Incompetent Cervix

[Tesharika]

I'm glad I found this thread, I'm not pregnant at the moment ( that I know of) but I am TTC. I went into preterm labor at 22 weeks in december. I had a little boy who died shortly after he was born.
At the time they suggested I had an incompetent cervix, I just had an ultrasound before this and my cervix was very short.
Last monday I went and had an ultrasound, a vaginal ultasound to check my cervix. The doctor believes I do have an incompetent cervix and I was told I will need to get a cerclage when I get pregnant again. I'm terrified of getting it, terrified it won't work...anyways really glad to have found this thread..

 

[JadeyB]

I'm glad I found this thread, I'm not pregnant at the moment ( that I know of) but I am TTC. I went into preterm labor at 22 weeks in december. I had a little boy who died shortly after he was born.
At the time they suggested I had an incompetent cervix, I just had an ultrasound before this and my cervix was very short.
Last monday I went and had an ultrasound, a vaginal ultasound to check my cervix. The doctor believes I do have an incompetent cervix and I was told I will need to get a cerclage when I get pregnant again. I'm terrified of getting it, terrified it won't work...anyways really glad to have found this thread..

Welcome Tesharika

I'm really sorry for your loss. My little girl was born just after 24 weeks when my waters broke at 23 1/2 weeks. It is just so devastating, life can be so cruel.

I'm really pleased that you have some answers as to why you lost your little boy. I know that some doctors don't diagnose IC until there have been more than 2 losses (which is just heartbreaking). I think its because it is difficult to diagnose if you have a long cervix that just weakens in pregnancy.

I had a vaginal cerclage placed in my first pregnancy at 19 weeks and I had an abdominal cerclage placed pre pregnancy this time round. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Where do you live?

xxx

 

[selina22]

I'm glad I found this thread, I'm not pregnant at the moment ( that I know of) but I am TTC. I went into preterm labor at 22 weeks in december. I had a little boy who died shortly after he was born.
At the time they suggested I had an incompetent cervix, I just had an ultrasound before this and my cervix was very short.
Last monday I went and had an ultrasound, a vaginal ultasound to check my cervix. The doctor believes I do have an incompetent cervix and I was told I will need to get a cerclage when I get pregnant again. I'm terrified of getting it, terrified it won't work...anyways really glad to have found this thread..

Hi and welcome
there are lovely ladies on this thread
i am also ttc currently 6dpo my first cycle
where bouts are you in your cycle
i also lost my son at 23wd but did not know it was ic as i have a good long cervix at start of pregnancy, with my daughter they did internals every 2 weeks and my cervix was great closed and long at 18 weeks it had shortend and started funneling so i had an emergency cerclage along with lots of bedrest she is now 2yrs old so it does work i hope i get my testing in 8 days and counting lol. though i am scared to do it all over again its all worth it
ask away any questions x

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies, and welcome Tesharika, and so sorry for your recent loss x

Please, please don't worry about having a stitch. I had the most invasive one (shirodkar), and it has got me to 37wks of a twin pregnancy. These boys are huge, and putting an enormous strain on my cervix, but I have only had mild funneling since 25wks.

It has every chance of working, tho I do recommend resting as much as possible hun. Monitoring your cervix is ok, but I still believe it is better to get the stitch before ANY changes to the cervix - it has more of a chance of working with less complications.

Hope all you ladies about to embark on your pregnancy journeys take heart from the success me and people like Jadey B have had with a stitch. I was terrified of having the op done, but needn't have been.

