Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi ladies,

Well, I "think" todays scan was a good one. Lizzie, maybe you can elaborate a bit on it.

Cervical length went from an even 2.0 from time of stitch and is now 2.4. So sounds like bed rest is working even though we're seeing slightly more cervical length.

Funneling is still there but hasn't really gotten worse. Measurement from stitch to funneling was 1.3cm's and from the stitch outward there's still 1.2cm's left as well. They seem to think it was good. I wasn't sure about the length from funneling to stitch. I suppose since she's not down to the stitch it's a good sign right??

Then she did an in-depth look of the heart. She was able to see it all and said SHE didn't see the Ventricular Septal Defect. She said she there was a VERY small area that was dark that "could" be a hole but she didn't think it was. She said we would most likely have to go back to the cardiologist but she didn't see it. When we got her report at the actual Perinatal Center, the report said everything including the heart was fine and nothing abnormal was found. So right now I'm thinking positive unless told differently. In this case, the hole would be so minimal that it will likely close on it's own if this is what it is.

No swelling, nothing much else really going on. Amelia is moving like crazy today and I did have a contraction while she was pressing down so hard with the sonogram. I'm told that's fine as long as it's not a whole lot of contractions in an hours time. The 17P seems to be working there as well.

All in all, this is the second of two very good reports from the sonographer and Perinatologist.

Another question I have for you Lizzie... I'll be 23wks on Sunday and they said they don't do anymore cervical length exams after wk 24 but they'll check it again in 5 wks when I have another anomaly scan. Is this the norm or should I be pushing for bi-weekly scans to check the stitch and length.

They said they don't like to mess too much with mass internal scans in correlation to the IC. I think I may have heard that said in here as well but wanted to make sure that's the norm or if I should push for the scans bi-weekly?

Love to you all!!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey MA - thanks for the update, and glad to hear everything is looking so positive hun.

Ok, your cervix. It looks much like mine did at 25wks with the twins, when in fact I was funneled right down to the stitch - look how well that turned out!! I too was freaked out by the funneling, but my Consultant (who up until that point had been very worried) finally relaxed and felt positive about the pregnancy. You have some good closed length of cervix below the stitch - which is what counts. If the total length of closed cervix is 2.4, then you likely have 1cm closed above the stitch too - excellent!!! yey!

Even if the total length includes the closed and funneled bit together, then the length is great, and more importantly still being held closed by the stitch. I would feel very positive about that MA

It is typical not to continue TVUs after 24/25wks because the IC threat has essentially passed by then, and your sonographer is correct, that TVUs are always a risk - albeit minimal. I had baby/cervical scans every 3wks with the twins, but the cervical scans stopped after 28wks for that very reason. I only got baby scans after that point because there were two, and the risks are greater. My doc agreed to do a TVU at 28 and 31wks for my peace of mind and because I was there for a fetal scan anyway - she didn't think it was necessary to check my cervix after 25wks tho.

As for the heart issue, I am no expert but todays findings sound promising hun. I do know that minor holes can resolve themselves, but I am yet to be convinced (as you are) that there is a problem at all.

Take care sweet and keep resting xxx

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hey MA - thanks for the update, and glad to hear everything is looking so positive hun.

Ok, your cervix. It looks much like mine did at 25wks with the twins, when in fact I was funneled right down to the stitch - look how well that turned out!! I too was freaked out by the funneling, but my Consultant (who up until that point had been very worried) finally relaxed and felt positive about the pregnancy. You have some good closed length of cervix below the stitch - which is what counts. If the total length of closed cervix is 2.4, then you likely have 1cm closed above the stitch too - excellent!!! yey!

Even if the total length includes the closed and funneled bit together, then the length is great, and more importantly still being held closed by the stitch. I would feel very positive about that MA

It is typical not to continue TVUs after 24/25wks because the IC threat has essentially passed by then, and your sonographer is correct, that TVUs are always a risk - albeit minimal. I had baby/cervical scans every 3wks with the twins, but the cervical scans stopped after 28wks for that very reason. I only got baby scans after that point because there were two, and the risks are greater. My doc agreed to do a TVU at 28 and 31wks for my peace of mind and because I was there for a fetal scan anyway - she didn't think it was necessary to check my cervix after 25wks tho.

As for the heart issue, I am no expert but todays findings sound promising hun. I do know that minor holes can resolve themselves, but I am yet to be convinced (as you are) that there is a problem at all.

Take care sweet and keep resting xxx

Yay! So this looks VERY promising! Okay so no more TVU's. Just wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do. Would rather play it safe to get to 28 wks and then even further.

How far did you get with the twins?

