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?!

I have no experience of a stitch, but had funnelling and shortening in my previous pregnancy, picked up at around 24 weeks. I was advised rest - it has never been clinically proven to work, but my doctor said that a lot of sitting or standing would obviously put any pressure towards the bottom of my uterus, and so it would be good to lie flat as much as possible. I hated it at the time, but the funnelling didn't get any worse (it also didn't go away), so maybe it helped. This pregnancy (am now 36 weeks) I was signed off work from 18 weeks - didn't rest solidly, but tried to spend as much time as I could on the sofa, walked very little, sat up straight only really at mealtimes, etc. And I haven't needed any intervention at all so far. So taking it easy (if not actual bed rest) definitely seems to have helped in my case. Are you taking progesterone too? If it's possible for you to rest up as much as possible, I would probably do that. Good luck!

Thanks!
My usual dr has done a few things that are not "proven" but she's found them to help (and they've helped me so far), so I'm uneasy with taking the textbook advice from the other dr.
At the moment I think I'll return to work (sedentary job) and take it easy, then hopefully she can advise me when I go back in a couple of weeks. I'm also going to try to work from home sofa to reduce the risk as much as possible.

Hi curtains

Great that your cervix length has increased. Did they tell you that after an internal or external ultrasound?

In terms of funelling, as far as I know I am not funelling as yet. However, my doctor made the point that if I truly have IC I will funel at some point and that's the point of having a stitch, to stop the funelling going any further . I guess the point I am trying to make is that as far as I understand (and various FB groups I am on seem to say the same) that funelling isn't a huge deal. The issue is funelling going past the point of the stitch.

In terms of resting, it's a difficult one. The U.S. are v keen on it whereas the UK are not. I personally take it extremely easy even tho the doc who placed the stitch said to carry on as normal. I'm lucky that I'm not working right now. I have considerably limited my movements more recently as I am now 22.5 weeks. How far are you now? So you have the opportunity to limit your movements? For example I don't do any exercise or have sex .

When will your next appt be? X

Hello April :-)
I had an internal and external scan, so am hoping it's fairly accurate.

Thanks for the info re funnelling - that's really useful. Fingers crossed that it won't get any worse then.

I struggle with the difference between the US and UK. Before I lost my previous pregnancy at 22w I consulted Dr Google and there seemed to be loads of US-based mums who'd been in a similar position to me and been given emergency stitches, drugs, bed rest etc and carried to term - it was really frustrating because I couldn't understand why that hadn't been an option to me. Whilst I now understand it a bit more, my current dr is not by-the-book and more of a maverick in terms of the treatment she offers, so when today's dr came in and gave me the party-line (instead of looking at my particular history etc).

I'm definitely going to try to limit my movements - exercise and sex are off the agenda! Also, I'm limiting my walking, sitting/lying on the sofa at any opportunity. I see (hopefully) my usual consultant in two weeks (and also have another scan - 19w) so as long as nothing drastic happens in that time, I'm hoping to get some advice from her.

I was feeling so positive until this morning!

Sounds like you've got a good plan Curtains.

Yeah the whole bedrest thing is confusing. As I understand it, there's no solid research it helps and I also have been told that being very inactive during pregnancy isn't great either, ie blood clot risks etc.

My doc said he wil tell me if I need bedrest but I think he'd only do that if things were v bad. I guess it makes sense to stay off your feet as much as poss as gravity must play a part. I also found some people sayig that once you're say 28 weeks plus your pelvis takes some of the weight off your cervix as the baby is bigger and higher up. As always there's is v little clinical evidence, I don't think they can do ethical studies on pregnant women, hence the small amount of research x

How is everyone doing?

I had another scan yesterday, they measured my cervix as 30mm and said it was 'long and closed' when i asked specifically. How does this sound? Could see the stitches on the scan.

