Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[chistiana]

Kate- hihihi another great image...a hippo in the bath tub!!!i was never told not to have baths but my ds hardly allows me time for a quick shower so i guess i ve never thought or craved it! But it sounds super relaxing! I would save it for after removal!!! Hmmmm now can someone tell me why some women tell me stitch removal didnt hurt and others say it did? Either way though hun it s gonna come out and pain or no pain you ll be over the moon! Wow 36!!!!!I want to be you!!! Thanks for your kind words, i wish i could take more care of lo but he s really cranky and want to be held constantly which is a big no no so things are only getting worse now. He woke up at 5 and came to our bed...i was so knackered i just went and slept in his little bed and let dh pamper us both!!

Helen- ooooowww really sorry about your lo, it s hard and really heart breaking when they cant even get up to mischief! Hope it clears up soon! Good on you for calling in sick, you d be a nerve wreck going to school with all this s#%t your boss is giving you and thinking of lo being ill at home.xo

Afm- my bump was soooo sooo sore last night i actually couldnt move one of my legs.honestly i was trying to put on my pants and i couldnt bend down or lift my leg..i was in tears and dh was out watching football.i eventually just sat there, pantless waiting for him to come back to help me. It was tragic. And i was soo angry...my doc wont give me the shots before 31-32 weeks and all i could think was that if i went into labor at that point my girl wont have as good chances.grrrrmmffff....anyway woke up today, still have a very heavy feeling especially when i m standing but at least i am not in agony.hopefully it wont get worse during the weekend and monday i go in for another swab, i can ask my doc to check everything for me then. Sorry about the rant, i think the nerves are kicking in now!

Hope everyone is having a very good day, with babies in and out safe and sound!

 

[HelenGee]

Sorry, think "amazing" is my word of the day lol x

 

[LaRockera]

Hey guys.

Christiana-I hope you're feeling better already, hon. And I hope your DH is taking excellent care of himself to redeem himself.

Kate - You may remember that I walked in to have my stitch removed without realising that's what was going to happen, since it happened in my doctor's own clinic. I did think it was funny they didn't let DH with me that time, but it only dawned on me when he said 'be aware that it's going to be painful'. I was so (pleasantly) surprised that I completely discarded the content of his phrase (and the dry way it was pronounced). It hurt only for a couple of seconds, literally, and not a lot really. I was taken aback at how quickly it was over. My point is, it all depends on where the stitch is, who's taking it out and what they're doing. The bloody speculum in triage hurt a lot, a LOT more than my stitch removal. So don't think it is going to hurt necessarily, cause it may very well not do.

Helen - I didn't discover the UTI until a week later either. I thought the pain while urinating stemmed from the stitches. Like you, I only called the doctor once I couldn't even walk, and I had two consecutive days of high fever. Bloody catheters!

Thank you everyone again for your congratulations.

Bookfish, we're thinking of you, wherever you are.

 

[HelenGee]

The second story on here might give a glimmer of hope...

https://www.madeformums.com/blogs/its-amazing/10.html

 

[nhood]

Hi ladies,

I am joining this thread - thank you Lizzie

I will be undergoing a cerclage in a week and I am reading that after the procedure there is some discomfort. How long does this last? Can the discomfort make you go into labor? Is it better to stay overnight in the hospital for a watch and see than to go home?

I am getting more nervous as my day approaches!

 

[chistiana]

Hiya nhood and welcome to this thread!! Although i m no expert myself (lizzie and some of the other ladies on here are super knowledgable) i just wanted to share that i had some discomfort after the procedure for about a week (obviously some tingling/pinching sensations also continued after that but the bleeding/spotting and mild contractions were for about a week). I didnt stay overnight but if i had been given the choice i probably would have done it just for peace of mind, i stressed a lot after the procedure, especially with the contractions). I dont think these discomforts can cause you to go to labor but there is always the chance (even though not as often as we scare ourself it might be) that waters could break after the procedure, start labor or infections. But again i dont think these happen very often and i think the peace of mind you get from knowing you have a stitch holding up in there way outweights the risks. How far along are you now and when is your cerclage due?

 

[LaRockera]

Hello nhood, and welcome hon.

I've had some discomfort following the cerclage but it was nothing I couldn't bear, and after they gave me a painkiller, it only lasted for a couple of hours. So all in all, it's nothing to be afraid of. I had to stay overnight and my bleeding lasted for about a week, diminishing in amount day by day until it became blood-stained mucus.

There's nothing to be afraid of, truly.

------------------------
Here's an update on my side. Xanthe got her first vomit today, and I got my first big scare. :/ My mum and DH keep saying babies do that all the time and it wasn't my fault but I was like, what if she were asleep? I feel awful.

 

[chistiana]

Oooo LR please dont be scared about baby vomit...ds had acid reflux and was always vomiting his milk...dont let her sleep on her tummy and make sure she always burps after a feeding. You could also elevate her matress/basket a bit, i had ds sleeping an an angle for over a year! I know it s horrifying in the first weeks, i d stay up watching him all night just to make sure he was breathing, but xanthe is going to be absolutely fine. Lots of hugs to both!

