25mm Cervix length at 20 weeks.... will I need cerclage?

[nattynoo85]

Hello all,

I’ve been told my cervix length is 25mm at 20 weeks and am worried I may need a stitch put in. I am being monitored weekly now to determine if I need a stitch.

My first born arrived 6 weeks early and since then I’ve had lletz treatment, they took 12mm away. Due to this I knew I may have a risk of another premature birth but this time even earlier, hence the cervix length scan at 20 weeks. I have not been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix yet.

Has anyone gone to term or to at least 34 weeks with a cervix as short as 25mm without needing a stitch? I’m so scared to have a stitch put it, it sounds so risky.

Or if anyone has had to have a stitch put in, how was it and did it work?

Many thanks,

Natalie.

Sorry all for late reply been trying to prepare myself mentally for the procedure tomorrow and sort out the logistics with childcare and partners work!

@TenThousandSpoons0 you are right I am so so much more relaxed I’ve made a decision! Although worried about the procedure still I’m not in a crazed mental state like I was yesterday! I signed my consent form yesterday at the hospital and they said my risk is so low of complications. I’m glad I’m not having a general, just for babies sake really, plus I hate them I’ve had a few in my time and the worry doesn’t get easier. I’m glad I will be awake to be honest... although the sleep would be nice haha, I didn’t sleep much last night mixture of worry, needing to wee and the extreme heat! Wishing I could have someone at the hospital with me to calm my nerves as I get really really bad nerves before anything! And a bit of company in recovery would be nice. But as long as all goes ok I will be happy!

@islandislandisland in terms of steroids, I will hopefully be offered the steroids when necessary, but however if I feel I’m close to my time later down the line I won’t hesitate to ask following what we went through with my first born. I understand it’s best used close to the birth as the effects where off but I didn’t realise about the repeated use of them being actually less effective than the initial lot of doses.

Thank you both so much for all your help with this I don’t know what I would have done without you all and your kind and supporting words xxx

@JSLACEFAMILY thank you so much for sharing your story, it really does help to read these good news stories! Especially in my current state and the day before my cerclage procedure! So happy it all worked out for you and that you’re in to the safe zone at 34 weeks! My son was born at that time and he was fine, just a little help with his breathing for a week and a nudge with his feeding and all was fine. He’s 4 now and just amazing but he was a surprise as I didn’t know I had any issues with my cervix at all!

I’m happy with TMI haha, it’s better to have the full story! I would rather take them rectally to be honest as I worry about putting anything in my vagina but have had to as my consultant said that’s the best way.... hoping after the stitch I won’t be doing that, I really haven’t felt confident putting them in vaginally.

I am worried about recovery after the stitch, I hope there’s not too much blood, I panic with blood even if it’s expected... it’s just I’ve had so much bad news with blood being involved in pregnancy it’s an automatic reaction for me. I know every movement I do I will worry and every twinge or pain I will think is this normal? I’m hoping I won’t have to hassle maternity assessment too much but I’m not afraid to pester them haha.

My labour with my son was fast, so worried this labour will be very fast especially if I go in to preterm labour with the stitch in place but I will be looking out for any signs.

Can you feel the stitch? Has it caused you discomfort? I’ve read it feels like there’s a lot of pressure down there due to the tightness....?

I really hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and that the labour is easier compared to the pregnancy. X

So glad to hear everything was well with your son being born at 34 weeks, the t makes me feel a bit more relaxed. I should have my stitch out between 36-37 weeks so not long now.

The spotting after the procedure was barely anything and lasted 2 days. Each trust is different in regards to giving progesterone as well as a stitch but I would 100% ask if you can have it even if it's just for peace of mind that you are doing everything you can. Make sure you have lots of paracetamol at home too.

Don't feel bad about speaking to the assessment unit about any concerns you have after. I have found as soon as you mention your stitch they want to see you and make sure everything is ok.

I know you have a 4 year old but make sure you take it easy the first 2 weeks. My other children are older and were very understanding but rest as much as you can.

In terms of the stitch, there is a bit more pressure and when baby decides to kick/headbutt me in the cervix it definitely feels different to my 2 other pregnancies lol. I can feel it if I go investigating 🙈 and again sorry for TMI but my husband can feel it (if you get what I mean) he says it's strange but not horrible.

I hope it all goes well. Please let me know how you are. Xx

Hi OP, I just wanted to say good luck with the stitch.

My first DS was born at 24 weeks following a stitch at 22 weeks - but my circumstances were different to yours as I had less than 1cm of cervix left and the doctors said in hindsight that I was probably already in pre-labour so the stitch was never going to work. For my second DS I had two stitches put in, plus twice daily progesterone, and he stayed in until 38 weeks. Due to how fabulously incompetent my cervix is, as soon as they took the stitches out they could touch DS2’s head! But my point is that for me the stitches plus progesterone (Cyclogest) were a winning combination. Good luck x

@JSLACEFAMILY thank you so much for your reassurance! I’m glad the bleeding doesn’t last long, I’ve been warned I may have more as I have cervical erosion there so I will try not to freak out! Will definitely push to keep the progesterone!

I’m hoping I get the rest I need when I get home, my four year can be a handful, he’s my shadow bless and always wants me with him. I’m also constantly bending down and picking up after him which I’ve been struggling with already. He also loves to jump around so I’m constantly having to guard my belly! It’s been scary haha.

