Anyone else with a cervical stitch?

[Blossominspring1]

Hello everyone,

I'm 18 weeks pregnant with my second DS and had a cervical stitch put in last week after a scan showed my cervix had shortened a fair bit. I'm now home and resting up. We were being carefully monitored because I had cervical shortening and a threatened pre-term labour at 25 weeks with my first DS and spent the rest of my pregnancy on bed rest until he was born at 37 weeks.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who has/had a stitch or is on bedrest for cervical problems. I'm just trying to keep positive and keep sane whilst my family rally round to help with DS who is 2 1/2 and full of beans!

Not me but a close friend. First baby born at 23 weeks (he's a teenager now), second baby cervical stitch, monitored, went over by 11 days. Good luck!

Thanks BadtotheBone, it's lovely hearing happy stories like that one.

My mum had one back in 1978 and here I am 37 years later

I had one for every one of my three successful pregnancies . I was told once the stitch is on then the pregnancy is pretty secure . When the doctor took my stitch out and showed me it was a big plastic tie, like a plastic bag handle .

Hello, I had the stitch for two pregnancies. The stitches definitely worked- I went into labour with DS the day the stitch came out at 36 weeks. For DD I had a c-section at 37 weeks and she was a 10lber, so again, that stitch was holding on well. I also had progesterone pessaries, which may have helped. The consultant wasn't sure either way, but said they would not hurt.
Good luck- the stitch had been used successfully for many years. X

Thanks n0ne and Penvelopesnightie for two more reassuring stories. Penvelopesnightie, how much did you rest-up after your stitches? I'm taking it very easy at the moment but it's going to be so hard with a toddler and advice seems really mixed...

Thank you, Loungingbutnotforlong, just trying to keep positive as I've been hearing such good things about stitches. I was too late for one last time and only really had the confidence to get pregnant again thinking that I'd be able to have one this time round.

Just to answer the question on resting up- I pretty much put myself on major resting, certainly until I was more like 34/ 35 weeks. Your consultant will advise, but I felt I needed to take that time for the pregnancy- it's not easy when you have a toddler as well, but hopefully your family rally round. X

Can I ask when you saw a consultant?

I have been referred by the midwife at my booking in appt (I'm now 12+5) to a consultant as I have had 2 LLETZ procedures and I am worried about cervical incompetence but she said I might not see the consultant till 28 weeks. Obviously this worries me as I know a stich needs to be put in sooner!

Sorry to hijack a thread but I'm really unsure who to talk to about it and how much time I have.

Hi diva, I saw the consultant at my 12 week scan appointment after the GP referred me straight to consultant care at my initial pregnancy appointment. They scanned my cervix at 15 weeks (all looked good and long) and then again two weeks later at 17 weeks (cervix had shortened to 2cm). They then put a stitch in the next day as the borderline at my hospital is 2.5.cm. Have you had your first scan yet? Might be worth ringing your midwife again and pushing them to see if you can get a cervical scan too, just so you have a baseline and you're in the system. I discovered from having my first DS that you have to be a bit pushy to be taken seriously :(.

Thanks for that info blossom. I am having my dating scan on Tuesday. I can try and call the midwife tomorrow and see what she says.

My other half has said we can pay for a private cervical length scan but the place doesn't do them until 16 weeks and I'm worried that I will end up paying £79 every 2 weeks for peace of mind!!! Can't afford that!

Hi
I had a shirodkhar stitch placed at 12.5 weeks after a miscarriage last year and I am now 36 weeks! I went on reduced hours at work from 27 weeks and went on leave at 34 weeks. I am on progesterone suppositories but no bed rest as not needed. As long as you are closely monitored then you should be fine! I am hopefully keeping mine in for next time, fingers crossed. Good luck!

Congratulations on getting to 36 weeks Harveyrabbit76 - that's brilliant! I read some of your threads a few weeks ago when I knew a stitch might be a possibility so I know you've had a tough journey. How fantastic that all the worry is nearly over and you can enjoy your lovely little person.

Thanks blossom! It's been an emotional roller coaster and am glad I am nearly there. I still can't believe this time will be successful and still slightly in denial but only have 2 weeks to go. The stitch was the best thing I ever did and I advise anyone to go for it even if not sure. I totally agree with the need to be pushy, it's the only way you get anywhere! !

I had a stitch put in at Wk 17 due to previous LLETZ surgery. I had mentioned the surgery during my initial booking in appointments but the midwife just said - hmmmmm - and moved on. At 16 week appointment (first preganacy was taking part in research study) I mentioned it to research prof who said he'd take a quick look. Cue worried face and appointment booked for stitch to be put in asap.
After procedure was done I was initially fine but next morning stated vomiting violently (I had HG throughout most of pregnancy) this caused bleeding and I returned to hospital for 3 days observation.
Tthis has taken me a while to type as i am currently BF my 1 month old who despite the worry he caused us arrived perfectly (C section as breach).

Good luck and try not to worry, the care at my hospital was excellent. The only caution I would give you is if you are having a Csection, make sure they remember to take out your stitch. In the excitment of the birth they wheeled me out of theatre . When I remarked that I didnt notice it being taken out, they did some rumaging before sheepishly admitting it was still there. Trolley did a U turn and I was wheeled back in again!

Ah waterjungle huge congratulations on the safe arrival of your DS! Lovely. Hope you're both getting on well and thank you so much for sharing your story with me.

Harveyrabbit78 wishing you lots of luck for the next few weeks and a safe arrival for your little one. Take care.

Hi Diva, just checking in to see how you got on with your scan and chatting to your midwife?

Hi blossom. Came back in to update but it's likely of you to ask. I asked at my scan today and they have booked me in for a cervical length scan at 16 weeks and then based on that result they will get me in with the consultant if needed. They will also scan again at 20 weeks definitely the sonographer said so they can compare the 16 and 20 weeks results. I haven't bothered to call the midwife as hopefully this will be enough. Do you think that will be ok?

That sounds great and really reassuring. Will keep my fingers crossed for you and wish you a happy worry-free pregnancy. Take care.

I had my ds at 31 weeks. I went for scan at 22 weeks with second child and they really really wanted to put a stitch in my cervix and I'm a quite stubborn person. I refused to have the stitch as I didn't want to be messed with Incase it triggered anything. My second son was born at 40 + 2. And third child was born 39+5

I am currently 30 weeks with a stitch, put in at 15 weeks due to having previously had a cervical operation. Also taking progesterone pessaries. All good so far!

Great to hear from you London. And great to hear that you're now at 30 weeks - that's brilliant. How are you feeling? Have you been resting up or pottering on as normal? I'm still feeling so nervous about every little twinge as it's such early days.

Sorry I didn't respond earlier blossom- I didn't see that you had been back for some reason!

I am feeling mostly good- now at 31 weeks I am tired and feeling heavy, and occasionally the weight of the baby on my cervix makes my vagina twang a little bit. However I am still able to work full time and get out and about, and the stitch is holding and not causing any complications as yet.

I really want to go for a swim or do some yoga, but have resisted due to risks of infection and tearing, respectively. So walk about 20 mins twice a day and take it easy when I can.

Sorry to jump on the thread but I've had colposcopies and treatment for CIN 2 twice. I told them at my booking appointment and they didn't say anything about it. I did ask for my midwife to phone me but I haven't heard from her. Is it something I should be worrying about?

Lala, how far along are you?

My understanding is they colposcopies are fine, but that a cone biopsy is not as it impacts structure of cervix.

They may want to monitor you weekly though? Have you ever been told you would need a stitch during pregnancy?