidence now of it being incompetent, so a stitch should atleast be considered. To put it in balance, there is also the chance that with rest, your cervix closes again and at the next scan it has remained stable - I have seen women with much shorter cervixes AND funneling regain length and closure. Take care, and keep in touch xxx

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi all, and Helen, your baby is gorgeous, and growing so fast!!!


Hi MA - Funneling is basically the very top of your cervix beginning to open. If you imagine a plastic funnel used to fill a bottle with liquid, the cervix is looking exactly like that - kind of 'Y' shaped. The top of the Y being the part they refer to as "funneling". It isn't catastrophic because the rest of the cervix is still long and closed, but it is a sign of very early cervical changes hun.

The funneling can progress, and as it does so it would naturally shorten the remaining closed length of the cervix, or it can close up again. Total rest can reverse the funneling.

I cannot understand why the docs are still refusing to stitch - and I feel frustrated that they continue to be so complacent - as you too must be feeling. They are technically correct that the situation is not urgent unless the CL drops to 2.5 (with or without funneling), and certainly a stitch placed at that point can still be very successful. They are being sensible in increasing their monitoring to weekly, but I personally would be pushing towards preventative measures i.e. a stitch asap from now on hun.

I really hope not to scare you MA - that is not my intention, and I genuinely feel at this stage there is no need for panic, BUT your cervix has changed, there is evidence now of it being incompetent, so a stitch should atleast be considered. To put it in balance, there is also the chance that with rest, your cervix closes again and at the next scan it has remained stable - I have seen women with much shorter cervixes AND funneling regain length and closure. Take care, and keep in touch xxx

Thank you. I NEEDED this response. They keep dumbing down the issue and I'm really getting frustrated with them! My husband now thinks that because the Dr. said "A normal closed cervical length is a good indicator of a normal positive outcome." that everything is okay. He got frustrated with me at lunch when I told him this was typical of incompetant cervix and I actually PRAY I'm wrong! This whole situation is frustrating to me because there's no Dr.'s in this area who will step up and do what's right.

I kept saying, if this happens again after I've fought for a stitch I'm going for blood! I want that darn stitch! You haven't scared me. Your not telling me anything I haven't guessed already, your just educating me and being HONEST with me which is more than most have done here in real life. Doug has the weekend off and I WAS going to go looking for some cutsie girls clothes to take my mind off things, but I've been thinking I should be on bed rest.

Get this: The Dr. said today when my husband asked if I should have bedrest said that there is no proven record indicating that bedrest helps the situation. My thought was what planet are these idiots from and how the heck did they get their degrees let alone be "teaching" dr.s at the hospital

Well, Wed. I'll demand another cerclage. I am NOT going to lose another child due to neglegence!

 

[HelenGee]

Thank you Lizzie, I know it's an annoying thing to happen, but I'm glad it's not just me who has a prolapse. I stopped looking on the net as Dr.Google has sent me over the edge too many times. It's not a severe prolapse, it's exactly the same as you have had and I've been told it's grade 2, so it's not horrendous. However, it's really bloody annoying me. I've been doing pelvic floors religiously since the birth and there has been a slight improvement. The maternity ward referred me to the post natal physio before i was discharged as I had a few incontinence "episodes" I've since been referred to a gynae consultant and I just don't know what to expect.

As I've become so afraid of doctors and bad news since this pregnancy i just want to feel ready for whatever they may tell me. I'm certainly not ready for surgery for any kind, but I need to be more physically able to be on my feet as I have to go back to work in Sepetmber

I suppose I'm just trying to piece the puzzle together and I just wondered if my poor internal scaffolding may be linked to my split abdomen. My gp told me that the muscle is totally split and that no amount of excerise or stomach crunches will fix it. At that point I was one year on from my first baby and thought it wasn't worth fighting her for any further action until I was finished havng children. TBH the abdomen thing doesn't really bother me, i know I'm lucky to have my hangy belly!

Thanks MA, parents don't really understand the ongoing stress of this situation. They can only cope with it in the short term, then they have to go back to "normal" life. The ongoing, day in day out fear that you are living with at the moment feels like a never ending tunnel and no-one really understands unless they have been there. Your hubby sounds like mine - mine kept telling me to take the reassurance i was given when i was insisiting that the docs weren't right. They have no choice but to trust and believe that it will all be ok, so they can be strong for us. I nearly sent my DH to a nervou breakdown I think. Keep pushing for that stitch, in the meantime rest rest REST!!

Berryblue - I forgot to say huge congratulations on the birth of your baby. Well done!

Has anyone heard how Jen and the twins are doing and Aspen and her twins are too?