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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for April 16, 2018
« on: April 17, 2018 at 11:50 PM »
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What's Your Story? Tell us. / Re: Every days a blessing
« on: April 06, 2018 at 02:46 PM »
Wishing you all the best and hoping that things turn around for you.
I also have a short cervix and debris so I completely understand how anxious and scared you are feeling.
I also have a short cervix and debris so I completely understand how anxious and scared you are feeling.
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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for April 2, 2018
« on: April 02, 2018 at 04:10 PM »
Well, I'm 19+5 and still cookin'. I have my anatomy scan this week.
I've been on 3 full weeks of bedrest and am starting to figure out my routine.
I stay in bed as long as possible in the morning before getting up to grab some breakfast. Then, I head downstairs to my couch cum Trendelenburg fort and prop up my rainbow umbrella to block some of the intense sun (who knew April sun in Canada was so hot???). Then, I catch up on all my social media, read my kindle, and watch some Netflix (Thank God for 12 seasons of Grey's Anatomy).
Sometimes my day is punctuated with appointments or visitors, but I'm surprised at how quickly 5 o'clock rolls around and my hubby gets home.
I am a lucky gal. I am so grateful for my husband. He has had to pick up the brunt of everything - the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, picking up groceries, taking me for walks in the wheelchair, listening to all of my worries and anxieties, and basically just taking care of the two of us. And, he NEVER complains.
In the past 3 weeks, we've become closer than we've been in a while. We cook together (and by together, I mean I provide instructions from my Trendelenburg fortress and he does all the work); he's taking on tasks that I never thought he would in the kitchen, and has taken up my weekly ritual of making sourdough bread, meticulously nurturing the starters, kneading the dough, and watching it rise. I order groceries online, and he picks them up on the way home from work. We're eating healthy and delicious home-cooked meals every day. The kitchen might not be as spotless as it would be if I weren't stuck on the couch, but I appreciate that I don't have to remind him to do these tasks.
He calls me from work throughout the day, which is pretty impressive because he has the type of job that doesn't allow him to have a lot of downtime. He also ensures to call me each day after work to see if I need anything on his way home.
In the evenings we sit together in comfortable silence, him squished between my head and the edge of the couch.
I might have taken these things for granted a month ago. But now, I see them as little acts of love.
I know he's got my back. He's my partner and we're in this together, come better or for worse.
I've been on 3 full weeks of bedrest and am starting to figure out my routine.
I stay in bed as long as possible in the morning before getting up to grab some breakfast. Then, I head downstairs to my couch cum Trendelenburg fort and prop up my rainbow umbrella to block some of the intense sun (who knew April sun in Canada was so hot???). Then, I catch up on all my social media, read my kindle, and watch some Netflix (Thank God for 12 seasons of Grey's Anatomy).
Sometimes my day is punctuated with appointments or visitors, but I'm surprised at how quickly 5 o'clock rolls around and my hubby gets home.
I am a lucky gal. I am so grateful for my husband. He has had to pick up the brunt of everything - the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, picking up groceries, taking me for walks in the wheelchair, listening to all of my worries and anxieties, and basically just taking care of the two of us. And, he NEVER complains.
In the past 3 weeks, we've become closer than we've been in a while. We cook together (and by together, I mean I provide instructions from my Trendelenburg fortress and he does all the work); he's taking on tasks that I never thought he would in the kitchen, and has taken up my weekly ritual of making sourdough bread, meticulously nurturing the starters, kneading the dough, and watching it rise. I order groceries online, and he picks them up on the way home from work. We're eating healthy and delicious home-cooked meals every day. The kitchen might not be as spotless as it would be if I weren't stuck on the couch, but I appreciate that I don't have to remind him to do these tasks.
He calls me from work throughout the day, which is pretty impressive because he has the type of job that doesn't allow him to have a lot of downtime. He also ensures to call me each day after work to see if I need anything on his way home.
In the evenings we sit together in comfortable silence, him squished between my head and the edge of the couch.
I might have taken these things for granted a month ago. But now, I see them as little acts of love.
I know he's got my back. He's my partner and we're in this together, come better or for worse.
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What's Your Story? Tell us. / Re: So Scared.