My partner would know any difference between stitches or no stitches as I’ve banned all of that haha. Been so scared to go anywhere near there! With my son I had spotting after sex so haven’t dared this time round. And god knows it will happen again with two kids around haha.

@CatkinToadflax thank you so much for sharing your experience! It really does help to have the positive stories. But sorry to hear your first son came early at 24 weeks, was he ok? And when was your stitch put in with your second? I’m assuming much earlier than the first time round?

I’m taking cyclogest too, Progesterone is great for an incompetent cervix, But have been told as I have a short cervix from lletz it may not work for me but still trying as my son prior to lletz was 6 weeks early and they don’t know why.

I will keep you all updated on how it goes tomorrow. Feeling nervous to say the least and I’m hope I’m making a big deal out of nothing!

Thank you all xxx

DS1 is good thanks. He’s nearly 15 now! We had a long and very rocky ride through NICU but he did eventually come home. He has complex disabilities and attends a special school but is doing brilliantly well. He’s currently stalking round the house winding up his younger brother, so in that regard at least he’s a perfectly standard teenager!

Sorry, yes, I should have clarified. I had two stitches (top and bottom of cervix) put in at 12 weeks. I’ve never had lletz or equivalent, but because it was so obvious from my previous pregnancy that I’ve got an incompetent cervix, in my case it was a “no brainer” to have the surgery at that early stage (though I believe my consultant may have used slightly more technical language than that!). Good luck x

@CatkinToadflax so glad your Son is doing well, it must have been so frightening in NICU xxx I know that I was worried with my son in NICU when he was 6 weeks early, I didn’t know what to expect really. But then all that worry stays with you for the next pregnancy doesn’t it. I’m so happy the two stitches worked for you with your second Son, I can imagine it wasn’t without stress but at least you carried to term.

Thank you so much for all your support. I will update everyone once it’s all over with tomorrow. Although I’m sure I will be posting some really crazed, anxious message before it all tomorrow! Xxx

Hey ladies..... just a quick question. I’ve been told I’m nil by mouth from midnight...... but I don’t see how I’m going to go without water for 7/8 maybe even 9 hours.... it sounds mad for a pregnant lady. I get dizzy really easy because of my low blood pressure and the fact I’m pregnant does not help.

Did you ladies have any water closer to the procedure? Xx

Water up until 2 hrs before the procedure is totally fine, they’ll mean no food for 8 hrs. Suggest have a late evening snack as well to keep you going. Hope all goes well :)

@nattynoo85 I wasn't allowed any water from midnight before my procedure. It wasn't fun but they checked when I got there and I wouldn't have been allowed the procedure if I had. X

Well I just called the labour ward which is where I will be tomorrow and they said water you to 5am for morning surgery.

But I’m sure consultant said no water after midnight except small sip of water with anti sickness tablet When I wake up.... still confused as to what to do. Maybe they will put an iv drip in me so I don’t need to worry x

Hiya just a message of positivity. I had a very risky stitch out in at 23w after my cervix had gone from 2cm to 0.7 in a week! I had a previous neonatal loss at 24w and was carrying twins. I was majorly high risk, had it put in as an emergency and was given not great odds. Well this September my beautiful identical twin girls will be 7! After the stitch, cyclogest,bed rest and many pre term labour scares they were born healthy but small at 35w+ It wasn't a painful procedure it felt a bit odd afterwards and I bleed for about a week afterwards. At the time I wrote a blog which you might find useful...I'll see if it is still lurking on the internet and link I'd it is! Best of luck it's scary but can work!

@clareykb thank you so much for sharing your positive story! It’s just what I needed right now, the night before the procedure! I’m feeling out once again. It’s amazing how from being so high risk and being given an emergency stitch you carried to 35 weeks, just a miracle really isn’t it! I’ve really got to trust in this procedure. The good news stories are there so I don’t know why I’m so scared. So happy your twin girls arrived safely! Must have been one scary journey for you. I would love to read your blog!! Thank you so much. X

Ahh I’ve just been told I need to have a general now not a spinal so freaking out x

What's the reason for that? It'll be fine, they'll look after you. Have you had a general before?

Because I have low platelets, although I don’t take medication they monitor me every three months but I haven’t had a test since May so they need to do a general as spinal can be risky with low platelets. X

I’ve had at least three generals before I’m more worried about the baby x

@nattynoo85 Thinking of you. Let us know how you get on.

Hope all goes ok today OP, sorry you've got to have a general, am sure all will be fine though

So I’m still living, baby is fine and all went ok. They found it more difficult than expected to put in the stitch than originally thought as my external cervix length was very small. They had to do a Shirodkar stitch in the end which meant a small incision in to my cervix and more bleeding. I’m under for observation as my blood pressure keeps dropping really low and I’ve got quite a lot of blood loss.... which is worrying me big time. But hopefully it will lighten up.

Baby is moving about and I’m so happy to be feeling him again xx

Glad you and baby are ok. Hopefully this is the start of things feeling more positive x

That’s great that you’re all done, worst part is over now!

Thank you all xxxx

I will be happier when the blood lightens up. I now have rash all over my belly which has topped it but they think it’s an allergic reaction to the cleaning solution they put in my belly in theatre hopefully the antihistamine they’ve just given me clears it so I can stop worrying! X

Thinking of you Natty. Good to hear that it’s in!

Hi @nattynoo85 Sorry things were a bit more complicated than expected but glad that they managed to put your stitch in. Please rest and take care of yourself. Xx

Thank you lovely people xxxxx