Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[hnaturally]

Thank you for responding. I don't have a cerclage in place, I actually don't know what that is. I will call and hopefully get checked if I don't hear from them by next week. I'm glad it's still a good length. I wish I wouldn't worry so much.

 

[book.fish2011]

Thank you for responding. I don't have a cerclage in place, I actually don't know what that is. I will call and hopefully get checked if I don't hear from them by next week. I'm glad it's still a good length. I wish I wouldn't worry so much.

Sorry about your earlier losses. Wishing everything goes well for you this time.

I don't have much knowledge or experience with cerclage yet. Am just getting one tomorrow. However am sure the ver nice ladies here will help you out. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[heychickie]

Thank you for responding. I don't have a cerclage in place, I actually don't know what that is. I will call and hopefully get checked if I don't hear from them by next week. I'm glad it's still a good length. I wish I wouldn't worry so much.

A cerclage is a stitch (or more than one sometimes) that holds your cervix closed. It's usually done either preventively if someone has exhibited signs of incompetent cervix in previous pregnancies (early dilation for no apparent reason - different than premature labor, though sometimes they come together), had a surgical procedure that damaged the cervix (a LEEP for example), etc. or it is given as-needed/emergency basis if while monitoring your cervix significantly shortens.

I'd guess most of the ladies on this thread have (or had when they last were pregnant, or will have next time they are) a cerclage.

Mine is the preventive type, as in my last pregnancy just shy of 24 weeks I dilated 4cm with no contractions. I had it put in around 12 weeks this time, and all has gone well. I'm now 38 weeks+ and having a c-section on Friday.

Your length is still higher than would cause concern to warrant an emergency stitch, but it's good they're keeping an eye on it.

Good luck!

 

[book.fish2011]

Getting my cerclage placed tomorrow. Please wish me luck.

 

[HelenGee]

Good luck book fish, it will all be great xxx

 

[book.fish2011]

Good luck book fish, it will all be great xxx

Thanks Helen

 

[chistiana]

Good luck book fish i wish you a speedy recovery and that everything goes perfectly!x

 

[olga2424]

Good luck book.fish! all the best and we are all praying every thing goes well for you....

 

[JimmyJam]

Good luck Book Fish, hope it all goes well xx

 

[LaRockera]

Hello ladies! Safe and sound in Athens, and with an internet connection!

We've had a very smooth travelling day, and the easiest of flights. The air crew were amazing to me, pampering me all the time and letting me use the business class loo! No air tumult, and the day was over before we knew it. We were greeted by a very enthusiastic FIL and then went home and had a nice dinner and delicious cake for my and his wife's birthday.

Tomorrow I'm seeing my doctor. I haven't seen him since I was 15 weeks so I'm kind of looking forward to it. Will update you afterwards.

Vaali - congrats, honey! I'm so, so, SO very happy for you! Such exciting news recently, that encourage and inspire us all!

Bookfish - good luck, hon, it'll all be absolutely fine, and the sense of security it'll give you is very, very important. Let us know how it all went.

Jimmy - please stay positive and fight this, hon. You will reach the end, you deserve it so much. Please keep updating us.

hnaturally - heychickie explained the cerclage well. I have a preventative cerclaged placed at 13 weeks. I had a V-shaped cervix, which meant funneling, and my doctor put it there as a precaution. I was very lucky and my cervix remained an amazing length of 48mm until week 27, although cervices tend to fluctuate as per contractions and misc. reasons. Anything above 2.5cm is considered normal, and there are ladies, like Calypso, that managed to get to a very good GA without a cerlcage and with strict bed rest. To be honest, at 22 weeks you have a very normal cervical length, and even though I think it is a good idea to get monitored, I don't think you're in danger of IC. Like Calypso said, the main problem with IC is length, and yours is well within the normal range (it's usually between 2,5 and 5).

Hope everyone else is splendid. Will be back with updates tomorrow at some point.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies, and as expected I have missed so many new posts, babies and members JimmyJam I am so sorry I missed your specific cry for help Hun, but I am back now and tonight will sit down for a few hrs and reply to everyone. For now tho, don't panic! I can totally understand your anxiety given what you have been through to achieve this pregnancy, but as far as I can see all hope is not lost. Bear with me and I will answer in depth after 9tonight when the tribe are settled

Jenmcn, my IC was also caused by ventouse delivery of my first and a resulting cervical tear, but the symptoms you describe are very typical of prolapse and also common in subsequent pregnancies. The only way to be certain is to have an internal scan, but I think the chances are your symptoms are more likely to be prolapse related than IC. I had bulging and pressure from my uterine/bladder prolapse with the twins, and yet my cervix was firmly closed and long. The good news about prolapse is it harmless and the symptoms will subside as the baby moves up and out into your abdomen and away from your pelvis in the next few weeks Forceps delivery hugely increases the risk of prolapse hun. You can ask for a TVU however if you are still anxious x

