Emergent cerclage @ 17.5 weeks

[sassy_vixen]

Hello ladies, this is my first post. I've been reading some of the threads on here about short cervix & cerclages and wanted some input on my personal experience, as this is fairly new territory for me.

I am Jen, and am 18 weeks today with a baby girl! This is my 3rd baby - I have 2 amazing boys, and am excited to do the pink thing this time around!

I had problems with PTL during my last 2 pregnancies. I was on bedrest with my first son @ 23 weeks due to pregnancy induced hypertension. At 32 weeks, I had PTL, was given mag sulfate, terbutaline, etc., and delivered him @ 37 weeks. (Yay!)

I was put on bedrest with my 2nd son @ 22 weeks due to short cervix, measuring 2.4 cm, and severe funneling. I did not need any other interventions with him, and carried him to 37 weeks as well. (Yay!)

Fast forward to this baby. I am 35, and chose to have an elective amnio due to my age, and history. I've lost 2 babies, one was a partial molar pregnancy, and one due to trisomy 15. My amnio was scheduled this past Wednesday @ 17.5 weeks. During the level 2 ultrasound @ the perinatologists, they did a cervical measurement and I was only .51 cm (5 mm), again with severe funneling. I was sent straight to the hospital, and had the emergent cerclage placed on Thursday, after infection was ruled out. I was released yesterday with a new cervical length of 2.7. I am on bedrest, and will have weekly cervical length checks. I am pretty nervous, since the baby is not viable, and I have no idea what to expect with the cerclage. Add to that the fact I am about 150 miles away from my perinatologist.

Does anyone have any insight or experience to share with me on an emergency cerclage at this gestational age, and a cervix that started out so short? I really don't know what to expect, and understand that I have a long road ahead of me.

I am really thankful I found this site - you all seem like a great bunch of ladies, sharing knowledge and providing emotional support. I look forward to getting to know you all!

Hugs,
Jen

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi Jen and welcome

It sounds like you've had a rough ride with all your pregnancies, this must be a scary time for you and one which I understand only too well Needless to say, your cervix was short for 18wks, BUT it sounds as though it's looking great since the cerclage which has obviously added length and overall strength to it.

The next few weeks are crucial honey. If your cervix and uterus remain stable with no significant cramps, and/or shortening, then the outlook is excellent. Emergent cerclages aren't usually as effective as those placed before cervical changes, but in your case it seems like it was placed at just the right moment and already has had a positive effect. More often than not I have seen them work, especially in women without dilation or bulging membranes - but even then emergency stitching works in most cases.

The key now is to rest, monitor any unusual sensations, aches, pains bleeding or cramps and try to remain positive. After stitch cramps and tightenings are common, so no need to panic if they do occur, but any regular cramps increasing in intensity consistently need checking out.

It's great that you're getting weekly scans, which should offer reassurance as you make the tentative journey to 30wks and beyond! Please join us on one of the IC threads, the ladies there are lovely and very supportive, and of course know exactly how you'll be feeling over coming weeks xx

 

[JJEE]

Hi Jen,

Congratulations on your little girl!

I am not quite in the same boat, my cerclage was placed at 16weeks, and at the time my cervix was 2.3cm in length. It is fantastic that your cervix has already lengthened to 2.7cm! The cerclage has worked absolutely brilliantly for me, i stayed on bed rest up until wk30, although i am still careful not to overdo things now. My cervix with the help of the cerclage got back up to about 3.8cm, and the funneling closed up..i have no idea what the measurements are now as my doc stopped scanning me at 26weeks.

There is a brilliant thread on here, Incompetent cervix stitch/cerclage..try re posting there, there are lots of ladies there who have been through exactly the same thing and even been dilated when there cerclage has been placed, and it has worked brilliantly!

Good luck Jen, i am sure it will work brilliantly for you too!

xx

 

[kimbotrav]

hi sassy im in exsactly the same situation as you i have 2 boys my youngest 1 who was 10 weeks prem and this time round thnaks to me demanding a cervical scan i had to have an emergant stitch placed at 18 weeks on tuesday i was 1cm dilated and not alot of cervix left ..its very scary isnt it as like you say were not yet at viability and it adds extra pressure on everything ill pray for us and everyone else in our situation we come through this which im sure we will im having another little boy .....i get to see my consultatnt 2moro and will be asking lots of questions as she only seen me once when i was in hospital and im not sure what i am and am not allowed to be doing are you finding it hard 2 rest? are u getting help wiht your boys?? its great having people to talk 2 xxx

 

[sassy_vixen]

Lizzie - thank you for your input! I am on pretty strict berets for at least these 2 weeks after the stitch. I've had some discomfort and cramping today, however I am about 24 hours of being off the Indocin. I've been pretty uncomfortable all day.

