hello,

i had a cerclage 5 weeks ago due to funneling/shortening to 1.9cm, i've been getting contrations ever since, stayed in hospital for 2 weeks trying to get them to calm down. the intense vaginal pressure (that feeling of something falling out) i had leading up to the op never really went away, but recently its become more localised/centralised and feels more scary. over the last 10 days also started to get an ache internally 'between my legs' which feels like a nerve pain, it gets worse when i contract.

i'm feeling really down about the pregnancy and cant see it lasting much longer, feelings of doom have set in. went in last week to get pressure checked and stitch still holding. back on wednesday for proper scan which will show if cervix has shortened anymore since the op.

can anyone help? feeling so depressed i'm not sure how to get through the next few weeks even. on bedrest and typing this with one hand so apologies for any typos.

vintage

Vintage,

I can't remember how far along are you? I had a cerclage at 20 weeks and that feeling of "something falling out" never ever went away. I asked about it every time I went in and actually went in a few times non scheduled because I thought for sure there might be a foot hanging out. kidding, but that's what it felt like! My baby A was just so so far down that it was a lot of pressure. Is this the case with you too?

Try to hang in there!! You will make it!! Bedrest sucks too and I know all too well that one handed typing. Can you get some movies and maybe watch them to get your mind off things? I know that nothing gets your mind off of it though. Hang in there!

Ann

BBG born 7/7/03
33 weeks 3 days

hi ann,

thanks for your response it made me feel better to see there was someone else out there with similar sensations. baby a is very low down, in fact they havent still really been able to get a conclusive scan report on her as shes out of the scanners reach. i guess that doesnt really help my situation does it, with the funneling?

the ache/pain i'm getting does seem to get worse, i'm just hoping its the baby resting on a nerve internally, rather than my cervix doing anything terrible. i've had to take pain killers for it the last couple of days. i'm trying with every ounce of mental energy to get to weds for the scan, and if nothing has changed since the last one, i'll then set my sights on 24 weeks, then every day/hour from then.

i know exactly what you mean about the foot hanging out feeling, every time i go to the bathroom the fear is immense, as is the pressure. did you find that? bit of a problem when you have to drink so much water.

what length had your cervix shortened to?

vintage
g/g/g 23weeks and counting

Vintage:

'So glad to hear from you. If I remember correctly, you were at 18 weeks when you underwent the cerclage. That means that you're about at the 23 week mark right now. Let me know if I'm wrong...

Frankly, honey, you are entering the scariest part of the pregnancy. I remember that I was there about 7 or 8 weeks ago, and while I had hoped to feel more comfortable because of entering into the viability stages, the truth is that it left me feeling jittery and scared. Your babies have now gotten big enough to wreak some havoc on the cervix and also kick you into preterm labor, and they still need to be inside. It's definitely a "catch-22" and it was at about week 24 that I became much more of a "scaredy Cat" and began spending substantially more time in bed.

I found that staying on my back in bed helped a lot with contractions. Also, drinking lots of water. When you next go back, whether Wednesday or sooner because of another concern, speak frankly with your doctor about your grave concerns, and see if he'll put you back into the hospital. Even if they kept you there for the next 7 weeks, they would have you to the place where the babies were viable, and you would be able to deal with things better.

For me, I found that my "contractions" were not genuine contractions part of the time -- rather, they were my over-extended uterus, bulging with squirming babies, and I could not tell the difference. Neither, by the way, could the doctors and nurses. We relied upon the contraction monitor for some sort of distinction. The deep-seated pain between my legs began at about week 20 and it continues to this day. Finally, Sunday more than two weeks ago, I got contractions that included some pretty realistic pain as well -- and, these registered as true conractions on the monitor. We got those stopped after 12 hours on procardia and I was given procardia to take home and use. I stopped using it as soon as the contractions stopped. Since then, I've had contractions one more time and used the procardadia most of one afternoon.

Since your's have been genuine contractions and an ongoing problem, I would tell the doctor of your serious concerns and point out how close you are to being able to complete this pregnancy. Point out that if the babies come now, you are looking at a minimum of 17 weeks in the NICU per baby, multiplied by three, and with all of the other potential complications. Ask him if it wouldn't be wiser to put you into the hospital right now so that you can avoid the extra ups and downs and trips back and forth.

