Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[apsara.m]

iam currently 34+4 weeks. for the past 3-4 days my lo's movement pattern is changed. i definitly feel movements (every hour 4-5 movements) but no kicking or strong ones. is it because lo is engaged? iam also feeling a lot of BH contractions. iam a bit worried please help......

 

[vaali]

Aps as long as you feel the movements i think there is nothing much to worry about & i dont think the bub can engage this early already bud, i will wait for the others to reply too anyways.. less kicks may be 'coz there is much room to move around.. & for the BHs, you are still on progesterone right? any uterine relaxants?

 

[Mommy's Angel]

Hi ladies. Kate, glad to hear that things are better than were expected. I'm breathing a sigh of relief. What great news thus far!

Hello to the new ladies.

Rebecca, so sorry to hear about your sister. Praying for good news.

 

[Bump1]

Hi

Thank you for the warm welcome ladies xx

Kate thank you for explaining i'm not the only one who now lives in fear of nightly O's

The bleeding has now stopped again

Rebecca i so hope your sister is doing ok, everything crossed for her xx

Aps i've never got as far as 34 wks in a pregnancy so i don't know what the movements are supposed to be like, but i guess little one has less room now.

Love to all xx

 

[Zizz77]

Hi all.
I am scheduled for a cerclage (my 1st) on Monday morning.
My identical twin sons were born at 24 +5 back in February after I went into spontaneous labor. Our first son lived 12 days before succumbing to NEC and our second son was doing very well when he was suddenly overcome by Group B Strep infection at 67 days.
There is no explanation for the pre term labor but the doctor who is most familiar with my case and who we have dealt with since our boys were born recommended a cerclage for me as a 'better safe than sorry' approach. We are now expecting a new baby and I am 13 weeks pregnant today. The doctor has recommended a cerclage since we first started talking to him about any future pregnancies back when we were still in the NICU with our second son every day.

My biggest worry is the anesthesia. The more I think about the epidural the more anxious I get. General anesthesia is an option but I'm worried that it is potentially harmful to the baby. I would be SO grateful for any of you to let me know about your experience and your pain management choice.
If you can give me an idea of pros and cons and how you made your decision I would appreciate it so so much.

 

[heychickie]

Welcome Zizz, I am sorry for your lsses.

I had my cerclage placed around 12 weeks after delivery at 24 +1 then loss of our son to NEC 40 days later. I had no labor, just diluted, and he came va c-section.

Spinal block, which they compared as similar to epidural was my only presented option for the cerclage, I'd never had one before, and I didn't find it too bad.

Best wishes to you.

 

[LaRockera]

Hello Zizz, and welcome.

I had my cerclage placed at 13+3 under general anesthesia in one of the best private hospitals in Greece, by one of the best obstetricians and fertility experts there with a PhD in cervical anomalies (or something). I'm pretty sure you'll be absolutely fine under a general anesthesia, and so will your baby. Still, there are many ladies here who had their stitch with an epidural, and they can let you pros and cons.

Apsara - I've read that as baby grows, the movements slow down due to lack of space. Decreased movement is normal at your stage, I think. If you notice a significant decrease, can you go and be put under a fetal monitor just for your own peace of mind?

Rebecca - I'm so sorry for what your sister is going through, hon.I do know of ladies that went on full bedrest and managed to hold their babies up to 30 weeks and beyond, so there's always hope. Please let us know how it all goes. We will be all be hoping the very best for her.

 

[Bump1]

Hello Zizz

I am so sorry for the loss of your twin boys, we lost our little man in April 2010 when he was 26 days old, he just didn't have any fight left in him, after fighting so many complications. He was born at 25+5 they think due to IC and therefore i had a cerclage put in on Tuesday when i was 14+3.

I had a spinal block and i have to say although it was a little scary at first it was painless. My anethatist did say they prefer spinal as its less going into your blood stream.

I had to stop in over night, i had a little bleeding which soon stopped and i felt and still do at times feel like i'm bruised down there but other than that it was a simple procedure.