JJEE - thank you! That is great that you have done so well with the emergent cerclage! It gives me hope! I have read the IC thread and just posted there with a question I had. All the ladies on here seem wonderful.

Kimbo - wow, we are very similar in situation, and you're exactly 1 week ahead of me! I was also about 1 cm dilated - the doc said he could insert his finger in the opening. The whole viability issue is so scary. I have been having twinges of pain way low in my pelvis, which I think is just my cervix getting used to the stitch. It's pretty uncomfortable. Yeah, it's hard to rest when I have my boys, but they understand that I have to stay down as much as possible. I do have help with them, but they're pretty good kids, and now want to take care of me. It is great having people to talk to - none of my friends or family has gone through this, so I am kind of in my own boat.
I go see my doc this Wednesday for a cervical length scan... I'm hoping that everything is holding up and maintaining! Good luck tomorrow on your appointment!

 

[kimbotrav]

Lizzie - thank you for your input! I am on pretty strict berets for at least these 2 weeks after the stitch. I've had some discomfort and cramping today, however I am about 24 hours of being off the Indocin. I've been pretty uncomfortable all day.

JJEE - thank you! That is great that you have done so well with the emergent cerclage! It gives me hope! I have read the IC thread and just posted there with a question I had. All the ladies on here seem wonderful.

Kimbo - wow, we are very similar in situation, and you're exactly 1 week ahead of me! I was also about 1 cm dilated - the doc said he could insert his finger in the opening. The whole viability issue is so scary. I have been having twinges of pain way low in my pelvis, which I think is just my cervix getting used to the stitch. It's pretty uncomfortable. Yeah, it's hard to rest when I have my boys, but they understand that I have to stay down as much as possible. I do have help with them, but they're pretty good kids, and now want to take care of me. It is great having people to talk to - none of my friends or family has gone through this, so I am kind of in my own boat.
I go see my doc this Wednesday for a cervical length scan... I'm hoping that everything is holding up and maintaining! Good luck tomorrow on your appointment!

yeah its crazy but nice and thats exsactly what my doctor said they could get one finger in 2 not good is it but hopefully wiht our stitches we will go far im the same all sorts of aches and pains specially when baby kicks rite on my cervix i get a sharp pain...how old are your boys my eldest is 6 so hes a real brilliant help bless him altough hard work but my youngest has just turned 1 and was 10 weeks prem so he doesnt undertand bless him so finding that the most diffucult im getting lots of help at the moment which i dont usually get but in another week i think i would hav run all my help dry so think ill start struggling but hopfully ill get through it. im the same no one i know have been through it either so we can be bump/stitch buddys and this site is great 2 be able to discuss things. let me know how it goes on wednesday my consulatant wont do an internal scan on me to check cervix so ill be keeping my fingers crossed...all went well 2day ill be having steriods at 24 weeks and be kept an eye on every month xxxxxxxx

 

[7 years lucky]

Hello everyone,
I have been reading everyone's posts for the last few weeks. My cervix has been shortening since 12 weeks. I finally had an emergency cerclage done at 16-5. My cervix was 1.5 and got up to 2.5cm after the cerclage. However, last week at my appointment my cervix had gone down to 1.7 cm and I am freaking out! It took me 7 years to get pregnant and I do not want to lose this baby! I am only 20-3 and have to stay pregnant a lot longer!
Does anyone have experience with having a cerclage and then having the cervix still shorten? I am trying to remain optimistic. My next appt is on Thursday...

 

[sassy_vixen]

Hello everyone,
I have been reading everyone's posts for the last few weeks. My cervix has been shortening since 12 weeks. I finally had an emergency cerclage done at 16-5. My cervix was 1.5 and got up to 2.5cm after the cerclage. However, last week at my appointment my cervix had gone down to 1.7 cm and I am freaking out! It took me 7 years to get pregnant and I do not want to lose this baby! I am only 20-3 and have to stay pregnant a lot longer!
Does anyone have experience with having a cerclage and then having the cervix still shorten? I am trying to remain optimistic. My next appt is on Thursday...

Hi 7! My cervix was .51 when I got the stitch - week 1, I was up to 2.3cm, week 2 was 3.2, week 3 was 1.9 and today, I was 1.5. I haven't shortened past where I started, but have shortened in the last 2 weeks from where I was. I am starting progesterone injections immediately, and am scheduled for betamethasone injections at 23+5. Hope your appointment goes well tomorrow! Good luck!