I wondered if anyone else with a stitch found similar - last week I really think I overdid it with walking about and carrying stuff, I felt a funny sharp-ish twinge/pulling in what I'm sure was my cervix. It was like I could feel the stitch being pulled a bit. It only happened twice, within a minute of each other, as I was puffing along walking home. Sharp enough to make me stop walking and breathe through it. Have tried to take it easier since and it's not happened again. Has this happened to anyone else?

Hi Babs, long closed and 30mm sounds very good to me!

I did have some sharp twinges a few weeks after my stitch. I ended up going to the doc and all was fine. If you're worried, go in. I expect it is just the baby growing and pulling muscles down there which could in turn pull the stitch slightly.

23.5 weeks here, going insane as put myself on house arrest but slowly plodding along x

I'm so glad someone else has mentioned this! Over the wkd I felt some similar sensations and of course convinced myself the stitch had failed but I've had nothing since so hopefully it's all ok.
I have a scan next week so hopefully I'll know for sure one way or another.

Has anyone else had regular scans after a stitch? I tend to have them every 4 weeks or so because of pre-existing medical conditions, but was wondering if there was a stitch-related requirement for more,

Yes I get twinges sometimes - think it's nature's way of reminding us to slow down!!

curtains I have/will have scans at 14/16/20/24 weeks and if all ok at 24 weeks (next week!!!!!) I'll be signed off by the consultant and be 'normal' until the stitch comes out at 36-odd weeks. Last time I had scans to 32 weeks but I was part of a study so I think as much for them as me - but then I lived so close to the hospital that I actually walked there while in labour so it wasn't too much hassle!!

Almost 23 weeks here now, time is flying. No bleeding since the scare a couple of weeks ago and all seems fine. Good to hear all going well for the rest of you!!

Glad to hear everyone's doing well, despite some scary twinges.

I have my next scan tomorrow. I have had lots and it started off once every 3 weeks post stitch and then since about 22 weeks it has been every 2 weeks. My doc is about to go away and so I will see him tomorrow and then when he is back again about 10 days later. That's more my choice tho and as I'm under private here it's a lovely luxury to have. I am feeling particularly stressed at the mo as I'm 23.5 weeks and I lost my son at 24.5 weeks hence the scans at the moment. Hoping I have no funelling tomorrow to give me a little
Confidence as I pass the 24 week mark. I think after 25 weeks I will probably go back to a scan every 3 weeks, maybe less once I get to 30 weeks.

Keep us updated everyone x

How was the scan April?

Hi curtains, it was good thanks. I felt sick with nerves but he said (from an abdominal scan) my cervix showed no sign of funelling and was fairly long. the stitch was in place as it should be. So all good. Sadly I know all too well things can change v v quickly but last time I didn't have anyone specifically checking my cervix, or have a stitch or progesterone and so I have to believe this time will be different. I get to the magic 24 weeks tomorrow though I am counting 25 weeks as my first main hurdle given I lost my son at 24+5.

Hope all is well with you? (And all the other ladies?) x

Good news April Hope everything stays as is for now. At least you know you've done/are doing everything you can with the stitch and progesterone. Did they measure your cervix?

No he doesn't measure it, he only does abdominal scans and it's hard to measure it properly on them. He said he is more concerned about the top of the cervix and so has a good look on an abdominal scan. He just told me it's fairly long and closed. I started off with a 2.4cm non pregnant cervix and he said there's no point me getting stressed about a cm here and there so we agreed he wouldn't measure it. He will tho let me know if it changes significantly or looks very short. Hopefully that won't happen. 24 weeks today, roll on the next week! Z

Sounds good, fingers crossed for you! Agree with not stressing over measurements, your consultant sounds very sensible

Glad things are looking positive April
I'm stressing at the moment. We've come away (within the uk) for a break and I've just felt exhausted and hyper-sensitive to the smallest of symptoms while I've been away. To the extent that were coming home early in the hope I will feel a bit better being near my usual hospital.

I feel so pathetic!

