Incompetent Cervix - stitch/cerclage - threatened labour

[Becka79]

Hi all,

So my OB told me at my 14 week scan that my cervix was 'nice and long' and I didnt give it any further thought.

At my 20 week 2 day checkup I asked about the length again as I was curious and it was 2.7cm. He then said he'd see me in 5 weeks for a checkup.

The normal length for cervix at 20 weeks is around 4-4.5cm so I'm concerned! This is my first pregnancy which took a few years to become a reality and I don't like reading that you're at risk of IC if you've had a previous second trimester loss! Like its just 'wait and hope for the best' with the first one.

Not sure if anyone can shed any light but thought I'd see if anyone is going through the same or has in the past?

Thanks x

 

[xMissxZoiex]

Has anyone in the UK had trouble getting a cerclage??

Everyone I've seen seems to have a wait and see attitude. After already having a 2nd tri loss I'm not happy about waiting much longer to get my stitch in!.

I've got an appointment with the consultant on Monday but I've got a feeling they will just say to wait and see if there is a problem. I have a private clinic lined up but I'd rather not have to pay thousands....

 

[yellowyamyam]

Has anyone in the UK had trouble getting a cerclage??

Everyone I've seen seems to have a wait and see attitude. After already having a 2nd tri loss I'm not happy about waiting much longer to get my stitch in!.

I've got an appointment with the consultant on Monday but I've got a feeling they will just say to wait and see if there is a problem. I have a private clinic lined up but I'd rather not have to pay thousands....

Hi, I'm in London. I had TVC placed for my 2nd baby but only to lose her 4 days after the surgery. Reason given due to bacteria infection. My consultant said for baby #3, we'll go for the wait and see approach. No cerclage; only progesterone supps & antibiotics and monitor cervix length closely.

I requested for transabdominal cerclage or something similar but he rejected my request. Then I approached Prof Bennett in Queen Charlotte's hospital and he placed a cerclage in my pre-pregnancy. It isn't TAC but I think its TVCIC. Honestly, I am not sure because Prof Bennett didn't use those terms. He said in UK, they just call it cerclage but I know it is placed high up. I requested for a referral and my GP did it, even though its across borough.

TVC does work, as proven by many many many women but if you want to skip that, perhaps try to speak to the few drs in the UK who perfom TACs.

 

[xMissxZoiex]

I've had another appointment with a consultant and still not got any further with the stitch but I'm not being tested for a clotting disorder, I don't see how that could have caused my loss though but I don't know nothing about it.

Can clotting disorders be similar to cervical incompetence losses??

 

[dippy]

hi miss zoie... i had a 20 week loss and in every pregnancy after that have had a cervical suture placed. although i was asked what i prefer and i chose to be monitored every 10 days for cervix shortening and if any changes well put the stitch in right away...which in my case it was definetely a cervix problem. so after my 2 emergency cerclages which were placed after the wait and see approach we decided that in every subsequent pregnancy i would need a preventative.
so too answer your query i think it is common practice to use the wait approach after 1 2nd trimester loss to determine whether it is really the cervix which gives way or something else. im guessin you will be monitored with length checks and if any changes will be given a cerclage and only then will every other pregnancy be a definite preventative cerclage.

i guess the decision is yours ...go private and have the stitch placed now....or use the nhs method of wait and see....

when i was in your position i was desperate 4 a stitch thinkin that is my cure and even thought about getting it done privately but truth be told i couldnt afford it...so nhs was the only way 4 me but on a good note iv got 3 healthy children from each cerclage and am expecting my 4th suture next week at 15 weeks!

good luck with your decision...have faith xx

 

[xMissxZoiex]

For now I'm going to wait to see if these tests come out with any thing if not I'm going to peruse getting the cerclage done.

