Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[LaRockera]

JJ - I choose to remain positive for you. Nothing is lost, especially since they have no straight answer for you. I still believe your baby will make it through this. I am so sorry that you're having to go through this, it's more I can imagine, and words are small and poor to describe what I feel and think. But I will remain hopeful. Nothing is over.

Selina - An elective cerclage at 14 weeks has a 99.5% of success, and I was told not to go on bed rest at all, just take it easy, which I did. Just avoid house chores for the second trimester (can you get someone to help you?), try not to walk for more than 20 min and better to stay on pelvic rest. And drink plenty of water. Put your feet up whenever you can, but no need to worry. Don't lift heavy things, look after your personal hygiene, have someone else do housework for you, and you'll be fine.

Olga- apologies hon, whatever I'd say it'd be misleading, I'm not sure I even know what I'm looking at.

As for me guys, stitch is still in there. I called the clinic this morning and my doctor told me there's no need to rush. I do plan to call on Monday and pester a bit though, as I was told that if I go into labour and the stitch is still there, it'll have to be a c-section. I don't object to this per se, but would like to give vaginal birth a go if possible (I know this sounds like a silly worry to some of the ladies here. Please don't ever think I consider this a 'problem' or anything, just having some thoughts, that's all. I hope I'm not being insensitive, I still worry sick about everything really).

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey LR - you can still deliver vaginally if you go into labour with the stitch intact. It just means heading to hospital as soon as you feel the beginnings of labour so that they can remove the stitch quickly before labour is established fully (but then you'd have to do that anyway even if you were having a section). You should ask them if they're comfortable removing the stitch under these circumstances, it sounds as though they aren't.

I was told I could have a vaginal delivery with the twins, but if labour began before stitch removal I'd have to get to hospital immediately - as it turns out the choice was made by my breech twin A regardless.

I'd mention this the next time you see your Doc hun, you should really be able to get the delivery you choose - baby permitting

 

[LaRockera]

Thank you, Lizzie. I was told that if labour begins before the stitch is removed I'd have to go for a c-section, which seems to be the policy here, which is why I want to clarify things. But like you said, it's my lil miss that will eventually decide, and the most important thing is for her to get here safe and sound.

xx

 

[book.fish2011]

Bookfish-just a little update with some relevant info for you too...i went into the hospital tonight cause i was having cramps all day long and i thought id rather be safe than sorry. Good things first..bubs is fine and very very active which accounts for the pain.the downside is my doc came in and told me my swab results have come back and i do have another infection so i will have to go on my 3rd 10 day antibiotics course. I fistly asked why i was getting all these infections and he told me that the stitch is probably causing them. I then asked him if the antibiotics could by any chance hurt my baby and he was very reassuring in that there is no risk at all. He told me that about 3 days ago a patient gave birth. She fous she had toxoplasmosis at 8 weeks pg but didnt want to terminate so she went on antibiotics from week 12 to week 40!!EVERY SINGLE DAY!!the baby came out just fine. So i guess i d rather i didnt have to have antibiotics again (as i ll probably need another kidney after so much of it-i only have one anyway!!) BUT they WILL NOT harm my baby. So pls dont worry about infections and antibiotics, as long as you catch it early you re fine! Xx

Thanks Christiana. Hope everything goes well for all of us.

 

[book.fish2011]

Hi everyone,
jj: I lack words. It is soulbreaking and one just want to pass away and wake up when there is a solution or answer to what will happen. the wait is so hard to carry. I cant do much, just say that i really do think that you will have a family one day. I just believe it. i also have questions like the other ladies here-will you still take out the extra fluid? What is the plan? You are in my thoughts.

LaR: how did the removal of the stich go?

bookfish: As other ladies said-take the antibotics, drink water, empty your bladder when at toilet (i stand at the end and often a bit more gets out), keep your feet warm (dont know why, but midwife told me), drink one big glass of water with squeesed lemon every day (the acid kills bacteria). but most of all-chech the urine often- its a non-invasive procedure so why not? I have used antibiotics during pregnancy because suspected infection (not uti) and its not dangerous for the baby. I also got a lot of antibiotics before and ten days after cerclage. So antibiotics is something we can use in pregnancy (not all kinds of course, but doc knows).

bookfish i have a question, but dont know if it is okay to ask, and please dont ansewer if its not. I totally understand and apologize if it hurts you. I read what you said about losing youre son in week 30. As you know i lost Jacob during birth...midwifes thought the babys head was coming, but it was his shoulder and it took to long time for them to realise. Me being 30 weeks next friday (hopefully,..dont believe it before im there...) thought week 30 was relatively "safe". can i ask why he died? Just thought i might relaxec a bit in week 30, but I read so many different things you know... Once again im sorry if the question is unsensitive.

