Stitch at 13 weeks

[Gobbledigook]

A friend has been told she needs a stitch in her cervix to prevent m/c and will have this done around 13 wks.

She doesn't know what to expect - anyone had this done? What happens during the procedure, i.e. are you awake, how long does it take, does it hurt...

TIA

anyone?

GDG - Can't help, but wanted to bump this up. I think it's done under a general aneasthetic though.

havent had this, or know anyone personally who has, but i remember watching a programme about some woman expecting triplets, or quads who had this done. its safer apparently.

There was a really good programme on radio 4 about this - might have been a segment in You & yours or Woman's Hour. Will do a quick check of bbc site.

Found it, but can't do links.

The web address is:

www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/casenotes_20050531.shtml

You can either listen to the programme on the web from that site or there is a transcript of the programme.

Hope I'm not misremembering it - in my memory it was really good.

here

Thanks everyone - will check out that link Lummox.

Hi there. I've had two stitches (one for each pg). First pg in America and second in UK. Both times I had a spinal block. No general. They do not recommend gneral as proceedure is so short. She should be in and out in 30 mins.

I presume hat she's having the stitch placed vaginally and not abdominally?

PLEASE let her now that it doesn't hurt. You do feel funny for a while afterwards as you can't feel a thing from waist down. Felt like the worse case of pins and needles I'd ever had.

I would just say that on both occassions I had very bad pre-term labour after the stitches had been put in. Apparently I have a 'very sensitive uterus'. Just let your friend know that she should be aware that this might happen. As the spinal wears off if she starts to feel contractions she should IMMEADIATLEY alart the nurse and OB doc as they can give her drugs to stop the contractions. I don't want to scare monger. But it does happena and I had to endure 4 hours of unneccessary pre-term labour whilst the OB doc faffed about. Thankfully drugs worked in the end.

She will be kept in over night and released the next day. Tell her to take it really easy for the next 3 - 4 days. Keep off her feet and let the stitch settle in to her body. It might feel a lttle tight and sore, but she can take painkillers that the hospital prescribe if she's in too much discomfort.

As for remainder of pg, I'm 21 weeks now and have been told by private OB to take it easy (no lifting or strenuous exercise, no sex, try and have a rest for an hour or so each day etc) at least until I hit 28 weeks. After that baby is viable and if the worst comes to the worst things should be OK if s/he decides to come early.

Umm, think that's it. Good luck to your friend. CAT me if she needs more info.

Thanks for that GM - really helpful

Good luck for the rest of your pg and keep us updated on baby news