I will keep you in my prayers for peace and quiet. In the meantime, treat this seriously, and stay in bed as much as you can. Avoid any extra stress or strain or lifting and get help with food, housekeeping, etc. Now is NOT the time to play hero.

If you are a praying person, I strongly suggest that you place this firmly into God's hands. Worrying is not going to improve the odds, or add one tiny bit to your health or the health of your babies. Instead, point out to Him that as much as you love these babies, He loved them first and loves them more -- and ask Him to keep them safe inside of you until they can be born healthy. Trust in His power and His grace and His wisdom -- as this will also help you to relax and create the proper environment for your little ones. He also loves you in the same way. I'm praying for all of you.

Cat w/3kittens,
30weeks, 5days
b/g/g edd 3/12/04

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.

hey cat,

yes - good memory 23 weeks today.

this is definitely the worst part of the pregnancy for me, so close to viable but so far. i will definitely speak to the doctor on weds and tell him im not coping with this at the moment. did the pain feel like a nerve/dullish ache for you too? it feels as if its were the cervix stitch is and it feels as if its been stretched down there generally. please let it be the baby at the botomlying awkwardly.

i spent most of today crying as i'm so convinced ill go into labour soon and my hospital cant take me if i do so under 28 weeks, i'd be sent in an ambulance to a better one that had a bed for me.

they are rubish with meds here, and not willing to listen.

i am a praying person, and just this week i've come to terms with the fact that their fate is in gods hands, and i trust him. i've pretty much named them now, thought i should in case i go into labour any minute and things go wrong.

i pray each night that these three girlss get a chance at life.

vintage

Hey there!!!! I am so sorry you are going through all this pain.

I can't remember if you are on a HUAM or not. If you are then stick to that like glue and if you don't have one insist on one. They are the biggest pain in the neck but have saved so many pregnancies that I know of. What kind of meds do they have you on for the contractions?? They have to have you on something because that stitch can only hold so much. If not, ask for brethene pills or something. I had a cerclage done at 14 weeks, just done as a precaustion. I did feel a lot of pressure after I did alot of walking or cooking. I used to feel the babies kick my cervix and it felt like electrical shocks on my cervix (I don't know how else o explain it). I know it is uncomfortable and you have come so far so please just lean on your drs for more help. If they can't help you out of the hospital insist on going into the hospital where you can be watched like a hawk. I know you have heard this before, things can happen very quickly and the hospital is a great place to be because they can check any "funny" feelings at a whim. You need to get those contractions down to a minimum because they can cause your cerclage to tear and you don't need that.

I wish you all the best and keep us posted on your progress. As always you are in my prayers. If you have any questions you can email me at Khrissy3636@aol.com, please feel free to do so.

Khrissys3girls

Mommy to Lindsey, Kaylee, & Carly born 8/30/01 at 31 weeks
AND John Thomas born 1/17/06 at 39w3d

http://lilypie.com>

http://lilypie.com>[/i

khrissy, thanks, i'm going to ask to be kept in tomorrow. they dont do home monitoring here, not that advanced, bit like a third worldcountry with their level of care. they dont approve of meds either, and insist that they dont work, they just put the stitch in and leave the rest to your body. it's just not good enough. check my post on uk hospitals below, will make you angry and glad to be living in the usa.

vintage

Actually, I've preferred to think of my groin pain as more of a very strongly wielded screwdriver shoved straight into the pubic bone.

Another thing that we've had in common is a baby who is extremely low lying. My little boy is laid out ACROSS the bottom so that his head is into my left hip and his feet are into my right hip. If your baby is positioned this way, it's quite possible that she is not doing anything to pressure the cervix more than it already was.

Have you considered speaking with a HOM specialist at the hospital where you would be taken if you went into labor prior to 28 weeks? This must be where your Stage III NICU is, right? Remember something important here, Vinny. When you began questioning the feelings you were having at about 18 weeks, your doctors poo-poohed them and sent you home. We all climbed your frame, told you to get up some starch, and you went back and demanded to be checked. It was only because of your further demands that you were checked and they found that you needed a cerclage. Remember that?