Ask questions any time - all of you. The main thing which has got me thru this very scary pregnancy, is seeing other ladies make it, and realising I can have a normal full-term pregnancy, despite IC xxx

 

[ellahstruts]

hey lizzie, i went down to theatre for a spinal they leaned me to the left to ensure max blod flow to baby but yes i was on my back in stirrups and it felt strange, anyway it came out with no probs and she showed me the stitch, it didnt hurt a bit, they scanned me in theatre and baby was hooked up to the ctg all the way through, i stayed in overnight and came home last saturday and we are still waiting for her to9 arrive, i have been losing bit bits of plug but nothing more, i think we will both just be releived when we have al 3 of our babies in our hands, had last growth scan yesterday she weighs 8lb 6oz approx and seems ok, i cant believe the stitch worked so well xxx

 

[julietz]

Hi all, i am new here, thanks to lizzi for directing me to this thread, iv been so worried and now after reading all these post, i don't feel alone anymore and all the answers are here, i developed moderate cells after having my twins they are 7 now, i had them removed last year and now that i am 12wks i have been called to see the consultant because of the biopsy i had, i have been told why and what precautions they do, but it is nice to hear from those who have actualy been through it. There are some questions i would like to ask if anyone can answer-

1 - Did any of you have to have a ceserean section due to this?

2 - With the stitch how successful is it, and has anyone had complications?

3 - what do they do to measure the cervix, will i need an internal examination, or is it mostly done by scan?

4 - If you need a stitch, is it uncomfortable?

Sorry to go on, but i managed to bring my appointment forward as they had a cancellation, so i am going to see the consultant tomorow and just want to know what to expect.

Thank you

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Juliet - I'll try to answer your questions as best I can.

1. A c-section is no more likely if you have a cervical stitch in place than if you don't. I am having one because my leading twin is breech. The stitch will be removed at the same time.

If you are on course for a vaginal birth, they remove the stitch at 36/37 weeks, at which point baby is term. Often women don't go into labour for several more weeks after stitch removal. Even if you dilate once it is removed, the baby is by then too large to just fall out.

2. A cervical stitch if placed before any cervical changes is 90% succesful - and by that they mean delivery doesn't happen before 37wks. I didn't have any complications with this stitch, tho the emergency one placed at 23wks was put in after I was already dilated, and it triggered uterine contractions. Because you are being closely monitored, it is unlikely you will get to the point of dilating. A cervix takes several weeks to shorten, funnel and then finally dilate.

3. Cervix is measured with an internal ultrasound - painless. Internal exam is not an accurate way of measuring cervix length.

4. The stitch I had was a shirodkar - a more invasive, complicated procedure. I felt rough for a few weeks afterwards with some bleeding and uterine tightenings, but after that it was fine. It is more likely they will place a Macdonald stitch for you - if at all. It is a simple "purse string" suture which is quick and easy to place and remove.

Good luck tomorrow my sweet. It is unlikely you'll need any of the above - since modified bed rest alone can keep a shortening cervix from worsening. To be closely monitored is the key - and if a stitch is needed, it's the best thing you'll ever do to maintain your pregnancy. Let us know how you get on x

 

[Bec L]

Good luck Julietz, let us know how you get on xx

 

[julietz]

Thanks everyone, my appointment is in 2 hrs so i have just read your replies and feel much better knowing what to expect, i am nervous but feel better i am being seen today rather than having to wait another 2 wks, i'l get back you all when i arrive back home, wish me luck

 

[julietz]

Hi all,

I am back and very cheerful, i didnt need the stitch they said im going to be fine, and they will keep an eye on me and see me again after my 20wk scan, cervix is ok and i am very happy, feel silly now for all the worry but main thing is im reasured now and not stressing, thank you all again for the great advice

 

[Bec L]

That's great news, so pleased for you. Such a big relief. Be great to hear how you're getting on still, hope it all goes lovely and smoothly from now on.

 

[selina22]

im happy for you keep us updated x

 

[dippy]

need some advice about stitch plz...
hi im 18+4 today an having a stitch placed tomorrow. what i want to know is :

1.is it normal to have an anxiety attack before the procedure?

2.is it normal for the cervix to shorten but not funnel-yet still have IC?

