Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[heychickie]

LR, Jackson spits up multiple times per day. The volume isn't as much as it seems, think about if you spill a tablespoon of milk on the table, how much it spreads, and how wide it will look if you put a towel on it. As long as she is pooping and peeing, and her weight is increasing, I'm sure she's fine. I second the recommendation to keep Xanthe upright for a bit after eating, same as when we were pregnant, if we laid down right after eating we might be more prone to heartburn, well babies are more likely to spit up if they are laid down right after eating.

 

[chistiana]

Emma-welcome to the thread! I am so very sorry for your losses, you re a hero for doing everything you can to get your rainbow baby. I only have a normal stitch in and dont know much about the abdominal one but it seems your doc is being super proactive this time round. Hopefully you ll be pg soon and with or without bed rest you ll get to hold your rainbow at the end of the journey. Good luck with the procedure on the 30th and for anything you might need we re all here to talk and support each other.

LR- how is little xanthe today hun? Nic had acid reflux and he would throw up after every feeding. Eventhough i dont think it is dangerous it does make for an extremely fussy baby. I really hope its nothing of that sort and that xanthe is just over enjoying mummy s milk! I guess i cant offer any more advice on what the othe other ladies have written but if it continues or increases you might want to talk to your doc about the posibility of acid reflux. xo

Kate- thanks hun, lo is better today but i ve been going down down down plus my stupid heartburn has retuned with a vengence. The only good thing is that because i m coughing a lot bubs is kicking a lot lol!! Anyway, hope you re enjoying your evening with poppy and you re not too sore tomorrow!

Jimmy- yayayayaya for tomorrow s freedom!! It all sounds it s going fine, amnio now out of the way and still able to get some time off at home! Enjoy your sunday babe, 28weeks yayayayayayayyayayayayya!!!!!

 

[LaRockera]

Hey guys, thank you so much for caring and all the advice.

Well, she hasn't puked since this morning, we seem to be on schedule, although she has only pooed twice so far, and I'd like to see at least a couple of more dirty nappies to be content. :/ I called the pediatrician and she advised for a pacifier during clusterfeeding time. Xanthe took it, although I'm not sure I like the idea of it at this stage. I'll let her have it today and perhaps go back to our usual routine tomorrow.

If I didn't worry that much about her vomiting while I'm not there I wouldn't have introduced the pacifier at all.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Emma and welcome sweetie I'm so sorry for your losses, that is really tough hun. I am so relieved they're agreeing to a TAC for you, it is obviously necessary and should work well for you. They are pretty much 'fail safe' in women for whom all other options have failed. You might even manage the pregnancy without bed rest too. Good luck Xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi LR - one of main problems with bf is that lo quickly learns to use it for comfort as well as nutrition and comfort suckles much of the time, hence the over feeding and vomiting. A pacifier at this stage shouldn't be a problem now she is well established on the breast, and will help to get her into a routine and reduce her demands for suckling.

Alternatively you could try stretching her between feeds if you know she has a had a good 30min feed and is satisfied (30/40 mins is more than enough on the breast for a feed at this age). She can go at least 2hrs between good feeds and really needs to sleep soundly anyway for those 'mini stretches' throughout the day, without coming to rely on the breast to settle herself. Bf is a definite 'art' hun which takes practice and time - perservere, and soon you'll recognise the tired cry for what it is and resist offering the boob when in fact she needs to sleep not feed.

Don't be afraid to give the pacifier a trial - they aren't forever, and they really do help to get baby into a good routine of sleeping and feeding which in the long run is beneficial for you both. Without it you can still encourage her to stretch between feeds - the more sleep she has the less she'll cry for a comfort suck. PM if you need any more help hun xxx

PS - just editing this post because reading it back it might come across as bossy and condescending. I was typing it whilst trying to fend off a curious toddler, ad the other kids all demanding my time in the background. I just blurted out all the things I wanted to say as quickly as possible, but it hasn't come across well as a result. Sorry hun, not intended. Was desperate to help but didn't have the time to put it together in the best way possible.

 

[LaRockera]

Thanks, Lizzie.

She usually feeds for around 20 minutes at this stage, and then sleeps for at least three hours. That happens during the day. Clusterfeeding issues start at around six, six thirty. Today she fed, fed again, and then I gave her a pacifier and she slept for about a couple of hours, and now I've fed her again, and she's asleep in her carrycot. I'm waiting to see if we'll have a second row of clusterfeeding at around 12ish, it does happen frequently. Then she usually wakes up around 3-4, eats again, and sleeps until about 8am.

