Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[mybabyluv3]

Nat2, haven't been on in a few days and come back to find you were in the hospital. Glad everything is still in tact and going well. You're a brave one. I'm with 4 boys, I would have to give up on work after my stitch was out but we do what we have to do. Not much longer now!

 

[Reddybec]

Hi ladies,

Hope you don't mind me piping up in this thread!

I'm currently 17 weeks and 3 days along, and had a cervical stitch done just over 2 weeks ago. This is my first pregnancy (and probably my last) and was achieved via IVF, so I need this to stick and end with a baby!

Stitch went well (it was a super brutal op, and I now officially have no dignity left whatsoever) but I healed mega fast - didn't have to take any painkillers at all! I was actually a bit worried for a while about the lack of pain and decided I might be dead inside!

Anyway, now I'm panicking about a whole new set of (possibly imaginary) concerns.

In a nutshell I had two cone biopsies done many years ago (first one was over 20 years ago and second one was over 6 years ago). I mentioned this to my consultant and he pretty much had me booked in for a stitch two days later - no scan, no checking of my cervix - it seems he's something of a fan of just stitching the little buggers up.

When having the work done (so to speak) the surgeon noted that I have a very posterior cervix and it's about 1cm long (not measured with an internal scan but more glanced at with a bedside plastic looking ultrasound machine)......this sent me on a Googling journey to hell and back - it's become my obssession and I'm pretty sure I have a mega rubbish cervix as a result.

What is worrying me is the total lack of follow up now I've had a stitch done. I won't see the consultant again till the 34 week stage! All I see other fellow stitch receipents talk about is all the bedrest advice and constant monitoring they get. I've had nothing like that. Was just sent home with antibiotics and told to go back if any problems.

Is this normal? Am I being nuts? Will I be OK or am I lucky my insides haven't just dropped out before now?! Eeeeeeeeeeee!

Any insight (of the non scary variety if possible) greatly appreciated!

Thanks ladies!

 

[~Brandy~]

Reddy- First the 1cm posterior cervix just means that there is 1cm and the cervix is tilted towards the back... sounds like that is just the external measurement there are 2 measurements that they combine to get the full length of the cervix normally... The interior and exterior which is done by vaginal ultrasound. I find it a little odd they didn't do that.

However, given the circumstances that you had other procedures previously done to your cervix it sounds like this was just a to be safe type method. In your case since it wasnt a threat of you delivering at any moment (From how I understand your post) it does make sense that they wouldnt have you monitored as closely.

Your standard OB I am sure is aware of the cerclage and when they do the standard weights/measurement u/s and cervical checks he should be watching for anything that seems abnormal.


Mine was a rescue cerclage and the babies were about to be born at any moment at 15w6d so they monitored me very closely... every week or 2 for about 10 weeks. They have now slacked off since it is holding and my regular OB handles my care for the most part.

When is your next standard OB check up? I would write down all the questions and concerns you have about having the cerclage and the lack of follow up and discuss those with him/her they might offer you more appts as a comfort to check up on how you're doing and or additional U/S.

 

[sunnylove]

Reddybec- The real question is why did they give you a cerclage? Was it after they noted 1cm of cervix, or was it because of the cone biopsies?

As harsh as this sounds, some doctors won't do too much until you reach viability. After they give you a cerclage, there's not much else they can do expect prescribe bed rest and progesterone (the former which has never been proven to work). Also a lot of doctors think that constantly checking "down there" is an infection risk and like to take a hands-off "wait and see" approach. Which I think is fine since they couldn't do anything anyway, yknow?

Also, I had no pain after my stitch, so it's not just you.

 

[baby_maybe]

Reddy - it could be that you have a 'short' cervix due to the cone biopsies, but not necessarily a weak one. Some people have naturally short cervixes which doesn't generally cause any issue and it could be that yours falls into the same category by way of you having had some of it removed with the biopsies (hope I'm making sense!).

From what you have described it does sound as if the doc was a little 'stitch happy', however having said that I'm a great fan of preventative sutures. I've never had my stitches checked (I've had 4 of the little buggers) from the day they were placed until the day they were removed. Also like sunny said I never had much pain after any of them either.

