Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[book.fish2011]

BF- hey babe, so sorry you re going through this stress again but at least you re in week 34 already and babies will be fine even if they were to be born now. i just wanted to tell you that when labour started for me this time i didnt experience the normal type of contractions...it was a continuous pain like period cramp that went on and on...it didnt come and go so i didnt think it was contraction..by the time i reached the hospital it was contractions every two minutes . so even a continuous pain should make you hit the road hun just in case. but anyway i certainly wish you that your babies keep baking for another good 3 weeks at least!

Thanks for that Chris. Was the pain very severe? How will you rate it on a scale of 1 to 5?

And were you dilated when you reached the hospital?

This labour pain is so confusing. I'm really not sure I'll know when it starts . How scary!

 

[chistiana]

Bf- it was pretty bad initially (i would say on a scale of 1-5 it was a 4) but then it eased off and it was roughly a 2. Also, sorry for the tmi, but when it started i also got terrible diarrhea. I think it was my body getting ready. I dont know if i was dilated as a)i still had the stitch there- doc said it was just about to rip my cervix and b) they did an emergency c section because of the stitch and the fact nat was feet down and contractions being so close together.
There is no point worrying about whether you ll know for a fact or nit, just make sure you go in if you feel any pain... Even if it s not labour, it s better to be safe than sorry.
Because it was nics b day i didnt want to go and my dh had to persuade me...doc said if i had gone in half hour later the stitch would have ripped my cervix.

 

[LaRockera]

OMG Christiana, I'm SO sorry I missed your birth! You didn't post anything on facebook, did you?

HUGE CONGRATS, hon, another success story to inspire!

 

[chistiana]

LR- thanks girl, dont worry about it, nat was 5 weeks early anyways!!! No i didnt post anything on fb, dh is a little weird about it!!! Thanks again!!

 

[sunkiss]

awww congrats on the birth of ur baby girl chistiana !! another success story to inspire me !! how is she doing? were u able to bring her home?

book.fish2011 i agree with chistiana, thank God u are almost at 34 weeks the magic number as my docs put it, ur beautiful babies r gonna be just fine hun, i will keep u in my prayers

 

[book.fish2011]

Bf- it was pretty bad initially (i would say on a scale of 1-5 it was a 4) but then it eased off and it was roughly a 2. Also, sorry for the tmi, but when it started i also got terrible diarrhea. I think it was my body getting ready. I dont know if i was dilated as a)i still had the stitch there- doc said it was just about to rip my cervix and b) they did an emergency c section because of the stitch and the fact nat was feet down and contractions being so close together.
There is no point worrying about whether you ll know for a fact or nit, just make sure you go in if you feel any pain... Even if it s not labour, it s better to be safe than sorry.
Because it was nics b day i didnt want to go and my dh had to persuade me...doc said if i had gone in half hour later the stitch would have ripped my cervix.

Oh oh Chris! Thank goodness you listened to your dh and went to the hospital. My doc was saying that if she doesnt remove my cerclage (i was 1 cm dilated), there are chances itll rip when labour starts. Now without a stitch and already 3 cm dilated, whatever will happen, will happen quickly with me. About pains, I'm always in one or another kind of pain. I just hope I will have some intuition which will set me off to the hospital when labour starts.

The whole thing is like a horror/thriller movie at the moment. Only difference is that I'm living through it.

 

[bluestarlight]

Take care BF, I hope everything goes well for you

 

[lizziedripping]

Had my first cervical length check today - 2.8cm. I'm a bit concerned that its already shorter than at 26 weeks last time and I'm only 13 weeks!
I was also told last week to start weaning off progesterone so dropped from 200mg to 100mg for the last week and an due to drop further to 50mg from tomorrow. I was given it for short LP not my cervix but should I really be stopping? 2.8cm is ok isn't it?

Hi 2016 - 2.8 is definitely the shorter side of normal, but it is still normal. I would definitely be asking for more scans at the very least tho, just to see what it does over the coming weeks as your uterus grows significantly(usually from around 16wks). If it were to remain steady at 2.8 then this might just be normal for you, and give you no problems.

