Cervical Stitch....Advice needed

[nicki1711]

Hi all

I am currently 26wks
I had a stitch placed at 21weeks as it was found my cervix was only 1.5, with funnelling. Operation was more complicated than they first thought but they managed to get the stitch in. I was then put on bedrest for 2 weeks after and given progesterone pesseries (lovely things arnt they!)

At my follow up appointment, the consultant said i dont need to be on bedrest and that as long as i take it easy i should be ok, he said that i could go back to work and carry on as normal, i did have another internal u/s and showed that the stitch is holding. They have also given me steroid injections at 24wks.
What i am worried about is, alot of other people get put on strict bedrest, why am i different?
My consultant seems so relaxed about it all. I now dont see my consultant for another 4 weeks, also they say they are going to stop doing scans!
I am still taking it v easy, not doing any chores, not walking far and sit down as much as i can.

Any advice would be welcome!
Thanks
Nicki

 

[lizziedripping]

Welcome Nicki

I do have experience with IC, and my second child was born at 24wks as a result - my emergency stitch didn't really work because by the time it wwas placed I was dilated with membranes bulging. I now have an elective stitch placed at 12wks in this pregnancy (twins) and I have made it to 37wks so far

I'm guessing that you have had an internal scan since the stitch was put in? It sounds like the stitch has done its job in that you have either gained extra length to your cervix, or it hasn't got any worse. This is why your doc is being more relaxed about your movements from now on.

I have never been officially told to be on bed rest in this pregnancy, but have been off my feet since 12wks anyway. I get up for showers, to make the occasional meal and to go to the loo - but apart from that I lie down, taking the weight off my cervix. I'd recommend that you rest as much as possible, since the cervix can gain length and close again overnight.

You are now at 26wks - at this point the threat of IC is passing since the baby moves up and off your cervix and is supported by your pelvis. Though not out of the woods, the fact that your cervix is looking ok, and you are passing the "danger zone" means that there is a good chance you can make it to atleast 30/32 wks if not further.

In the States, docs tend to manage IC more vigorously, with regular scans and bed rest - here in the UK they don't. That said, if your doc was still concerned I am certain he would be checking you more frequently. Remember as well, if you are worried just got to labour and delivery and insist they scan you. I have done this several times in this pregnancy, and there has never been a problem given my history.

Good luck hun, and ask questions here any time. IC is scary, and makes pregnancy a tense time - don't go it alone

 

[JadeyB]

Hi all

I am currently 26wks
I had a stitch placed at 21weeks as it was found my cervix was only 1.5, with funnelling. Operation was more complicated than they first thought but they managed to get the stitch in. I was then put on bedrest for 2 weeks after and given progesterone pesseries (lovely things arnt they!)

At my follow up appointment, the consultant said i dont need to be on bedrest and that as long as i take it easy i should be ok, he said that i could go back to work and carry on as normal, i did have another internal u/s and showed that the stitch is holding. They have also given me steroid injections at 24wks.
What i am worried about is, alot of other people get put on strict bedrest, why am i different?
My consultant seems so relaxed about it all. I now dont see my consultant for another 4 weeks, also they say they are going to stop doing scans!
I am still taking it v easy, not doing any chores, not walking far and sit down as much as i can.

Any advice would be welcome!
Thanks
Nicki

Hey hon,

Firstly I just wanted to say I'm really pleased that you have made it to 26 weeks - that really is good news.

I knew from the beginning that my cervix was incompetant as I have had the majority of it removed. They left me with between 1 and 1.5cm - pre pregnancy length. They thought this would be long enough to hold a pregnancy (and it is for some people, a friend of mine went to 35 weeks with no stitch whatsoever). Unfortunatley, I wasn't so lucky and in my first pregnancy my waters broke at 23+3 weeks. This was with a vaginal stitch placed at 19 weeks. I wasn't taking things too easily as I wasn't aware at the time that I needed to. I was resting more than the average pregnant lady, but not on bedrest or anything close.

I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and doing really well. This time I have an abdominal stitch which is a permanent stitch which I had placed pre-pregnancy. I too am on pregesterone pessaries and I know exactly what you mean. They make me really constipated - oh the joys!!

I hope that by sharing my story I haven't scared you. I just think that if I had my first pregnancy again I would have rested up a lot more than I did. I may have had a different outcome - who knows!? Like Lizzie says the fact you have passed 26 weeks is fab. I was told the difference in the survival rate between 24 and 25 weeks is amazing and by 26 weeks, survival rates are good! Take each day and week at a time, every day baby is getting a little bit bigger.

