Sorry to see you’ve had a shortening. Please don’t take my case as usual, it was so, so rare. My cervix shortened because I have a hyper toned/irritable uterus. So from 16 weeks, I start to get tightenings that grew gradually to 60+ a day, and the mechanics of the tightenings slowly began to shorten my cervix. I had my stitch put in at 18+6 and it really was okay. I have bowel issues with IBS as that was honestly the worst part of it. I was sad not to be able to be as mobile (no bending, lifting, crouching, squatting, kneeling; no exercise etc) and was very upset I couldn’t have a bath or go swimming as I really felt being in water would have calmed my uterus.
My son’s arrival was traumatic because of the section - no one believed how fast labour could happen for me but my uterus was primed after all those contractions. He’d have been out in 3 hours if they’d listened to me and taken out the stitch, but I dilated through it and it embedded. So that’s the SUPER rare bit. Most people don’t progress that fast and if your hospital can do the stitch then they are likely way more experienced in taking it out too, unlike mine.
Either way, after everything I have fought through, my little boy is so very worth it. I’d do it again for him. The stitch is an incredible opportunity, and saves so many baby’s lives. I had 19mm left before the surgery and came out of it with 27mm! Mine was an emergency stitch and they told me it would likely get me another 6 weeks and it was still holding strong through labour 13 weeks later! If only my waters hadn’t gone, I’d have made it to term.
Feel free to ask any questions if it will
help.