Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[apsara.m]

hi all
this is apsara's husband. apsara delivered baby boy on 18-1-2012 he weighs 2.8kg mother and baby are doing fine. she will update you all when she is allowed to use computer.

 

[LaRockera]

Wonderful! Thank you for the lovely update! We are looking forward to reading all about it!

 

[LaRockera]

A bit of an update for me, too. I saw my private ob. yesterday, and here's what we found out:

My cervix is closed shut, and it has stayed in a good 30mm. The discharge was possibly from the stitch, which remains quite low, at the end of my cervix, digging into tissue. The doctor performed a TVU and then put a glove and some gel on his hand and tried to feel it. He said it's quite low, it'd be easy to take it out, and even if I went to labour now, it's not high enough to cause trauma to the cervix.

Now listen to this. Madame is fully engaged. She is there scratching on the door- but the door is still shut tightly. She fell back to the 35th centile from the 75th, weighing a little more than 4lbs, which is only slightly below normal. Femur length-wise, she is above average. The amniotic fluid remains steadily on the lower side of average. The doctor was very reassuring and told us it's all going great.

We've changed our tickets for next Friday. I got myself some compression socks, and have now started organising things like a madwoman. Her clothes are all washed and ironed, and my second stash of cloth nappies is currently in the washing machine.

Hope everyone else is doing great.

 

[kateqpr]

Larockera - that is such exciting news!! Just keep those legs crossed for another week or so until you hit home soil. If it's any reassurance, Poppy was engaged for 4 weeks and STILL didn't come out on her own! So hopefully you'll have plenty of time still to have some relaxing settling in time when you get back to Greece.

Are you staying with family in Greece or in your own place? It must be like packing for the most exciting and surreal holiday ever, packing for someone you've not met yet. So lovely.

I guess the discharge must have just been old blood that dislodged and mixed in with discharge, maybe just moving in a funny way. As you know, i've had spotting, some of which seemed to come from the stitch, just when i sat on it at a funny angle! But good news is you know it's nothing to worry about, just something to scratch your head about and wonder..

Aspara - congratulations! I hope you are recovering well and your birth was swift and painless (SUCH wishful thinking!)

No real news from me. I had my 28 week consultant appointment last Thursday. They did a grown scan, and she's growing well, fluid all good. Cervix closed, stitch in place (no measurement as don't do it from 28 weeks). I got a negative FFN test, which is brilliant news. Had my glucose test and various bloods, but no results yet. Traces of protein in my urine, but i expect that now!

Also my consultant said i could start to go out a bit more. Yay. In fact i went out for a Thai meal with my friend on Friday, my first night out (non hospital related...) in ten weeks. And am off to Boots now to buy cough pastilles. Me and Poppy have awful coughs at the moment - (each time i cough i feel like my vagina is going to fall out).
Life is pretty exciting, as you can imagine. Also starting to feel more 'me' now, and am busily planning decorating our spare room for girl number two. I still worry things will go wrong, but i am slowly starting to accept i'm pregnant (which is just as well given i'm seven months and HUGE!)

Hope you're all well and coping okay. Let me know how you are.

Olga / Chistiana - i truly hope the weeks are flying by!

OH - quick question!! My consultant said it's okay for me to have baths. I've also assumed as i can't, as i couldn't with my last stitch. What advice have you been given?

X

 

[LaRockera]

Kate - thanks for the support, honey. Indeed, you had to constantly put up with random bleeding and the scares you've been through were quite something. So I'm really glad to see you finally got to breathe a bit, it was such hard times you had. It's brilliant that you can go out and find yourself again. And yes, worrying never stops but at least the further you go the deeper the breaths you can take.

In Greece, initially we'll be staying at a spare flat that belongs to DH's family, and my folks will come from up north to stay with us. Then once the doctor says the baby is good to travel, we'll go to my city and stay with my parents. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about all this. I've been living alone, abroad, since I was 22. Not sure how I can handle a house with four adults in it, although I suspect the baby will be all I'll be thinking about. In any case, I can handle my folks. It's more some members of DH's family I am somewhat worried about. Not that I've been given anything else than care and courtesy, but with my hormones all over the place, I am a bit sensitive to patronising. I suppose I'll just have to find ways to evade it.

 

[chistiana]

Hey everyone!
Kate-oooo it s such great news you being able to go out again and be a real human being (i call myself a hermit, it s been 8 weeks now!!) even boots and caugh pastilles sound entertaining to me now!!!but true excitement comes from decorating the new room...ow i love this part and girl rooms are so much fun (i suppose!!) enjoy hun!