Thanks for your love, support and wisdom. You've helped more than you know. Had I not found this thread and you not shared with me, Amelia may have ended up like Jackson. I wouldn't have fought so hard for a stitch and they wouldn't have monitored me every week. May not have caught things in time. So I'm praising God for this thread! \o/

 

[lizziedripping]

You're a sweetheart MA

I got to my planned section at 38wks MA, and at that point the boys were showing no signs of coming on their own lol. I never dreamt I would get to 38wks, and joked all the time that the doc was being extremely optimistic when she booked me in for surgery that late in the day................little did I know eh? Take care hun x

 

[Mommy's Angel]

You're a sweetheart MA

I got to my planned section at 38wks MA, and at that point the boys were showing no signs of coming on their own lol. I never dreamt I would get to 38wks, and joked all the time that the doc was being extremely optimistic when she booked me in for surgery that late in the day................little did I know eh? Take care hun x

Holy Cats! That's EXCELLENT for twins. I know many twins are born much earlier than that. Wowee! Okay, I'm shooting for 39wks. I'm BOUND to get October 1st.

Thanks for sharing

 

[rensben]

Great news MA! I also had a scan on thursday and I'm still holding closed at 2.5cm!! I am now 30 weeks and they are still doing TVUs every two weeks but I think that they are just very careful in France and it's more just for peace of mind. Baby girl is doing great. She has her head down but she's not engaged. I am not on total bed rest, still just resting several hours during the day. I've bit quite active the last week but it hasn't seem to have changed anything. My stitch comes out at 37 weeks so I'm aiming for her to arrive in early August. Keep the good news coming!

 

[lizziedripping]

Great news Ren. I think you ladies are gonna be in for a shock when you are still waiting for bubs to arrive past 38wks...................shall we take bets? Lol xxx

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Excellent news Ren!

How exciting that your 30 wks and soon you'll pass it. Woohoo!

I'm praying for all good news until fall delivery date for all of us! That would be a great praise!

 

[Dash]

I just posted on the other IC thread as well but thought I would post on this one, also- it seems a lot more active!

I am 16 weeks now with baby #3. I had IC problems with my first- dilated to 4 by 28 weeks and kept in the hospital (in bed, eugh) until delivery at 34 weeks. My last pregnancy I had great success with progesterone suppositories, and have started them again this pregnancy. Ive never had a stitch put in, since my last pregnancy had such good success with just starting the progesterone.

Im feeling very nervous this time around. Being my third Im a little more achy, things are hanging a bit lower, I feel kicks REALLY low...and Im just generally terrified of having complications. I have TVU's every 2 weeks to measure length, and was told last week that everything looked good but not given a length.

Has anybody else had great success with vaginal progesterone? Have any of you made it to term without the need for a cervical stitch?

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Dash and welcome

I personally never had progesterone, but there are some ladies here, and many more that I have encountered over recent months who have, and have had excellent results from it.

You are on baby 3 now hun, and everything will be much lower down anyway - your pelvic floor is probably feeling the strain, hence the reason for all the added pressure and aching.

With the twins (third pregnancy), I was plagued with cramps and pressure which terrified me I have a relatively minor uterine prolapse from birthing big babies, and it was likely causing me those symptoms rather than my IC. Good news about that is that prolapse in pregnancy is not a risk to the baby, and usually resolves itself as the baby grows, and the uterus moves up and back into a normal position (becoming a abdominal organ rather than a pelvic one)

Even if you haven't got a prolapse as such, your pelvic organs will be lower now, and will be giving you grief. GOod luck hun, and don't hesitate to come here when you need a touch of understanding, advice and TLC xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Btw - haven't heard from Sherri in a while ladies, hope all is ok there. Sherri hun, iff you read this, let us know where you're at xxx

 

[Dash]

Ahh, thank you lizzie! Logically, I do know that my pelvic floor is weaker, and I do believe I have a minor prolapse (diagnosed before pg as tilt) and I know its probably causing a lot of the discomfort and feelings of things being so low- but its REALLY nice to hear somebody else say it! With the fear that i have just knowing i have the potential for IC complications, it heightens my awareness of everything and is making me a wreck! Thank you so much, just for saying it!

 

[lizziedripping]

I recognise that fear only too well Dash - I too micro-managed every sensation with the twins and attributed it to the IC I was convinced throughout that my cervix must be changing. I cried daily as a result. It made more sense that the sheer weight of those babies must be wreaking havoc with my pelvic floor, but it is easy to imagine the worse when you ahve experienced previous pregnancy complications.