3.As i confined myself to bedrest from week 14 onwards yet still shortened drastically from week 17-18, does that mean bedrest doesn't work-4 me anyways?

also some advice on how to prepare for a stitch would be great.

i was 3.4 cm at week 17 and at week 18 am 2.7 which is ok but seems is heading that way considering i have done bedrest.plus as baby gets bigger cervix will shrink.

thankyou in advance to all of u. all opinions welcome. xxxxx

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi dippy - sorry I didn't see this yesterday - I'm guessing you're having your stich placed as we speak, hope it goes ok

I'll address your questions anyway, cos it may still help.

1. It is very normal to be terrified and have panic attacks - this is a scary time, and it wouldn't be normal if you were completely calm

2. IC is a complicated condition to diagnose - there is no certainty until your cervix actually funnels/dilates around 16-26wks without uterine contractions. That said, it is not usual for the cervix to shorten rapidly this early in pregnancy, and is a warning sign for IC. The next stage would be funneling, followed by dilation and bulging membranes. You are fortunate in that they have caught it before it reaches that stage. There are probably some women who have shorter cervixes but go on to maintain a pregnancy to term, but the fact that yours has rapidly shortened over a few weeks is the key.

3. Bed rest is still essential for you hun. Yes, you still shortened, but your cervix may have looked a whole lot more incompetent if you hadn't rested. With a dynamically changing cervix, it can never hurt to take the weight off it. It is purely the weight of the pregnancy which causes it to open.

The stitch is no problem to put in - it works well the majority of the time, but it is important you rest afterwards for several weeks. Your cervix wasn't catastrophically short, but could certainly benefit from the extra help. It will likely gain immediate length with the stitch in place.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on xxx

 

[Tesharika]

Welcome Tesharika

I'm really sorry for your loss. My little girl was born just after 24 weeks when my waters broke at 23 1/2 weeks. It is just so devastating, life can be so cruel.

I'm really pleased that you have some answers as to why you lost your little boy. I know that some doctors don't diagnose IC until there have been more than 2 losses (which is just heartbreaking). I think its because it is difficult to diagnose if you have a long cervix that just weakens in pregnancy.

I had a vaginal cerclage placed in my first pregnancy at 19 weeks and I had an abdominal cerclage placed pre pregnancy this time round. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Where do you live?

xxx

Awww Thanks for the hugs, and I'm so sorry it happened to you as well. I can't imagine having to go through this twice- once was heartbreaking enough! I'm sure I'll have question galore in the future, right now my mind is drawing a blank. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada.

 

[Tesharika]

Hi and welcome
there are lovely ladies on this thread
i am also ttc currently 6dpo my first cycle
where bouts are you in your cycle
i also lost my son at 23wd but did not know it was ic as i have a good long cervix at start of pregnancy, with my daughter they did internals every 2 weeks and my cervix was great closed and long at 18 weeks it had shortend and started funneling so i had an emergency cerclage along with lots of bedrest she is now 2yrs old so it does work i hope i get my testing in 8 days and counting lol. though i am scared to do it all over again its all worth it
ask away any questions x

Thank you for the warm welcome I'm currently on day 17 of my cycle, my cycles are generally 26 days long so my next af is due on May 2nd, this is the part I hate about ttc- the waiting game! Good luck I hope you get your bfp!

 

[dippy]

thank u lizzie i really appreci8 the advice.i knew u would reply. id hate to be a pain but iv gt a few more questions which u may know the answer to.

well... i had my stitch placed and was kept overnight to be monitored-all is well but my questions are:

1. is it normal to have pain and stinging when peeing after op.

2. is the gooey mucus normal.

3. are there any things i should look out for as possible problems.iv had mild labour like pain but they come and go.

4. tmi but how can i have a .....poo (sorry) without applying a bit of pressure...im scared ill tear my stithes.

sorry i know there alot of questions but doctors jus dnt answer anything.u seem to be more like the doctor. lol

my doc is weird he said 2 days of rest and then i can resume normal activities. is that common. he was dead against the bed rest thing from the begininng and hated the fac i was resting from week14 onwards.

thanks again hun i appreciate it i feel like im the only person in the country with it-or so the nurses make u feel.
thanks again.

how many times have u had the cerclage?

