Cervical stitch - experiences?

[BabsUnited]

Hi everyone

I am 10+4 weeks and I'm booked in for a cervical stitch for when I'll be 12+3. The reason I'm having this is that my DS was born prematurely at 30+2 weeks. It's officially gone down as 'unexplained' but the consultant thinks some sort of infection made my membranes rupture which then kicked off labour. So the stitch will keep my cervix tightly shut and the plan is to remove at 37 weeks (if I get there). DS suffered as a result of his early arrival and has cerebral palsy so I feel desperate to do anything I can to prevent something similar happening again.

I know a little about the procedure (I'll be having a spinal, and its done as a day case) but does anyone know of any good resources to find out about success rates? Consultant said there's not been any widescale studies on it but she thinks that the stitch, along with progestone pessaries, will likely help me. But other people I speak to seem to be pretty 'for' this, and others say it won't do anything (including a GP relative).

The procedure itself carries risks (risk of membrane rupture/miscarriage and, ironically, introduction of infection) so I'm trying to be totally sure I'm making the right decision. My consultant has recommended it, but another I saw said she wouldn't recommend it and I had to push her to contact the other consultant who then said she should go ahead, so she booked me in for it. The procedure will be done at Homerton Hospital which has a very good NICU and I think they do a fair amount of research into premature birth. This is where my DS was born.

I feel like I should be doing something proactive to reduce my risk of premature labour again. I think I'm doing the right thing but wobbling a bit. .

Has anyone had one? Any positive stories?!

[April1984]

Piz - just a quick question? Have you had swabs done after you got your cerclages? I have no infection symptoms but am paranoid about infections like BV where there are no symptoms.

I have been v careful and don't even take baths/no sex since found out I was pregnant. However, post cerclage I had a mild prolapse and as things felt so low I could feel my cervix and touched it quite a few times. I just didn't know what the hell was going on and needed to check things out. I had clean fingers and regret it now.

Just wondered what advice you had re swabs as I've been told to avoid any type of internal exam unless v necessary. Thanks x

[imip]

I had a swab once I think, I was losing fluid -White and watery- and it was probably a reaction to the stitch material. It's the only time, they were very very reticent to take a swab or any internal, as you mention.

I was excessively concerned about BV and alike.i did weird things like iron my knickers (kill any lurking infection) and boiling my knickers! No sex, swimming etc.

[jellybeans]

I had a shirodkar suture as an emergency at 21 weeks. The year before my daughter was born and died at 21 weeks. But as I also had a severe infection they watched my cervix in the subsequent pregnancy instead of giving me a preventative stitch. I had a spinal and had bleeding and cramping for 3 weeks (however I was on blood thinners) and was in and out of hospital all the way through. But I made it to planned section at 37 weeks. I put myself in semi bedrest and didn't walk unless I had to, no baths, no swimming etc. No lifting etc. Luckily I was a sahm so it was possible. Good luck x

[Pizdets]

april no swabs here. I had them with my last pregnancy every couple of weeks as I was part of a research study but they're much more hands off at my new hospital (we moved last year). I was told no swimming, no sex etc but actually after 26 weeks we were allowed sex with a condom last time - another sign of the massive discrepancies in advice!!!

[imip]

I was told to carry on as normal... I couldn't... My first two were born in the same year, there was no way I could have survived losing 2 babies, especially in the same year.

By surviving dc 4 (having three other dc 3 and under), I was less able to do the boiling and ironing knickers! I did swim occasionally with dc. I guess you do what you have to, to get through the pregnancy mentally.

[April1984]

Thanks all, just seen your responses for some reason I didn't get an email that people had posted.

There is so much discrepancy in advice! I was also told to carry on as normal but take it easy. As I am still on maternity leave after my loss I haven't had to go back to work thankfully.

I have been advised no sex and gym etc. but have also decided no walking any distances and I generally have my feet up when I can.

I have been doing a blog about bedrest and keeping busy etc if anyone is interested- www.mum-blings.com

Hope everyone is doing well!! Xx

[April1984]

Dixie I can imagine having the same due date was v hard.