Like Lizzie says, pregnancy with an IC is a scary worrying time. We are here for you if you have any questions. Anything at all.

xxx

 

[nicki1711]

thank you both for your replies, i really appreciate your advice! and I am sorry to hear of your losses. But so pleased you are both doing well in your current pregnancys.

I did have another scan after stitch and measured the same, 1.5 so am pleased that it hadnt shortened further! I was very lucky as i also knew from the start that i may need a stitch due to previous LLETZ procedures, my gyne said if i get pregnant i will prob need a stitch, turns out she was right!

Another quick question, does having the stitch taken out hurt? cons said i would have it removed at 36 wks if i make it that far! x

 

[lizziedripping]

I think they give you a spinal aneasthetic to remove stitch hun - I haven't had this one removed yet because i have a scheduled section next week and they'll remove it then. With my daughter they took it out when she poked her foot thru it at 24wks! I had been given anaesthesia to get her out anyway, so didn't feel a thing.

Incidentally, my 24weeker survived and is now a happy, healthy 5yr old, so prematurity doesn't have to mean the worst. Rest and think positively x

 

[JadeyB]

Hey hon,

I had my stitch removed a few days after my waters broke to bring on my contractions (unfortunately I had to be induced). My gynae took my stitch out without any pain relief and I didn't feel a thing. I was really nervous about that, I thought it was going to be painful but it was out in a few seconds and didn't feel a thing.

xx

 

[selina22]

Hi the advice given is great i also have IC but only found out due to the loss of my son, in my secound pregnancy i had the sticth put in at 18 weeks and i stayed on bedrest till 32 weeks i was not told to but i took it upon myself to stay on bedrest. When i had my stitch removed at 36 weeks i also had no pain releif and didnt feel anything they did offer me gas and air but i didnt want it and it was over in minutes they removed mine in a normal labour ward room
good luck
and congrats to making it to 26 weeks thats great x

 

[AP]

can i just ask, while i am here?

an IC seems a good idea, is there any possibility this could reduce the risk of prematurity in my case again? i have had two early miscarriages and then the very sudden arrival with LO at 27weeks. no one knew i was in premature labour. i was 9cm dilated when they found out. Lizziedripping u might know? what happens???

 

[selina22]

can i just ask, while i am here?

an IC seems a good idea, is there any possibility this could reduce the risk of prematurity in my case again? i have had two early miscarriages and then the very sudden arrival with LO at 27weeks. no one knew i was in premature labour. i was 9cm dilated when they found out. Lizziedripping u might know? what happens???

Hi i can try and answer this when i had my son at 23w6d they said it could off been many things so when i was pregnant with megan they internaly scanned me every 2 weeks to keep an eye on the cervix
i think they only do sticth's if its know IC or you have regular scans and the cervix is shortening,funneling or dialating. Once this happens and they confirm it is IC you most likely to have a stitch every pregnancy.

can i ask if your getting internal scans because it sounds like IC though it's about 16-18 weeks that it starts funneling etc

the stich also comes with its risks eg rupture of membrane, infection in the womb etc (though rare)

so its essential to monitor a pregnancy to see as if it wasnt IC then could do more harm then good, but if it is IC then i personally think its amazing it gave me my daughter

hope it made sense
x

 

[selina22]

Oh and wanted to mention that it does sound like IC as you said you dialeted to 9cm without anyone knowing and IC is premeture dialation of the cervix and usually you wouldnt know untill it was to late. have you talked to consultant about it x

 

[lizziedripping]

can i just ask, while i am here?

an IC seems a good idea, is there any possibility this could reduce the risk of prematurity in my case again? i have had two early miscarriages and then the very sudden arrival with LO at 27weeks. no one knew i was in premature labour. i was 9cm dilated when they found out. Lizziedripping u might know? what happens???

Hi hun. When were your miscarriages?

The other ladies are right when they say your 27weeker sounds like incompetent cervix. It is very difficult to know for sure, but is usually diagnosed if you have had 1 or 2 second trimester losses without actually going into labour, or rupturing membranes.

IC usually happens between 16 and 26 weeks when the pregnancy puts increasing strain on a weak cervix. Typically your cervix dilates "silently" with few or no contractions. I had a mild back ache, vaginal pressure and extra discharge, but didn't contract.

Because I had deliivered my first child at term, they weren't sure I had got IC for definite, but it was decided in this pregnancy to play it safe and put in the stitch. As it happens, my cervix was very soft and floppy when the stitch went in - this is NOT normal at 12wks, and confirmed I probably do have a weak cervix caused by my son's traumatic birth.