 

[LaRockera]

Oooo LR please dont be scared about baby vomit...ds had acid reflux and was always vomiting his milk...dont let her sleep on her tummy and make sure she always burps after a feeding. You could also elevate her matress/basket a bit, i had ds sleeping an an angle for over a year! I know it s horrifying in the first weeks, i d stay up watching him all night just to make sure he was breathing, but xanthe is going to be absolutely fine. Lots of hugs to both!

Thank you, sweetie. She burps most of the time, but not always. That's why, even though I find the tip a bit too Greek and bit old-fashioned, I still put her on her side to sleep after her feeds. I think she's overfed today. She's gaining weight beautifully but we still haven't established her feeding patterns fully. Usually in the morning she sleeps well between feeds, but in the evenings she may want to feed every half hour sometimes. I may have to consider introducing a pacifier to avoid overfeeding her. :/

 

[chistiana]

I found that nicolas was also cluster feeding later in the evening but you have to remember that babies feed according to what they need...feedings closer together give xanthe different nutrients/fat than feeding that are wider apart. And even though it might be too greek and too old fashioned, totally agree, that's what they did at the ward so i thought i d stick to that!!anyway, i m sure you and xanthe will settle down to a routine that fits you two best! Try not to worry too much hun, i m sure you re making a perfect mum!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey LR - I remember one of the twins vomiting so violently after a feed that it literally sprayed out of him like a scene from The Excorcist!!! I had never seen anything like it, and he was my fourth baby.

As the lovely Christi said, it's normal and nothing to worry about. Burp her well after a feed and any extra milk will find its way safely out - even when she sleeps. My babies all had muslin cloths on their mattresses to catch the drops of vomit. I have always allowed my babies to sleep prone or propped with rolls of blankets on their sides. Evie was made to sleep this way in her incubator because it was deemed so much better for her breathing and lung growth. She was theoretically a more 'at risk'baby due to her prematurity, but they still advised it. Mine always sleep so much better like that too - they feel more secure. Bet your a brilliant Mum honey, you sound like you're doing a fab job x

Nhood - so glad you've joined us darlin', and I've just got your private message

Having IC is scary enough, but couple that with a twin pregnancy and it just adds to the anxiety. The stitch itself is not a problem and doesn't leave much pain afterwards, certainly nothing that some mild painkillers won't take care of. For a few days you will be in discomfort and feel some tightenings and menstrual cramps. This is all normal, and probably made worse by the fact you are carrying two. I felt lots of pressure down below from very early on with the twins, and had constant, daily Brixton hicks contractions after the stitch went in at 12wks. It was scary, and difficult to distinguish from my daughters preterm labour, but it NEVER amounted to anything more than the typical aches and pains of a twin pregnancy.

The increased stretching and growth of two babies really does feel different to a singleton pregnancy, but it's not necessarily sinister.

You likely went into labour last time after your cervix had begun to shorten and dilate - which it would have initially done without any symptoms. Only then did the dilation trigger ptl and prom. A stitch works brilliantly in strengthening and giving an overall tension to your cervix, preventing this initial shortening and the catastrophic catalogue of events which follow.

You will feel fear and trepidation this time around hun, ( that is only natural given what you've just even through), and you must be prepared to feel a whole host of physical symptoms which are unnerving but please try to remain confident in the stitch and it's ability to get you safely to term. The only plus side of IC as a pregnancy complication is that it is purely a mechanical problem which in turn can be succesfully fixed with an elective stitch.

After the surgery you may feel groggy and run down and have some uterine irritability. This is normal because your cervix has been stimulated. They will give you medication to relax your uterus for the first 24hrs after which it will settle down by itself. I did feel more tightenings and pressure after stitch placement, and in fact u til I reached 30+ wks, but again this was probably in part due to there being two babies and me having the stitch in place. The risks of getting infection or triggering labour during stitch placement are extremely low especially if its done early and before any cervical changes have occurred.

You are doing absolutely the right thing in getting the stitch hun. Mine worked like a dream, and supported a huge weight. Please use this thread to get you through the coming weeks - I have been exactly where you are now and can offer tonnes of reassurance and support. I longed to be able to speak with other twin IC ladies who had succesfuilly made it to term when k was pregnant (I was so scared, and such women are very hard to come by ), so please use me as a resource, I would really love to help if I can

 

[lizziedripping]

:JJ, you ok after the reduction? Everything settled down and stayed quiet? Xxx

Helen hun, so sorry Bella is poorly There is nothing worse than a tummy bug - nothing makes Evie more ill and flattens her completely. Hope the little lamb gets better soon. There's one thing about stomach viruses, they hit hard and fast but at least disappear almost as quickly. She'll hopefully be over the worst by the morning