Next appointment is Thursday. X

 

[clearbluesky]

After a risky emergent cerclage, weeks of bedrest, stress and eventually preterm baby I decided to get the preventative cerclage this time and am now 33 weeks along with absolutly no signs of cervix shortening. The stitch is holding strong and steady and I have not been on bedrest whatsoever. The risks involved in the emergent cerclage are far worst than doing it as a prevention. The outcome of getting it placed before is also much better. Needless to say with my personal experience my decision was very easy to make. Wait and see if/when it will happen again or simply prevent it from happening. Never regretted my decision to get the cerclage, it's what saved my baby the first time and what got me so far now.

 

[xMissxZoiex]

I have my cerclage booked for Tuesday!! I'll be 14+1 (ticker is slightly wrong) it's so nerve wracking but hopefully because it's preventative the proceedure will go well and there will be minimal risk of them harming the baby with it.

Not sure what stitch we are going for yet but my consultant suggested on the day she will take a look at my cervix and see what she thinks is best for me and my cervix when she can get a good look.

Wish me luck!!!

 

[Amyface]

Hi ladies, was wondering if some of you could shed some light for me.

I had a horrific first labour ending in an emergency section. My cervix misplaced so I struggle to deliver naturally so I would like a planned section this time.

I've just had my stitch put in and my consultant has suggested that I go down the route of natural labour, but if it doesn't go to plan then I can go for a section. I've decided against this and want to go straight for a section.

My issue is that I've been told my stitch will be removed about 36/37 weeks. How does this work with a planned section? Most stories I see involve women going into labour pretty quickly after it's been removed, but they won't plan my section until 39 weeks. What I don't understand is how I have a spinal to have it removed and then go back in a few hours later for another if I go into labour and have to have my section. Does anyone have any real life experience of how I can expect this to run?

The only option I can see is asking to have my section at 36/37 when they take the stitch out, but I'd obviously rather keep baby in for as long as possible. Does anyone know if I can ask for it to be kept in until 39 and just taken out at the time if I happen to go into labour sooner?

Seeing my consultant next week so plan on getting more info then, but can't sleep for worrying at the minute - feel like I'm being pushed into the natural labour route.

 

[honeyprayer]

I had a spinal to have the stitch put in but I don't think it's regular practice to have a spinal when getting it removed. I had mine removed at 36 weeks right in my OBs office without any type of pain relief. It was done in less than 10 minutes. It was painful as all hell lol but from what I know, all stitch removals are done without a spinal unless your cervix has grown over the stitch and it's more complicated to remove.

I can't really help with the second part of the question as I was induced at 37 weeks due to IUGR but like I said, I had mine removed at 36 weeks and did not go into labour quickly afterwards.

Hope this helps good luck! xx

 

[Amyface]

I've been told I'll definitely need a spinal to have it removed, but it was a very long procedure to put it in because of the positioning of my cervix so that may be why.

Nice to know that you didn't immediately just go into labour, though, so that's a nice reassurance, thanks

 

[chistiana]

Hi ladies. Mind if I join you?? I used to be an active member of this thread when I was pg with dd as I had a cerclage too! Now I m pg with #3 and after a big bleed again we finally had the stitch in this morning. Now I know bleeding is normal at this point but I just went to the loo and sorry for the tmi but I just got a big blob of very thick very stretchy brown cm and I m scared it might be my plug??? Did anyone experience this? Thanks hope I can meet everyone of you during this journey

 

[RainbowBaby13]

Hi ladies. Mind if I join you?? I used to be an active member of this thread when I was pg with dd as I had a cerclage too! Now I m pg with #3 and after a big bleed again we finally had the stitch in this morning. Now I know bleeding is normal at this point but I just went to the loo and sorry for the tmi but I just got a big blob of very thick very stretchy brown cm and I m scared it might be my plug??? Did anyone experience this? Thanks hope I can meet everyone of you during this journey

hola! i had a similar experience last sunday morning. had egcm like egg yolk and it had red in it. went into labor and delivery because i was also scared it could have been my plug and they checked my cervix. it was nice and tight and closed so no worries there and on the transvaginal ultrasound she did, you could see all the gook that was still tryna come out because of the cerclage. so for me it was normal and told me that that's expected to happen. i know all experiences can be different so if your worried i would go in and have them check you

 

[chistiana]

Rainbow, thank you so much for your reply! My cm has changed to more watery which freaks me out as I keep thinking I m leaking amniotic fluid but I m also trying not to be too paranoid n try to ignore it! Hope everything is still good with you! Have a very merry Christmas!