I am 29 weeks today, hoping for a couple a weeks more.

lots of love to everone

I love talking about my boy. Only problem s with this site on my iPad. I typed a long response to Christiana and the whole browser crashed and I lost what I typed. Didn't have the energy to type it all again so just said thanks.

My boy : I lived in Dubai and was working till 28th week. Pregnancy was picture perfect. No pains, no spotting, no uti, no IC, baby was growing well...everything was like a dream. I went to India in 28th week to have my delivery there. I had a baby shower there attended by 400 guests, all family and friends, went around visiting relatives and shopping. Never noticed anything was amiss. One day after I'd travelled on a extremely bumpy road to get to my In-laws place which is in a country, I saw that some water gushed out when I peed. I told my husband and he thought its just some discharge and am always a paranoid woman, he didn't take it seriously. I went for a day nap and when I woke up I saw my dress and bed linen soaked in water. Then we started off to a hospital in the city, some 3 hours away. It took me almost 8 hours from the time my water broke to get to the hospital. my baby was born on same night through c-section. He weighed 1600 gms. He had to be on ventilator for 3 days, then on oxygen for another 5 days. After that he was fine. On 11th day he had some breathing issues because his PDA(a premie baby problem), returned due to a sepsis infection. Within hours he had a grade 3 Brain bleed and died. Primarily I was responsible for him having to be born like that, so early, on his last day, the nicu doc and nurses did some goof up not realizing he was sick. When they realized it was too late. I must also add that we dont have the best nicus in India. Early babies survive only if they are lucky. Few months ago, I read in papers about a 24 weeker baby who lived - can you imagine, it's a very big news. In the western world it's not an eye-brow raising thing. So in summary my baby and I were not lucky enough - so he died. My poor thing.

I dont know if my story is of any use to anyone but I just couldn't let off the chance of speaking about my sweet son. The reason am staying in Dubai this time around is to give my babies a better chance. But really not sure what am going to get finally. ( Dubai nicus are on par with the western world). But I really not sure what will be the ending of my story this time.

 

[kateqpr]

Bookfish - thank you so much for sharing your precious story. So desperately sad for you. But it sounds like you've done everything you can to make things different this time round, and that you're in a better place if anything does go wrong. But i'm guessing things will go so smoothly this time round. Try not to worry, you and your doctors are doing everything right, and the infections will soon be gone, and you'll be back to feeling more normal. You're doing brilliantly, and the sequence of events that happened last time WILL NOT happen again. I promise.

XX

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Olga, sorry hun, I seem to have missed your scan pics yesterday. A 23mm cervix is brilliant - and the fact that you are funneled to the stitch not important because you have a good remaining length of cervix below it. I am not sure why the docs are so alarmist hun - are there any other issues with the pregnancy as afar as you know?

the measurements for your funneling are at the moment what you'd expect, and at 11x10mms it is extremely unlikely that you have dilated through the stitch. There is far too much remaining closed cervix below the stitch for it to have dilated through it - the remaining length would be less than 10mms if that were the case. Have the docs said why they think this is such a bad scan result? I am certain they would have had to tell you if you had dilated through the stitch darlin'.

I know its easy for me to say honey, but please try not to worry - unless there's something else I don't know about, this looks fine to me, and no worse than you'd see in any lady with genuine IC at 24wks into the pregnancy. xxx

 

[kateqpr]

Hi everyone.

I hope you are all having a good weekend! Beautiful clear blue skies here today, sunny and cold. Perfect!

Bookfish - how are you feeling honey? Hope you're finally starting to feel better.

Christiana - same goes for you lovely. Have the cramps eased off now? Are the antibiotics working? Hope you're both feeling better and nicely calm about the coming months.

LaRockera - so excited about your stitch removal. ANOTHER stitch success story for everyone to look to. Well done you.

Jimmyjam - i'm guessing / hoping you just have no internet connection in hospital. I am thinking about you a lot and hoping and praying things have stabllized for you, and that hospital is not proving too difficult a stay.

HI Olga / Liven / Selina. Hoping things are going nice and quietly for you all!

My news - had a small bit of bright red blood again last night. But for the first time ever, i didn't go to hospital. It happened at 11pm last night just as i was getting into bed. The usual bright red when i wiped, then NOTHING. I sat up in bed for an hour waiting to see if anything else happened, but it didn't. And i feel fast asleep! I knew that if i went to straight to hospital i'd be brought in for 24 hours observation, but to be honest the thought of another 24 hours sleepless in hospital doing nothing (but having my blood pressure checked every 4 hours) didn't really appeal.

