Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[NikoleRae]

Just wanted to update you ladies! I had my appt yesterday to check my cervical length and it shortened from 1.05cm to .56 cm- I was a little dissapointed but figured I could have worse news. Everyone kept asking me, are you having contractions? And im like.. noo.. so they sent me to the hospital to get my first round of steroid shots and had me hooked up to the toco to look for contractions for a few hours, didn't have any. So today I had to go back to get my 2nd steroid shot and looked for contractions still none. So I got my cerclage at 20 weeks and in 4 weeks it shortened by 50% so hypothetically speaking if I lost my last 50% of cervical length by 28 weeks- can my stitch still hold it together or does that mean I will go into labor? Baby is fine he weighs almost 2.5lbs!! lil porker and I saw him suckin his thumb on the ultrasound and blinking his eyes!!

 

[Sherri81]

Well, I've heard of people hanging in with nothing but a stitch keeping them closed. But if you want to make sure of getting as far as you can, make sure to do bedrest. Only get up to use the bathroom. If you can, keep your feet elevated over your head. Just try to take as much pressure off of your shortening cervix as you can.

 

[mich1365]

NR---my understanding has been that you will not go into labour just because your cervix is shortening. Pre-term labour is another thing and they still dont know what actually causes a woman to labour. After 26 weeks or so you need to labour to give birth, no matter what length your cervix is. It wont open more than 4cm without labour and baby is too big at that point to be affected by that size opening. I basically have no cervix length left and have been dilated for 2 months, but my baby is fine and unaffected. Im 34 weeks and just waiting to labour..as I have no history of pre-term labour and no signs it is on its way, they think I will keep going now. You are getting there....just stay down as these are critical weeks. Hang in there...its not easy but we find a way because we know it is so worth it.

 

[HelenGee]

Nr- I agree, stay in bed now over the next few weeks. I've heard of ladies hanging on by the stitch too. Just take all pressure off your cervix.

Aspen - are you ok? It's been a while and just want to know you're ok xx

 

[NikoleRae]

Thats great to hear! I feel much better! thank you ladies

 

[Aspen10]

Hi, sorry i haven't been on for a while - i have been without my laptop! Lots of new names on here.

JB - hope things are going okay for u, cant believe you have had your stitch out and are now waiting for your baby

Im doing okay thanks, have reached the 30 week milestone last thursday, so pleased. Had a scan last wednesday and all looking good. Next milestone 32 weeks. I said i would be a bit more active after 30 weeks but just dont have the physical energy. I am suffering with SPD quite bad especially in the mornings. My hands are very stiff as well. Dr says its normal and part of pregnancy! Its the damn relaxin hormone. Both babies are also very active and my stomach pulls all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes!!

Im sorry for the short post, Ill be back on shortly.

 

[Aspen10]

Oh forgot to add, baby weights at 29+6 were : 3lb 11oz and 3lb 12oz!!

 

[lizziedripping]

Glad all ok Aspen WOnderful news that you have reached 30wks, knew you'd do it x

Great weights for twins at 30wks too - think mine were around 4 and 5 at 31wks. Have a look at this website which predicts twin weights, it was still 1Ib off with mine at 38wks, but then they were freaks of nature, so it's hardly surprising

https://www.twinstuff.com/twinweights.htm

 

[NikoleRae]

Thats great to hear you made it to 30 weeks Aspen, I cannot wait until I can say that!! And you have twins too?? Thats so wonderful, Im very happy for you!

 

[Vaudha]

congrats Aspen!! It feels great to reach each milestone. Take care.

JB- whats up hun?

 

[HelenGee]

Mich- you've made it to 34 weeks! I always know as you're 1 week off my dates. Yippee and congrats xxx

Aspen - so pleased all is well with you, the weights sound brilliant and you're at 30 weeks. I'm only just getting to moving around more, it's very gradual and my neck and chest muscles really hurt now. I've had to do more as my 3 year old has been really poorly and needed the extra Tlc. I even went into (only about 5 metres though) into tesco after my hospital appoint. Was very strange after so long. You're doing brilliantly, just do what feels right, the rest has got you this far so don't overdo it xx

 

[mich1365]

Yeah! Aspen and Jen with twins, both doing great. Jen might be home in a week, now almost 27wks.
Helen, thank you. Funny how we get greedy, huh? We would have signed for 34 a couple months ago, now just want more. 35...36...at least now the goals are short. I remember being 20 so well and just clinging to the idea of 24 and then 28. Ate down at the table with my husband and son last night and it was only the three of us...Grandma, our permanent sitter, was out. It was like we were a normal family again, for the 1st time in a few months. I could not believe how "big" my 2 year old acts now at the table. It was so special and made me even more excited to have our lives back. Soon. Just cant believe how exhausting it is. I cant breathe after a 5 minutes up.

