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!

I'm 14 weeks. No I gave them my history of abnormal smears and they didn't say anything. I think maybe because the lletz treatment was done at the same time as the colposcopies they didn't need to take much? I don't really know but I will definitely be asking my midwife more about it when I see her in two weeks. Assuming I don't get hold of her before then which I doubt!

Thanks for getting back to me London, that's great to hear that you're doing so well and have been able to keep pretty active. Wishing you well for the next stretch.

Lala, I think it's definitely worth chatting with your midwife or someone from your local midwife team about the possibility of having a cervical scan. Just so they can check that all looks good and find out if you'll need any extra care or monitoring. If you do a search then there's lots of ladies on MN who have had similar experiences and can offer guidance.

DixieNormas thanks for sharing your positive story. It's so reassuring to hear of these happy outcomes.

Lala I agree, it's worth being a bit pushy. They should definitely measure your cervix and ensure it isn't shortening or dilating prematurely.

they may not put a stitch in, but would be good to be checked preventively

Hi lala, I would definitely push to be checked just in case. It will put your mind at ease so keep asking for it. I am now 38 weeks and am having a elcs tomorrow, I never thought I would make it after a difficult year last year but I have! I did have to take the private route for the stitch but that was my choice. I still had to ask the NHS sonographers to check the stitch via ultrasound every time though! I did feel that I had to take things into my own hands and be proactive with my research to make sure everything was being done right. After last year I felt I had to and I never want to live with regretting not doing certain things again. Best of luck with everything! X

Oh sending you good wishes for your section tomorrow Harveyrabbit! How brilliant to have made it to 38 weeks and be ready to meet your lovely little one! X

Thanks for the responses.

I'm just worried that I'll be fobbed off by the midwife, and if I push for a scan and my cervix was found to be a problem would it not be too late to get a stitch?

Congratulations Harvey and how exciting!

Not too late, no.

They can either put them in preventatively (as in my case) or in response to a premature shortening / dilation of the cervix. They can only be put in up to a certain number of weeks, though- I can't remember what the cut off point is.

Apparently the success rate is better to have them put in preventatively, rather than in an emergency situation, so it's definitely better to push and have it booked in if needed than to wait until there is a problem.

Good luck!!

Not too late, no.

They can either put them in preventatively (as in my case) or in response to a premature shortening / dilation of the cervix. They can only be put in up to a certain number of weeks, though- I can't remember what the cut off point is.

Apparently the success rate is better to have them put in preventatively, rather than in an emergency situation, so it's definitely better to push and have it booked in if needed than to wait until there is a problem.

Good luck!!

Thanks London

I'll talk to her about it at my 16 week appointment and if I don't get anywhere with that I've found a place near me that do private cervical scans for £79. So i can book one of those if needs be :)

How far along are you now, remind me?

I'm 14+4

If it were me I would err on the side of caution and see if they can scan you earlier. But then, I am a paranoid nut bar at times!

Just I know I was 3cm dilated at 15 weeks- they only noticed because that was when I was booked in for scan. I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't been booked in!

However you have a different clinical history than I do, so you probably aren't even at high risk!

I've googled a lot and there's so much conflicting advice. Some of it says only cone biopsies can potentially cause cervical problems. Some of it says I should be monitored anyway. It's so confusing. I'd like to thank that if I was high risk they wouldn't have just brushed over it.

I left a message for the midwife again yesterday so hopefully she will get back to me soon.

I'm staying positive but if something was to go wrong because of my cervix I'd never forgive myself for not getting it checked.

*think not thank!

Hi Lala, try not to fret too much - you're doing exactly the right thing by giving your midwife a call. Is she based at a health centre or surgery as they might be able to chase it up for you? Hope it all goes well and let us know how you get on. And if they do scan you and find an issue then be reassured that they can put a stitch in so quickly. After a scan showed shortening my stitch was in 24 hours later!

That's good to know thanks.

I've phoned the children's centre where they're based as well as my doctors where I see them and they were both useless basically. I'm not holding out much hope on getting a response!

Hi everyone
Just to let you know that I had a baby girl on Tuesday and all is well. The stitch has even been left in for 'next time'!! I would strongly encourage you scream and shout until you get the treatment and monitoring that makes you feel reassured. It was hard for someone like me to do as I don't like causing problems but totally necessary. If I can beat the odds to have a baby then truly anyone can!!

That's lovely news Harvey congratulations on your baby girl

Thank you!!

Oh that's beautiful news, Harveyrabbit! Congratulations and well done! Enjoy your precious little girl.

Aww huge congrats HarveyRabbit!!!! Enjoy getting to know your little girl!!!!

Hopefully in just under 8 weeks I will have a similar announcement to make :-). But a boy.

And Lala, yes, I have had two cone biopsies so did meet the clinical indicators. My advice would be to keep chasing and ensure that when they scan you, they look at your cervix. If you are really anxious, £79 isn't THAT much to pay for a private scan, then you can go back to NHS if need be.

I have my first cervical scan on Tuesday when I will be 16 weeks. I have had 2 LLETZ and hoping it's all ok. Any cervical twinges I get are making me very paranoid at the moment.

Hi Diva, I had my first scan at just under 16 weeks too. Rest assured if there's a problem then they can put a stitch in very quickly. Mine went in less than 24 hours after a scan showed shortening and that's at a busy NHS hospital. Good luck and try not to worry too much in the meantime

London, a little boy - how lovely! I've got a DS who's 2 1/2 and am expecting another boy - lots of fun! Wishing you well in the weeks ahead.

My midwife finally called me back and said they only scan if you've had a cone biopsy as that takes more of the cervix, or if you have any problems so I'm guessing like bleeding or something? She just said it's fine for me to go ahead with the private scan but it might show up other problems that would worry me which obviously if there are problems with my cervix it's a good thing to find out and they'll look at the baby and if there are any problems there I'd find out at my 20 week scan anyway!! So I've booked my private scan for next weekend :)