Incompetent cervix and cervical sutures - Experiences please

[blessedatlast]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[crumpet]

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!

yep totally understand that, i was fast talking my OB out of hospital, been there done that bed rest thing before and it wasnt fun!

good to hear DF is looking after you!

thats all i did, got up for food, mail, shower and toilet!

you can do it hun!!! ill be cheering you on!!!

[crumpet]

Good luck tomorrow Hun, will be stalking to see how u go!

[blessedatlast]

Thanks Hun.. I've managed to stay resting even though we were moving.. We are in our new house now. DF unpacked everything. It did my head in a bit, but he did a good job.. I hope I get a good report tomorrow.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

Only just seen this hun. Please take care of yourself and I will be praying that its a good report tomorrow!! Keep baking away bubba!! xx

[RainbowBrite]

I will be thinking of you tomorrow and hope that it is a good report.

[blessedatlast]

Thanks.. I'm not sure what a good report is though.. maybe that my cervix has miraculously closed.. (Can it do that??) Lol

[RainbowBrite]

The length of you cervix is dynamic and the length can change.
If you are put on bedrest (or modified bed rest) you may find that the length will grow.
Once you have had children your cervix never completely closes and can be 1-2cm dilated from the start.
I suppose a good report (under the circumstances) would be that there is slight changes below the stitch but it is holding really well and doing it's job, there is not funnelling so the bag of waters is not under pressure and the BH are normal and are not causing any changes at all.
I was on and off nefedipine from 19 weeks with DD3 and DS4 for irritable uterus which at times would get very serious and scary.

[Sunny Love]

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.

[blessedatlast]

I have been taking calcium magnesium since Tuesday and I have to say the BH have calmed down heaps.. I will be asking if/when it would be necessary to start taking nefedipine. I also want steroid injections as soon as possible. Not sure if they will give them to me before 23wks though??

My cervix had no funneling at scan on Monday, but I guess what scared me is the fact I had those changes from 16 - 19wks.. I am however 20wks now, every week is a blessing. Yesterday I had awful pains when I woke up and I was freaking, but TBH after I passed wind (HEAPS!!) the pain went.. It's just so scary, especially because last time my local hospital kept telling me It was constipation and wind pain when it was in fact labour.. last time I got bad really fast, the pain didn't come and go, so I'm sure this is different and I haven't had anything remotely like it today

ETA:Sunny I just read your post! Wow, what story!! Sorry to hear about the twin you lost , sounds like twin2 didn't want to go anywhere! With my twins it wasn't just the cervix changes, it was also that I went into labour at 23wks and they couldn't stop it.. I continued to dilate and my cervix got a bit torn by the stitch. I'm thinking as long as I can keep labour at bay and the stitch hold my cervix I should be ok!!

[Sunny Love]

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]

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?

[RainbowBrite]

I also want steroid injections as soon as possible. Not sure if they will give them to me before 23wks though??

No they don't give them before 24 weeks generally...sometimes they may give them earlier.
They don't give them befoer 23 weeks because there is little benefit, the lungs do not produce surfactant until 23-24 weeks and the steroids help to produce more surfactant.
I had my steroids with DD3 at 24 weeks with DD3 and at 23+6 weeks when I had my stitch with DS4...thank goodness.

I still have everything crossed for you that you have a chubby, take home full term bubba.