Okay. Here's the rest. You do not owe any allegiance to any of these doctors. Your allegiance lies with your babies. You have not gone into preterm labor yet, although you may be trying to. And, you haven't gotten enough information or assistance yet to be assured that you're not going into PTL. So, my best suggestion would be to post another posting here, giving the name of the Stage III NICU, and asking for recommendations for a top-flight peri in that area, or at another Stage III NICU somewhere in your area. From there, you need to contact that person and get a second opinion. You may even wish to simply ask your current doctor for a referral to that person for a second opinion, if you want to stay within the proper chains. Or, you may decide to "damn the torpedoes" and call the doctor directly to get an appointment for tomorrow, and have your husband stop by and demand a copy of your file to go with him tomorrow en route.

I know that you are very frightened of going into PTL right now, but if you truly believe that that is what is happening to you, then there is no down-side to you taking a stand on this and being seen by a top-flight doctor. I would take this approach if I were in your circumstances.

In the meantime, I will continue to keep you and your girls in my prayers. And, leave it with God -- stop trying to take it back.

Cat

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.

thanks cat, check out me bit on uk hospitals etc below and you'll see my problems.

you're right about god and it is now firmly placed in his hands.

vintage

"i spent most of today crying as i'm so convinced ill go into labour soon and my hospital cant take me if i do so under 28 weeks, i'd be sent in an ambulance to a better one that had a bed for me."

Where do you live ? Is there any way you can find another perinatologist ? Are you seeing one now or an OB ? Is your insurance driving the decisions ? If they are, then they would be wise to send you immediately to the hospital for bedrest until your babies are born. If the only consideration is money (often the case for insurance companies-even government sponsored ones-if that is the case) then you and your babies would be much better off physically, and therefore financially. It is FAR, FAR less expensive to pay for hospitalization and medications than to pay for preemies sometimes extensive care. Is there a hospital that specializes in maternal fetal medicine, and takes care of preemies who need level III care (maybe not the term used where you are ?)

Is there a doctor you can see who will listen ?? Maybe if you can post where you live- specifically- then someone here could help you with specifics re- doctors and hospitals ?? I can imagine you feel pretty helpless right now because of the care you are getting . I would hope that in most any country, there would be drs/hospitals willing to be much more aggressive with your care. I really hope you can find that. I will pray that you will. I have seen tangible evidence of prayers working, sometimes in ways we are not expecting . I hope you find good, caring and supportive care physically and spiritually.

Lorraine

I just had another thought. Maybe you could have a phone consult with one of the doctors in the US (I'm guessing you don't live in the US ?) that someone here recomends -Dr Eliot comes to mind-he does phone consults fairly regularly. My perinatologist was Dr Richard Porecco did (probably still does) phone consults also.

Porreco, Richard P MD - Obstetrix Medical Group
1601 E 19th Ave Ste 5050
Denver, CO 80218-1200
(303) 860-9990
Dr Porecco is on the scientific advisory board of the Triplet connection, and even 7 yrs ago-when I delivered had a lot of experience w/ HOM pregnancies.

Maybe they would be willing to talk to your doctor there ? Maybe help them see what they could/should be doing ?? It would at least be worth exploring probably.

Lorraine

Reach for the heart of God and not just His hands.
Organ donation saves lives!
Life happens when love is given.


http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bradenwild

hi lorraine, uk i'm afraid, hence the appalling level of care and knowledge, check my post about uk hospitals below, it'll make you angry and very glad you live where you do.

Vintage, oh Vintage! I so much wish I could be there & champion your care & be a shoulder for you to lean on!!! ((((HUGS!)))) I had no idea that health care in other developed countries would be so heartless, calloused, and brutal. In my naive American cocoon I thought all doctors in developed countries were compassionate and cared deeply for their patients, most particularly their pregnant patients and innocent unborn babies.

You know, this could be the start of PTL. Or, it could be that one or all of your babies have shifted and are head down in your pelvis. This is about when triplets get VERY HEAVY, and your uterus starts sagging, so to speak. I know that sometimes when my babies were positioned a certain way I could barely walk because it felt like a bowling ball was stuck up in there about to fall out.