Is there a plan to scan you regularly? X

Spoke to the consultant today and he wants me back in 13 days time for follow-up just to be safe. He said he's not overly concerned but any further shortening and he will most likely want to stitch.
Do you know if a low lying placenta can cause problems with a stitch?

I'm going to stay on the progesterone until I see him again to give me the best chance.

Hi - good to hear they're keeping a close eye on you hun. Low lying placenta isn't uncommon at this early stage and may well move upwards anyway as your uterus expands. It shouldn't cause a problem with the stitch unless it was lying completely across your cervix, which I doubt it is xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies just a quick update from my appointment this afternoon...

My cervix is still long and no funnelling measurement was 22mm above the stitch and 11mm below the stitch .. I don't really understand the above an below so if someone could explain I would be most grateful
They also didn't do the speculam test as urine came back clear and il be starting the ffn testing at 22 weeks.

Hope your all ok xxx

Hi - your cervix is basically 22mm long above and 11mms long below the stitch - the stitch being placed quite near the top, close to your uterus. It's total length is around 3cms which is excellent. It doesn't really matter how much remains above the stitch, so long as it is closed below. If you funnel you'll lose some length above, maybe even down to the stitch but it will hold and prevent any further opening to the outside xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Thank you so much Lizzie! really reassuring. im so glad i have you keeping my hopes up because midwives are not so hopeful we will make anywhere near full term!! im staying positive but have been thinking about if i did go into labour before 28 weeks and that i would like to be in the best place for my baby.

My mum has been researching and found out that we are not at the best Neonatal in the city but it is very good SCBU.

do you think its worth considering asking to be transferred to the best they specialise in extreme prematurity?

Also this early do you think baby would benefit from a c section to avoid trauma of vaginal birth?

i appreciate all opinions and personal experiences that you ladies have

thanks in advance ellie xxx

Hi honey, sometimes a section is unavoidable if baby needs to come out quickly, but I wouldn't avoid a natural delivery if it presents itself.

If baby isn't in extreme distress, there is an argument for vaginal delivery that says it actually helps to strengthen babies lungs. the temporary 'distress' of labour releases valuable hormones which speed up lung development, absorb any amnitoic fluid and the process of being squeezed through the birth canal forces water out of the lungs. All these things are nature's way of helping baby to survive and thrive in the outside world.

One of my twins had respiratory distress at birth purely because he was a section baby and hadn't had the benefit of being pushed out. Despite him being full term and big, he did worse at birth than Evie born at 24wks via a long vaginal labour - I am convinced it helped her cope with being so prem. section doesn't cause a problem in all babies, but I'd always opt for a vaginal birth if it was reasonabley safe to do so

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi all

Sorry I couldn't be online since I were in hospital since Monday morning and didn't have access to net. I had some very severe burning in my bottom (area between rectum and vagina). It was so bad that I tried ice cubes on it and also applied olive oil but nothing happened. Using the loo or inserting cyclogest pessaries were a 'task'. I had already lived with this pain for four days and went to see the doc on Monday.

Doc saw that my cerclage was under stress, cervix had opened 1 cm. she admitted me and removed the stitch next morning. That dilated the cervix to 3 cm.*

I was monitored for 48 hours; absolutely no contractions - so have sent me home. If I experience any signs of labour, I need to rush to the hospital immediately and they'll perform an emergency c.

My pain the bottom persists. Doc said its due to the pressure of twins. Theres pain everywhere and am in constant agony. All this will be worth it if I have my babies safe and sound with me.*

Lizzie - one question; apart from contractions and water breaking and bleeding, are there any signs I need to keep my eyes, ears and other senses open for? Also, I'm on full bedrest except using loo. I lie on my sides only. Is there anything else I can do to keep my uterus calm and take the stress for few more days?

Pls pls, all the lovely ladies here - keep your fingers crossed for me.