Larockera-so glad everything is great!i had a feeling it was old blood from the stitch, it took me uterus 6 weeks so completely get rid of some stupid old blood in its unpregnant side! I know exactly how you feel about moving back but just remember to set your rules and boundaries. With ds i had some issues with my mum....as soon as he was born she d be all over telling me how to do things and staff...well not for long...i started yelling and crying one day (have to admit i was a bit over hormonal!!) and that fixed her well!!!so just set your boundaries about what and how you wanna raise your daughter and everything s gonna be cool!

 

[LaRockera]

Larockera-so glad everything is great!i had a feeling it was old blood from the stitch, it took me uterus 6 weeks so completely get rid of some stupid old blood in its unpregnant side! I know exactly how you feel about moving back but just remember to set your rules and boundaries. With ds i had some issues with my mum....as soon as he was born she d be all over telling me how to do things and staff...well not for long...i started yelling and crying one day (have to admit i was a bit over hormonal!!) and that fixed her well!!!so just set your boundaries about what and how you wanna raise your daughter and everything s gonna be cool!

Hormonal and Mediterranean. Oh yeah, I know what you mean.

My mum is easy to deal with. Like you, I do a bit of yelling and crying and she backs off. To be honest, she hasn't been prying too much. She is very supportive and listens to all the info I unload her way. I'm a bit more concerned about DH's side, especially his grandmother. Yes, I know how stupid this sounds, to be upset with an 85-year old woman, but I feel that sometimes she is just a bit too eager to advise, you know what I mean? I need to find a way to deal with this discreetly. I may have to tell DH to tell her to back off a bit, I know she is only trying to help but sometimes she's a bit too patronising, and it's been a while since her motherhood time.

 

[chistiana]

OMG she will probably want you to put the baby under the kitchen ventilator to put her to sleep (really sorry if someone in here is doing this and i know it has some sense behind it but seriously just the image makes me giggle!!). I d get dh to tell her to back off, dont get mixed up with her, you cant teach an old dog new tricks and if you piss her off you ll be the "useless bride"...we both know what mothers' in law and even worse grandmothers in law can be like in greece! Ow good luck hun, my heart goes out to you but at least you still have some time to think about it with dh and come up with a plan!

 

[LaRockera]

OMG she will probably want you to put the baby under the kitchen ventilator to put her to sleep (really sorry if someone in here is doing this and i know it has some sense behind it but seriously just the image makes me giggle!!). I d get dh to tell her to back off, dont get mixed up with her, you cant teach an old dog new tricks and if you piss her off you ll be the "useless bride"...we both know what mothers' in law and even worse grandmothers in law can be like in greece! Ow good luck hun, my heart goes out to you but at least you still have some time to think about it with dh and come up with a plan!

My MIL passed away when my DH was 20- and she must have been a wonderful person. I think that's the reason his grandmother feels she needs to give advice, and I don't think she realises it can get overwhelming- and a bit patronising at times. I think I will leave DH to handle it, and perhaps explain to her calmly that what I need right now is confidence-boosting, trust and support. You see, I don't want to make a big deal out of things or appear too oversensitive either.

Gah - these type of situations are always so messy and delicate to deal with.

 

[chistiana]

ow so true...but you seem like you have a little plan there...you ll be fine, dont worry

 

[jenmcn1]

Hi Ladies,

I'm pregnant with baby#2, and wondering if there's a possibility that I might have IC.
I had a forcep delivery with my son (low forceps) and had tearing and an episiotomy. Now that I am 19 weeks pregnant, I have been experiencing slight pressure...I've actually been feeling this pressure since I was about 11 weeks along. This pressure is not painful just slightly uncomfortable.
Can anyone tell me if this is normal? Or not. I am phoning my doctor tomorrow to get an appt. I know my cervix is closed (I checked it a few days ago)...
Wondering if the forcep delivery could have caused an IC...anyone?

 

[garrickbaby]

Wow LaRockera you are almost there.. I remember when I saw your post about IC in the second trimester forum. You've come along way and you are so very knowledgeable about IC now. You have help many women here while you have gone through this journey yourself. good luck hun, can't wait to hear your good news soon.

Apsara- Congratulations our babies were born on the same day.... Hope you are getting along well.

Welcome to all the new ladies- as many of us are giving birth to our little miracles, I see so many others have joined that need support. thank god for this forum. So many of us would've been loss without it.

