Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[chistiana]

Thanks LIZZIE. I actually "locked" (well not literally but threatened through gridded teeth that if he dared make a step towards lo's bedroom it would be wwI again!) dh in the living room tonight and i must have dragged (since i cant pick up) lo back to his bed literally about 15 times! He was screaming and kicking and even tried sweet talking to me but in the end he surrendered and fell asleep. Now i have to make sure same thing happens if/when he wakes up in the night!

 

[lizziedripping]

Thanks for update C, glad to hear lo relented and gave in to sleep eventually. He so needs you to guide him firmly but gently in this way - he'll thank you for it in the long run, and so will your husband when he has a happy, well slept little boy.

JJ - sorry Hun, remembered that you'd asked about the 7x10 in your notes. I can only assume they mean 7x10 mms which would denote the length and width of the funneling. This would be about right for a slightly funneled cervix which is .6mm shy of the stitch x

 

[JimmyJam]

Jesus Lizzie you're amazing. Thank you - again - for your endless support & advice, you are one special person.

I am so sorry to hear you m/c last year, after everything else you have been through & I dearly hope that you get the good news you want very soon. Because you bloody deserve it.

When things are shitty it's comforting to know that there are people who are as generous as you out there.

Much love xx

 

[book.fish2011]

Hope everyone is doing fine. I didn't have a chance to login yesterday, so missed all the news. Need to go back and check the posts.

The update from my side is, Sunday morning I discovered pain in the vaginal area due to few pimples on the vaginal lips. It was getting worse with the day. The spotting still continued and I couldnt resist the urge to explore my vagina , with just a small finger tip, which I hadn't done since the cerclage. I felt I touched something solid and bloody, not deep inside the vagina but close to the opening. This scared the hell out of me. Was this the stitch that had slid down? Could my membranes bulging into vagina? I called the doc immediately and she asked me to come in.

Doc thought What I touched was the tail end of the stitch. She examined and found a nasty blood clot. It was the size of my thumb( am small, just 5 foot and 100 pounds), and she removed it. This was the source of spotting. She checked the cervix and babies abdominally and confirmed all were fine. Sigh of relief. There's been no spotting since then.

The pimple and swelling in the vaginal lips is thrush. She asked me to apply some cream there and also take canister pessaries. I was down with fever and severe headache when I returned from the hospital. Had to throw up few times as well. Feeling slightly better today but the pain down there continues.

Am a walking shop of all infections. UTI, thrush.. You name it. Am really worried about the cerclage and the babies. Doc ordered infection testing for UTI and vaginal swab again yesterday , let's see how that comes out. Btw I just finished my second set of antibiotic course for UTI on last Saturday. Don't know what I'll do if the UTI is still not resolved.

 

[chistiana]

Oooowwww bookfish....i m so sorry..all shity things seem to happen simultaneously.good thing though is you found the source of spotting and now other than that nasty thrush everything is ok, especially the babies. Good mummy intuition btw! Anyway i hope the seab results come aback clean tomorrow but even if they dont, dont worry pg women go though so many infections your doc will know what to prescribe. I m doing a seab tomorrow too and have already taken 2 courses of antibiotics but i guess what will be will be!good luck hun, let us know how it goes, i hope you feel much better soon!

 

[book.fish2011]

Thanks Christiana for the kind words. Even am surprised by the problems thrown at me one after another. Yes, the important thing is babies are okay, I hope this continues to be so, as this is my only hope, and at the moment the soul goal in my life.

Today the pimples on my vaginal lips burned like crazy once I applied the cream. I had to wipe out the cream with a tissue because I couldn't take the burning. Am guessing this could be because I used an antibacterial soap while washing today (yesterday I used just water). Am checking with doctor to see if I can apply some yogurt down there. Really, all these things are not fun.

How are things with you today?

 

[lizziedripping]

Am with you on the thrush suffering hun - although I'm not pregnant, I've been suffering with it on and off since Christmas, and it is miserable Hadnt had it for 10yrs prior to this!! Your symptoms are entirely indicative of thrush hun. It causes the most intense burning and itching I have ever had, and yes the cream does make it burn initially, but when that wears off it does relieve the symptoms.

