Incompetent Cervix

[Bec L]

Hi everyone
JadeyB, so pleased for you, have been thinking about you this week and wondering how you were getting on.

Lizziedripping am glad you're feeling so positive and can finally start buying things for your two little superstars.

Am so sorry you have had to experience such loss and trauma Selina & Sugarkisses. My heart goes out to you

I'm ok thanks girls. Feel a bit of a fraud being on here as I know technically I haven't been diagnosed with an IC and the fact I made it to 34 weeks with Poppy is very positive. I have my 20 week scan on Wednesday and they are meant to be carrying out a cervical scan then too (if they don't I will be demanding it!!) Still trying to take it as easy as possible but am hoping by next week I'll know whether I'm ok to carry on as normal or not.

Been getting a lot of lower back pain which has been a bit worrying but I think that is more from picking Poppy up (I hope so anyway).

Well done to all the other girls who have made it to term or are getting close

 

[ellahstruts]

just got word i have my shirodkar stitch out on april 9th and induction at 38weeks if i have not delived by then.....cant wait xxxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hey Ella - do you know much about shirodkar stitch removal? I know you have to be in theatre to get it out, does that mean a spinal again?

Both twins are currently breech, so if they remain so by 34wks I have to have a section in which case stitch will come out at the same time. If one goes head down, I can try for natural delivery, but stitch then must be removed at 34wks.

Never thought to ask what removal involved. I know macdonald stitch is taken out without theatre or aneasthetic - but shirodkar is so much more complicated x

 

[rensben]

Hi everyone,

Well after some good new from my doc 10 days ago I got some bad news from my mid-wife today. This week end I had quite a few contractions , not real ones but intense bh contractions. So I told my mid wife this morning on her weekly visit and she ddecided to examen me. She said that my cervix was extrememly soft and that the stitch was in place but the thread was loose. Thankfully it isstill closed though. If the contractions continue I need to go to the hospital so they can stop the contractions. When I had the stitch put in at21 weeks I was at a cervix length of 1.3cm and open 1cm. Does this mean that there is nothing but the stitch now keeping the baby in? So scared...

 

[lizziedripping]

Rensben - don't panic my sweet.

Your cervix will be soft, that is partly why it is incompetent. My cervix had zero "tone" in it at 12wks when the stitch was placed - the stitch helps to create the tension which should be naturally there. My cervix is probably still soft - as is many women's without IC on their 2nd or 3rd pregnancy.

No disrespect to you midwife, but i have found that midwives tend to know very little about IC and cervical cerclage. Does she realise for example, that some thread is left hanging from the stitch to enable them to remove it at the allotted time? This is probably the "thread" she was talking about.

ALso, if the stitch was the only thing holding in the baby, you would be dilated thru it, and the midwife would have clearly seen this on inspection. It is also likely that you would have had some bleeding as your cervix pulled against the stitch.

It is IMPOSSIBLE to tell how long a cervix is by manual inspection. You can however tell if it is dilated. The membranes bulge thru the gap. Even if it were dilated, I have known many women have no cervix remaining and stitch holding in baby, but they still go all the way - the main risk being infection due to the lack of a barrier to the uterus.

I am NOT an expert - but I don't think the thread was the stitch coming loose, nor do I think you are dilated. You may have lost some length, you may even have funneled - but so have I and here I am carrying twins at 32wks.

As with any woman, there is always the threat of early labour, quite seperate from IC. Having an emergency stitch can sometimes trigger early labour, but you have gone weeks now without that happening, and the threat is minimal. Unless I'm missing something, there is no evidence of this as yet. Certainly I think your IC issue is becoming less of a threat - stitch is doing it's job.

As for BH. I have had them since 20wks. THis week I have had quite intense/painful ones off and on. My consultant says it's normal, and the presence of a stitch serves to intensify them. They don't necessarily have an effect on the cervix.

The only way to get peace of mind hun is to get a TVU. Please try not to get overly anxious - a scan will most likely reveal that not much has changed from a cervix point of view.

As I say, I am no expert, but neither is the midwife - having a look only serves to determine if you have dilated or not - presumabley she didn't say that you had - and until that point anything can be happening with the cervix, and the only way to see that is via a scan.

Good luck - let us know how you get on

 

[cla]

I was wondering if you lovely ladies can help me. I don't know if I should post it here or not .
Where can I start. I was just wondering if you think I might have a ic due to the fact I lost my baby at the end of feb due to my waters breaking , i was 16.5weeks gone and had slight tummy pain for a week. I never know anything about ic so I never asked them at the hospital it this could have caused me to lose my baby. They said I also had a water infection weather that had anything to do with it. I have got that many questions so I hope you lovely ladies can help me , because I don't want this to happen again. When I had an internal after my water had broke would they have been able to tell if I had a ic. Sorry for all the questions xxxxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi love - so sorry for your loss You are among friends here, who totally understand how scared and apprehensive you must be feeling

The first thing to understand about IC, is that it is a very difficult condition to diagnose. There are definite tell-tale signs which make it likely, but it is seldom definitive.