I have a scan booked on Monday so hopefully that will bring good news, although I keep getting a strange sensation at the top of my cervix so I've convinced myself that the stitch is failing... I need a good shake

Hope the scan goes well today curtains and you get some reassurance

Good luck today curtains. So easy to worry when we've been through so much! April i hope 24+5 passes ok for you (lost track of dates - is that tomorrow or weds?). These milestones can be so hard but passing the does us good.

I have my 24 week scan tomorrow and if all ok I'll be 'signed off' by the consultant and thrown back into the pool with the other preggos. Don't have any issues at the moment so hoping for no surprise problems. I'm also going to ask her about sex - we've been abstaining as were told to until 26 weeks last time (then to use a condom to prevent potential infection until the stitch came out) but they all have such different rules. Doesn't help my hormones are all over the place and I can't think about much else at the moment!!

Thanks all.

curtains, I have had lots of twinges particularly in the Mong after my stitch. I think it's pretty normal.

Good luck for scan.

Pizdits, 24 plus 5 will be Wednesday.

Let us know what yor docs says re sex btw! I'd be interested to know. Think we have to abstain until stitch out but doctors seem to have v different views. It's a long time!! X

April thinking of you today.

Scan was great - baby is growing well and cervix measured 4.2cm. Sex answer was non-definitive. She said if you're prone to vaginal bacteriosis (sp?) then don't do it at all (although I don't really know what VB is or if I'm prone???) otherwise she said just be sensible and probably use a condom. She said non-penetrative sex stuff is fine, which is good news at least as I wasn't sure if we should be holding off on that too! It's ages, especially when you've got pregnancy hormones driving you nuts. We made up for it A LOT at the end of my last pregnancy - no wonder DS came pretty much on his due date!

I'm not being seen now (apart from routine midwife stuff) until the stitch comes out on 13th October - keep reassuring myself it's aaaaages away still!

Hi Piz thanks for remembering. I have. I have mixed feelings today. Feel 'happy' I'm now officially the most pregnant I've been but also thinking about my angel a lot. It's sstrange to think he was with me at this stage and actually doing amazingly in the NICU.

I think I will be abstaining completely until my stitch removal. Great you have a date already! Mine may well be around the same date actually. What gestation will you be? I am hoping for some sexy time (!) after stitch removal! I think BV is just an infection similar to thrush (eg balance of bacteria). It generally doesn't have symptoms and I've seen it can cause pre term labour so I think condoms are prob the best route if you go for it just to be in the safe side.

Love to all x

Also Piz, I'm pretty sure you're on progesterone too? When will you stop it? X

So nice to hear good news from all sides! Congratulations everyone.

I also broke my record this pregnancy - I elected not to have a stitch in the end, but was on sick leave from 18 weeks, did lots of rest, and took progesterone three times a day. I made it past all the hurdles, started to relax at 34 weeks, relaxed even more at 36 weeks - and our third son was born a week ago today, on the dot of 37+0! First time I have made it that far. It was the easiest pregnancy of all in the end - no funnelling or shortening at any point until (I presume) I went into labour.

So, sending healthy pregnancy baby dust your way. Hang on in there. I have got my fingers crossed for all of you.

willnot what lovely news congratulations!!! So pleased it went well.

April I know how you feel - a 'rainbow' pregnancy is so bittersweet and it's so hard to balance the feelings of joy and loss and panic and hope! I did find as I got further into my pregnancy with DS I was able to relax more and start to 'believe' and I hope it will be the same for you.

I'm not on progesterone, I've got some which I was told to use 'as and when' (more really useful and definitive advice from the consultant!!) so I used it while I was cramping after the op and then stopped. I wasn't even offered it in the last pregnancy so not too bothered about using it - it's all such a stab in the dark isn't it??

Yeah there seem to be lots of varying views on progesteroe. My doc who did the stitch didn't seem bothered at all (I guess a typical surgeon approach- relies more on surgical intervention than medication). Whilst my current doc raves about it.

Willnotbetamed, great news! Thanks for sharing x