Love x

Hi bf and so sorry I missed your drama over the last few days

At 34wks and 3cms your twins could come any day, as with all twins, but it doesn't necessarily mean that they will. The pressure/pain your feel could mean labour is imminent, but then again most twin ladies experience these symptoms but can still go on for several more weeks.

It's so hard to predict, but unless you have regular contractions and/or your waters break, it's unlikely the babies will put in a sudden and unexpected appearance. At this stage you will get some warning like intense cramps, period pains or a significant bloody show.

If these babies are ready (and they might be) there is nothing you can do to stop it, but keep resting bf and if they do need a few more weeks to mature fully then the rest may well do the trick. Keep us posted xxx

 

[Keliann]

Hi ladies,
I posted a few days ago about our situation. I had an emergent cerclage placed just under 3 weeks ago, at 24.5 weeks, and have been on complete hospital bedrest ever since, also on progesterone and nifedipine (to calm my irritable uterus).I have just hit 27 weeks today and had our first scan since the surgery today, baby looks great, he is measuring on the 44th percentile, they checked my cervix too, and I was told I have about a cm above the stitch and about 2.45 cms below it, he also said its closed below the stitch ( essentially because of the stitch tho) baby is head down and it was difficult to get a clear measurement and they couldn't see clearly if there was any funneling, however he assured me even if I funnel to the stitch they type I have will hold it closed. It's called a shirodkhar(?) suture. Is this a good measurement at this stage? I still get fairly regular tightenings and often they are quite painful, however the drs and the MW's assure me they probably arnt changing my cervix, but my question is how will they know? They don't plan to scan me again for another 2 weeks at least, maybe 3. And every time I get up at all I get tightenings so I am not going to be allowed home till 34 weeks at which point he may take the stitch out. Is this typical practice? I was thinking that they would be checking my cervix more often just to keep an eye on whats going on.
Thanks kindly for your answers, kel

 

[LaRockera]

Bookfish, I'm so sorry I overlooked your important post! I'll be thinking about you, hoping for the very best, hon.

 

[pinkladyangel]

Firstly BF I have everything crossed for you hun.

Secondly, more questions guys. (Sorry)
I had my 20 wk scan 2weeks ago and all was, good cervix closed. They sent urine away for testing and did a swab as urine dip test showed slight raise in white blood cells (apparently sign of early infection). Luckily both came back clear. For the last few days I've noticed a bit of pressure down below. No pain but when little man kicks around area of cervix I can feel a little sharp sensation. Is this normal and when does baby put most pressure on my cervix and what week will he move up into my abdomen a bit more. The pressure seems worse when I go for a pee if that helps. Am not having any pain or bleeding. Any advice would be grateful as it's around 22 weeks with my last pregnancy that everything seemed to go wrong. I'm lucky enough to have had an elective stitch rather than an emergency one this time.
xxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi pl

From what you describe, the pressure especially when peeing sounds more bladder-related than cervix-related. Now that baby is getting bigger more pressure is on your pelvic organs generally and despite your uterus now sitting higher in your abdomen, there is still a lot of weight on surrounding structures. When your bladder is full it lifts your uterus, as it empties your uterus sinks down a little and you can feel it in your bladder area.

I actually cried out in pain every time I emptied my bladder with the twins. It was a combination of weight and the presence of the stitch which I think pulled tight against my vaginal walls and bladder each time I emptied it. Not nice and very uncomfortable in that region.

You will feel pressure now darlin', which is actually a normal part of pregnancy. How much having a stitch increases these usual sensations is open to debate, but I certainly suffered more with it in place than in pregnancies without. If your cervix looked good two weeks ago, then I'd take great comfort from that. Even if you were to funnel to the stitch, rest assured it will hold and this pregnancy will be a success xxx

 

[DMJ]

Hi pl..

Just to say I too feel the same pressure down below and like lizzie said especially when I can feel my bladder starting to get full. Iv just started taking lactulose also as iv been starting to get some pain from needing to open my bowels and worried about pushing too much.
I also get a throbbing like pain in my cervix area which is I believe little man kicking down in that area. I'm nearly 19 weeks so I assume it's normal for us to be feeling like this at this stage. I'm just counting down the days to get pass 22 and 23 weeks as that's when I had my 2 losses.