Naturally - welcome hun, I will be answering your query in more detail later too, but just to say, the 'v' shape is funnelling and is when your cervix has opened from the top but remains closed at the bottom. It looks on scan like the letter Y. An incompetent cervix with a stitch would be expected to funnel under the weight of a baby, but the stitch would prevent it from opening fully. Without a stitch a cervix can funnel just by standing up, and close again when you lie down. It can also funnel under the influence of BH, but then close again between contractions. If there is a good remaining length of closed cervix despite it, then you may well have ehat's called a'dynamic cervix' which will do this throughout the pregnancy but still get you to term. What it does show is that your cervix is showing weakness under strain and it might be worth asking if they'd consider a stitch for you. At the very least you should be resting as much as possible and taking the weight off your cervix. This alone can actually prevent funnelling and get you to term. I will answer in more detail tonight Hun - babes have just woken x

Apsara and Vaali - massive congratulations on the birth of your babies, so so pleased for you. Sorry I missed your announcements xxx

 

[olga2424]

Yaaayi!! welcome back Lizzie....we really missed you hun and I hope you had a lovely time with the family hun, again so good to have you back.
Larockera, am glad you arrived safely dear and I must admit I enjoyed reading your pregnancy journal as it was fantastically written...will continue to stalk i!t..lol

Hi christiana, kateqpr, Helengee, Jimmyjam and anyone ive missed. Am 22+1 today however the mild cramping is still bothering and worrying me as I don't know if its something I should be concerned about or its a side effect of having a stitch....Am drinking nearly 2 liters of water but they keep coming back....my next scan is on the 14/2/12.
Christiana, kateqpr, did you or are you still experiencing mild cramping?

 

[JimmyJam]

Hey LaRockera,

So glad you had a good journey, you sound really upbeat. Must be a relief to have made the flight safely & esp nice to have been spoiled.

I had a diabetes test on Friday, I don't know which one but I had to fast from midnight, have a blood test at 10am, drink a bottle of lucozade but consume nothing else, then have another blood test two hours later. They'll ring me tomorrow if the results are abnormal.

Gestational diabetes can be one of the causes of polyhydramnios & what's interesting is that I've read that progesterone supplementation can cause GD. I was on it early in my pregnancy due to spotting & had injections for about 9 weeks. They've prescribed me the prog pessaries to help with the IC but I've discontinued them in the light of my recent find.

I REALLY don't want GD - Really - but I've been diagnosed early with this new condition, usually it crops up in the third trimester & I am beside myself with worry & misery. At least GD might explain it, although that comes with its own set of complications. LaRockera, when were you diagnosed with too little amniotic fluid & how did it resolve? I can't find enough info to satisfy me & I've only found a couple of people who got diagnosed with too much fluid at 20 weeks. I just want my levels to come down but from everything I've read they only rise steadily & I'm way outside the norm, in the 97th percentile, at 29 (when It should be btw 5 & 25). Women with this condition at 30 weeks are considered at risk if they're measuring 26 . I'm convinced I'm heading for a C-section and early preterm at best.

I'm 21 weeks today, it feels like such a long haul. I had what felt like the same 'tightenings' I had after my cerclage, when I was rushed into hospital, about lunchtime today. I hadn't drunk a great deal of water so I downed about a litre & a half & lay on my left side & they subsided pretty quickly. I have so many things going on to freak me out & people in my life don't seem to understand how scary, horrible & serious it is. Although my husband - as always - is amazing. Poor guy, I ain't much fun right now.

Sorry, I feel like such a whinger but it's great to have somewhere to vent. I'm bloody well going to get through this, I have to for the Wriggler.

Hope Book Fish's op went well & she isn't too sore. Just rmbr to drink LOADS of water & pee as soon as you need to go, Bookfish, making sure you squeeze out every last drop - even at night!

And rest up. Even though I'm not on strict rest I've put myself under virtual house arrest & I'm not doing much. For a self-confessed control freak-cum- multi-tasking Tasmanian Devil it's tough! But best be safe than sorry ...

Good wishes girls, I hope everyone's doing okay. For those of you in Blighty don't slip in the snow!!

Night all.

JimmyJam xx

 

[JimmyJam]

Hi Lizzle! Nice to meet you, I hope you had a great break & I'm glad you're back safely.

Have a whole host of things going on - I am officially a wreck. They may as well tell me the game's up & send me down the knacker-yard now. I'm trying to put a brave face on it but every day is a rollercoaster of emotions and I just can't help it I have a meltdown virtually every other day ...

If you know anything about polyhydramnios & also its relation to IC I'd welcome any info. After such a long time getting here I am now having a seriously complicated & stressful pregnancy ... Look fwd to hearing from you. Hope your babies are ok. X

Olga - so sorry to hear you're still having cramps. Stupid question: have you asked your clinic's advice? Hope you feel better.

JimmyJam x

 

[JimmyJam]

Ps - another cause of excess amniotic fluid is chromosomal abnormalities. I can't have amniocentesis at this stage, it's just too risky, but does anyone know - if my ultrasound scan & blood tests combined at 12 1/2 weeks gave me a one in 1700 chance of Down's - can that change/be inaccurate/have required further testing? I thought I was in the clear & subsequent scans show that the baby looks fine structurally, but my recent diagnosis has given me doubt ..