« on: March 30, 2018 at 10:35 PM »
@reasontonhope - thank you for th suggestion, that’s brilliant! I will definitely ask for them to turn off the screen and give me a general description: cervix or no cervix.
It will definitely decrease my anxiety:)
It will definitely decrease my anxiety:)
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What's Your Story? Tell us. / Re: So Scared.
« on: March 30, 2018 at 11:35 AM »
This sounds so similar to our story. We are currently 19 weeks. Our last measurement just over a week ago showed that my cervix was measuring 1.3cm and that I was funnelled to the stitch. We decided to place a pessary as well to help distribute the weight of the uterus because I was losing length so quickly (3.5, 2.3, 1.8, 1.3 in 4 weeks). My OBs keep reassuring me that the stitch is doing it’s job - the cervix is staying closed. This is the most important thing at this time.
It’s been a hard go. I’m on bedrest and am by myself for long parts of the day, and the pregnancy is never off my mind. Anxiously waiting for my anatomy appointment next Thursday, but terrified to hear further news about my cervix. I don’t know what’s worse- ignorance or knowledge at this point because there’s not much more that the doctors can do if this cerclage fails (I’m also at risk for infection due to other pregnancy factors).
Pregnancy with cervical insufficiency is no fun, and the second trimester is the hardest.
Know that there are many women who have gone through this before and that there are so many positive stories.
There is also a Facebook Group for women with IC that I have found incredibly helpful. You should check it out!
Wishing you all the best in your pregnancy, I hope it’s long and healthy!
It’s been a hard go. I’m on bedrest and am by myself for long parts of the day, and the pregnancy is never off my mind. Anxiously waiting for my anatomy appointment next Thursday, but terrified to hear further news about my cervix. I don’t know what’s worse- ignorance or knowledge at this point because there’s not much more that the doctors can do if this cerclage fails (I’m also at risk for infection due to other pregnancy factors).
Pregnancy with cervical insufficiency is no fun, and the second trimester is the hardest.
Know that there are many women who have gone through this before and that there are so many positive stories.
There is also a Facebook Group for women with IC that I have found incredibly helpful. You should check it out!
Wishing you all the best in your pregnancy, I hope it’s long and healthy!
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Pregnancy Complications / Re: Sludge/Contraction/Short Cervix/Preventative Cerclage - 16 weeks
« on: March 23, 2018 at 03:58 PM »
@OBmom - do you also have a cerclage with the pessary?
I don't feel any of the contractions, so that's a good sign. Nobody seems to think that I'm in preterm labour.
I'm on 500mg of magnesium every day. It gives me looser stools, but I figure that's not a bad thing - no straining for me! lol
The sludge is way at the bottom of the cervix, basically sitting against the stitch. It's like my body is trying to get it as far from the baby as possible.
My favourite OB placed by pessary today. He reminded me that the stitch is doing its job - cervix is still closed, and there is still some length (my new mantra).
I feel so much better with this bit of reassurance and the added support of the pessary.
Hoping I can breathe a little easier until our next appointment - the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.
I may have found a new calling in life: medical researcher for women with cervical insufficiency.
How can there be so little data on something that impacts so many women???
I don't feel any of the contractions, so that's a good sign. Nobody seems to think that I'm in preterm labour.
I'm on 500mg of magnesium every day. It gives me looser stools, but I figure that's not a bad thing - no straining for me! lol
The sludge is way at the bottom of the cervix, basically sitting against the stitch. It's like my body is trying to get it as far from the baby as possible.
My favourite OB placed by pessary today. He reminded me that the stitch is doing its job - cervix is still closed, and there is still some length (my new mantra).
I feel so much better with this bit of reassurance and the added support of the pessary.
Hoping I can breathe a little easier until our next appointment - the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.
I may have found a new calling in life: medical researcher for women with cervical insufficiency.
How can there be so little data on something that impacts so many women???
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Pregnancy Complications / Re: Sludge/Contraction/Short Cervix/Preventative Cerclage - 16 weeks
« on: March 23, 2018 at 11:34 AM »
Down to 1.3cm, funnelled to the stitch.
