Incompetent Cervix

ejgballerina

Did anyone have this happen to them?  If so, what symptoms, if any did you have prior to being diagnosed?  Also, if you had the cerclage, did they put you to sleep or just do an epidural?  I had a cone biopsy to remove part of my cervix in August, so I know I'm already at risk for IC. This past week I've been feeling some low pressure and twinges deep in my cervix that feel exactly the same as when I was healing from the cone biopsy.  I'm calling my OB tomorrow first thing, but of course I'm paranoid in the meantime.  Any info is so appreciated!!  TIA!

JGirl2005

Yes, I had this and had a loss at almost 16 weeks last year.

This pregnancy I got a cerclage.  Most get a spinal or epidural, but my dr. does general anesthesia - so I was under for placement.  A lot of people don't like to do that, but it was harmless for the baby (was told by many drs and anestiologist).  I was under less than 5 minutes - it didn't take long to place.  It wasn't hard, but I had cramping afterwards most of the night - I hear it is worse if you have it at 20wks.  I had spotting and bleeding afterwards for more than a week. 

They are much more effective if placed proactively before things start changing.  Unfortunately, you can't really feel the cervix funneling or opening.  Mine was opening from the top last time and I couldn't feel that.  This time (before my cerclage) it was opening from the bottom - I thought I could feel something, but my drs always tell me 'no'.  In a normal pregnancy it is normal to feel stretching down there.  My drs tell me that it is worse if the cervix is opening from the top and funneling. 

Here is a website (you have to register) that has a wealth of information:

https://ic.hobh.org/forums/

HOpefully you won't need a stitch.  A lot of people have cone biopsies and don't need it...I had a LEEP in 2004 and also had the surgery where they freeze off cancer cells in 1994.  Even with that history, my drs didn't want to do regular measurements as they thought my cervix was fine (but it can be weak even if it is all there.)

 

jlc071903

I did. The ONLY thing that clued me in was that i was having some contractions...my OB thought they may be braxton hicks and I'd been to see her the week before and all was good, but she told me that I should go into L&D and get checked out if I wanted to. So, I did..THANK GOD...Baby A's bag of waters was hanging out into my birth canal. So,t hey put me in a trundle position for 36 hours and I had a rescue cerclage the next afternoon...I had a spinal for that procedure, the same that I had for my c/s. MY perinatologist told me that for any subsequent pregnancies I'd have a cerclage at 13 weeks and that I wouldn't need BR next time...I spent 3 weeks in the hospital on BR and 7 weeks at home...it stunk, but it was worth it. If you're feeling that bad, go to L&D and get checked out, don't wait until tomorrow.

pamela-matt

I also went through this.  You cannot feel anything.  My problems arose around 20 weeks.  I told doc I was having a lot of BH and he had me go to L&D to get checked...they were real and my cervix was changing.  I did not get a cerclage b/c it was so late and spent 3.5 months on bedrest at home.  With weekly u/s I was able to hold out.  Next time around I will be having a cerclage.  Good luck

ejgballerina

Thank you so much for the info.  I'm going to see my dr. tomorrow morning first thing and will hopefully be reassured that it's nothing!

sliz

I get these twinges too and they scare me - I see my ob again on Tuesday and the last time was on Wed - all looked ok. Also I got it measured last Tuesday. I just can't stop worrying about this though