As for me- We are doing well, I feel great after my c-section. I was getting around fine the next day and now i'm completely off all medication. Kendall is finally sleeping more during the night after we figured out that she wasn't getting enough from me just breastfeeding (my breast milk have been coming in really slowly) so once i gave her some formula after I breastfeed she sleep for 4 hours at a time... now we are on track.
It was so emotional for me when I left the hospital.... I found myself crying on the way home because I was actually leaving he hospital with a baby this time, after having loss two little boys it was just hard for me to control those emotions. I totally forgot how tiring and demanding having a newborn is, the first 3 nights I found myslef so exhausted that I almost started crying a few times. Thank god for my husband, he is so great and has been doing everything he can to help except for breastfeeding. when I woke up yesterday morning (at 11:45am) he had her fed, changed, and he had washed my clothes. I'm so glad he took off a month to stay with me now.

I'll check back in on you ladies from time to time, take care.

 

[LaRockera]

Garrick - thank you for your wonderful post, it really means a lot, and it gave me goosebumps!. I am so happy for you, after all you've been through, you've now got your little miracle, your whole life in your hands. It'll all be great from now on, hon. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and you just got it!

Jen - I have no idea, hon, sorry. I think some pinching during the fourth month is normal, as the baby is growing but it's still quite low down and pressures your cervix. Is your doctor performing a TVU? You can can ask him to. He'll be able to measure your cervix and give you an idea of whether there may be an issue or not. Although what you describe sounds normal to me- however, do pressure him for a TVU.

 

[chistiana]

Hey jen.i too am not sure about how your previous birth can have affected your cervix but i just wanted to say that i too have this constant feeling as if baby is really low and as if it s already trying to push down. I saw my doc 1 week ago and told him so he did a tvu...cervix length was still above average, cervix was closed and he looked at me as if i was some mad woman when he said "your baby is not low...look here is here head (showing me about 4-5 fingers under my belly button) you must be feeling all the water putting that pressure". So i guess this could be the case with you but when in doubt always ask your doc!xx

 

[jenmcn1]

Thanks ladies, I appreciate your input. I'm from Canada and the doctors won't do an ultrasound in their office. It's scheduled in a different office and performed by a technician. So I'm not sure if they could get me in for that quickly? Either way I am calling my doctor today to ask for an appt.
What is a TVU? just a measurement of the cervix?

 

[LaRockera]

Thanks ladies, I appreciate your input. I'm from Canada and the doctors won't do an ultrasound in their office. It's scheduled in a different office and performed by a technician. So I'm not sure if they could get me in for that quickly? Either way I am calling my doctor today to ask for an appt.
What is a TVU? just a measurement of the cervix?

It's a transvaginal (internal) ultrasound. They can measure your cervix more accurately that way (although sometimes an abdominal ultrasounds shows whether it's all good, depending on the position of the baby) and see if there's any funneling (opening/dilation) etc.

I remember getting pinching sensations around 19 weeks and was told it's got nothing to do with my cerclage that that it was just the uterus growing and since baby was still quite low back then, it was the extra gravity causing the sensations. I've been having pinching lately too (at 33 weeks) and two days ago I went for an ultrasound to find out my cheeky monkey is already fully engaged (although cervix was shut tight and 30mm long). So pinching is not necessarily a sign for concern. Just make sure you share your concerns with your doctor.

Also, Christiana has a point, did you have a previous traumatic birth? I don't think forceps themselves and a regular episiotomy/tear can cause problems to the cervix, hon. I think you need to be seriously injured in there for your anatomy of your cervix to change.

However, like I said, do share you concerns. Better be safe than sorry.

 

[HelenGee]

Hey Jen - welcome to the thread! I would definitely go for the internal ultrasound, if only for your own peace of mind. 19 weeks is really the time to get the cervical check done, if anything is kicking off, this is the window to catch it.

It sounds like you had a very traumatic first delivery, and are most likely feeling the pressure of a slight prolapse due to the trauma. This is generally not dangerous for you or your baby, but it is something that can be helped during the pregnancy. Technically tho, whatever can cause enough damage to create a prolapse, may also be damaging to the cervix along the way, although this is not a given. Unfortunately, the symptoms of a prolapse and ic mimic each other during pregnancy. Are you getting any heavy discharge at all? This is often also a symptom of ic too.

So, my advice is to get your cervix checked with an internal ultrasound, the sooner the better. It can be monitored if necessary and you know that you've covered all bases.