Having a pessary placed this morning at 10am as a last ditch effort. Best case scenario is that things will stabilize.
Doctors seems less reassuring about a positive outcome with these developments so early
Having a pessary placed this morning at 10am as a last ditch effort. Best case scenario is that things will stabilize.
Doctors seems less reassuring about a positive outcome with these developments so early
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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll Call for March 19, 2018
« on: March 19, 2018 at 02:02 PM »
17+4 and still cooking.
Had another emergency room visit this weekend due to what was diagnosed as an occular migrane. I had the same thing occur 3 days prior to losing our mucus plug, resulting in the loss of our first child at 24 weeks in September. The doctors have assured me that the two events aren't related, and I hope that they are right.
Woke up yesterday morning and after ingesting some food had really terrible pains in my lower abdomen. I wasn't sure if they were contractions or gas pains. I have had gas pains in the past and that's usually my cue to use the loo. Yesterday was no exception.
Yesterday was different in terms of the intensity of the pain, so I spent the rest of the day in bed sipping as much water as possible as a precaution. I suppose the good news is that they haven't returned.
Other than that, we picked up a wheelchair, so hopefully I can go for daily walks and get some fresh air and sunshine!
Had another emergency room visit this weekend due to what was diagnosed as an occular migrane. I had the same thing occur 3 days prior to losing our mucus plug, resulting in the loss of our first child at 24 weeks in September. The doctors have assured me that the two events aren't related, and I hope that they are right.
Woke up yesterday morning and after ingesting some food had really terrible pains in my lower abdomen. I wasn't sure if they were contractions or gas pains. I have had gas pains in the past and that's usually my cue to use the loo. Yesterday was no exception.
Yesterday was different in terms of the intensity of the pain, so I spent the rest of the day in bed sipping as much water as possible as a precaution. I suppose the good news is that they haven't returned.
Other than that, we picked up a wheelchair, so hopefully I can go for daily walks and get some fresh air and sunshine!
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Pregnancy Complications / Re: Sludge/Contraction/Short Cervix/Preventative Cerclage - 16 weeks
« on: March 15, 2018 at 07:34 PM »
OB follow up:
The doctor said that he is not concerned about the cervix length - it is open to the stitch, but the cerclage is doing its job and he cervix is closed. There was no funneling seen, which would have been more concerning.
2 doctors and 1 tech have now said no funnelling, so that's good.
He also said further ultrasounds are not needed until the one on the 29th because our course of action will not change.
He said that sludge is rare and there isn't a lot of research. He thinks that it could potentially be from bleeding at 8 weeks when I spotted for a couple of days. So, he hasn't ruled out infection, but just said that the spotting earlier on could be the cause of the sludge - apparently it takes a long time for the blood to dissolve if it's being carried in the sac.
That being said, my OB gave me a RX for antibiotics to help with the sludge, just in case (although there doesn't seem to be that much research out there to support the benefits of antibiotics, I'm glad that we're doing what we can).
He is not worried about the contraction at all and says that it's absolutely normal and expected. He did not want to prescribe any sort of medication to help restrict contractions because they are not related to labour and do not pose a risk to this pregnancy. He is the 4th doctor/tech to say that, so I'm going to try to drop that from my worries.
Finally, I asked him if we need to prepare for another loss. He said at this time, no. He reiterated that it's a possibility, but he thinks we are more likely to be successful than not, but as I knew before I got pregnant after our first loss, pregnancy doesn't guarantee a baby, and I am at high risk. So... yeah.
He hesitantly admitted that if we lose this child/decide to try again, that he would do the transabdominal cerclage, which is highly frustrating because that's what I wanted with this one. I was told that they don't perform TAC in Canada until you have experience a loss with a TVC. It breaks my heart to think that if we lose another healthy child, it's because we didn't have that surgery.
Anyways, I'm off work until the end of pregnancy. Only 23 weeks left to go...
The doctor said that he is not concerned about the cervix length - it is open to the stitch, but the cerclage is doing its job and he cervix is closed. There was no funneling seen, which would have been more concerning.
2 doctors and 1 tech have now said no funnelling, so that's good.
He also said further ultrasounds are not needed until the one on the 29th because our course of action will not change.