It is true that you can either be monitored fortnightly with an internal scan, and if there are any changes to your cervix then place a stitch. Or you can have one placed anyway at 12-15wks.

Sometimes each hospital has a different policy for managing IC. You may not have a choice in this. However, it is certainly worth having the conversation with your midwife, who can then get you referred to a consultant. Are you under a cons anyway due to your previous preterm baby? If so, you need to raise the possibility of IC with him/her - if you're not already pregnant, then arrange to chat with them before you conceive to discuss how your next pregnancy will be managed.

Personally I would push for a stitch at 12wks. It does carry a small risk of complications, but they are rare and I think it's worth it. SOmetimes a cervix can be monitored regularly, but then change quite drastically between scans. The chance of an emergency stitch then working is much less than having one placed before any changes occur.

You are doing the right thing by asking all these questions now my sweet. And you are entitled to do so. Use your health care providers as much as possible, that is what they're there for. Try to get their take on what happened in your last pregnancy - like did they find infection? Was there evidence of IC, and are you a candidate for a cervical stitch.

Good luck hun

 

[ellahstruts]

justr wanted to give my experience we lost our daughter last february at 22 weeks shortly after brth, she was my 5th baby and scans then found in this pregnancy that my cervix was 1.6mm with funneling, i had shirodkar stitch placed at 14 weeks, and then removed a week ago at 36 weeks in theatre under epidural, it didnt hurt a bit, and i am now impatient for this lo to arrive, the stitch certainly saved this pregnancy, i would advise do minimal things, stay off work if you can, no heavy lifting, sex or long baths, although at 26 weeks you are definitely over the danger zone in the terms of baby bulging through cervix due to pressure. good luck xx

 

[AP]

thanks ladies, didnt mean to gatecrash the thread. My mcs were very early, around 7 wks. with LO i had a 4D scan at 25wks-would they have known? They said all was well. Then 2 weeks later i have her! I had contractions at 10pm,i thought it was wind,the hosp had no idea. then they discovered i was 9cm dilated at 2am and had LO at 6am.

There was no known cause for prematurity they said,no infection, and the hospital letter to the GP said that I would require a 'management plan' in any future pregnancies.

I hate not knowing. We want to TTC next year but i wish i had answers!

thanks girls xxxxx

 

[lizziedripping]

thanks ladies, didnt mean to gatecrash the thread. My mcs were very early, around 7 wks. with LO i had a 4D scan at 25wks-would they have known? They said all was well. Then 2 weeks later i have her! I had contractions at 10pm,i thought it was wind,the hosp had no idea. then they discovered i was 9cm dilated at 2am and had LO at 6am.

There was no known cause for prematurity they said,no infection, and the hospital letter to the GP said that I would require a 'management plan' in any future pregnancies.

I hate not knowing. We want to TTC next year but i wish i had answers!

thanks girls xxxxx

Hi.

Firstly, they couldn't have seen your cervix from an ordinary scan hun. The only way is to do an internal scan with a probe.

Secondly, because you contracted, and you delivered at 27wks, it is less likely that you had an incompetent cervix - tho not impossible. I am more inclined to think you went into labour early which can happen for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes no one knows why, it's unfortunately just one of those things. On the positive side, this can happen, but then you could go on to have a healthy full-term pregnancy. Your miscarriages were too early to be IC too - you poor thing, you've really been thru it

There is no doubt that however your next pregnancy is managed, it will be stressful for you. That said, you will be monitored really closely and are probably in a better position than most pregnant women. The main thing is to have a chat with them before conception and be well prepared x

 

[MaisieJune]

I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and was diagnosed with a short cervix at 21 weeks. It was measuring 12mm and the day after they put an emergency stitch in now measuring 31mm I think. The reason I had it at 21 weeks was 'cause I didn't even go to the doctors 'til around that time. I had lost a lil boy 2 years ago at 18 weeks with no explaination to why it happened and was just worried about it happening again and didn't want to get my hopes up. That was the worst thing I've had to go through and still miss him very much. Foolish I know but I've had a very good consultant who's given me scans every month and my stitch is secure. I was put on progesterone pessaries til 32 weeks and I have a planned c-section in a weeks time on 26th april. I was told to take it easy and although I haven't stayed in bed all the time I've tried not to do too much and have only really left the house to go to the doctors and hospital for the last 4-5 months!

 

[Agiboma]

anyone currently pregnant and has a stitch, i have one and just wanted someone to chat with

 

[mamaturtle]

Hi, i currently have a stitch that was put in at 22+6, if thats any help to you x