After trying everything, including oral flucanazole, and canesten I resorted to drinking gallons of water over the weekend (a glass an hour), and it worked! the symptoms subsided over a few hours and left me as quickly as they had come - couldn't believe it. Try cutting down on bread, pasta and sweet stuff hun, drink lots of fresh water and keep applying the cream if you can stand it. I washed every few hours but only on the outside (douching encourages yeast overgrowth), changed my underwear, stuck to cotton pants and kept drinking. So far it has worked for me.

Blood clot sounds nasty, but totally harmless to babies and stitch. It's probably your body's reaction to having the stitch there - it's not 'normal' to have a foreign body like the stitch, and as with a splinter, your body will try to mount a response to it. Take care, and hope atleast knowing what was causing the bleeding has helped.

Please resist poking around down there tho hun, not a good idea at the moment, and might only add to your thrush problems and can spread the infection from the outside in. xxx

 

[book.fish2011]

Am with you on the thrush suffering hun - although I'm not pregnant, I've been suffering with it on and off since Christmas, and it is miserable Hadnt had it for 10yrs prior to this!! Your symptoms are entirely indicative of thrush hun. It causes the most intense burning and itching I have ever had, and yes the cream does make it burn initially, but when that wears off it does relieve the symptoms.

After trying everything, including oral flucanazole, and canesten I resorted to drinking gallons of water over the weekend (a glass an hour), and it worked! the symptoms subsided over a few hours and left me as quickly as they had come - couldn't believe it. Try cutting down on bread, pasta and sweet stuff hun, drink lots of fresh water and keep applying the cream if you can stand it. I washed every few hours but only on the outside (douching encourages yeast overgrowth), changed my underwear, stuck to cotton pants and kept drinking. So far it has worked for me.

Blood clot sounds nasty, but totally harmless to babies and stitch. It's probably your body's reaction to having the stitch there - it's not 'normal' to have a foreign body like the stitch, and as with a splinter, your body will try to mount a response to it. Take care, and hope atleast knowing what was causing the bleeding has helped.

Please resist poking around down there tho hun, not a good idea at the moment, and might only add to your thrush problems and can spread the infection from the outside in. xxx

I started some intense washing since yesterday when I learned I have thrush, it's only making matters worse. I should take your suggestion to wash only on the outside. Yah, am too scared to poke inside the vagina anymore. In fact am skeptical of pushing in that canesten pessary. Do we push it all the way with cerclage?

I will follow your suggestions with regards to drinking water. I'm not much of a sweet eating person,so that's one less thing to worry about. I just hope the infections get resolved, cerclage stays put and babies will be fine always.

Thanks Lizzie , you are kind as always

 

[JimmyJam]

Bookfish hon am so sorry anout the thrush & the clot - sounds like your instincts were right. Lizzie is right though, don't try to wash the thrush away, just use canesten & drink loads of water. I'd aboid yoghurt down there too - You don't want any foreign bodies near that area.

I have a query - not feeling right today. I feel a bit nauseous & I have gripey like pains just below my belly button. Not like period pains, more like a stomach bug. I've also got lower back pain but have had it for a while & wonder if it's due to my seated position. Not throbbing or coming & going. I just don't feel right & feel like I could be sick any minute.

I am a bit concerned. Should I go & get checked out or give it a day or so? My nxt appt is Weds.

Ta.

 

[book.fish2011]

Hi JJ, thanks. Is using yogurt down there safe during pregnancy with cerclage?

Am sorry you are not feeling well. Is it possible to give a call to your doc, just for some reassurance. You may be feeling a bit down that's all. But I know how hard is it for us to wait for the next appointment.

 

[JimmyJam]

Hey Bookfish. No, hon, I wouldn't use yoghurt down there. The stitch has introduced a foreign body into your system which any kind of bacteria can cling to and go on to develop into an infection. I wouldn't put your fingers or yoghurt or anything else inside your vagina, it's all too easy to introduce otherwise harmless bacteria which could develop into something nasty. I don't mean to scare you but infection is one of the risks associated with the stitch, because it can sometimes lead to preterm labour. You want to avoid introducing any bacteria down there if you can.