In your case, your waters broke quite early on. This could have been because your cervix had opened due to it being incompetent, and the membranes bulged thru to the point where they burst. Or it could have been due to an infection hun. Some women have premature rupture of membranes as an independent pregnancy complication - and again it is very difficult to pinpoint why.

By the time you were examined internally, your cervix would have already been open, whether this was due to IC would have been uncertain.

There are certain indications that you may have had IC. You didn't contract, or have any obvious cramps/pains being the main one, and the timing. IC tends to show itself between 15-25wks when the weight of the uterus begins to put stress on the cervix. Again tho, these are not clear signs.

Hopefully, in your case this was a one-off infection or miscarriage because something just wasn't right with the baby/pregnancy. In which case you have every chance of going on to have a healthy pregnancy in the future.

Whatever the reason tho, you are entitled to ask for a consultation with someone the next time you get pregnant to discuss these issues. I'm not sure you would be offered a cervical stitch on the basis of what happened last time, but you should atleast look at your options. You can also be more closely monitored for signs of infection next time, and treated with antibiotics if need be.

Don't be fobbed off hun - this is your life, your potential baby and is important to you. Write any time if you need advice - we are always here x

 

[Bec L]

cla, really sorry to hear about your loss. Am sure you will be closely monitored next time, such a shame you had to go through such a trauma.

Well, I went for my 20 week scan today.

Needless to say, the scan department had not been told I was also due to have TVU so it took a bit of faffing about and ringing round before the sonographer was giving permission to do it

Everything was great with the normal scan - baby was wriggling away, scratching his/her nose and looking perfect

The TVU showed my cervix measuring at approx 3.2cm Obviously, that is great news but how can it have gone from 2.6cm to 3.2cm in 4 weeks?? The sonographer was really positive and said it all looked great - no funnelling, no bulging of membranes etc and said she'd recommend that I have another one done at around 30 weeks +.

So what do you experts make of that?!! Have to say, I felt more confident that this lady knew what she was doing and which bits to measure - last time the lady had to get a second opinion, but there was agreement that it was 2.6...

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Bec. Well done you for getting the TVU - not easy on the NHS

It isn't unusual for your cervix to go from 2.6 to 3 plus hun - cervix length fluctuates constantly, sometimes overnight. Resting alone can lengthen it. Also, measuring isn't an exact science and can vary between sonographers. The first measurement I had at 15wks was 2.8, but 4 plus from 17weeks onwards - I personally think the original measurement was wrong in my case, but we'll never know.

You're obviously doing really well, and I'd carry on taking things easy and no excessive lifting, activity etc. Are you ok with being checked again at 30wks? I'd push for another at 24/25, but then I'm a bit of a worrier

Good luck, and keep us posted

 

[Bec L]

Thanks Lizzie. It's hard to know whether to get 'excited' about the measurement or not. I never feel like I get any clear answers when I go to the ante natal clinic. The sonographer said she would ask my consultant to contact me to make an appt for me to go and see him 'soon.' If I don't hear in the next couple of weeks I'll contact him and see what he says.

I think because no one has ever investigated the cause of Poppy's prematurity, it's like they aren't doing anything to try to prevent in happening again.

Like you have said before, seeing as I got as far as 34 weeks with Poppy it may well be that I don't have an IC, but I'd like to do everything I can to keep this one safe inside until much nearer its due date!

 

[lizziedripping]

Hmmmm - you never get any clear answers Bec? Sounds strangely familiar

I think the main problem is that no one can ever be certain how any particular pregnancy is going to go. As you and I have proven, along with many other ladies here, unexpected stuff does happen, and often there is no real explanation.

Your cervix is still within normal limits, and as such they will leave things for now. As I say, if every woman was screened in pregnancy, there would be massive variation and the majority would go on to deliver at term. We are "micro managed", which is brilliant, but also very worrying when otherwise we would be oblivious to these subtle changes.

I'd be aware, continue taking things easy and if you have any concerns - no matter how small, pop into delivery suite and insist they have a look. We may not have an American system, where appointments can be booked at will, but I have certainly never been turned away from L&D, and always tell them I'm super-stressed, and by having a look they'll be doing me a huge favour. Works every time x

 

[selina22]

Hi all hows all ur bumps doing just thought id pop in and say hi i still have no AF so waiting for that before TTC then my IC journey starts again i gave up ciggerettes last friday due too wanting a baby so a bit stressed but holding out lol
hope every1 is doing well
x

 

[JadeyB]

Hi girls,

How is everyone doing?

Selina - Congrats on giving up smoking, I hope its not too stressful for you. Are you getting help? Sending you lots of baby dust.

I had a very positive appointment today. Cervix is still closed.

