Cervical Stitch Advice

[Pizdets]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone on here has had a cervical stitch and can offer me any words of support or advice I'd be very grateful.

After a cervical scan today my cervix was measuring 2.4cm and from what I understand 2.5cm is the minimum they look for at this stage (14 weeks).

If you'be had the stitch before, did it work? When did you give birth? Did you experience any complications?

Any advice for the procedure itself (i'm planning to have a spinal anaesthetic, not ga) would also be much appreciated!

We lost our first baby, a little girl, at 18 weeks last year and the idea of losing another baby is terrifying!

Thanks in advance for any help.

Piz

Thanks expat. The procedure is booked in for a week tomorrow, I'll be 15+1. Not looking forward to it but also really worried that even if it goes well I'll never be able to relax, bond and 'enjoy' the pregnancy. Sucks, doesn't it?

Sorry I think I misread that you had had surgery on your cervix. Still, your consultant seems sure that your previous loss was definitely due to IC so he's doing everything possible to prevent it happening again which I can only see as being a really good thing. Also, I was told that the cervix is dynamic, changing lengths a lot so you might really be surprised with what happens next!

It really does suck. And to top it all off we're told to relax!

Expat, no, you're right, I did have surgery on my cervix, I thought I must have mentioned it somewhere (or you were psychic).

And actually the previous loss wasn't IC, we discovered our baby was very ill (she had a very rare condition where she had half of a chromosome missing) and we were advised to end the pregnancy as the prognosis was very poor. So it just feels like one thing after another...this time we have a healthy baby but now my body is letting me down.

You're right, it's so hard to relax, I just want to go to sleep and wake up in September!

Oh I'm sorry. I'm getting it totally wrong. It must have been incredibly tough to have to do that and to now have a healthy baby, but this new fear... my heart really goes out to you.
So, completely backtracking from my last post, even if it wasn't IC it's still good that they're doing everything possible to make this a successful pregnancy.

My fault, I didn't make it clear because I was trying to keep the first post shortish!

Yes, everyone at the prem clinic was lovely, they said they'd take care of me and reassured me that at least this time it's something we can have some control over. I do feel like I'm in good hands, just wish I could have a 'normal' pregnancy, but then I'm sure all the ladies on this thread feel the same.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice and support, it's really helped and I do feel calmer. Will make sure I update, hopefully with some good news!

REALLY sorry I didn't put a warning on that link, I'm an idiot. So sorry if I upset anyone x

Gumdrops, don't worry, the info was really interesting and useful, I think a lot of us are just a bit tender. Do really appreciate you sharing the info and it's given me some food for thought and some good questions to ask next time too.

Definately, definately take along plenty to keep you occupied. Most of the day I was just bored stiff.

Anesthetic wise, I think both have their pros and cons. If I had ever had a spinal before, I would probably have gone for that. I just personally felt I didn't want any more new experiences that day! The doctors will give you good advice and you will be able to choose whatever you think will suit you best. Your baby will not mind either way.

I am so sorry to read about all your experiences. The death of a baby is so hard to cope with, and being pregnant again afterwards brings a whole new set of worries. You are right, I doubt it is possible to be "normal" and relaxed in this situation. I know for me being under consultant care with plenty of checks has helped. We also found out the sex of this baby, and have spoken about names. Bonding has been really difficult, and anything that helps us see this as a little person makes things a little easier. I have just hit the feeling definate kicks stage as well, and that has been just lovely. I am still, if I am honest, frightened of bonding in case I get hurt again.

Yes, it is the rainbow babies thread over in conception. There so so many clever, brave, kind women there and they have just been a lifeline for me. Lurkers are very welcome too!

Take care, look after yourselves, and please PM me anytime if I can help or you want a chat x

I had a stitch in my second (twin) pregnancy (first pregnancy was fine, DD born at term). I was monitored from 20 weeks and got down to about 1cm at 22 weeks at which point they decided to give me a stitch and I had it the next day. I don't remember any discussion about types of anaesthetic - I had a spinal, which I was dreading, but it wasn't too bad.
The procedure itself was fine, I think - it's a bit of a blur. I ended up staying in overnight (also kept being delayed and ended up having it done late afternoon). DH could have stayed with me in theatre (he didn't, feeling that he was such a nervous wreck about it that he wouldn't help) but might be worth checking if that's an option.
I didn't feel any discomfort afterwards and twins were born by ELCS at 38 weeks, both perfectly healthy. I had steroid injections at 24 weeks, not sure if that's standard with stitches.
Hope it helps to have another positive story - it's a horribly stressful thing to go through, and must be all the more so with the loss of your first baby.
If you want to know anything else about it, do ask. Take care of yourself x

Thanks thewalrus, it's really good to hear other people's good (if you know what I mean) experiences. If you google it does seem to turn up horror stories. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I feel much calmer about it all now!
Piz

Ps, congrats on your lovely twins!

Hi Pizdets
I hope all goes well for you with your stitch. I am a success story! I had my first baby at 27 weeks (he is nearly 9 now and absolutely fine) and when I had a cervical length scan at 20 weeks pregnant with my next son my cervix had shortened and I had to have an emergency McDonald suture the next day.

