I didn't know where else to put this and Cervical Incompetance is a medical condition of sorts.
When I was at my Ob the other day doing a check up/ grief support consultation thingy I asked him if he thought I had cervial weakness and he said no.
He went on to tell me he felt that contractions started the premature labour and that it was for that reason that my cervic opened early. He then went on to explain about bacteria that lives in the vagina etc and how it changes and that reaction may cause premature labour but there seems to be a very very fine line between the two and whether a person will receive a sture or not.
Now my ob is not pro suture which is kind of good because I agree a foreign body increases risk of infection etc but how will I know for next time?
I cannot prepare myself mentally for my next pregnancy knowing that no one knows for sure whether I have a weak cervix or whether it was just contractions that started my labour.
Being told that I will be closely monitored doesn't help.
I understand the difference between the two but how can premature labour just start? surely there is a trigger for it or something that starts the contractions?
Does anyone have any idea?
Has anyone had a similar problem where there seems to be no definative answer and went on to have a term pregnancy afterwards?
My ob seems to be very well respected and I trust him, I am just not convinced this was a contraction problem.
When I was 23 weeks pregnant I went into pre term labour with my DS. Thankfully my Dr stopped the labour and I went on to have him at 42 weeks.
I asked for answers why and she didn't have any other than to slow down and take it a little easier. I had been travelling alot with work and doing 12 hour days.
I was careful with pregnancy number 2 and had Paisley at 41 weeks.
Sorry I don't have any answers for you. Just my experience.
Thanks for posting Kris, wow I cannot believe how long you sat after going into prem labour. What did your dr do?
after my mc I thought I was taking it easier this time, maybe I wasn't. I did do a lot of extra shifts but wasn't doing any lifting or moving around too much etc. I know nothing will turn back the clock but I just don't know what I can do differently for next time
I had those horrid steriod injections for the baby's lungs and the oral medication to stop the labour (can't remember what this was) My dr monitored me very closely and gave me an U/S in her office every visit.
On her advice I cut back my hours at work to 10-4. Stopped the travelling totally and prayed that he would hang on.
My Dad passed away 2 weeks before my pre term labour so I believe he was looking after us.
Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why things happen.
I just recently had my DS at 35w1d. It was a very quick labour and there was no chance of stopping it - I was fully dilated when I got to hosp. I asked my OB and she told me that they still have no idea what causes/triggers labour and that just because it happens with one pg doesn't mean it will happen again.
Hi Nae, definately no experience with this, but....... wondered if having a stitch is an option anyway??????? Then perhaps it rules that out as a problem. The only things I have read about preterm labour, are more related to infection, if it is about contractions and your BH are strong ones maybe it is next to impossible to get to term. Maybe a second/third opinion is in order, anything to hopefully get answers.
I'm just curious Nae. Did you feel contractions?
My friend lost her son at 25 weeks due to a weak cervix.
She had no contractions. She went to the toilet & felt the bag when she was wiping & knew something was wrong then.
I don't know but it may help to know that.
Hi Nae,
This may not be the answer you are seeking but I thought I'd share.
I had an infection called chorioamnionitis with Lachie and this is the reason my already weak cervix ( like yourself I had an colposcopy and part of my cervix removed due to abnormal cells) dilated. Chorioamionitis is an infection in the membranes/uterus which inflames and irritates the cervix. Hence dilation and labour occurs. At my checkup I was told that it would be my choice to have the suture with my next pg. My Ob was prepared to do it for me and keep me on and off low dose antibiotics to help prevent infection. He gave me the pro's and con's of the suture but I told him I wanted to do everything I could to save my next baby.
We had no time to prepare ourselves for the next pg. Eight weeks after we lost Lachie I woke one morning with the extreme metal taste in my mouth and knew straight away I was pg. My GP referred me to my Ob- even though I was a public patient he took me on as though I was a private and saw me whenever I needed. At 13 1/2 weeks I had my suture put in and was sent home that day after with no bleeding and antibiotics. I was seen every fortnight by my Ob and inbetween with my GP.
At my 20 week scan my cervix was 2.3cm. My DD was born 9 weeks early due to PE and at my last scan it was 1.2cm. My induction was planned and suture taken out. I dilated 2cm instantly.
I believe that without the suture I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did.
I too think that there has to be some sort of trigger for pre term labour.
My advice to you is to seek multiple opinions. You know your body and what you went through with Nikita. If you feel strongly about it not being a contraction problem then write a letter of request to the hossy you had Nikita at and request a copy of your notes from the time you were in. You will need proof of identity to go with it too. Maybe having a few different opinions will give you a more difinitive answer.
Firstly let me say how sorry I am for your loss
I lost our dd at 20 weeks at my 19/20 week scan they told me that my cervix was shorter than they would expect to see at this time. All my ob said was that i would probaly deliver early ( little did I know that it meant this early) and if they had known sooner they may have put a stitch in. i went into labour a week later there was nothing they could do.
After all the tests were run all they could tell me was it was mechanical ???? and if i decided to fall pregant again they would put a stitch in.
Well I have fallen pregnant again and decided I didnt want to see the same ob and wanted a second opinion.
My ob now has been wonderful I am on fortnightly visits and he ran many tests and have had a lot of scans looked at my history and the events that led up to and including the delivery decided that it wasnt mechanical I didnt need a stitch I am nearly 32 weeks and all is going well. He still couldnt give me a definate reason for why it happened although he did discover I have fibroids which he said could have contributed to it.
All I am saying it hasnt been easy and I have been scared this whole pregnancy and will continue till I am holding this bundle say in my arms
please ask lots of questions get a second opinion if need be. I believe you need to be informed about everything before you can make the decision to try again.
I am here if you need to talk.
Nae,
I was so touched when I first read your message, as I knew exactly what you are going through. We lost our first baby, a dear little girl Isabella at 24 weeks 5 days. I had no idea I was in labour as I had a painless dilation of the cervix. I had a little bit of pain but just thought I was constipated. Then a membrane started to come down when I was on the toilet. By the time I got to hospital I was already 6cm dilated and although I desparately wanted them to do something to stop the labour they said I would definetly be having the baby that day. Our precious little girl was born on the 3-06-08 and passed away on 5-06-08. It was so hard to comprehend everything that happened and it still is. Everyday I ask myself why and wonder what I did wrong as I had had the perfect pregnancy and you wonder what you did wrong to deserve this. My ob has said that I have a short cervix and next time we have the choice of either having the stitch in at 14wks or just monitoring the length of cervix through scans every 2wks and then put a stitich in if need by. I am so worried and don't know which way to go. It's good to hear other people's experiences to see if they have any helpful info.
AR
I am so sorry for the passing of your little Isabella. Its a very tough time and you always seem to go back and blame yourself for your baby coming so early. I understand how you must be feeling but try not to be angry or upset with yourself
I have resorted to thinking Niki's purpose for life was to let me know there was a problem with my body (despite what the Ob thinks). She was alittle angel that was sent to me to let me know of this problem so future babies could be taken care of and kept incubating.
I miss my little angel every moment of everyday and my heart aches and longs for her all the time, but she wasn't mine to keep, she was a little messenger and will always be watching over us until the day we are reunited.
I know that the wound is still fresh but if you ever need to chat or want to off load anything please feel free to pm me anytime.
Cervical Incompetance or just Labour?
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