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi love - no problem with the questions, ask as many as you want

1. One of the biggest problems I had was with pain and stinging when I peed after the op. It was horrible - my bladder had been irritated by the catheter, and because my stitch is actually sewn to the bladder. Can't remember when this subsides, but I did feel quite rough for some time afterwards. I couldn't walk upright for days.

2. I didn't have mucous, but I know that many women do. Any vaginal discharge/bleeding is normal for several days after the op. Your cervix has been pulled down with a clamp and stitched - there is bound to be a reaction.

3. Period/labour pains and cramps are again normal. THey give you an indomethecin pessary after the op to prevent uterine cramping, as a means of lessening the risks of miscarriage. Once this (very powerful) drug wears off, the cramps return, but by now the threat of miscarrying has all but passed. I cramped and tightened for several days - I was convinced I'd lose the pregnancy, but I didn't.

Things to look out for are a significant increase in cramping, more bleeding, and regular tightenings which do not subside after a couple of hours. Never worry about getting checked if you are worried - I did, and they really don't mind.

Expect to feel uncomfortable for some time tho - bleeding too can take a while to settle. A sudden increase after several days should be checked tho.

4. Pooing is fine - don't worry. It feels like you'll tear the stitch, but it is quite tough. Make sure you don't get constipated - drink gallons of water. In this pregnancy, I have had 2 glasses per hour with plenty of rest. Getting constipated makes you strain, and this can apply pressure to the cervix. If you do, you can get lactulose from the chemist - it softens things up a bit

As for the doc saying resume normal activities - take with a pinch of salt. You must do what you feel comfortable with. My doc never officially told me to rest, but I never felt comfortable walking around. I had lots of pelvic pressure from very early on, and I figured that staying horizontal as much as I could had to be better than placing strain on an already weak cervix.

I will never know if my resting got me to 38wks, but I wasn't willing to chance it. I've had a 24weeker, and faced the horror of months in intensive care with her - I was prepared to do anything not to return there. If you feel ok moving around, then do so. Just don't do anything strenuous. If you can tho, I personally would lie with your feet up whenever possible - what do you loose? What's it to the doc if you are resting? It's not him who has to live with the consequences of a premature birth - so really it's not for him to comment. You're not asking him to go on bed rest! Bloomin' medics

I had an emergency stitch placed at 23wks in an already dilated cervix - it didn't really work, but by then things had already gone too far. I had this stitch placed at 12 weeks, and it has certainly done its job

Good luck hun - if you're worried then let me know

 

[selina22]

Hi and welcome
there are lovely ladies on this thread
i am also ttc currently 6dpo my first cycle
where bouts are you in your cycle
i also lost my son at 23wd but did not know it was ic as i have a good long cervix at start of pregnancy, with my daughter they did internals every 2 weeks and my cervix was great closed and long at 18 weeks it had shortend and started funneling so i had an emergency cerclage along with lots of bedrest she is now 2yrs old so it does work i hope i get my testing in 8 days and counting lol. though i am scared to do it all over again its all worth it
ask away any questions x

Thank you for the warm welcome I'm currently on day 17 of my cycle, my cycles are generally 26 days long so my next af is due on May 2nd, this is the part I hate about ttc- the waiting game! Good luck I hope you get your bfp!

Hi and thankyou
well i didnt AF showed up today
what about you, have you tested yet
i hope you get your bfp
i cant wait too be able to put my feet up and when i get my bfp i am ready to start this ic rollercoaster over again

lol
FX this is my month
hope you get your bfp
x

 

[dippy]

thanks hun i appreciate that. ur ace.

ill give u a break with the questions for now. i hope ull b back after this pregnancy and dnt leave us bhind

congratulations on your bubs nt long to go.yayyyyy
they taken stitches out yet? xxx