Incompetent cervix and cervical sutures - Experiences please

**blessedatlast** · August 16th, 2011, 09:56 AM

After an emergency stitch placed at 19wks with my 1st pregnancy I still had my twins at 24wks..

This pregnancy I had a stitch placed at 14wks. Scan showed at 16wks everything was good, stitch in place and cervix still long and closed. Yesterday I had my 19wk scan and my cervix has opened BUT only to the stitch, so at this stage the stitch is doing it's job.. I didn't have an OB appointment yesterday, but the registrar I saw quickly,said I have a high risk of pre term delivery advised bed rest until I see the OB on Monday.. I have also been on progesterone pessaries since 16wks. My goal is now to get to 28wks. I also have placenta previa, I knew that from when I had the bleed at 10 and 12wks, but yesterday I was told my placenta is still covering the cervix.. Anyway...

I would love to hear anyone's experiences. I want to know things like: Did your cervix open at all like mine or stay closed? Did you still contract? When did you deliver? Were you on bed rest and if yes, when and for how long..

Thanks in advance..

**crumpet** · August 16th, 2011, 10:48 AM

oh hun

how stressful!!

well you know most of my story...
but....

i had my stitch done at 15weeks, was on progesterone pessaries from 8weeks until 16 weeks. when my stitch was done i was also givne nifedipine to keep my uterus and cervix calm and was on that for a week.

i had a scan at 16weeks and all was good, my 19 week scan my cervix has started to shorten above the stitch, was about 5mm long, and my OB threw me on strict bed rest.

my cervix is only 2.cm before preg so i cant afford to loose any length, stitch or no stitch....

i was on strict bed rest until 28weeks when things settled. until i saw my OB at 30 weeks and baby was fully engaged and he could feel her head right against my cervix and we were told to prepare for her arrival any day... again back on strict bed rest, laying down as much as possible, feet above heart to take pressure off the cervix.

by 32 weeks she had pulled her head back up and the pressure wasnt anywhere near as bad, from 32-34 weeks i got the "be VERY careful about where u go and what you do" lecture and told to keep resting but was allowed on the odd outing and stuff....

our aim all along was 34 weeks, anything after that we were happy with so after 34weeks while he wanted me to rest still my OB said i could do things within reason....

stitch out at 36w4d, was induced at 37w1d at my request, but was 3-4cm as soon as stitch was out....

as for contractions, i had braxton hicks from 16 weeks which my OB was really worried about but they didnt cause many issues...

if there is anything else hun let me know!

**blessedatlast** · August 16th, 2011, 10:55 AM

Thanks so much Crumpet.. I am wondering if I will be put on nefedipine at all.. Waiting to see the OB Monday, it's hard not knowing.. It is good to know though that I can still make it to 36 or so weeks.. In the meantime, I'm on self imposed strict bedrest. The registrar did just say to rest heaps, but I don't want to take any risks until I see my OB.. I really trust her so once I see her I will do what she says. I would be extremely surprised if I'm not put on bed rest anyway from her though...

**crumpet** · August 16th, 2011, 11:00 AM

Thanks so much Crumpet.. I am wondering if I will be put on nefedipine at all.. Waiting to see the OB Monday, it's hard not knowing.. It is good to know though that I can still make it to 36 or so weeks.. In the meantime, I'm on self imposed strict bedrest. The registrar did just say to rest heaps, but I don't want to take any risks until I see my OB.. I really trust her so once I see her I will do what she says. I would be extremely surprised if I'm not put on bed rest anyway from her though...

my OB put me on the nifedipine as a precaution, but im not sure if its a standard thing?

dont do anything at all, just keep those feet up, and relax as much as u can, easier said than done i know!

depends on what ur OB is like, they might want to admit you, i was borderline a couple of times where my OB wanted to admit me but changed his mind last minute, which really its not a bad thing, ur forced to rest in hospital being stuff all to do, and u get waited on too! SCORE!

can u get a earlier appt with ur OB or drop her a line to see what she says?

hang in there hun, its bloody scary but you can do it!

**blessedatlast** · August 16th, 2011, 11:05 AM

I will wait to see her.. Our threads are crossing lol... I want to avoid hospital because it's an hour away so I'll be very lonely lol.. At least if I rest at home my friends can come visit! I want to stay at home, and if I'm on strict bedrest thats what I'll do.. DF is great since we got home yesterday he has done everything for me, and I'm sure will continue to. It's only when he isn't home I have to get up. I am only getting up for toilet shower or food though lol..