Sometimes I did feel a lot of pressure and aches, sometimes pain, after the cerclage. This was usually when Baby A would be using my bladder & cervix as trampolines. I swear, she wanted out so bad she was trying to force her way! There was many a time I would just lay in bed and pray to God to please save my babies, to please not let me go into labor, to please calm down Baby A so my cervix & cerclage could continue to hold the pregnancy. I used to just lay in bed & cry. It is so horrible to be perfectly powerless to do anything to save your babies. There's only what you CAN'T do.

I'd like to reiterate what Cat said, and that is you simply can't trust what your bull**it doctors say to you. I wish somehow you would get the nerve to override them when they pooh-pooh you and insist that they treat you properly. WHERE IS YOUR HUSBAND IN ALL OF THIS????? It sounds to me like your doctors are sexist, mysogynistic PIGS. Since they don't listen to you, I urge you to get your husband on the phone & be your knight in shining armor. These are his babies, are they not? I assume he wants them to survive their birth & grow to be the children you've always dreamed of, yes? Lots of times we women are fluffed off because doctors like to think we are being overly-emotional. Well, get an overly-emotional father involved and see how quickly things change!!!! I bet that if your husband would step in and force the issue, you & your babies would get better care (assuming your husband is capable of asserting himself).

I am going to pray for you nightly, Vintage. The symptoms you are describing are very uncomfortable to read, alarming, in fact. I think everyone, including you, would feel better if you could be seen tomorrow, rather than Wednesday. Maybe this is just the start of the really painful part of an HOM pregnancy for you. But in case it isn't, please do not delay in getting checked out. One day can literally be the difference between life or death.

Tulip & The Three Amigos
Born at 35w5d on December 31, 2002 - Happy New Year's Eve!!!
Aimee, Let's bump heads!
Edward, Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', Got to keep on rollin'!
Hope, Bouncy! Bouncy! Bouncy! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

YES! You *can* breastfeed triplets!!!
http://www.tripletconnection.org/dcforum/forum1/14349.html

Tulip & The Three Amigos
GBG born at 35w5d on December 31, 2002 - Happy New Year's Eve!!!

YES! You *can* breastfeed triplets!!!

I am a Velveteen Rabbit, and the birth, love, kisses & magic that are my children has made me Real.

thanks tulip, as always, your advice and support is excellent, pls see my post re hospitals below.

vintage

ok, here goes,

uk hospitals are generally in a terrible state. you'd be lucky to get a bed on a labour ward with a singleton pregnacy at your loacal hospital. recently in the news a woman had to be transported in an ambulance on a 5 hour journey because there were no hospitals inthe south of england able to take her in (no spare beds), she had gone into ptl. basically if i go into labour before 28 weeks my local haspital does not have the facilities to deal with me, i'd be transported there in an ambulance, they'd attempt to stabilise me before ringing around to find a bed at a hospital that had the premature facilities. nearest would be london, but the chances of there being a bed there is rare. i'd have to sit tight until they could sort me out a bed basically. even after 28 weeks there is no guarantee that there will be room at the local hospital, the difference being that there would be more choice of hospitals at that stage in the pregnancy.

the facilities are really not good, and are no way anywhere near as advanced as america. they don't have things like home monitoring for contractions, in fact i was told not to count them as it would only make things worse!

they g\ave me meds in hospital after the op to try and stop the contracts, but he told me they never really worked before 24 weeks but that it was worth a go. i have questioned him about different meds etc, but he doesn't want to know at all, and told my husband that i should be disconnected from the internet as i was reading too much cr*p on it!!!

they have said that there is nothing more they can do for me and have sent me home to miscarry, or continue with the pregnancy, whichever. i called last week to speak to him about some concerns and was told he was far to busy with routine scan appointments to talk to me, i then had to speak to the general labour ward for advice.

he is an ob, i did have contact with a multiple specialist in london, but now that i'm at home that link has gone as i cant get to see him. mind you he was one of the ones that told me the pressure was nothing but paranoia, and that after he knew i'd have to have a stitch, he told me i'd be back at work full time, commuting on trains and walking 50 mins each day to the office, for the rest of the pregnancy, he's also the one who told us not to bother worrying about finding a hosp. with 3 scbu beds as they would all most probably die anyway.

which i guess means that without specialist care, without meds, without the security of a hospital even, i dont have a huge heap of a chance really.

i wish so badly that i lived in america. maybe my babies would have stood a chance at surviving there.