Having had the stitch I am surprised you haven't been passed to consultant care, at least for a follow up appointment. I have always been under consultant care because of having an incompetent cervix and although he's never actually checked the suture he still wanted to follow up with me to see how things were going. If you are seeing a midwife I would definitely ask her about seeing the consultant at some point before 34 weeks, just for your peace of mind more than anything.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

 

[mills80]

I hav had sutures in 2 preg uptil now after 2 mid preg losses. I do advocate the stitch as it does seems to work. I never had any bleeding or pain after my sutures, the only bad part was recovery frm the epidural used during the procedure.

I had a few internal scans after the stitch went in but thts for my own peace of mind rather thn std procedure. The docs did say thy did not want any unnecessary interference down there unless necessary.

Try to stay calm and positive, you can always ask for checkups if you feel tht sumthgs not right. I am sure tht the docs will support u knowing ur history. All the best for the rest of ur pregnancy.

Mills

 

[4 boys]

Hi all glad to see everyone's ok

Just would like to know anyone had a stitch more than once,
Is it always the same symptoms and have pregnancies been same or different?

I've had 4 sons and only experienced the stitch with 4 th son I'm not planning anymore babies but if it happened I'd defiantly need a stitch but would it be same?

Thank you

 

[~Brandy~]

Hi all glad to see everyone's ok

Just would like to know anyone had a stitch more than once,
Is it always the same symptoms and have pregnancies been same or different?

I've had 4 sons and only experienced the stitch with 4 th son I'm not planning anymore babies but if it happened I'd defiantly need a stitch but would it be same?

Thank you

My doctor warned me before he did the stitch that if he did it then he would want me to have it again as a precaution for following children. I already have 2 grown children and twins on the way not sure I would do this rodeo again lol

 

[mills80]

I hav had the stitch in 2 pregnancies now. Can't say that the procedure of putting it in was different. Never felt it at all throughout both preg. The only difference is that in my previous preg I never funneled nd cervix was closed uptil delivery whn I was induced.

This time round I hav funneled down to the stitch but it seems to be holding strong at 35 weeks. So, yes if you hav had the stitch once u will hav it done again in future preg as a precaution.

As for me I am done after this one, can't bear the stress of going thru another preg with bed rest etc.

 

[BabyMaybe917]

I was able to have the pessary put in! I haven't had any contractions for nearly a week now (fingers crossed). The pessary was put in yesterday and at first it was quite uncomfortable but aside from bending over to clean my legs in the shower this morning I can barely feel it today. I'll have an ultrasound tomorrow to recheck my cervical length and see how/if the pessary has helped. And if it looks good I'll even be released from the hospital. I'll still be on bedrest at home, but at least it's home!

 

[4 boys]

I was against the stitch as I was terrified and was just going to let nature take its course, I was in two minds mainly because my consultant didn't think it was right to do as I'd already had 3 premnies but I got a second opinion and she changed my mind

If I hadn't chose the stitch my 5mth old son wouldn't be here now
And I really am not planning any more babies I've my hands full, but for those that have had more than one stitch I'm glad it's worked out for you and it's always more or less the same for everything.

 

[mills80]

Nat2, havent heard frm u in a while, how r u doing post stitch removal?

 

[nat2]

Nat2, havent heard frm u in a while, how r u doing post stitch removal?

hey Hun. I'm doin great thanks... Just watching n waiting now.... 2 days after stitch out my cervix was still 2cm long and closed...

its now been out 8 days and am 36 weeks on Wednesday. Have no signs anything yet but lots n lots of painful twinges in cervix so i think shes just bouncin round on it.

wud b interested to no tho if i was dilated slightly at all or not. Midwife appt isn't until 3 feb!

how r u doing xx

 

[BabyMaybe917]

Just thought I'd update again. My cervix went from .7cm to 1.2cm so I was able to go home for bedrest! My next check is Friday! Hope everyone else is doing good.

 

[~Brandy~]

Just thought I'd update again. My cervix went from .7cm to 1.2cm so I was able to go home for bedrest! My next check is Friday! Hope everyone else is doing good.