He said that sludge is rare and there isn't a lot of research. He thinks that it could potentially be from bleeding at 8 weeks when I spotted for a couple of days. So, he hasn't ruled out infection, but just said that the spotting earlier on could be the cause of the sludge - apparently it takes a long time for the blood to dissolve if it's being carried in the sac.
That being said, my OB gave me a RX for antibiotics to help with the sludge, just in case (although there doesn't seem to be that much research out there to support the benefits of antibiotics, I'm glad that we're doing what we can).
He is not worried about the contraction at all and says that it's absolutely normal and expected. He did not want to prescribe any sort of medication to help restrict contractions because they are not related to labour and do not pose a risk to this pregnancy. He is the 4th doctor/tech to say that, so I'm going to try to drop that from my worries.
Finally, I asked him if we need to prepare for another loss. He said at this time, no. He reiterated that it's a possibility, but he thinks we are more likely to be successful than not, but as I knew before I got pregnant after our first loss, pregnancy doesn't guarantee a baby, and I am at high risk. So... yeah.
He hesitantly admitted that if we lose this child/decide to try again, that he would do the transabdominal cerclage, which is highly frustrating because that's what I wanted with this one. I was told that they don't perform TAC in Canada until you have experience a loss with a TVC. It breaks my heart to think that if we lose another healthy child, it's because we didn't have that surgery.
Anyways, I'm off work until the end of pregnancy. Only 23 weeks left to go...
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Pregnancy Complications / Re: Shortened Cervix at 22 weeks
« on: March 15, 2018 at 07:29 PM »
I would see if they can get you in sooner - most doctors won't do a cerclage after 24 weeks, and if they're waiting until next week to talk about it, I would wonder how they are going to get you in for surgery before the 24 week cut-off.
Talk to your family doctor about progesterone. It shouldn't be a problem getting a prescription as it won't harm baby.
Until then, I would take it very easy. If you can, take the time off work and avoid standing for prolonged periods of time and avoid too much activity.
My cervix is measuring 1.7 as of yesterday (17 weeks) with a cerclage and my doctors have given me a note to be off work until the end of the pregnancy. I have quite a few other worrisome things going on, but cervix stability is currently our number 1 concern.
Hope this helps!
Talk to your family doctor about progesterone. It shouldn't be a problem getting a prescription as it won't harm baby.
Until then, I would take it very easy. If you can, take the time off work and avoid standing for prolonged periods of time and avoid too much activity.
My cervix is measuring 1.7 as of yesterday (17 weeks) with a cerclage and my doctors have given me a note to be off work until the end of the pregnancy. I have quite a few other worrisome things going on, but cervix stability is currently our number 1 concern.
Hope this helps!
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Pregnancy Complications / Re: Sludge/Contraction/Short Cervix/Preventative Cerclage - 16 weeks
« on: March 14, 2018 at 06:42 PM »
Back from the ultrasound.
Baby looks good.
Amniotic levels are perfect, so they really don't think that the membranes ruptured last night.
Cervix has shortened again. I think she said 1.7 or 1.9, but I can't remember. It was definitely lower than 2cm. I'm feeling disheartened by the change in length. However, the doctor said that she's not worried about the length at all because that's not the best predictor of a loss, especially with the cerclage. What is a good predictor is whether or not it's closed. Currently the cervix is closed. So that's good.
The sludge is still there. It still puts me at higher risk. There's still nothing they can do about it.
There was another "contraction" today in the exact same place as it was on Thursday. Again, there was no concern. It seems to me when looking at the ultrasound that the contraction is "pinching" off the part of the cervix that has the sludge. Hopefully it doesn't pinch too hard and rupture the membranes!
US doctor thinks that it's a good idea that I still continue to take it easy and not to return to work at this point. I have a follow up with my OB tomorrow and another ultrasound booked for Monday.
@OBmom - thank you for your words of wisdom and support. I really appreciate it, especially regarding the sludge. Worried about your take on the contractions and will be asking my OB tomorrow if there is anything that we can do to relax the muscles.
Baby looks good.
Amniotic levels are perfect, so they really don't think that the membranes ruptured last night.
