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thread: Loss due to Incompetant Cervix

  1. #19
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    10

    Ic

    I also loss my son at 22wks due to IC in 03/08.....This was the worst experience in my whole life and it was sooooo hard for me( well it still is)... to grieve...Its about to be a year in a couple days and I am feeling destroyd....My doctor told be next preg..I am going to be taking progestrone and will have the cerclage put in at 12 weeks and take them off at 36 weeks and I will be having weekly visits to the doctor hopefully my pg#3 will be a success one HOPEFULLY!!!! keep me in prayers!!!! I loss my pg#2 on 12/17/09 when I went for my 12weeks u/s they discover my lil gurl had anacephally so I had to have an termination my doctor induceed my labor .....she stated she didn't want to do a d&c because she don't want to mess with my cervic......ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy I am devestated I am so hurt but i still have faith and I hope one day I will have my lil bundle of joy....thanks for listening...best wishes!!

  2. #20
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    4

    Hi Helen

    I was just reading your post and i was wondering if i can ask you a few questions since our stories seems similar. I too lost a son in feb at 23 + 4 days, also due to possible IC and infection. from about 15 week i was bleeding on and off, and the doctors thought the bleeding was from my cervix, turned out it was from behind the placenta, which might have caused an infection. did the doctors ever tell you what might have caused your infection. im just trying to find some answers before i try again.
    thank you

    Tia

  3. #21
    Registered User

    May 2008
    215

    Hi Tia
    So sorry to hear of your angel baby, I have been reliving those moments a fair bit lately. The Dr's have no idea what caused my infection (except that it was ascending, meaning it travelled upwards) or what came first. We have thankfully gone on to have a gorgeous little boy in May, and I can't help but be thankful to Cooper for bringing us him. With Mitch's pregnancy I opted to have the suture put in as a precaution, it did carry the risk of developing infection as well, but for me I needed to feel like I had tried everything to get to the end. We had no complications throughout the whole pregnancy and cervix stayed well behaved, so who knows maybe it never was the cervix that let us down with Cooper. It is a very hard road to travel, but the ultimate prize in the end is worth every moment of worry! Did you have any labour? I just felt weird with a feeling of him being very low (he was footling breech, so the feeling I had was his foot almost in the birth canal), then I had a show, presented to hospital where I was already 4cm. Are you planning on trying again soon? I wish you all the best whatever you decide.

  4. #22
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    4

    Hi Tia
    So sorry to hear of your angel baby, I have been reliving those moments a fair bit lately. The Dr's have no idea what caused my infection (except that it was ascending, meaning it travelled upwards) or what came first. We have thankfully gone on to have a gorgeous little boy in May, and I can't help but be thankful to Cooper for bringing us him. With Mitch's pregnancy I opted to have the suture put in as a precaution, it did carry the risk of developing infection as well, but for me I needed to feel like I had tried everything to get to the end. We had no complications throughout the whole pregnancy and cervix stayed well behaved, so who knows maybe it never was the cervix that let us down with Cooper. It is a very hard road to travel, but the ultimate prize in the end is worth every moment of worry! Did you have any labour? I just felt weird with a feeling of him being very low (he was footling breech, so the feeling I had was his foot almost in the birth canal), then I had a show, presented to hospital where I was already 4cm. Are you planning on trying again soon? I wish you all the best whatever you decide.


    Hi

    Thank you for your reply Helen. they have no idea what caused my infection as well or if that was the cause of me to lose the baby. or even if i did have a weak cervix, i just had funneling, then it closed. it was all the bleeding that was scary. I was in labour for almost two days. the first day i went to the doctor i got told it was just muscle pain, and went home, i couldnt tell it was labour either, cos it was coming from really low down, and they told me not to worry that and that it normal. the second day i had pain and that was it, i must have fallen a sleep from the pain cos when i woke up the cord was out and it was too late by then. they couldnt even check how many cm dilated i was, the baby was almost out by the time i got to the hospital
    Iam planning on trying again soon, just really anxious even now thinking about what might happen.i guess the only thing i can do is hope for the best

    thanks again
    tia

  5. #23
    Registered User

    May 2008
    215

    The anxiety is always there, but you will get through it next time, they will monitor you so closely. If they don't find someone who will and MAKE them take you in whenever you have the tiniest concern. It is hard not to have a definiteve reason to what happened.
    Good Luck
    x

  6. #24
    Registered User
    Add NaeNae on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    South Gippsland
    3,753

    Hi Tia,

    I just wanted to firstly say how sorry I am for your loss. My situation was a little different but I wanted to share with you what I have been through with this current pregnancy.