Good Luck, i'm sure you will be fine xx

 

[kateqpr]

Hi Zizz,

i've had both of my stitches placed using a spinal block - the risks to the baby are almost minimal,as it is quite a local anesthetic - plus the procedure is very quick - the actual placement of the stitch only takes about 15 mins - so minimum amounts of drugs are used.

To be honest, the most painful part of the spinal is having the drip put in your hand! The spinal can be very quick and relatively painfree to put in. My first one was like this. My second was a bit more painful, as they had a bit of trouble placing it first time round, but then the pain is only local to your back, and is gone as soon as the injection is placed.

As i said, the procedure is very quick, the bits that take time are the placing of the drip, them faffing around in theatre discussing things and chatting to you. Once it was placed, i was put in recovery for about an hour while they monitored me generally, then was put in a room until the feeling in my legs returned (took about 3 - 4 hours) and i'd had a wee.

I did have to take painkillers for about 24 / 48 hours afterwards, but only normal paracetamol. I had mild cramps which soon went, and my girl bits felt 'odd' and a bit sor e for a few weeks, but not painful.

You will be fine - it is a very common procedure (which you don't realise until you start asking around!) and the success rate is really high, especially as you're having it so early.

Good luck!!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi apsara, don't worry about the reduced movements Hun. At 34wks they do get less vigorous and frequent because there is less room for manoeuvre. Also, if baby has changed position then you may not be feeling them as much. I always had a rule with the twins, as long as I felt at least some movement every 3 hrs through the day, I didn't worry. They had such little space left by 38wks that I barely felt them at all

Zzzz welcome Hun, and sorry for your loss Please don't worry about stitch placement and epidural/spinal. You are so lucky to have such a proactive consultant who isn't prepared tot take any chances with you, so often doctors do not acknowledge IC and more babies are needlessly lost I had my stitch placed with a spinal block. It felt fine and didn't cause me any problems. I've had 3 spinal blocks and two epidurals in the past and they've all be fine. It was good to be awake during the procedure because I could chat to the consultant as she was doing it and I felt much more in control.

Just know that you are giving this pregnancy the best chance possible hun, and that it will take so much of the stress away for you chick. Good luck and take care xxx

 

[HelenGee]

Rebecca- I'm willing and hoping that your sister's baby stays in safely now til term. Much love

Bump- I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby. Thank heavens you have had a stitch without a fight. oh the nighttime o's are terrifying, as it's beyond your control. However they are unlikely to kick anything off, it's just disconcerting as you want everything stay off limits and totally stationary, I know. Please try not to worry, I had a few, as sex was off limits and I always woke up in a panic and really worried/embarrassed.

Zizz- I had a spinal with my stitch placement and it was perfect for the job. I was absolutely terrified that the stitch wouldn't work and was a trembling mess as mine was a rescue cerclage. However,I barely bothered about the anaesthetic at all, there was no pain, just a feeling of being very exposed (lol) and a bit swollen down there.
I am so sorry for the loss of your twins too, again, it is refreshing to hear that your doctor is taking a proactive approach, instead of a wait and see one. The stitch really does work. You will be absolutely fine x

Heychickie- sorry I didn't congratulate you on your amazing progress. Well done! How are you feeling? Getting excited? X

Aspara- Lizzie said it really about the movements! I experienced a similar thing, as long as you are feeling movements and they are regular, all will be fine.

 

[heychickie]

Heychickie- sorry I didn't congratulate you on your amazing progress. Well done! How are you feeling? Getting excited? X

Helen, I'm feeling ok - plenty of stretching in the body going on, so a lot of back, hip, pelvis pain, but nothing I won't gladly deal with. Emotionally, I still don't think I've fully connected to the pregnancy/baby, and probably won't until he gets to really come home with us. We are almost ready at home, though - DH has been nesting

He does freak out a little when I remind him only 5 more weeks and this little guy will be here!

I'm so glad everyone else is doing so well, too!