If however my OB is that concerned she wants me in hospy, well I'll do that to. This baby has to stay in for as long as possible and thats the priority!

**DANNIIM** · August 16th, 2011, 11:38 AM

No advice for you but really hoping everything stays settled for you

**Sunny Love** · August 21st, 2011, 06:12 PM

My story. My first pregnancy was perfect in regards to cervical competency. However, my 2nd wasn't. I lost a twin by 8 weeks & at my 19 week scan I was rushed into birthsuite where I was told that my cervix was short, effaced, Funneling and nearly 4cm dilated. I was likely to be miscarrying the 2nd twin, and yes, I was told that 'sadly' (obs words) my baby wouldn't be recognized legally. Id felt this dilating feeling for weeks, yet as my pregnancies were so close I was told it was probably my ligaments etc by my middies. My instinct was right though. KEMH, Perths top neonate hospie Refused to put in a stitch, as the risk was greater of losing this remaining baby if the attempt was made. I was discharged and sent home to 'prepare for the worst and hope for the best'. I tear up just remembering being told that by the Prof. I was scanned weekly, and my cervix continued to be naughty. We remained positive, we werent going to start mourning until we had to, if we had to. I made it to 24 weeks, before my first major scare. Others followed at 27 weeks and at 32 weeks it was almost imminent that it was on, yet after contracting regularly for 12 hours ( I think!?) it settled and I was allowed home to rest and wait. In the end I made it to 38 weeks, miraculous really. My labour was very short, drug free and pleasurable. My son is 6 weeks old now and thriving better than his older sister. He is a lovely example of how even when things seem inevitable or unattainable the odds can be on your side. I hope my story helps, sorry it's scattered and brief, im typing and cuddling

Hang in there button, we don't need to meet you yet. Take care BAL, and stay positive.

**Sunny Love** · August 21st, 2011, 06:17 PM

I forgot to add that I was on pessaries and complete bed rest after 19 weeks all the way to the end. I continued to contract irregularly until 32 weeks. I also had a PROM that was detected at 32 weeks. My labour began naturally too.

**Sunny Love** · August 21st, 2011, 06:20 PM

Oh, i feel your anxiety completely. It's really difficult, your so aware of your body and even the smallest fart bubble can scare you before it slips out! Its great DF is so helpful. I was told steroid injections were given after 32 weeks, that's when I copped my ouchies jab. I wonder though because of the boys prematurity if exceptions are made?

**blessedatlast** · August 21st, 2011, 06:48 PM

Sunny - I had steroid injections at 23wks with the twins, I also know of other people who have had them before 32wks, so that's strange you were told after 32.

I just re read your story and it is so amazing. 38wks is considered full term and you made it there! Thanks for sharing. I am staying positive for the most part. It's day by day really, but I have been doing meditation and visualisation. Seeing my baby come home full term and telling my body it will nurture this baby til then seems to help, even if it's only my state of mind

RB- I was 23+4 by the time I had the injections with the twins. I will ask all these Q's tomorrow and just see what they say.

**Lolpigs** · August 23rd, 2011, 05:28 PM

I hope all went well at your appointment. Thinking of you

**blessedatlast** · August 23rd, 2011, 05:40 PM

Hi

Thanks for thinking of me. Yesterday was a long ass day and I have had a headache all day today, so I'll be quick and just copy and paste what I wrote in my buddies thread lol..

Scan showed a closed cervix measuring 3cm

When I saw the OB it was a different one my normal OB was at a conference This OB I didn't like much, but he reckons the cervix wasn't even open

he reckons it was fluid creating the illusion it was open However... I'm not sure because I did see a registrar after the scan last week and he was the one that showed me the open bit on the picture.. ANYWAY, whether it was open or not last week doesn't matter, it isn't now. I'm still on self imposed rest because after this scare it's what I feel comfortable with.. I have another scan in 2 weeks and hopefully my Ob will be back and I wont see the one I saw today. There was just something about him y'know........

**Lolpigs** · August 23rd, 2011, 06:01 PM

Yeah, I understand. Great news though

Fingers crossed for you at your next scan.

**Sunny Love** · August 23rd, 2011, 06:01 PM

That's fantastic news regarding your scan today! Woohoo for a cooperative cervix! My usual length was usually between 1.3cm & 2.4cm, so im super stoke for you today! Keep up the bedrest, you know whats best