Cervix has shortened again. I think she said 1.7 or 1.9, but I can't remember. It was definitely lower than 2cm. I'm feeling disheartened by the change in length. However, the doctor said that she's not worried about the length at all because that's not the best predictor of a loss, especially with the cerclage. What is a good predictor is whether or not it's closed. Currently the cervix is closed. So that's good.
The sludge is still there. It still puts me at higher risk. There's still nothing they can do about it.
There was another "contraction" today in the exact same place as it was on Thursday. Again, there was no concern. It seems to me when looking at the ultrasound that the contraction is "pinching" off the part of the cervix that has the sludge. Hopefully it doesn't pinch too hard and rupture the membranes!
US doctor thinks that it's a good idea that I still continue to take it easy and not to return to work at this point. I have a follow up with my OB tomorrow and another ultrasound booked for Monday.
@OBmom - thank you for your words of wisdom and support. I really appreciate it, especially regarding the sludge. Worried about your take on the contractions and will be asking my OB tomorrow if there is anything that we can do to relax the muscles.
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What's Your Story? Tell us. / Re: Cerclage out at 27 weeks, Still cooking!!
« on: March 14, 2018 at 02:30 PM »
We delivered our baby boy 5 days after my mucus plug began to come out (24 weeks). We were able to stop labour until an infection developed and we had to discontinue the anti-labour medication. We delivered 3 days later.
That being said, you have a lot of things on your side:
1. Mucus plug can be replenished.
2. You have a cerclage (I didn't).
3. You are on anti-labour medication.
You've got this! Keep us posted on your story!
That being said, you have a lot of things on your side:
1. Mucus plug can be replenished.
2. You have a cerclage (I didn't).
3. You are on anti-labour medication.
You've got this! Keep us posted on your story!
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Pregnancy Complications / Re: Sludge/Contraction/Short Cervix/Preventative Cerclage - 16 weeks
« on: March 14, 2018 at 12:45 PM »
Ended up in ER last night after a gush of clear fluid after inserting progesterone suppositories.
Was concerned that it was amniotic fluid, as this was something the doctor told me to look for.
Luckily, everything came back negative, and baby is still doing just fine.
Will be following up with an MFM ultrasound this afternoon. Fingers crossed for good news - stable cervix and no funnelling would be awesome!
Was concerned that it was amniotic fluid, as this was something the doctor told me to look for.
Luckily, everything came back negative, and baby is still doing just fine.
Will be following up with an MFM ultrasound this afternoon. Fingers crossed for good news - stable cervix and no funnelling would be awesome!
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Making the Best of Bed Rest / Re: Monday Roll call for March 12, 2018: Staying Motivated
« on: March 13, 2018 at 11:53 AM »
16+5 today.
This is my second day on "modified" bedrest. I made a schedule and hope to stick with it - I think it'll help break up my day into shorter periods of time filled with a mixture of semi-productive things (like work) and rest. Hoping that it helps to make the time between when my husband is at work and home a little easier.
I have an appointment with my OB on Thursday and hope to get some answers on the upsetting ultrasound results from last week (shortened cervix, possible funnelling, contraction, sludge) that will help me to put my mind at ease.
Had a bit of a scare last night when my underwear was a little wet - was told to watch for leaking fluids. No more came after the first stain, and it wasn't enough to leak through underwear or fill a liner or anything, so I'm passing it off as discharge.
The hardest thing about this pregnancy is fearing the worst with every ache, pain, and bit of discharge.
Well, that and being insanely jealous of my close friend who, at 18 weeks, is still skiing, doing exersize classes, and all around having a great pregnancy. Wish that could be me!
This is my second day on "modified" bedrest. I made a schedule and hope to stick with it - I think it'll help break up my day into shorter periods of time filled with a mixture of semi-productive things (like work) and rest. Hoping that it helps to make the time between when my husband is at work and home a little easier.
I have an appointment with my OB on Thursday and hope to get some answers on the upsetting ultrasound results from last week (shortened cervix, possible funnelling, contraction, sludge) that will help me to put my mind at ease.
Had a bit of a scare last night when my underwear was a little wet - was told to watch for leaking fluids. No more came after the first stain, and it wasn't enough to leak through underwear or fill a liner or anything, so I'm passing it off as discharge.