 

[jessabella]

way to go aspen...bet you are excited..keep hanging on...in the 30's always feels great..and just gets bettr the further we get along..
cant wait to see those little twinnies..

Im doing well..just waiting for my princess to make her grand entrance. I have been having more and more contractions and they are getting more and more intense each day..but they aren really overly painful..just make me stop and notice them and I sort of breath through them and just keep going..so I assume I have a long way to go as I hear that when its time that they are very very painful..so IM just trying ot hang on until that time...and not get so impatient..baby has been having a party inside though..just dancing along and making mummy go through pain with her long long legs...Tody I really ventured out into the deep snow to make it to our church in London for the special christmas service.....was well worth it but alot of work walking in the snow!

Tuesday I have an appointment with the consultant so will let you all know what happens.

 

[x-amy-x]

ive got my consultant appt tomorrow... should be the decision making one on the stitch... so scared i cant lose another baby

 

[ccb725]

I haven't been on in a little while & I'm getting so excited reading everyone's progress!

Question for all you ladies. I'm 28+2 & on complete bed rest @ home due to ic. I was last seen & checked nearly 3 wks ago. I was last registered dilated @ 1.4 & cervix length was 3 on an empty bladder and thick. How often should I be checked and or seen @ this point by my OB? Specialist will only check in with my case if I have something come up. I do have weekly nurse visits & weekly labs checking cbc due to heparin injections.

Thanks & congrats to all of you!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ccb - IC is not a threat in itself now that you have reached 28wks, but there is a greater infection risk since you were/are dilated. As many ladies have proven tho, you can make it to term with a dilated/shortening cervix, and the further you progress the further you are likely to progress - if you know what I mean

I'd be happier getting regular OB check ups if i were in your shoes, and if you can then you have nothing to loose hun xxx

 

[ccb725]

lizzie: I'm so glad I'm not in danger of IC anymore! About the infection, what should I be on the lookout for? What do I need to do to avoid it?
Since I'm on bed arrest, dr said he'll do home visits with basically the doppler. Dr is very doubtful I'll make it full term & he said he's surprised I made it this far! Not very promising, but this blog gives me great hope!

 

[HelenGee]

Hi
Glad everyone's ok. Mich- I know exactly what you mean about craving life again. I've gradually been more active and I'm hoping to take my 3 year old to see Santa sometime this week. I'm really excited, even though I know it will exhaust me. Soon....

Amy- good luck for your appointment. I really hope you get some comforting answers xx

Stitch removal tomorrow.... I'm nervous, 35 weeks is early, but I'm trusting the consultant that it's the right time. She doesn't think I will go straight into labour and would prefer it's removed before labour becomes an issue as it's quite high up. Just hoping we can hang on til 37.....

 

[lizziedripping]

Helengee - best of luck hun, will be thinking about you. It is unlikely that you will go into labour after removal, more women don't than do IYKWIM? I'd just take things easy for 48hrs afterwards. I think you'll be surprised when you make it to 37wks and beyond - damned cervixes suddenly start behaving themselves.................WHEN IT NO LONGER MATTERS grrrrr!!!!

ccb - infection tends to trigger contractions, but is sometimes preceeded by dodgy discharge, and/or mild cramps. You can be feverish as well. I think it more likely that you would deliver this baby rather than get an infection...........but I am no expert and as you have already demonstrated these things are seldom predictable hun. Whatever you are doing, keep doing it, your cervix may well have closed up again now, which is why bubs is still sitting tight. Resting really does work my sweet xxx

 

[ccb725]

lizzie: no contractions, no discharge, no cramps & no fever...yay! I'm just hoping and praying I can make it to 37/38 weeks....yes, I'm being greedy, but so many mom's have done it here : )