Xx

 

[millieboo1111]

Hello lovely ladies,

PL I can also confirm that when my bladder is full i get heavy and quite painful the longer i leave it!! also baby kicks my cervix a lot and thats uncomfortable my mw is 24 weeks and she says its uncomfortable for her too without a stitch!! Plus i think they are general pelvic aches and pains plus bedrest so it seems we al have similar. I do worry about them sometimes and as long as you are resting and listening to your body. i took an extra long shower about 2 weeks ago and after i really needed to rest as i was so heavy and painful. Are you on BR?

Sunkiss Thank you so much for your encouragement!! i really needed it. How are you doing now? I hope all is well honey, keep us updated if you can.

A little update on me... Ive just come back from scan, the first after the set back last monday. Today I am 25 wks, and after lots of prayer and very strict bed rest my cervix has grown again from 6mm to 21.2mm and funneling has almost gone from being funnelled to the stitch just last monday!!

It truly is a miracle!! Thank you guys for everything again i dont know where i would be without your support xxx ellie xxx

 

[ChovieGirl]

Hey all! It has been about 3 weeks since I checked this site. Thanks Lizzie for your response.

I am now 17 wks + 4 and I found out I am having a boy!

I do have a couple other questions...

1) Embarrassing to ask but, will waking up from a sex dream/orgasm harm my cerclage? Ever since I have been restricted from any form of stimulation I have had a couple of dreams and wake up with a cramping pain. Just worried that my cervix contracting could cause the stitches to break or make my cervix shorten even more. I can't control my dreams..ugh!

2) Does anyone have experience with the progesterone gel? My high risk doctor seems to think it is a little better than the shots, but I have not really seen anyone else post about using this. Also, does or can progesterone really help your cervix to reverse from funneling and get longer again?

I am just hoping that with the cerclage, progesterone and bed rest that my baby will stay put!

I am praying for you guys and wish everyone the best!

 

[pinkladyangel]

Hi pl..

Just to say I too feel the same pressure down below and like lizzie said especially when I can feel my bladder starting to get full. Iv just started taking lactulose also as iv been starting to get some pain from needing to open my bowels and worried about pushing too much.
I also get a throbbing like pain in my cervix area which is I believe little man kicking down in that area. I'm nearly 19 weeks so I assume it's normal for us to be feeling like this at this stage. I'm just counting down the days to get pass 22 and 23 weeks as that's when I had my 2 losses.

Xx

Hi there. I take lactulose twice a day and have fybogel (yuk) too. It really does help. Very scary trying not to push when you have the stitch in.
XXX

 

[pinkladyangel]

Hello lovely ladies,

PL I can also confirm that when my bladder is full i get heavy and quite painful the longer i leave it!! also baby kicks my cervix a lot and thats uncomfortable my mw is 24 weeks and she says its uncomfortable for her too without a stitch!! Plus i think they are general pelvic aches and pains plus bedrest so it seems we al have similar. I do worry about them sometimes and as long as you are resting and listening to your body. i took an extra long shower about 2 weeks ago and after i really needed to rest as i was so heavy and painful. Are you on BR?

Sunkiss Thank you so much for your encouragement!! i really needed it. How are you doing now? I hope all is well honey, keep us updated if you can.

A little update on me... Ive just come back from scan, the first after the set back last monday. Today I am 25 wks, and after lots of prayer and very strict bed rest my cervix has grown again from 6mm to 21.2mm and funneling has almost gone from being funnelled to the stitch just last monday!!

It truly is a miracle!! Thank you guys for everything again i dont know where i would be without your support xxx ellie xxx

Hi hun
No I'm not on bed rest although I do rest when I can. I'm a little hopeful still as a couple of weeks ago I had my 20 week scan and cervix was closed and was 5cm long. (Not sure how accurate that is but looked good lol). Still got a long way to go yet. My next milestone is 24 weeks (2 weeks to go) fingers crossed.
XXX