The hardest thing about this pregnancy is fearing the worst with every ache, pain, and bit of discharge.
Well, that and being insanely jealous of my close friend who, at 18 weeks, is still skiing, doing exersize classes, and all around having a great pregnancy. Wish that could be me!
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Pregnancy Complications / Sludge/Contraction/Short Cervix/Preventative Cerclage - 16 weeks
« on: March 12, 2018 at 01:17 PM »
Here's a doozy:
We recently lost our first child due to IC at 24 weeks and became pregnant again after our first cycle.
This has been an incredibly anxious pregnancy as a result. I had a preventative cerclage at 13+5 and take daily progesterone suppositories (200mg).
I just came back from an elective ultrasound at 16 weeks. During this ultrasound, they found that my cervix had shortened to 2.4cm. I had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks, and it is sitting at 2cm on the cervix - it looks like a strong stitch with good placement.
They discovered during the vaginal ultrasound that I was having a contraction, and this may have influenced the cervix measurement (I'm hoping that because the contraction was low, it was the cause of a shortened cervix, but I have no medical info to back that up). The tech told me that painless contractions are usual for many women during pregnancy and not to worry. She was hoping that the contraction would resolve before the end of the exam, but it didn't.
In addition to this, the US tech thought she saw funnelling through the contraction, leaving only .4cm between the stitch and the end of my cervix. The doctor said she didn't see any funnelling. Again, not sure what to think. How can two experienced professionals see two completely different things?
All of this has left me me anxiously wondering why I would have such a long contraction and whether or not it was in fact impacting my cervical length and whether I am funnelling and if I should take additional precautions.
Finally, and scariest of all, is that they found "sludge" in the intrauterine sac. This puts me at a higher risk of infection. Infection in the intrauterine sac means immediate delivery. They tried to reassure me that "sludge" is common with women with IC, and that it doesn't guarantee infection, it just increases the risk.
My mad Google online research has resulted in 2 findings:
1. Women with short cervix and presence of sludge have a 50% chance of delivery prior to 24 weeks (2007 study).
2. Age of gestation for women with cerclage is not impacted by the presence of sludge (2010 study).
Has anybody else had a preventative cerclage and found out later that there is sludge in the amniotic fluid? What were your outcomes?
We recently lost our first child due to IC at 24 weeks and became pregnant again after our first cycle.
This has been an incredibly anxious pregnancy as a result. I had a preventative cerclage at 13+5 and take daily progesterone suppositories (200mg).
I just came back from an elective ultrasound at 16 weeks. During this ultrasound, they found that my cervix had shortened to 2.4cm. I had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks, and it is sitting at 2cm on the cervix - it looks like a strong stitch with good placement.
They discovered during the vaginal ultrasound that I was having a contraction, and this may have influenced the cervix measurement (I'm hoping that because the contraction was low, it was the cause of a shortened cervix, but I have no medical info to back that up). The tech told me that painless contractions are usual for many women during pregnancy and not to worry. She was hoping that the contraction would resolve before the end of the exam, but it didn't.
In addition to this, the US tech thought she saw funnelling through the contraction, leaving only .4cm between the stitch and the end of my cervix. The doctor said she didn't see any funnelling. Again, not sure what to think. How can two experienced professionals see two completely different things?
All of this has left me me anxiously wondering why I would have such a long contraction and whether or not it was in fact impacting my cervical length and whether I am funnelling and if I should take additional precautions.
Finally, and scariest of all, is that they found "sludge" in the intrauterine sac. This puts me at a higher risk of infection. Infection in the intrauterine sac means immediate delivery. They tried to reassure me that "sludge" is common with women with IC, and that it doesn't guarantee infection, it just increases the risk.
My mad Google online research has resulted in 2 findings:
1. Women with short cervix and presence of sludge have a 50% chance of delivery prior to 24 weeks (2007 study).
2. Age of gestation for women with cerclage is not impacted by the presence of sludge (2010 study).
Has anybody else had a preventative cerclage and found out later that there is sludge in the amniotic fluid? What were your outcomes?
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