Bugger. I'm monopolising the thread again. I'll go to bed!

Thanks all.

JimmyJam x

 

[LaRockera]

Olga - thank you for the huge compliment. Writing is my passion and my work, although you may find that the journal has become a bit predictable after a while- all those things happening, and me being just a lazy arse to write some imaginative prose, and just sufficing to report. But yeah, thanks. You're the one who's fantastic.

Jimmy - easier said than done, but hang on, hon. And please update us with your test results, which will, fx, be all positive. I was also on progesterone, didn't know it could cause GD. As far as my fluid is concerned, I was never actually diagnosed with too little. It was always around 9ish, which puts me on the 5th centile but still within the normal range. I just had to keep an eye on it, and with my stitch producing an impossible amount of thin discharge, I was always paranoid about leaking (and still am). I'm hoping that if my baby is still fully engaged, the doctor will suggest that we take it out earlier than the 37 weeks, although I definitely trust that he knows best. Like Lizzy said, you can fight this, and you're really close to viability now. This will happen for you. It will, I know it.

 

[lizziedripping]

JJ hun, I will sit down tonight and type out a proper, detailed post to you but for now and to stop you worrying before bed - the combined NT scan and blood work at 12wks is not absolute and only gives you your risk for downs. However, 1:1700 is a brilliant ratio and whilst they do the scan they also check several markers for downs, the main one being presence of a nasal bone too - absent in downs babies. Again, these markers are not absolute, but give a very good indication. Do you have mild polyhydramnios or is there lots of extra fluid?

As for IC, it is not an extra threat except that the increased weight puts additional strain on your cervix. I woukdn't worry too much about that to Hun considering I carried two babies and two sacs ( lots more weight at 20 wks than you) with a very weak cervix and it was fine Will be back xxx

 

[chistiana]

Jimmy- hey hun sorry you re in such great stress. I just wanted to add that another than the 1:1700 chance you got which is actually really good, and the nasal bone as lizzie said, you can ask them to check the baby's finger. Babies with down syndrome have attached finger (when i say attached i dont mean with membranes i mean completely attached). With every scan i have my doc keeps mentioning the nasal bone and the fingers.

Olga- Hey hun, you actually asked the question at a very good (bad?) timing...i ve been having menstrual like cramps as well as 2-3 contractions per day but i have to admit that i havent been drinking a lot of water and when i do things are a bit better!Can i ask you something back....do you ever feel as if a leg or something is going to come shooting out? It really feels like my lo has stuck her foot down there and it is really uncomfortable.

Larockera- glad everything went smoothly hun! Enjoy the pampering!

Lizzie- Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed your holiday and your babies are doing super fine! Can I ask you too if you think its normal or if you ve experienced this feeling as if the baby is going to stick its foot from down under?

Bookfish- Hope it all went well hun, i m actually sure it will have so will be expecting your news whenever you feel like it!

All the other ladies..Hope you re doing great and progressing well with totally uneventful 9 months!

 

[HelenGee]

Hi La Rock, glad you are safely and calmly in Athens , I just wanted to add as I keep on forgetting, that I had exactly the same fluid issues as you. I thought I was leaking all the time, I wasn't, I really don't think I was, but Chris Griffin said that my fluid level was "on the lower side of normal" too. He reassured me that all was fine, but I still stressed over it.

Jimmy - please don't worry about monopolising the thread, it's psychologically very testing to be in the "ic boat" and the whole point of the thread is support and advice. The stats you have been given for Downs syndrome show a really good ratio, alongside the nasal bone and the other markers, it is the most accurate way of detecting Downs. If there were any issues i would have thought that one of the markers would have highlighted cause for concern. Obviously, the test is not totally accurate, but, as you said yourself, struturally your baby is sound on ultrasound, i honestly think that something else would also point to Downs, in addition to the polyhydromanios. A friend of mine tested as quite high risk at the nucahl scan, instead of going straight for the amniocentesis, she went for a further, more detailed marker scan, and i think it showed a further marker for Downs as high risk. She went on to have an amniocentesis, which came back clear and her baby is now a very healthy, gorgeous 4 year old.

I truly hope it all just resolves itself, but if it doesn't, I hope it's something that can be managed safely for you both, it interesting and unsurprising to me that progesterone has been linked to GD, purely for the reason that my baby was huge for me (8lb) and i was utterly convinced that i had GD as i progressed, i just had this feeling although my tests came back clear Keep resting and Be kind to yourself xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Ok ladies, lovely to be back 'in the fold', have missed you all and my nightly catch ups

I am going to answer everyone's posts from the last week individually. I realise that I will be repeating much of the advice already given by the other wonderful ladies here, so just filter as needed lol. This is the only way I could reasonably think of to catch up on last weeks posts.

So here goes........