 

[kateqpr]

Hey everyone,

glad to hear everyone's cooking okay - good babies and bumps!

I'm home alone today. Husband at work, Poppy at grandmas for the day, and i'm in bed doing my tax return. Trouble is, when i'm on my own i just start to worry. Every twinge, pull or feeling of discharge, i start to worry somethings about to happen. Guess i just feel a bit scared, and so desperate for the next few weeks to pass by.

I wouldn't like to admit how many times i've googled 'survival rates for 25 weeks' today -or double checked my pregnancy ticker to see if i'm magically skipped forward a few days...

And baby is really kicking low today. I can actually feel her, stood on my cervix, kicking away and sending little shock waves up my girl bits. Ouch!

Anyway,just feeling a bit lonely and worried for no real reason....

Back to the tax forms!

 

[truthbtold]

Kate I googled survival rates weekly all they way up to 37 weeks dont feel too bad lol.

Well ladies my cerclage has worked too well because im still pregnant. My cerclage has been out since December 23rd and still no baby. Starting to think he will never come out.

 

[kateqpr]

You poor thing!! The ironic thing with stitches is you can end up being induced!!

Hope you're not feeling too achey and big. Fingers crossed things start happening soon. Any day now... so exciting for you!

 

[LaRockera]

Kate sweetie, honestly, I'd be surprised if you've googled survival rates more than me or any other lady in this thread. I bet non-cerclage mummies do it too, it's only normal!

Not much I can say, apart maybe that I wish time passes quickly for you and this nightmare is over with the best possible outcome. 27/28 weeks is a huge milestone, and you're about a week and a half away. This is really important.

Your stitch seems to be holding fine though, and since the doctors talked about unexplained bleeding, I'd think it's just an issue of your cervix being irritated. It's also normal to feeling baby low, mine has been cephalic at my 27 week scan, it's absolutely normal.

 

[truthbtold]

Kate achey is an understatement. Im out right miserable. I have never weighed this much in my life. I no longer feel human lol. Waiting for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

 

[Susanah]

Hello everyone
My section has been brought forward - to TUESDAY !!!!!! yes - this tuesday !
My composure has completely gone out the window and im now an anxious emotional insomniac fearing every possible complication !!! Also fearing anything happening to charlie whilst im in hospital and feeling terrible for abandoning her with my mother for 2 days. Thats the hardest bit of it all.
Very excited but had given myself a week to get ready and now its happening so soon ... gotta get myself together really quick.

ANYWAY --- Overall very excited and can't believe it all. Feels like a dream.
My Surgeon has to go to USA to a funeral and doesnt want anyone else to operate - so baby is coming a week early. AND my other half is oncall all week for the same hospital and this cannot be changed due to everyone else being away !!! He is O and G Doc so god knows how they are going to handle that one.
Crazy.
All we need is baby out safe and for her to be ok... and for charlie to be ok for a few days without me - the rest will fall into place.

Will update you with any news

Susie x

 

[kateqpr]

Oh Susie, that's great news! Gives you less time to worry about it...

I understand the worry and guilt of leaving a child at home while you're at hospital - i had four days at hospital this week and felt awful not being with Poppy or her fully understanding why. But she seemed to see if all as a big adventure, and got LOTS of extra attention and treats from everyone, so it was really my problem, not hers in the end!

So excited for you. And at least with a c section, you know you'll be back in your room, with your baby in your arms, within an hour. Brilliant news!

Good luck sleeping for the next two nights. Bet you'll find it hard to switch off!


Kate x

 

[LaRockera]

Susie, I'm delighted for you! You've come to the end of such a long, traumatic journey, kudos to you! You deserve all the happiness in the world!

I can understand what you mean about being scared. I've already started having all sorts of weird dreams about labour and the like. Funny enough, I don't consciously fear labour, it's the actual getting there, week by week, that consumes me. But inevitably as the time approaches, you start to realise this is really happening.

As for Charlie, normal to feel like this, but she's going to be in great hands, your mum! Try to take comfort in that!