    I have an excellent Ob who organised for me to have my cervix scanned every week from 15-24 weeks to see if my cervix was actually the problem which cause my Nikita's early arrival. At about 22 weeks it shortened but still within the "normal" parameters. I have had some funnelling but still because the cervix length is long and closed it has given my specialist and Ob no reason to be concerned.

    We talked about a stitch initially and again at 22 weeks when the shortening frightened me. We decided that if we continued to shorten to 2cm then we would have a stitch put in place.

    I am now 25 weeks and I have one final cervix scan next week at 26 weeks. It looks as though my problems were contraction related and not cervix. I have no idea if I will make it to term but my goal is 34 weeks. I am glad that I didn't rush out and have a stitch put in because they are not a sure fire guarantee that the pregnancy will last to term, they also can cause irritation which may start contractions and there is also the risk of infection, and once you have a stitch you will always need one for every subsequent pregnancy.

    I know for some women this is the only option they have so for those people I would say to definately have one put in. But if you are not 100% certain that you have IC perhaps discuss close monitoring with your Ob then as a second option (and before it becomes an emergency situation) to have a stitch put in if you shorten to a certain length.

    Do your research so you have a clear understanding of the Pro's and Con's of a suture. No matter what you do there are going to be risks for you and the baby as well as a load of stress.

    Best of luck when you start TTC again, it is scary but the rewards are soooo wonderful especially when you pass the "trouble" time of the previous pregnancy.

    Nae x x x

  7. #25
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    10

    Abdominal cerclage (sorry long..)

    Hi

    I lost my daughter Mia at 21 weeks from a failed emergency vaginal cerclage last year. My mother has experienced 4 pregnancies on bedrest with 2 losses, so I have been determined not to lose another child because of my incompetent cervix.

    After months of research on forums and reading medical journals, we have decided that out of the two operations available we don't want to take the risk with a vaginal cerclage, as the abdominal cerclage has a much better success rate. Unfortunately it is not as common in Australia as it is in the UK and US.

    Good new is that last week I found out that there is a very experienced doctor in Brisbane, Dr Laurie Brunello. He has performed the abdominal cerclage approx 20 times and also overseen another 20 operations.

    Dr Brunello doesn?t think women need to have multiple losses to prove that she qualifies for the operation, or that she needs to prove that a vaginal stitch wont work. He said ? Why risk losing another child when you can have an operation that almost guarantees a successful pregnancy (of course other things can still go wrong like any pregnancy).

    The Gold Coast couple that met with Dr Brunello has experienced 3 second trimester losses after doctors told them they would be fine with a vaginal cerclage instead. Now they have finally found someone that can give them a successful pregnancy.

    Best of all, Dr Brunello has never had a patient with a loss due to Incompetent Cervix with an abdominal cerclage in place.

    For those that are unable to travel to Brisbane, a lady in Melbourne had her abdominal cerclage done by Prof Tom Jobling two months ago after losing twin boys and she was very happy with him and the procedure.

    Hope this information helps those that are considering their options for a full term successful pregnancy.

    Personally I'll be going over to the US this month to have the operation done there by Dr Davis. He has performed the abdominal cerclage for over 250 patients, his pre-pregnancy placement success rate is 100%. It is a simple procedure that takes 30-60 minutes to complete and I?ll be in hospital 1-2 nights. Dr Davis doesn?t recommend bed rest to his patients as most of them work up until their scheduled c-section. The cost is approx US $4,000 for the operation and the hospital stay (i have to sell my car!).