Those who've had/have stitches, I
now 20 weeks and had a little bit of (tmi) snotty like discharge, just a small amount. Anyone else experienced this? I have had this at a couple of stages of my pregnancy and doc has never been that concerned. It just worries me as that was what made me go to doctors before I lost my son, tho that discharge was over a couple of days and much more- eg every time I wiped whereas this is a one off it seems. Any advice would be appreciated! X

[Itscurtainsforyou]

Hi there - I've read through the thread and looking for some reassurance if possible.

I lost twins at 22w two years ago. They don't know why, just that my cervix opened for some reason. Since then I've had two early miscarriages and I'm now on pregnancy number 6 (one living child).

I've had great care under the recurrent miscarriage clinic, but they were concerned about possible cervix problems until I pushed. I had a cervix measurement last week which was 34mm. Just had another today which was 25mm. I'm just 15w.

I'm hoping that this will mean I'll have a stitch put in, but at the same time I'm worried about the risks of having the stitch. Also, isn't 15+ weeks quite late to have a stitch put in? Will the risk be higher because of this?

I'm also confused about how my first pregnancy was fine, followed by my more problematic recent pregnancies. I had a failed forceps delivery the first time, any clue if that might have caused some damage ?

Thanks

[April1984]

Thanks Dixie for the reassurance. I've actualy had a lot less discharge this pregnancy since the stitch. I just get worried when it's mucas like in case it's my plug.

Its curtains, I agree with Dixie tho 25mm isn't a bad length, it's normally borderline as to whether a Cerclage is appropriate but I would personally push for one since you have shortened quite quickly. My cervix is 2.25cm in a non pregnant state so very short. Good luck and keep us posted with what you do x

[Itscurtainsforyou]

Thanks Dixie and April - I'm quite alarmed at how quickly it has shortened and hoping that the consultant will be as well. I'll keep you posted.

[imip]

Interesting Dixie, I've never been able to shake the feeling that a laposcropy was somehow involved with my cervical weakness when I got preg 6 months later.

[imip]

Oh, I also had a prophylactic stitch put in at 16+ I thought that was a bit shit actually, but they wouldn't do it sooner. Sad bc it was pregnancy no 5 and I looked v pregnant.

[Suzie2010]

I was advised to come on this board but it has really scared me. I have a short cervix and they tried to do the stitch at 17 weeks but there was not enough cervix left. I am now just being monitered. There has been no change in the last 2 weeks but i have been off work and resting. Is the progestorne pesserie offered every where. I have also been told i can go back to work.i am very worried now as i am only weeks

[AliceAnneB]

I wouldn't go back to work. Just rest and keep the weight off. Floating is great. Do what you need to do for you and the baby. If the stitch failed I would be insisting on the progesterone. It's been around for ages and has excellent data behind it. Good luck.

[Suzie2010]

Thank you. Hubby has advised i ring doctors but might ring hospital see if i can speak to the doctor i have been seeing over the last few weeks

[April1984]

Hey re the abdominal stitch I've never heard of it being placed as late as 17 weeks as its major surgery so I think that'll be off the table in afraid. I agree with all of the progesterone comments though, I would imagine most specialists will know about it as (as the others say) it is not a new thing. I also would avoid going to work if you can or at least stay off your feet there if that's not an option. I would imagine most docs would sign you off if that helps. Lots of luck xx

[Suzie2010]

I am 19 weeks. They asked another hospital about the stitch though the tummy but they would only do that before 12 weeks. It was to late to do it

[Suzie2010]

Cheers. I work in a call centre so i will be sat down most of the day. If it starts to shorten again when back at work i am going to get signed off.

[AliceAnneB]

You might want to consider acupuncture as well. At 28 weeks I was at 3mm and they reckoned I'd go any moment. I held to 40+1. I had acupuncture every day from 28-30 weeks and then weekly until the end. I just laid flat. I was also on progesterone.