I've had 2 traumatic deliveries, the first was a ventouse and caused a cervical tear which weakened my cervix. From about 9 weeks pregnant with my second, I felt as though my baby was going to fall out, and I struggled to walk as I felt bowel heavy. I also had a heavy, thick, creamy discharge, especialy when i had a bowel movement (sorry tmi!) I went to the doctor/midwife several times, and had an abdominal scan and a speculum check of my cervix. At all these appointments my medics said all was fine. No-one mentioned a prolapse to me, had they done so I would have been satisfied (!) with the diagnosis and unwittingly gone on to deliver far too early. However, I booked a private tvu, and my ic was noticed there and resulted in a stitch at 20 weeks and bedrest. This was very nearly too late as the consultant could see the membranes when she placed the stitch. Had I not trusted my gut instinct, I shudder to think what may have been.

My second delivery at term (phew!) was very much like yours, forceps, episiotomy and shoulder dystocia. My pelvic floor is now knackered and I'm seeing a consultant about getting it all stitched back up again!

So, to answer your question....yes, technically, a traumatic delivery is enough to cause damage resulting in ic, so get it checked, but it may also be harmless and you will feel better knowing you're being taken care of. Hope that helps and hasn't terrified you. Please let us know how you get on xxx

La rock- ohhhh the outlaws! I love love love mine to bits, but arrrgggh! The kitchen fan thing made me laugh! We used to put that on to calm Oliver, that or the hairdryer as white noise is priceless with a screaming,teething baby! Stay calm, walk away when you need to, my oh and I have a code signal for when they're all getting too much and he is very supportive and understands how overbearing they can be. But don't be afraid to take their help too, babies need to know their families and another pair of arms can be a sanity saver. Good luck in Greece, Xanthe, stay put a little while longer sweetie xx. Bella went in and out from being engaged from about 28 weeks. She decided full well when she was baked and that was it, she was OUT!

Garrick- my heart goes put to you, this is the most testing, emotional time, replaying all those emotions, not quite understanding how you've made it, but you did, and knowing that it was a fine line between making it and not. The thoughts troubled me for a while, to the point I obsessed about Bella, I wouldn't sleep in case anything happened, I just sat and watched over her. If I did fall asleep, I wake up with a start and nearly make myself sick with worry. I bought a nappy clip breathing monitor, it made a clicking sound when she breathes, and sounded an alarm if she did kick it off (or stopped breathing). That really helped me, as I knew if it was clicking she was fine. All will be fine, my sweetie, just jeep doing what your doing and be kind to yourself.

Apara- huge congrats hunny! Well done and thanks to your hubby for keeping us crazy ladies posted x

How are you all? Christiana, MA. Enjoy your break Lizzie, you deserve it xx

 

[LaRockera]

Helen - thank you, you know how much I love you.

Jen - Helen is one of our thread gurus, so she definitely knows more than me. So yep, she offers great advice there, and some good info. Good luck with your scans, keep us updated, please.

 

[HelenGee]

Kate- it's amazing to hear how well you sound, so positive and infinitely more relaxed. You've had so many scares now it's time to enjoy. I sympathise with the illnesses, the skin on my hands is falling off from constantly washing them after another bout of bugs, the yucky stomach bug for Bella and me it's like living in the body of another person when children are sick, you just go through the motions and survive. I got to the point where I was literally hosing Oliver down with a Milton every time he came near Bella.

So now it's shopping time wooohooooo, keep us posted, I love baby shopping lol! X

 

[garrickbaby]

Garrick- my heart goes put to you, this is the most testing, emotional time, replaying all those emotions, not quite understanding how you've made it, but you did, and knowing that it was a fine line between making it and not. The thoughts troubled me for a while, to the point I obsessed about Bella, I wouldn't sleep in case anything happened, I just sat and watched over her. If I did fall asleep, I wake up with a start and nearly make myself sick with worry. I bought a nappy clip breathing monitor, it made a clicking sound when she breathes, and sounded an alarm if she did kick it off (or stopped breathing). That really helped me, as I knew if it was clicking she was fine. All will be fine, my sweetie, just jeep doing what your doing and be kind to yourself.

You are exactly right.... When she is sleeping soundly I watch her or touch her to make her move... It almost make you feel like you are going crazy and no one understands that. Its like the obsession moved from cervical checks and sonograms to worrying about SIDS. I guess you never stop worrying about your babies no matter what. I'm glad you can relate because I felt like I was the only one.