Emma, welcome hon. I'm so sorry for your loss, sweetie, and I wholeheartedly wish you good luck with your abdominal cerclage. We're here to support!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi LR - sounds like you're managing to stretch her very well for a bf baby. The evenings are always the most demanding time probably because lo is tired and welcomes the warmth and comfort of suckling as well as needing to stock up on milk. It's so hard to know how much they're getting and how much is genuine hunger or comfort. Both are of course fine, and if you're happy to feed constantly in the evenings, then that's fine too - whatever suits you and baby has always got to be the right thing. Because you need to avoid the projectile vomiting tho then the dummy should do the trick in helping her to resist the boob lol.

Don't worry if and when she does vomit tho hun, it's so so common and harmless. Reflux tends to be smaller amounts and is characterised by 'spitting up' after every feed with lots of painful screaming between times from lo (the pain is eased ironically by drinking milk, albeit temporarily). This is much more likely to be over feeding than reflux in Xanthe's case

 

[chistiana]

OMG LR i just need to say this...xanthe is such a good little baby and she must be super happy with your milk...nic was waking up at least once every 2 hours during the night to feed!3-4 hour stretches seemed like paradise!well done to both of you!

 

[JessiBear]

Hi there everyone,

I recently made a post about incompetence cervix and was told to join this one. I can see everyone goes here

Well, I am 24 weeks and just found out I have a shortening cervix (1.1cm) and it's also opening on the inside (very small!!!)

I have been put on bed rest and have moved back in with my mum so she can look after me, as my partner works full time (obvious i know).

I have done heaps of research and been told by many doctors about what is happening and I can tell people about it. But for some reason I am still so confused.

I have to see a specialist every two weeks and I have another ultrasound in two weeks too, and thats to make sure my little blue baby is ok and that my cervix isn't opening anymore.

It's just so much information to take in. And I think the worst thing is - I feel fine!!
I'm not sick. I just cannot do anything for the health of my baby. But it's so annoying - I get bored really easily.
And of course being away from my lovely partner!!

I am scared as to what might happen. But at the same time I feel stupid for worrying.

Jess xx

 

[chistiana]

Jessy welcome to the thread! No reason to feel stupid, worrying is part of ALL pregnancies and even more when there are complications with it! I know bed rest is very boring and annoying (been on bed rest for 15weeks now) but it s the best you can do for your baby and to look at the positive side of it at least you re with your mum rather than all alone at home. Did your doc discuss at all the posibility of a stitch? I m not sure you can have one at this stage but the other ladies might know. Plus you ve reached viability so that s good news!! Anyway, this thread is GOdsent, lots of us on bed rest (great!!!) and even more with sooo much knowledge to answer your questions and worries!!

 

[LaRockera]

Lizzie, you're amazing, you're here to comfort each and every one of us on all possible things. Thank you hon, reading your post was very reassuring, as was reading Christiana's.

JessiBear-hi, and welcome hon. It's really good news that you're already 24 weeks. This means you've passed the imminent danger zone of IC, which is really around weeks 18-23, plus, your baby is now viable. Being put on bedrest is the thing to do, and even though I can understand how hard it must be, it's extremely fortunate that you have your mum there to take care of you. Your cervix length-wise is short but not short enough to make you despair, at least in my opinion. Cervices are dynamic, which means that with bedrest, you may very well gain some length. Make sure to drink plenty of watery to flush infections out, and eat a pot of yogurt a day as it helps protect from thrush. I don't think that at 24 weeks a cerclage is feasible any more, and I'd think it'd pose a risk rather than help- although you should definitely push for one in your next pregnancy.

Good luck hon, and please keep us posted.

 

[JimmyJam]

Hi Ladies

Promised a lengthy one but I'm not going to be able to deliver

About to go back to hospital from home & am in bits. It just hits me sometimes. Trying so hard to be strong. Just can't be all the time. It's too hard. Too much to deal with. Too long with too much uncertainty & I am exhausted.

Will find a way to post more from hospital.

Hope you're all ok.

xxx

 

[chistiana]

Jimmy-hun i totally understand you, seriously, you have every right to be like this..but please think it is only another 10 weeks to term, not that long to go babe, we ll make it there. I m sending you lots of hugs.xo

 

[LaRockera]

Jimmy hon, good luck and we're here for you to read your updates when you're ready to post them.

Please know, and take it from a fellow cerclage mommy, it's all so wort it in the end. Keep the thought deep down inside you, and think that time flies by, it's the only thing you can't stop, and you will be holding your precious baby before you even blink. I promise you, hon. Look how far you've come.

 

[HelenGee]

JJ - you've done the worst bit, the first part of this whole ic/polyhydramniosis the worst part, the doom, the gloom and paralysing fear. I don't mean to trivialise your despair, but you've dug deep and got through so much. Are you 28 weeks today? A baby at my mother and baby group is a 28 weeker and she's perfect. Please know that we're thinking of you and revel in how incredibly you've done by defying all the gloomy stats you were given. The hospital are lucky to have such a brave lady there.