I have been given progesterone suppositories & have decided to insert them rectally rather than vaginally because I am so anxious about the threat of an infection.

Your UTI is being treated right? That's great news. Has your doctor said it's safe fo use oral canesten capsules? That could be an alternative. If you have to insert them, make sure your hands are really clean.

I know thrush is really uncomfortable, I had two episodes very early in my pregnancy, but I would err on the side of caution.

I think a few pages back Lizzie introduced the subject of alternatives for treating it. Maybe there's a suggestion in there?

Poor you. I know how horrible it is to have multiple complaints, I am utterly fed up with it.

If I deteriorate I will call my doctor.

Take care sweetie. Theae are anxious times. I, for one, am going out of my mind!!!

Jj xx

 

[lizziedripping]

BF - over-washing strips your vagina of it's natural good bacteria, which in turn allows yeast over growth. When I say to wash frequently, I mean a couple of times a day to run a shower briefly over the outside and dry thoroughly afterwards (I have used a hairdryer on my bits - interesting look from dh whilst doing this btw lol). Don't let any air blow inside your vagina tho hun. Thrush is more common in pregnancy because the additional hormones also upset the natural balance down there and allow the yeast to take over x

JJ - Sorry youre feeling rough It sounds like a stomach virus to me, have you been out and about in the last 48hrs and could have been in contact with someone with it? Vomiting bugs are rife at this time of year. Have you lost your apetite because of the nausea?

Stomach bug cramps are very different to labour cramps, which feel more like bad wind combined with period-like pain. They come and go reasonably regularly. I had a bug last year and the pain was around my belly button and excruciating - it did come in waves too every 20mins. It differed from labour because the pain was gripey and specific to one area. Labour - even early labour - is generalised around the lower abdomen and then radiates over the whole bump.

If it gets more intense, then it never hurts to have a check up, but at the moment I'd say it sounds like a bug. Keep up your fluids and rest. Try lying on your left side for a while and see if that helps. take care, and keep checking in - I'm out for a few hrs this afternoon, but will keep popping in if I can xxx

 

[JimmyJam]

Thanks Lizzie.

Haven't been out but have had visitors who could've brought something in.

My appetite isn't normal & I've got sharp pain in my groin area, on either side beneath my pubic bone. One of my glands above the pubic bone is swollen (see fears above re: infection).

Just not feeling up to scratch - in fact not keen to get out of bed which is uncommon given last couple of days ...

Have appt on Weds so could see how I get on & wait to address it then ...?

 

[lizziedripping]

Groin pain could just be pregnancy related musculoskeletal, a very common place for it to be. If you run a fever, and pain continues I'd get checked Hun - I am not worried, but it never hurts to play it safe. If your visitors had been suffering with a bug recently tho, I'd definitely say that's the culprit. Your immune system is so much lower in pregnancy x

 

[JimmyJam]

Thanks Lizzie, will do that x

 

[book.fish2011]

Hi JJ, thanks for that. No I won't apply yogurt down there. Am using canesten vaginal pessaries. I use cyclogest too, rectally. My UTI was treated with antibiotics, am waiting for test results this week to check whether it's cured.

 

[chistiana]

Hey jj sorry you re not feeling good hun...as lizzie said it s probably a stomach bug but i was wondering...are you different sorts of medications?i am taking a million different medicines and every 2-3 weeks i go through 1-2 days when i feel really crappy ready to puke and feeling run down in general. I m not sure it is the medication causing it but since i havent run a fever that s where i attribute it. Plus i too get the reallu sharp pains (yesterday i stood up after laying down for quite some time and the pain on my lower left side was so big it caught my breath). I want to think it s stretching pains or baby pushing on
things. Anyway if you dont want to wait till wednesday a phonecall would hurt. Hope you feel better soon.x

 

[kateqpr]

Hi everyone,

Oh Bookfish, you poor thing. Hope you're starting to feel better. I had a series of UTI's and a staph infection AND thrush in this pregnancy. All a right royal pain in the arse at the time (and left me scared!) but each one was quickly and effectively dealt with with antibiotics, as am sure you're will be too. Try not to worry and just take it easy. Lots of water and good food, blah blah blah... You know the score!