Just as an aside girls - I apologise if ever you come across a weird typo or two in my posts. I'm now using an iPad most of the time - not only is typing harder and more littered with errors, but when it 'auto corrects' me, the results are often bloody hilarious! Sometimes I notice, but often I don't

I'm tempted to leave them in on purpose one day just to give everyone a good laugh. Put it this way, If ever I've offered to 'goggle your assuages', or 'unploop your theists' hopefully all is now clearer and you don't just think 'Oh Jees, looks like Lizzie's lost her ambles, sorry marbles'

 

[LaRockera]

Thank you so much, guys. She did it again this morning. Puked all over our bed sheets. :/ I called the doctor because it was two incidents within 14 hours and she said it's probably nothing, she's just overeating, and to try avoid her clusterfeeding for today unless she becomes really edgy about it. I honestly don't know what to do. On one hand, if she wants it, she wants it right? On the other hand, if she is overeating, I need to try and stop it, right? I'm all over the place right now.

 

[emma3076]

Hi Everyone im Emma ive sadly had 3 losses, 3 baby boys one at 22wks. one at 19wks emergany stitch. and one at 19wks again had stitch but in at 12wks but only made it to 19wks, ive been to go see a professor in london and the is going to preform a adominal cerclage then when i do get pregnant he wants to do a second operation called a occlusion suture that closes the cervix to stop infection think it acts as a mucus plug. i go for my operation on the 30th march i really hope and pray this works as this will be our last chance. xx

 

[kateqpr]

Hello Emma,

welcome aboard! So sorry to hear of your losses. This pregnancy must feel so stressful for you, but please try and remain hopeful. Is it Professor Shennan you're seeing?

I'm sure the abdominal cerclage will work for you, especially if you're having it early. Do you know if it will mean you'll have to have bed rest too? I'm not an expert on them, as i've only had the more common place stitch, but i'm sure there will be other women on here you can help and give you more reassurance.

LR - honey try not to worry about the vomiting. I know its upsetting, especially when you've been feeding them your hard made milk and it all comes back up again, but i'm pretty sure it's just normal baby vomiting. Maybe she's just guiping it too quickly, if your breasts's flow is quite fast? In my experience and with friends of mine, the vomiting has only become a problem if it happens every feed, as it could then be a sign of reflux, which is treatable but does mean you can have a very sicky baby. But Poppy was very similar to Xanthe, a good feeder, but once a day or so after a big feed, with puke it all up again. I used to try to feed her slowly, breaking every five minutes or so to wind and cuddle before the next drink. I'd also keep her upright for a while after feeding to help her digestion rather than lying her straight down - give the milk a chance to start digesting.

You know, i think the feeding part of a new born is so hard. You're doing brilliantly, but don't underestimate how hard those early weeks are, so you're trying to get to know each other and how each other works, and what works best for you both. This, on top of tiredness, and the constant job of feeding every few hours, is tough. But in a week or so you'll have realised how far you've come and as the weight piles on your LO you realise that you are doing a brilliant job helping the grow.

Hello NHood! Welcome to the thread!

JJ - how are you lovely. Due for day release again tomorrow? I hope things have settled nicely since the amnio.

Bookfish - hello my love. I hope you're okay xxx

Christiana - hope you and yours are starting to recover from their sickness bugs.

Bye all. It's a rainy day here in London so under a duvet watching Tinkerbell with Poppy. My back and hips hurt so much i've given up trying to walk

XXX

 

[emma3076]

Hi no im not pregnant at the moment there doing the adominal stuture first before pregnany on the 30th of march so only a couple of weeks to go, it is professor philip bennett that will be doing the operation. xx

 

[kateqpr]

Good luck then! Shall have fingers crossed for you and a future happy successful pregnancy xx

 

[emma3076]

thankyou. xx

 

[JimmyJam]

Hi Girls.

Just checking in briefly due to pants internet connection. If I'm stable tmrw morning I will go home for half a day & plan on doing a proper post then b/c I feel like I haven't responded to anyone's posts for aaages.

Feeling ok after the amnio - a bit tender & bloody massive but then I've been up & about a bit for the first time in weeks & it feels weird. Just digging in & hanging in there to get to 28 weeks ... And counting ...

Nhood & Emma, welcome to the thread. Nhood, I concur with everything else the ladies have already said about the stitch. Good luck & keep us posted. This is the most fantastic, supportive place.

Emma, I am under Prof Phillip Bennett @ Queen Charlotte's in Hammersmith. It's the best neonatal unit in the country where they send women with high risk pgs from over & you simply Couldn't be in better hands. He runs a research centre here & has a great rep. He & Andy Shennan at St Thomas' are the two best for performing the procedure in the country I've been told. I haven't had an ac just a normal stitch but if you're with him you will be ok. Good luck & let us know jow you get on.

Ladies will post more tmrw when hopefully I can do it properly ...

Hope everyone's ok.

Tons of love xxxxxx

 

[emma3076]

Thanks so much for the reply, i will keep you posted. xx