With the twins I had pressure in my back passage from 8wks, and felt like they were falling out from then until 20wks!!! My uterus is retroverted and prolapsed, so the babies were pressing down at the back - I tho was convinced my cervix was already giving way...................needless to say it didn't and I had them at 38plus wks xxx

 

[Dash]

That is almost exactly what I feel! Accompanied by some sharp pains that feel like they are coming from my vagina....

I know I need to relax. I know the progesterone will ultimately do its job. But its so hard to have faith in your body once it has failed you.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

I've been wondering about Sherri too. Last I knew she was going back home after a bad experience at her inlaws. I know she said the big hospital said she could go back home and the little hospital was equipped. She was close though to her due date right? Then maybe I thought they were going to start the heart workup on her too once she had the baby.

Sherri, Where Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre you??!!

 

[Sherri81]

Oh dear. My laptop hasn't been working right since my husband "fixed" it.

I have to make this quick as my poor iPod is dying...
I am at home. Still pregnant. False labour at 33 weeks 5 days. Was in hospital with BHso the dr did every test there is. Everything was clear, and even fetal fibronectin was negative. Am now 35+1 and still hanging in there. I do have a bit of an irrirable uterus, but I think it's normal for this stage. If all goes well, they will wean me off asprin at the 36th week and I will have a section on June 27 using a spinal anesthetic.

That's about it. I will charge this thing and see about getting on more tomorrow.

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Yay! Your ALMOST there!

I had a spinal for the cerclage. Not my favorite choice but by golly did it ever work to numb. lol I just was numb from my waist to my toes for two hours. She wanted to be sure I had enough in case they went over in time. Um, MORE than enough time thank you. My bum was numb for hours. I think you'll like it though.

Look forward to hearing from you again and EXCITED that it will be soon we'll be hearing the goodnews and maybe seeing pics of this little miracle! \o/

 

[sham1]

Hi all, new to this post but thought I'd for some advice. I had a cerclage put in on Friday at 22 weeks. I'm not sure it is classed as emergency as I was not dilating but cervix had gone to 1.4cm with a small funnel. The hospital have kept me off work for one week and i have an appt to see how all is tomorrow but I do feel major pressure when I stand or walk for long periods. Is this normal? Should I be on bed rest? The hospital havent suggested it.

 

[kanaka55]

hi everybody,
sorry to getin to a ladies forum,my wife has been diagnosed for incompetent cervix and cerclage(stich has been put)during 21st week of the baby...
now she is in 25th week plus. some docs saying she is ok and encourage to continue like this till another 8 weeks possibly. some docs are saying since her membranes still bulging out the risk is very high still, my wife is inthe hospital for last 1 month and they have asked her to stay for another 2 months.
we are worried ,as this is our 1st child after 6 years .. am getting some encouragement after reading the replies of some of ur success stories..
can anyone give more details abt this and also tell me which is the safest week to reach for the baby to be safe n healthy with these conditions..

Thanks

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi Sham and Kanka. I'll try to answer as best I can but Lizzie has more accurate information along with experience so you'll get more from her!

Sham, anything under 2cm's I "think" and Lizzie will correct me if I'm wrong is an emergent stitch. As far as pressure. I think that's normal. ESPECIALLY since you've started to funnel and don't have much room in there. It is possible baby could be at the stitch which is why your feeling the pressure. Ideally, Lizzie has mentioned that a cerclage stitch should be placed at 13 or 14 wks. I had a hard time fighting for a "preventative" stitch during those weeks and ended up with a stitch at 18wks when I reached 2cm's.

As far as bed rest. It has been known through experience with the women in here that bed rest has helped a great deal and can sometimes even give you more length. I already have noticed my length went from 2.0cm's to 2.4 cm's since my last scan. Small amount it went up, but still shows that bed rest has helped and I haven't funneled anymore.

Kanka, Lizzie is more apt to answer your questions better than I can. Especially concerning the bulging sac. I can tell you however that Viability is 24 wks BUT the safest time during a preterm delivery is between 26 and 28wks, though we know the duggers went 25wks and they have a beautiful year old little girl doing well!

Ideally we mommies would like to go to term between 37 and 40wks but if preterm delivery is inevitable, usually we TRY to get between 26-28wks. When your wife hits 24 wks and still shows signs of a buldging sac, they "should" start giving her some Injections to mature the babies lungs. Not really sure if they start those any earlier where you are, but they won't even think about it until viability here at 24wks.

All in all, Lizzie has the best information and can correct me as well as share her insight and wealth of information with you. I know she's calmed my heart and there are MANY women who have gone on to have blessed miracles with their births.

I'm sure Lizzie will be by shortly to answer your questions more accurately.