Jimmyjam. Oh honey. You sound sad. I know you're probably not having the best week, especially if you're feeling unwell anyway. It's the last thing you need, to not feel healthy on top of it all. I did (and do) still get days when i feel quite sick, and i wonder if its morning sickness back again, or anxiety induced nausea, or just a bug. Who ever really knows? Just try and look after yourself. And i too had lots of pains in my groin, but of course if you're sat at home worried about these things, then i would call your triage or doctors. No point worrying when someone else can reassure you.

Normally they tell you to keep a close eye on your temperature with regards to any infection, so keep checking that if you're feeling rough. But chances are its just a normal sicky bug (my husband had a week of terrible diarrhea and vomiting, i was convinced i would get it too, but just ended up feeling really nauseas for two days instead...). Trouble is, when you're pregnant and on high alert, you naturally assume anything you feel is now pregnancy related. But as always, call and check if you're worried.

Only one more day until your big hospital day. Keep yourself busy tomorrow, and hopefully you'll get some good news on Wednesday. Another week has gone by and you're still here!

I'm thinking of popping to Chiswick on Thursday to see my family (i've not seen my dad since Christmas day, what will all this bed rest stuff!) so if you're feeling up to it, am more than happy to pop in with some magazines etc, for a very quick visit to see how you are. If you're not feeling up to a visit from a stranger, i totally understand. I mean, who needs that when you're going through one of the weirdest, most stressful times of your life! But if i'm near, i'm happy to say hello and make you a cup of tea. I know the visiting bed rest drill!

It's half term this week, so have Poppy at home all day every day this week. Took her to the cinema for the first time ever today. Went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks; Chipwrecked!. Her choice, not mine. It was cute, to see how totally enthralled she was by such a big TV screen. These little things are starting to make me feel so much more normal again. Although i am starting to slightly panic about the idea of looking after two children - just the logistics and practicalities of whether to get a double buggy, breastfeeding whilst amusing a two year old....the list goes on.

Anyhoo - off now to watch another episode of Mad Men (i'm obsessed) and have a cup tea of tea and some cheesecake. My plan to watch my weight this pregnancy have long gone by the wayside....

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi JJ - how are you tonight? Any better? X

Kate - so glad your life is opening up once more, and how wonderful that you're getting some quality time with Poppy before the new arrival.

Please don't worry about managing a new baby and a toddler. I don't know why, and can't offer an explanation, but adding more babies is somehow easier by a mile than having the first.

You will be busier, but somehow the new baby just falls in so seamlessly with the family routine. I look back now and wonder at how I ever found one newborn so exhausting and demanding, when 4 kids now doesn't seem half as bad! Because life is already structured and built around the one, adding more is not as great a transition as going from none to one. Poppy will love her new sibling, you'll find more than enough time for the bf, and your lives will feel complete

Of course, I say all this now, but I used to lie awake fretting about managing more than one too. What a waste of my time and energy that was, it was nowhere near the frenetic, disorganised muddle I had anticipated!

I think part of being a good Mum or mum-to-be is that we are forever generating new anxieties and concerns. Draining as it is for us, it's also what keeps us alert, attentive and ultimately protective towards our brood - as mother nature intended xxx

 

[book.fish2011]

Hi Kate, that's so sweet you and Poppy went for a cinema

I'm taking canesten vaginal pessaries for yeast infection. A bit paranoid about inserting anything inside vagina but I guess there's no other go.

I ve already finished 2 courses of antibiotics for UTI. First one hadn't helped to resolve the issue, so had to second. A stronger antibiotic bcoz they found a dangerous bacteria - equalizer or something..Im bad at remembering its name.

They have taken the urine sample to test again, hopefully, it's fine this time.

My worry is that these infections can cause a bigger problem. Having gone through Pprom once, I guess, it's very easy for me to worry.

Lizzie, I really admire it when you say how you managing your four lovely children. Kudos to you.