It was under spinal and that was the worst bit! I was out the next day and was terrified but I had bed rest for the next 10 weeks (still did the odd school run etc but basically was horizontal the whole summer!) and then once I got to 30 weeks I began doing more (I was happy to get past 27 weeks!). I had the stitch removed at 36 weeks and had my 8lb+ baby at almost 40 weeks!!!

He is 2 and a half now. It was the most scary time but the stitch was a lifesaver. I never felt it when it was in, I never got an infection even though I was told I probably would as it was a foreign body, I had plenty of scans and check ups and all in all it was a smooth pregnancy following the stitch insertion.

Hope all goes well, let us know.
XX

hello ladies and Pizdets

I had my 12 week scan today, my cervix is 2.5, no surprise really as have had two lletz procedures and numerous biopsies on my cervix in the past.

was a bit upset to be 100% told I need to have a stitch, most likely in the next 3 weeks. pretty scared and worried about it.

any more success stories or experiences would be most welcome, i'll be having a spinal block not a GA (GA makes me depressed afterwards) so any additional advice on downtime needed afterwards would be great - sadly i work full time so will need to get back to work.

pizdets hope yours goes well!

I haven't had one Kelly but when I was discussing with my ob he said that I would have a day or so in hospital to check all was well and then pretty much back to normal life. He said that bed rest is the worst thing to do. However, as I haven't had the same procedures you might get completely different advice so I think the best thing is to ask your consultant so you can be prepared. Good luck!

Pizdet, hope it goes well tomorrow. Best of luck. x

Pizdets any news on how your stitch went? Was thinking of you and had fingers crossed x

Hi guys! Sorry, didn't check back here for a few days. Swift, thanks so much for the good news story and congrats on your son, 10 weeks of bedrest must have been a killer but I bet it's all worth it now!

Kelly, sorry to hear your cervix is short too. 2.5cm is really borderline so it's not all bad news.

Some reassurance from my end...the procedure was fine. I went in at 7.30am and my husband came with me and stayed for the first couple of hours. He then had to leave for work stuff but could have been with me right up to me going in for surgery.

I was then walked down to the ante-room where the anaesthetic etc was done. Also tons and tons of monitoring for heart rate, blood pressure etc. The anaesthetic was not great...the anaesthetist took 2 goes then had to get his boss in (apparently my spine is slightly curved! Not welcome information at this stage!) who did it first time. Emotionally it was a bit distressing to know they were digging around in my back but they used tons of local anaesthetic so physically it was ok...the bloody cannula was the most painful bit!

Once the anaesthetic had taken effect (couple of minutes) I was wheeled through to surgery. They made a screen out of the blanket so I couldn't see. I could feel them rummaging around up there but no pain at all. The anaesthetist kindly sat by my head the whole way through and made small talk about holidays etc to keep me distracted.

The whole procedure probably took about 15 minutes, then I was wheeled to recovery and the consultant came out to tell me it had gone well and answer my questions (no swimming, no sex, I can walk the dog but take it easy).

Once they established the anaesthetic was starting to wear off I was wheeled back to the ward. I was exhausted and slept for a couple of hours, by which time I had movement back in my legs and feet and just felt pins and needles-y. The full block wasn't pleasant but I'd worried I might have a panic attack if I was paralysed and actually it was fine. I could still feel my legs and feet but of felt like they were covered in really heavy, wet blankets so I couldn't move them.

After a few hours on the ward, some food and drink and a big wee, the doctor came round with a scanner and checked the baby, then I went home. Was back by about 7pm.

Over the weekend I've felt pretty good really. On Saturday I had quite bad back pains from the anaesthetic but it wore off by Sunday. Yesterday I even took the dog out but took it very easy with lots of long sits in the sunshine! The bleeding tailed off to nothing almost immediately but I still have a little brown blood when I wipe sometimes (i was told 2-3 days is normal). I can feel the odd niggle but not sure if it's not because I'm more aware of it now!

Sorry, really long post but I wanted to reassure Kelly and anyone else who might come across this through searching and add my experience to the useful advice from everyone above.

We're not out of the woods yet, but I do feel much calmer now and relieved it's done. Just cross fingers for the next 20 weeks - agrh!

Kelly, best of luck and do ask/pm me if you have any questions. thanks again to everyone who took the time to post on here, it made such a bidg difference.

Piz

hello very glad it went well :)
I had an emergency at 21 weeks. I had lost a DD the year before suddenly at 20 weeks so they were scanning me to check the cervix. 20 weeks I was shortening (was always 26mm ish) and large funneling by 1 weeks. Had emergency stitch and had a section at 38 weeks. Did take it easy and lay down or sat down much of the time. Only walked any distance when I had too. I had bleeding and cramping the first 3 days after and for 3 weeks spotting. Other than that it was fine.

Oh I had a spinal and felt 'rough' and tired the following 2-3 days.

Really happy to hear that everything went well Pizdets. I completely emphasise about the feeling when they dig around in your bag. I had the same thing with my CS. Yuck. Anyway, fabulous news that you're doing okay. All the best for an uneventful rest of pregnancy.

dig around in your back!

Jellybeans, thanks for that. Didn't have any cramping yesterday but having a bit this morning (where the sum total of my expertions has been getting up and walking downstairs!) and was a bit worried it wasn't normal, so that's really reassured me.

ExpalAl, you made me laugh! I thought you meant 'digging around in my bag' as a metaphor for them rummaging in my vagina, I think that one might stick for me!