I've woken up this morning, no more spots of blood at all, no cramps, no nothing. So i think i'm just going to assume it was that naughty little polyp popping again (as it has done, ooooh, ten times now this pregnancy). As my husband pointed out, each time this has happened it has never effected the baby, it's just been my irritable cervix.

Baby is kicking lots this morning, so just going to rest at home (it's my day off resting at home while Poppy is at grandma's, and SO SO just want to nap today.....). I'm only ten mins from the hospital so of course shall head there if anything changes. But just couldn't face another midnight trip on my own to labour ward.....

God, what a difference a month makes. A month ago i'd have been there like a shot. I really have relaxed a lot these last few weeks.....

XX

 

[selina22]

JJ - I choose to remain positive for you. Nothing is lost, especially since they have no straight answer for you. I still believe your baby will make it through this. I am so sorry that you're having to go through this, it's more I can imagine, and words are small and poor to describe what I feel and think. But I will remain hopeful. Nothing is over.

Selina - An elective cerclage at 14 weeks has a 99.5% of success, and I was told not to go on bed rest at all, just take it easy, which I did. Just avoid house chores for the second trimester (can you get someone to help you?), try not to walk for more than 20 min and better to stay on pelvic rest. And drink plenty of water. Put your feet up whenever you can, but no need to worry. Don't lift heavy things, look after your personal hygiene, have someone else do housework for you, and you'll be fine.

Olga- apologies hon, whatever I'd say it'd be misleading, I'm not sure I even know what I'm looking at.

As for me guys, stitch is still in there. I called the clinic this morning and my doctor told me there's no need to rush. I do plan to call on Monday and pester a bit though, as I was told that if I go into labour and the stitch is still there, it'll have to be a c-section. I don't object to this per se, but would like to give vaginal birth a go if possible (I know this sounds like a silly worry to some of the ladies here. Please don't ever think I consider this a 'problem' or anything, just having some thoughts, that's all. I hope I'm not being insensitive, I still worry sick about everything really).

Thanks so much thats made me feel tones better though i worry as i am over weight and i dont know if that makes a difference to my cervix, but you think it might as the weight etc... will try and rest up as much as possible then in second tri.... complete bedrest is not nessasary then xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Selling hun, your own weight won't affect the cervix. IC happens as a direct result of uterine expansion as the baby grows - one less thing to be anxious about at what is a worrying time anyway hon x

Kate - Glad the bleeding doesn't terrify you quite so much now and that you had a reasonably restful night's sleep

JJ - if you're reading this, you have been in my thoughts all weekend

 

[book.fish2011]

Hi Kate: thanks am better today. Blood is scary, but am glad it didn't happen again. I have frequent nose bleeds. Other day my dh saw some blood on a piece of tissue in the bathroom and got horrified that my spotting started again. I had to comfort him saying its just nose bleed. Things are taking a toll on him after all tat we've been through.

LR: good luck with stitch removal. You are justified to worry about the mode of delivery. Am sure all goes well.

JJ,Olga, Liven how are you? I have been thinking of JJ all weekend too. Just hoping everything's fine with her. Olga, you are past viability mark now. Wow!

 

[selina22]

Selling hun, your own weight won't affect the cervix. IC happens as a direct result of uterine expansion as the baby grows - one less thing to be anxious about at what is a worrying time anyway hon x

Kate - Glad the bleeding doesn't terrify you quite so much now and that you had a reasonably restful night's sleep

JJ - if you're reading this, you have been in my thoughts all weekend

Oh that made me feel better, though im huge, lol, maybe i should relax a bit then, im so worried about all things like school runs moving doing anything lol.. maybe i shouldnt be, maybe i can still do things just slowley lol xx thanks again x

 

[liven1980]

Hello everyone, sunny, but cold in Oslo today..

Bookfish: thank you so much for charing your story. I am so sorry about you loosing him, I sadly know the feeling... Hoping we both will have more luck in 2012, and hold our angelbabies as guardian angels for theyre littlesister/brother.

Kate: when are you due? I am glad the spotting stopped and it is so reasuring feeling the activity of the baby. I have had very small spotting now and then, probably a bit less than you, but I know how worrying it is. I called the hospital, they said the cerwix can be a bit irritated sometimes and not to worry.

Lizzie: just wanted to say that I have read so many of your posts and that I hope you know how helpful you have been. If you ever come to Norway, let me know and I will take very good care of you
(it actually goes to all the ladies here thoug!)