 

[RainbowBaby13]

your welcome! and I understand completely! I call my mom or the nurses everytime I have a question. honestly even though you might start to feel like your being annoying or calling to much or asking to many questions, keep calling! its your baby not theirs mine was doing that at one point I think, but keep staying positive im doing good and praying you are doing the same, merry Christmas!

 

[shanny]

Hi ladies, was wondering if some of you could shed some light for me.

I had a horrific first labour ending in an emergency section. My cervix misplaced so I struggle to deliver naturally so I would like a planned section this time.

I've just had my stitch put in and my consultant has suggested that I go down the route of natural labour, but if it doesn't go to plan then I can go for a section. I've decided against this and want to go straight for a section.

My issue is that I've been told my stitch will be removed about 36/37 weeks. How does this work with a planned section? Most stories I see involve women going into labour pretty quickly after it's been removed, but they won't plan my section until 39 weeks. What I don't understand is how I have a spinal to have it removed and then go back in a few hours later for another if I go into labour and have to have my section. Does anyone have any real life experience of how I can expect this to run?

The only option I can see is asking to have my section at 36/37 when they take the stitch out, but I'd obviously rather keep baby in for as long as possible. Does anyone know if I can ask for it to be kept in until 39 and just taken out at the time if I happen to go into labour sooner?

Seeing my consultant next week so plan on getting more info then, but can't sleep for worrying at the minute - feel like I'm being pushed into the natural labour route.

Hello there - not been on this thread for a while but its been a great support to me in the past so I thought i'd pop in!

To answer the above - I have had 4 stitches all successful 3 were removed at 36 weeks and no immediate labour as everyone is different - The other stitch was an emergency and waters went early and she had to come out (she is now an enormous 8 yr old)

i think talk to your consultant and see what they think - have they said its fine fro you to have a c section? Would hope so after first delivery

I had spinal to put in stitch but only gas and air to have out - but all situations are different. I have read many a story on here where people have them removed and then go past due date .

 

[chistiana]

Hey, I also think you don't need a spinal to remove the cerclage although I m no expert. I don't think they can leave the cerclage in until 39 weeks and here's why...with dd I went into labor at 35 weeks.thing is I still had the stitch in (as you would) so even though I was contracting every 2 minutes I didn't really feel much pain and by the time I decided to go to the hospital my girl had almost ripped everything apart...the doc barely had time for the c section...this time round I will try a vbac and the doc wants to take the stitch out at 38 weeks..I asked if we could leave it for 39 weeks n his answer was "no way"!
Now everyone is different so I think your doc will be better at giving you exact reasons and answers!

 

[xMissxZoiex]

My removal is scheduled for 35+3 my doctor wouldn't even leave it the extra week. I'm so worried about labouring before then but not too much longer to wait for me.

 

[RainbowBaby13]

Im getting mines removed at 35 weeks as well. But I am
Hoping I can get it removed on a Friday because I'll be 35+6 and that following day I'll be 36 weeks. But I'm trusting in God that after my cerclage is removed baby will stay in well past 37 weeks.

Also doctor told me that mine will be getting removed in the office and he'll make me feel as comfortable as possible but he said that sometimes the stitch gets embedded in the cervix and if that happens then they'll move me to labor and delivery and give me a local anesthetic. Haha when I found out I wouldn't be given general anesthesia like they did , when he was putting the stitch in I was like oh no! I have to feel pain lol. But every hospital is different so ask your doctor to be sure

 

[honeyprayer]

Removal was so painful for me. Worse than labour! Being pregnant, I couldn't even take advil beforehand :/ good luck!!! I didn't labour right away and was actual induced at 37 weeks.