LR- sorry it's late, but I second Lizzie's advice about the pacifier. Both of mine were "sucky" babies and a pacifier was the only to stop the comfort feeding and distinguish between hunger and suckling. It sounds like Xanthe is doing amazingly, it took a while for my to stop using me as a pacifier! Well done you! Oliver was a vomiter, babies are pretty good at turning their heads to the side when they throw up, so they don't choke. To be honest, I found the vomitty baby easier to cope with than Bella, the fussy and hold it all in til she's colicky baby. Oliver was very efficient at getting rid of whatever he didn't need, whist Bella held on until she was very uncomfortable. One way to alleviate your stress over vomiting might be a breathing monitor, they're not everyone's cup of tea, but it worked for me.

Welcome Jessibear- you have done so well to get to 24 weeks, well done. That's the first goal for many ic ladies and you're already past that goal. Bed rest really does work, and tough as it is, the hospital is the safe place to be for constant monitoring. For many ladies, getting that monitoring and the need for it recognised, is the tough hurdle. Please take heart from the fact that you are doing the best for your baby.

Lizzie- how are you sweetie? The iPad autocorrect is beyond irritating, I'm typing on the iPad and sometimes I retread, I mean reread the posts I've written and they are utter nonsense.i often wonder if you ladies think I'm crackers. The nutty autocorrect has given my DH and I some laughs tho, such as the thinly veiled swear words we now use around the house, out of little ears' range of course - "carp" is our favourite lol.

 

[HelenGee]

Christiana and Lizzie- thank you for the get well wishes for Bella, she's so much better, as you said, she bounced back after 24 hours. She has been a bit sick today again tho, I suspect teething is the cause as her temp is ever so slightly raised, as it does when she's teething. If she's still a bit bad-tempered tomorrow we'll go back to the doctors. It's so awful when LO's are poorly, hate it. Christiana- hope Nic is on the mend too

 

[lizziedripping]

My dearest JJ I hate that you are so unhappy lovely lady, I only wish I could take it away from you, wave a wand and have you wake up safely on the other side. I will keep you in my thoughts tonight sweetie, and hope that tomorrow you are feeling better and ready to fight another week. Every step now darlin is a huge leap for your lo

Helen, so glad Belle is feeling better. I hate it when my babies are poorly - even tho you know they'll 'survive' it still feels very unsettling to see them suffering

Lol re:auto correct. There's a brilliant website which documents texting aut correct errors from people's iPhones. It's wickedly funny. Will look it out and post the link - might give everyone a giggle and help cheer JJ up xxx

Kate, Olga, MA and Liven (and ofc ourse BF if youre there) you all ok girls? Kate, is it this coming week you get the stitch out? Night all xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Jessie bear - welcome hun

You are absolutely not stupid for worrying. Discovering any pregnancy complication is terrifying and unexpected - both of which make for a nerve wracking time. You can do so much now for lo, mainly by being alert to your symptoms and taking the maximum bed rest that you can manage.

Being dilated inside at 24wks probably means that your cervix is short and funneling at the top, but is still closed at the bottom. Imagine that your cervix should look like the letter l, but in fact looks more like a Y. This is a good representation of what funneling looks like. If you get off your feet, minimise walking around and drink plenty of water the funneling can close up again and you can make it to term.

If you need to know any more, or are uncertain about any of the info you've received so far then please ask hun. Things for you are not yet irreversible, and you have made it already to 24wks with minimal cervical changes (which might be a positive sign), but it is important to be cautious and look out for any feelings of pressure, lower back aches and/or bleeding. If you have any of these, then please get checked out.

I'd be tempted to ask if they'd be willing to scan you sooner than in 2wks time. The cervix can change (for better or worse) quite quickly but if caught in time there are things they can do to help. At this late stage it's unlikely they'd put in a stitch, but it's better to be aware of any further changes as they happen so that you and they can at least do the maximum possible to get this pregnancy safely to 30wks and beyond.

Wishing you all the best sweet - keep us posted and we're here if you need anything

 

[JessiBear]

Thanks so much everyone for the welcome and help to my worries.
So the cervix can close again? Wow gets even more confusing...
The doctor said by the looks of my cervix and where my baby is laying that it will be likely I might not make it to 32weeks . So, I would prefer to make it to 32 than anything before. just so worried.
My goal is to make it to 28!! Not thinking of the worst possibilities yet. Or trying not to.

Jess x

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey Jess, your cervix can close up again if it just funneled as a result of baby weight and uterine stretching. Taking bed rest can and does in some cases help to reverse the process. If you were in early labour then it can't. I'm guessing you haven't had any aches or cramps yet which is a good sign and might indicate that your cervix is 'giving' due to baby weight but hasn't dilated completely.

Just keep doing what you're doing, get up only for toilet breaks and occasional showers and try to remain positive if you can. I've been there Hun and know how frightening this all is so totally understand how you feel. Take care and keep in touch xxx