Jj: thinking about you.

Olga: I had 2,3 cm after emergency cerclage at 21+5 with funneling, I believe to the sticht, but to be honest i didt want to know... It has been around 2 cm since. As i understand from what Lizzie and others have written, the point is that the funneling will stop because of the sticht, doing its job, preventing furter funneling. Good luck with everything, I will follow you here

LaR: so you have not been on complete bedrest? what kind of cerclage do you have? Did you have funneling (sorry, have read your story, but cant remember..)

I am 29+2 today. Had a not so good day yesterday, but feel better today. I feel like when i am "finished" with one worry, a new one pops up and i cant let it go...
I guess it is normal...

To everyone: have a nice sunday

 

[liven1980]

bookfish: just read your latest post... had to smile because i recognised what you wrote about nose bleeding. I have a lot of nosebleeding and my man was very worried to when he saw a redspotted paper. We are lucy to have caring men who stand by our side. I try to send him out with friends in the weekends so he can have a bit of good time and relax.

 

[JimmyJam]

Hi Ladies,

Just checking in briefly. Thank you for your messages.

The hospital haven't got a bed for me so, I'm still at home. There's a queue for a single room & I just don't want to go on that ward again where people are having babies. I'm too fragile. My consultant was very clear he wants me in in case my membranes rupture or I go into labour & tear the stitch. The shirodkar will need removing under a spinal & they won't perform a c-section until 26 weeks. But my whole family is in agreement that home is the best place for me. I'm in constant company, I'm compliant & I'm only 15 minutes away from the hospital. Admission now would feel like a prison sentence, lonely scary nights just waiting for the worst to happen.

The last couple of days have been really tough - emotionally, physically & psychologically.

My belly is taught & shiny like a balloon & I am often breathless. Bed rest now feels like a breeze compared to the alternative of being in hospital & I suffer from a fair amount of pressure & discomfort if I stand anyway. My next consultation is Weds - it is the same as an in or out patient - & if my Levels are higher they will perform the amnio. This will give us an opportunity to send off for chromosomal & genetic testing but it's my understanding the fluid will rebuild again fairly rapidly anyway. Thr problem is twofold: I have presented very early with this condition & my levels are just so high.

From what I understand, although 50% of polyhydramnios cases are what they call idiopathic, or unknown, when levels are this high they do indicate a problem - at this stage they just can't tell me what. On Friday the baby's bladder was slightly enlarged which could indicate a neurological problem but, if that is the case, the prognosis for survival is poor. There are a whole host of chromosomal or genetic things it could be but most chromosomal issues have soft markers on ultrasound & the consultant seems to think that our medical histories make a genetic issue unlikely. These conditions can be rare but they do happen. We are considering Seeing Prof Nicolaides on Harley St, who specialises in this kind of testing, but need to find out if that will impact on our NHS care at Queen Charlottes. Anyone know if you can just dip in & out like that? I need to know if NHS amnio testing is as extensive as private as this could be so many things ...

My greatest fear? That the medical community will pull out all the stops to keep my poor baby baking only for me to deliver a child who will have a poor quality of life thereafter. That's if my waters don't break before then.

I wish I could have a miracle: that my levels will just go down to normal & everything will stabilise. And that it will just have been 'one of those things'. But I don't think that's realistic. I am resigned to the worst and feel I am now just playing a waiting game for it to happen. But at least I'm in my own home.

And then I feel I am being disloyal to my unborn baby, writing it off before I even know. It's just that my gut instinct is that this can't have a positive outcome. And baby is bouncing and kicking so much, it is hard not to feel a strong attachment.

I am just so very, very sad. If this all ends badly I will have not just the psychological but physical scars to show for it too - my distended belly cannot but bear extensive stretch marks & will be a constant reminder - as will this time of year, my birthday month, of all the fear & pain.

It's hard to maintain any vestiges of normality so I'm taking it day by day.

Kate sweetie - I am so glad you are feeling more relaxed, how marvellous.
BF - your story is a poignant one, I feel quite strongly yr outcome will be positive this time.
Christiana - that sucks you've got another infection but at least it's being treated
Olga - I empathise with uou re: hospital stay, I am defying orders but just couldn't be there right now
And LaRock - be bolshy & push for what you want. Your instincts are right & don't let them put you off

You've all been so amazing, I get a lot of strength from this thread. Things seem to ne progressing rapidly & the situation changes day by day - for the worse - but I promise to keep uou posted.

Take care ladies & stay strong.

