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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Third pregnancy- will I need a cervical stitch again?!

13 replies

Salina2 · 05/12/2021 21:18

Pregnant for the 3rd time (14 weeks) my first son who is 4 was born prem (26 weeks) my second was born at (35 weeks).

With my second I had a cervical stitch put in place, also had to insert cyclogest pessaries once a day.

I have my app with a consultant tomorrow who I'm guessing will discuss the stitch again and go through the whole process once again.

I had an awful experience with the removal of the cervical stitch which is making me anxious to go through with it again, but I will do it to keep my baby in as long as possible.

I wanted to know if anyone has experienced anything similar and after having the stitch once went on to have another one, or didn't have to have the stitch again.

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Sa79au · 05/12/2021 21:27

Hey congratulations on the pregnancy - I have 5 kids and had a cervical stitch with all of them- eldest now 20 and youngest coming up to 7 - every time apart from the first pregnancy the stitch was removed at 37 weeks

Hiphopskotch · 05/12/2021 21:37

Hi, I'm not in quite the same situation as my first wasn't premature - but I had the stitch in my first pregnancy and not my second. Essentially in my second pregnancy I was borderline on needing it according to the length of my cervix. They offered me regular (weekly) scans throughout my second trimester to see what was happening - and my cervical length stabilised. There were other tests they did too in order to conclude they were content to let me go without the stitch (can't remember those but the point is they took very good care of me). My baby came at 37 weeks exactly.

Re. the removal of the stitch - were you offered gas and air for this? If you weren't, and you end up having it again, I would insist on this. I was told women often have the stitch removed with no pain relief at all, but they gave me gas and air and I'm so glad they did.

Best of luck with your pregnancy.

Hiphopskotch · 05/12/2021 21:40

Also just to add - you've had two premature babies haven't you. I'm no medic but I wonder if you should prepare yourself for being advised to have the stitch, and focus on how to manage its removal as far as possible so that it isn't a traumatic experience for you. Best of luck.

Original poster

Salina2 · 05/12/2021 22:59

@Sa79au do you mind me asking if you were offered the stitch due to your cervix shuttering or other reasons? I'm happy to hear all your pregnancies were healthy and a success with the stitch

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Original poster

Salina2 · 05/12/2021 23:03

@Hiphopskotch thank you, do you mind me asking why you had the stitch for your first pregnancy?

So with my first they detected an infection after my son was born, so for the second they did regular internal scans and it shown my cervix shortening and were afraid it could lead to another premature labour so I had the stitch at 21 weeks.

I am prepared to have the stitch this time also, the removal of the stitch was done early due to my waters breaking just before 35 weeks, the stitch was attempted to be removed with just gas and air but it was excruciating, the skin had grown over the stitch and they had to give me an epidural and induce labour to stop the risk of infection.

I have a lot more knowledge on the cerclage this time so I'm hoping for a smoother stitch and removal of it.

Thank you for sharing

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Sa79au · 06/12/2021 22:19

Hi - I lost a baby at 20 weeks gestation - the consultant at the time suggested a stitch is put in for any future pregnancies - got pregnant a few months later and I had a stitch put in - think the shridokhar stitch at 14 weeks - my waters went at 34 weeks but not sure why - stayed in hospital for monitoring and then a natural labour at 37 weeks - every pregnancy since then I had a stitch - gave me reassurance too - they didn’t check the cervix length before any procedure just in the normal scans I had which were every 4 weeks - every time stitch was taken out at 37 weeks - although uncomfortable was quite quick procedure - baby 2 born at 38 weeks, baby 3 at 39 weeks 5 days, baby 4 40 weeks (appt was booked for induction!) and baby 5 was an induction due to gestational diabetes so induced at 39 weeks- let me know if u have any further qs

Original poster

Salina2 · 07/12/2021 12:39

@Sa79au sorry to hear about your loss, but also so happy to hear all your successful pregnancies after that. I am booked on to have the stitch tomorrow, I know it's for the best and will help the baby stay in a lot longer. Thank you for sharing with me. I guess I was just feeling a little anxious which is quite normal, but am ready to have it done.

One question I had was, how careful was you after the stitch, I know heavy lifting is not allowed but I have a 4 year old and a nearly 2 year old so I still have to be quite active.

OP posts:

Sa79au · 07/12/2021 18:28

Hi - I was quite careful but when I had my second child the first one was just under 2 - with the 5th one my youngest was 3 so had to remain active - I didn’t do a lot of heavy lifting but life was pretty normalish - I was working full time with all the pregnancies but I could feel something down there - hard to describe t b h - luckily my job was sitting down a lot so I think that helped a lot - didn’t really have a social life for months but I didn’t mind - for me the goal was to get to 37 weeks! let me know if you have any more qs

Sa79au · 07/12/2021 18:29

Also after the op I did have a week off just to make sure I didn’t cause anything

boymum88 · 07/12/2021 20:32

Hey lovely if your on fb look at joining incompetent cervix uk -pregnancy related.

I had a stitch for my 2nd ds as 1st was born at 28 weeks.
I was very careful no heavy lifting ( was lucky Dh was working from home-so he did it all) complete pelvic rest, was signed off work as work in a high risk area (covid) and to much manual handling
I know other mums got wee steps for the car so you don't have to lift, getting the kids to come to you and climb on your lap or sit on the floor
Prob is each hospital give slightly different guidance on what they are happy for you to do, most important is listen to your body, you will soon know if your have done to much

Sa79au · 08/12/2021 06:55

Good luck Salina2 for today - hope all goes well - thinking of you xx 💐

Original poster

Salina2 · 09/12/2021 17:51

Just wanted to update, I had the cervical stitch (cerclage) put in yesterday, was successful and I was sent home the same day. Resting as much as I can. Hoping for a full term baby and a healthy pregnancy.

Thank you for all sharing and giving me the support I needed

OP posts:

Sa79au · 09/12/2021 20:14

So glad to hear that - keeping everything crossed for you - keep us posted and don't hesitate if you want to chat xx

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