Good News! Rest up

 

[mills80]

Nat2, havent heard frm u in a while, how r u doing post stitch removal?

hey Hun. I'm doin great thanks... Just watching n waiting now.... 2 days after stitch out my cervix was still 2cm long and closed...

its now been out 8 days and am 36 weeks on Wednesday. Have no signs anything yet but lots n lots of painful twinges in cervix so i think shes just bouncin round on it.

wud b interested to no tho if i was dilated slightly at all or not. Midwife appt isn't until 3 feb!

how r u doing xx

Thts fantastic! U may make it to full term now. I hav heard of women goin full term after stitch removal even with funneling in cervix etc.

I m seeing the consultant tomm, will discuss the stitch removal which is currently scheduled for next week. Will ask her if it will b a gud idea to postpone it by a few days/ a week just to giv baby more time to grow inside(since he's so tiny).

Am getting anxious now, wht if I labour soon after its removed? I will be 37 weeks so term but still...... seeing tht its an elective procedure I don't want to end up making the wrong decision,kwim?

 

[mills80]

Just thought I'd update again. My cervix went from .7cm to 1.2cm so I was able to go home for bedrest! My next check is Friday! Hope everyone else is doing good.

Good News! Rest up

So glad u are able to go home at last, hang in there!!!

 

[nat2]

Nat2, havent heard frm u in a while, how r u doing post stitch removal?

hey Hun. I'm doin great thanks... Just watching n waiting now.... 2 days after stitch out my cervix was still 2cm long and closed...

its now been out 8 days and am 36 weeks on Wednesday. Have no signs anything yet but lots n lots of painful twinges in cervix so i think shes just bouncin round on it.

wud b interested to no tho if i was dilated slightly at all or not. Midwife appt isn't until 3 feb!

how r u doing xx

Thts fantastic! U may make it to full term now. I hav heard of women goin full term after stitch removal even with funneling in cervix etc.

I m seeing the consultant tomm, will discuss the stitch removal which is currently scheduled for next week. Will ask her if it will b a gud idea to postpone it by a few days/ a week just to giv baby more time to grow inside(since he's so tiny).

Am getting anxious now, wht if I labour soon after its removed? I will be 37 weeks so term but still...... seeing tht its an elective procedure I don't want to end up making the wrong decision,kwim?

Hun, having stitch removed at 37 weeks n goin into labour soon after is perfectly fine. Mine was removed at 34+4 and had to have steroid injections but said she wud b just fine.

37 weeks is a great stage to get to. Mine was due to be taken out at 36 weeks (this week) which doctor decided and she she can come whenever she wants after that and will be perfect so try not to worry. Hope everything goes ok with your consultant xxx

 

[~Brandy~]

Nat2, havent heard frm u in a while, how r u doing post stitch removal?

hey Hun. I'm doin great thanks... Just watching n waiting now.... 2 days after stitch out my cervix was still 2cm long and closed...

its now been out 8 days and am 36 weeks on Wednesday. Have no signs anything yet but lots n lots of painful twinges in cervix so i think shes just bouncin round on it.

wud b interested to no tho if i was dilated slightly at all or not. Midwife appt isn't until 3 feb!

how r u doing xx

Thts fantastic! U may make it to full term now. I hav heard of women goin full term after stitch removal even with funneling in cervix etc.

I m seeing the consultant tomm, will discuss the stitch removal which is currently scheduled for next week. Will ask her if it will b a gud idea to postpone it by a few days/ a week just to giv baby more time to grow inside(since he's so tiny).

Am getting anxious now, wht if I labour soon after its removed? I will be 37 weeks so term but still...... seeing tht its an elective procedure I don't want to end up making the wrong decision,kwim?

Hun, having stitch removed at 37 weeks n goin into labour soon after is perfectly fine. Mine was removed at 34+4 and had to have steroid injections but said she wud b just fine.

37 weeks is a great stage to get to. Mine was due to be taken out at 36 weeks (this week) which doctor decided and she she can come whenever she wants after that and will be perfect so try not to worry. Hope everything goes ok with your consultant xxx

So excited for you Nat you're almost there!

 

[mills80]

UPDATE - I saw my consultant today, she said go ahead as planned so stitch will be removed at 37 weeks exactly next Friday. She said expect delivery any day after tht.

I have a scan on Monday to check bubs growth nd another meeting with her on Tuesday to discuss induction nd delivery cuz I have gestational diabeties.

I m goin into panic mode now, I have not done any preparing and baby could be here next weekend!!!yikes!!!

How's everyone else doing?

Mills