    After talking to 100s of women with incompetent cervix, I've learnt to do as much research as possible, consider my options, and then decide what?s best for me; if it is bed rest, the TransVaginal Cerclage (TVC) or the permanent TransAbdominal Cerclage (TAC). And only you can make the decision that's right for you.

    Once you have decided, find a doctor that has the experience (very important). Listen to the advice from doctors, but also remember that it is just their opinion. There is nothing wrong with getting a second or third opinion, because its your body and its your choice.

    I have decided to get the surgery done as the traditionally method (like a c-section) rather than laparoscopic surgery (key hole), since the success rate is higher. Lately I've heard of two ladies in Brisbane and Sydney that have experienced that the laparascopic abdominal surgery didn't hold the cervix because it was done by doctors with little/no experience.

    My surgery is on 28 August and I can let you know how it all went when I get back 2 weeks later. We'll TTC on the next cycle and I can?t wait to have a normal pregnancy without having to be on bed rest or worry about my cervix. I have been in touch with a lady from Sydney who went over to Chicago to have the surgery done after 4 losses and she is currently pregnant. Although I feel confident at the moment I'm sure I'll still be freaking out a little.

    Kristin
    ~angel Mia's mum~

  8. #26
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    4

    Hi All

    Thank you so much for all your replies, ive been doing a lot of research as well, just to put my mind at ease.

    Kristin, I want to wish you the best of luck with your surgery, we'll be thinking of you

    NaeNae, i want to wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy as well , ill be praying for you

    tia

  9. #27
    Registered User

    Oct 2008
    Sydney
    155

    Hi
    I am a TVC success story after losing my son, but just wanted to wish Kristin all the best for her upcoming surgery & I would definitely be interested in hearing how you go. I have heard Dr Davis mentioned on the IC forum & it sounds like he is the man to go to for the TAC. Good luck!
    Tia, I am sorry to read of your loss & good luck for when you decide to try again.
    Nae, I'm so happy to read that things are still going well for you. I was wondering if you had ended up getting that stitch or not.
    Jo

  10. #28
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    10

    thanks :)

    Hi Jo and Tia

    Thanks for the well wishes

    Its great to to hear that the TVC has worked you Jo, in many cases it seems to be all it takes to bring a baby home. I spent many months deciding on which way to go, before it came down to the stats of the two operations. So I'm getting TAC'd. 23 sleeps until we fly over to see Dr Davis, I have heard so much about him and can't wait to finally meet him.

    By the way, my husband's name is Luke so I smile every time I see your screen name

    Take care xx

    Kristin
    (kriklo79@hotmail.com)

  11. #29
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    4

    Just reading through the replies it is obvious that there are a number of opinions and fortunately options available. The successes and cautions are both comforting and informative and I wish everyone undergoing these procedures the best of luck.

    I myself and 7 weeks and go for my first check-up next week. After my loss at 20 weeks this time I feel like I have already been pregnant for ever! Even though I try not to dwell time is morning soooo slowly!

    Anyways, providing all is well I will be getting a suture at 12 weeks. Nothing is guaranteed but weighing up the risks I would rather take the risk of getting a suture and be closely monitored than wait. At 36 I don't feel I can afford not to do as much as I can to ensure a successful pregnancy.

    As everything progresses I will update as I know I looked for this information myself when I came to this forum and no doubt others do too.

    Melissa

  12. #30
    Registered User

    Feb 2009
    10

    Congratulations

    Hi Melissa

    Congratulations on your pregnancy and best of luck with getting a TVC. I'll be thinking of you And I'm sure your little angel will look over you as well.

    You are so right, its great being able to read about other people's experiences and share our knowledge. Only then are we able to make the decision that is right for us, whether its choosing to get a Trans Vaginal Cerclage, Trans Abdominal Cerclage or none of them. Knowledge is power

    Take care

    Kristin
    kriklo79@hotmail.com

    *Pre-pregnancy TAC 28 August 2009*

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