My consultant told me that survival rates at 26 weeks is very good. My next milestone is 28 weeks and not being scanned again until 29 weeks so I just need to keep an eye on any symptoms. Having some weird stabbing pains down there right now, so hoping thats nothing to worry about. They don't feel anything like period pains or anything like the contractions I felt with Amelia.

I see the midwive tomorrow, so may mention it then (unless it gets worse). My hubby is in France for the next few days, so praying nothing happens while he is away. I have my best friend on speed dial - lol!

We even took a look at prams Saturday and if all is well we are going to order ours in a couple of weeks. Looing at either the iCandy Apple or Peach.

I'm looking forward to start buying things.

xx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hiya my lovelies

Glad to see your cervix is closed JB. Now you have got this far, it's unlikely it'll open now, and even if it does, it is less problematic the further along you are.

As for stabbing pains, it could be due to round ligament stretching, or pelvis being under strain? I have had so many aches and pains in this pregnancy, and none of them have turned out to be sinister. It is a very nerve wracking time for you, where every twinge feels like it might be a "sign". Once you get to 28wks you'll feel yourself relax hun - then every week after that things get easier and easier.

I am doing ok. Getting really fed-up now - tummy is measuring 45wks, and I have been in the final throws of a pregnancy for several weeks now (in singleton terms) and it's really taking its toll. Trouble is, I daren't complain because I am so eternally grateful to have made it this far - I'd take another 6months of this discomfort any day than have another 24 weeker

I was convinced labour was imminent this morning cause my bowel was gurgling, and churning and very windy Just like it is before AF starts - and how it was before I had my first child at term. It's settled again now tho, and I suspect is due to the 400mgs of iron I'm on!!! That stuff plays havoc with my digestive system.

Hope everyone is ok - I have been wondering how Rensben and Hope are getting on. If you're there ladies, let us know. Love to you all (inc. lady wtt and giving up the ciggies, and keep doing what you're doing xxxxxxxxxx

 

[selina22]

Hi thanks jadeyb and lizziedripping yes doing good havent touched a ciggie since last friday but still waiting for AF lol congrates to both of you for doing so well and lizziedripping you must be really tired now nearly at the end with twins its great to see every1 on here doing so well xx

 

[rensben]

Hi there everyone,

Sorry for not updating sooner but I wanted to have something to report! I was in the hospital today for reduced movements and had a complete check up including internal scan. My cerclage is still holding strong and my cervix is 2cm closed on the inside and out! Baby is perfect and they couldn't find anything wrong. I'm staying on modified bed rest and we'll review things again at 32 weeks.

Glad to see everyone is doing well! Let's keep it up!

 

[rensben]

Hi there everyone,

Sorry for not updating sooner but I wanted to have something to report! I was in the hospital today for reduced movements and had a complete check up including internal scan. My cerclage is still holding strong and my cervix is 2cm closed on the inside and out! Baby is perfect and they couldn't find anything wrong. I'm staying on modified bed rest and we'll review things again at 32 weeks.

Glad to see everyone is doing well! Let's keep it up!

 

[ellahstruts]

hi girls, hope that evereyone is ok, well i have made it to nearly 34 weeks and my stitch is still holding strong, i am booked in for 9th april t have it taken out and a growth scan next thursday, i now cant wait to get this stich out!! i have brought everything, but have kept it round at my mums house i just dont want to tempt fate...silly i know, i too had reduced movements and was on the monitor and an extra scan 4 weeks ago, at 30 weeks she weighed 4lb so i am confident that baby will be fine even if she came early by a few weeks.
i bet you cant wait for your twins to be here now lizzie,i cant imagine how uncomfortable you must be, it will be so amazing......... and selina congrats on stopping smoking, well done

xxxxxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Thanks for updating Rensben, was wondering how you were getting on after the m/w scared the living daylights out of you I thought you'd be ok - flippin' m/w, it always amazes me how little they seem to know.

Ellah - do you know what having the shirodkar stitch out involves? I have my routine scan this Friday, at which point we'll decide if I'm having a natural vs ceasarean birth. Twins were breech, now they are head down, so the decision is a little less clear cut. Consultant said last time that stitch will come out next week if I'm going to opt for a natural delivery. I need to be in theatre for its removal - does this mean another spinal?

I can't lie on my back any more because I black out, so a little worried about being on my back, with a spinal aneasthetic and legs in stirrups How is that gonna happen?

Anyhoo ladies - glad we're all still going strong. Let's keep it that way

 

[selina22]

Hi lizziedripping just thought i would add when i had my stitch removed with megan it was quite simple they do it in labour ward in a room no spinal they offer gas and air if needed though i didnt use it and didnt feel pain at all though maybe some others do took like 5 mins to remove on normal bed in room and then stayed for half an hour to monitor me and baby then went home i didnt go into labour until 2 weeks later just thought id let you know how it was done for me well done rensben and ellahstruts on getting so far you to lizziedripping you will all be soon holding happy healthy babies xxx