Jimmyjam xx

 

[kateqpr]

Hello JJ my love,

So good to hear from you. I cannot truly understand how hard this must be for you - the not knowing but preparing for the worst. You just need to try and survive this, whatever it takes, and its great that you are being surrounded by family and friends to help you. I guess at least on Wednesday, you will get more news and action, rather than the limbo of waiting and guessing. I've read that the amniocentisis tends to be done every 10 - 14 days, but I guess these things are so different with each person.

With regards to mixing NHS and private - in my last pregnancy i did both. I went to Harley St for some scans and to see a specialist, who then referred me to a specialist at St Thomas's in Central London. I had a choice to have my treatment (this was for my first stitch) either privately or under the NHS, but the consultant was very kind and said as i was a NHS patient anyway, he would treat me under that, and i paid a nominal fee towards his research project (like £100 or something). My doctors at West Mid have always told me it was fine to supplement my treatment privately, as it took the weight off their services. Obviously double check, but i believe this to be the case.

I'm guessing that many of the consultants at Queen Charlottes also work privately, so if you're seeing one of those consultants, the NHS service is probably the same. But obviously this may not apply to Prof Nicholaides - I believe he may be fully private. BUt i think its worth paying the money if it means you trust the answers more, and there;s a possibility of a more detailed scan by someone with a high amnio success rate. It sounds like you just need information in order to start to answer your own questions.

We're all here for you my love. Just try and get through until Wednesday. One step at a time eh, or else your head will explode with the possibilities and outcomes running through your mind.

Kate xxx

 

[book.fish2011]

Dear JJ, you touched my heart when you spoke about your fears of being disloyal to your little baby kicking in your tummy. How I wish all this fears turn out to be unfounded and your water levels go down, and you give birth to a healthy child. I've seen such things happen with others, in varying cases, on the Internet, to which i was hooked to while trying to get over the grief on losing my baby.

Why can't such a miracle happen with you? You deserve this baby so much.

I will continue to remain hopeful for you.

 

[book.fish2011]

bookfish: just read your latest post... had to smile because i recognised what you wrote about nose bleeding. I have a lot of nosebleeding and my man was very worried to when he saw a redspotted paper. We are lucy to have caring men who stand by our side. I try to send him out with friends in the weekends so he can have a bit of good time and relax.

Yeah
My dh has always been a very quiet person and since our loss in nov 2010, we somehow stopped socializing altogether. Also that we have few frends in Dubai and some namesake family. These days my dh is just busy cooking or doing the chores, as I mostly stick to my bed.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi JJ, thanks for the update Whilst you cannot 'know' the outcome of all of this, I fully understand how as a woman you have a very strong gut instinct that all is not well, and I understand also how it seems almost impossible to remain positive when the odds seem so stacked against it. Sometimes tho the fear alone is enough to make the future look bleak, and it is difficult to distinguish that from genuine instinct.

While ever there is life, there is at least a flicker of hope hun, but of course you don't want to raise false hope because the grief then (if it comes) will be even more intense - if that were possible. A horrible dilemma, and one which must be tearing you apart. I feel heartbroken for you that even if things were to improve, you have had to feel this devastation for even a second - no one deserves that

You are in my thoughts every moment of every day through this whole nightmare. Your pain is so recognisable to me, and I just wish we could do more for you

 

[LaRockera]

Liven - I haven't been on bed rest at all. I've had an elective cerclage, I think it's shidhokar but not sure, at 13+3 because of funnelling in my cervix at 12 weeks, and was told to go about life as usual, just be a bit cautious. So I was advised no house chores, best not to have sex, that sort of thing.

Selina - like Lizzie said, I don't think your own weight can affect the baby. Full bed rest is not necessary with an elective cerclage, just try to put your feet up whenever you can, ask your partner to do the lifting and get someone to help you with some housechores. I'd still put clothes in the drum and hang them in our interior airers (didn't have to stretch that way) and iron. DH would bring the load up for me. I wouldn't bend to wash surfaces and stuff, just really mild stuff. For walks more than 20min, I'd take the car/bus/a taxi. xx

JJ - No idea how going private would affect your NHS rights hon, but I would most definitely go anyway. Your doctor sounds Greek, and Greek doctors are among the best in the world (we don't have money, but we have a great medicine school). Don't give it a second thought hon, just go. To me, it doesn't sound like everything is over, not at all, and even though NHS has some amazing doctors, there haven't been a few times were wrong diagnoses/lack of knowledge has led ladies to lose babies or driven them mad. So honestly, visit the private doctor- Queen Charlotte is an excellent hospital anyway, from what I hear- and let's see what he has to say.

Hello to everyone else!