God is my only hope now, and support/advice from you guys.

vintage

Vintage:

1. You haven't lost them yet. So, get someone to help you prop your hips up a little bit with pillows (so that your cervix is slightly elevated) and lie back in bed and start counting. The way I see it, you have 35 days until you begin to round the corner on viability, and it is grit your teeth/countdown time. Stop weeping and start making phone calls -- enlist as much support as you can, and stay completely off of your feet. Be sure you have a tv and video player in your room and people bringing you food and fresh movies and magazines. Will you go nuts? Yes, probably. Keep your laptop with you and stay in communication with others.

2. You say that God is your only hope now. Well, He was always your best hope. Place your faith in Him and dig in your heels.

3. Remember, I've been back and forth to the hospital and most of the times I have not been in true contractions. Otherwise, medication has stopped them. And, my contractions subside with bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Seven to eight weeks ago was my toughest time in the pregnancy -- you may simply be reaching the hurdle, too. Things may actually get better from here. Right now, you're borrowing a lot of trouble and upsetting yourself greatly, and it sounds as though all you can do is to self-treat, which is pretty much where I am right now. So, hike up your garter belt and start self-treating. Make the phone calls (from bed), put yourself on complete bedrest for a bit, and slog on through. I believe in the power of positive thinking and faith in God. Lip service, and then hugging anticipated grief to yourself is probably not the same thing, so let's see if we can't simply let go of that for now, okay?

4. Remember, you have a lot of folks on this board who are praying for you and your girls. You are not alone in this. You are strong, and you've come this far. Even if you're hanging on by your toenails, so what? You're still hanging on! Keep on doing what you're doing.

5. I'll be watching as long as I can be around, and I know that others will be watching for you, too. I'm going to look forward to good news regarding the babies.

In Him,

Cat
30 weeks, 6 days
b/g/g edd 3/12/04

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.

Vintage,
Your situation concerns me greatly. I will definitely keep you and your babies in my prayers. I never had the feeling you did, but I was admitted into the hospital at 21 wks having contractions 3-4 minutes apart. The meds did stop my contractions, although they say sometimes they only last so long for some woman. But it got me past that critical point. I suddenly started dilating 3-4 cm and one of my water bags were bulding at 24 wks. I was then put on complete bedrest with no bathroom priviledges (had to use a bed pan), and had to lie on my sides 24 hrs a day. It was very difficult but I'm sure saved my babies. It is too bad that the drs there are not more educated and more aggressive. I delivered at 26 wks and my boys are now 4 1/2 yrs old and have no serious long term complications.

Be sure to drink lots and lots of water and drink either Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes. They have tons of vitamins and protein that is wonderful for your babies. They say to lie on your left side rather than your back...but for me I contracted more on my left than on my right. So, if you can feel your contracitons see if positioning makes a differnce. Absolutely do not get out of bed unless you have to. Have a cooler next to you bed and have things there for you to eat and drink. You shouldn't get out of bed unless you have to go to the bathroom. I definitely wouldn't take a standing shower everyday. You can take a sponge bath to wash off. I know it will be miserable but you are so close....and you can do it! Also talk to your drs about steroid shots to develop the babies lungs. It will make the world of difference.

Good luck and I hope all goes well these next few weeks. Keep praying!

Angel (mom to Justin, Andrew, Brandon 9 yrs, Angie 15 yrs)

Angel
Did you see Dr Porecco ? I had mentioned to Vintage that it may be worth contacting one of the 'experts' here in the US and maybe even Dr Porecco. What do you think he could/would do ??

I am still praying for you Vintage and praying for a solution to present itself to you.

Lorraine

Lorraine

Reach for the heart of God and not just His hands.
Organ donation saves lives!
Life happens when love is given.


http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bradenwild

I didn't see Dr. Porecco, I lived in Illinois when the boys wer born....but I wonder if she could call the drs in Phoenix to see if they can consult with her drs. It would be worth a try! Can't remember their names right now, but I'm sure someone here can get Vintage in contact with them.

Angel (mom to Justin, Andrew, Brandon 9 yrs, Angie 15 yrs)