Cervical length / stitch

[pgm24]

Hello,

For those who have had the cervical stitch, would they put this in on the same day as the cervical length scan if needed? Does a consultant scan you?

I have my first cervix length scan soon and do not know what to expect. Thank you.

Hi, I was monitored for 8 weeks before my cervix started shortening.

so it depends, if it goes from 28mm to 8mm then perhaps it’s done sooner rather than later.

mine went down by a few mms and I opted to rescan a week later and found it had gone down again. So at 23 weeks I had it put in- which was roughly two weeks after first finding out it was being reduced in length

I hope that helps

for me there was a specialist who scanned me - the consultant was around (in the building) but you’d have a specialist scan

No, they monitored me for another week and then booked me in for a stitch after the second scan. I don't think they would do it in the same day but if it was needed urgently it could be as soon as the next day. I had a sonographer for the scan and then saw a consultant for the results and follow up.

In my last pregnancy I was scanned by senior sonographers at 14 weeks and 15 weeks and although the length was acceptable it was agreed a stitch would be put in anyway. I was consented on the Thursday and it was done on the Monday. I went to the labour ward in the morning and it was a case of waiting for the labour ward theatres to be free (no EMCS) they will literally pencil you in for when they are available as such. You are very low priority against labouring women but everyone was lovely and there was quite an audience as it was a technically challenging operation (a lot of cervical scarring from previous surgeries).

Keep in mind it is a procedure and it will be planned and prepped for. The recovery is very fast, you should go home the same day after you’ve regained the use of your legs and you’ve passed urine. You will still have progesterone pessaries for your pregnancy. Any other questions, feel free to ask

Thank you very much :)

Hi how do you know if or when you need a stitch? does the songographer check everyones length at 12 weeks? How long should the cervix be?

@LavenderInTheField hi, for me I have had an extensive procedure on my cervix and quite a chunk removed. So I am booked in for frequent cervical length scans to check. I am not sure what the averages are.

I had a cone biopsy folled by a LLETZ a few years ago. Although I don't know how 'bad' it was and how much tissue was removed. I have an appointment with the consultant in a couple of weeks (currently 14w pregnant) but I don't know what the likely outcome of that will be. In your experience do you think I'll be offered the cervical length scanning, or do you think it depends on the details of the LLETZ procedure as to whether they follow up? Ideally I'd like to have the scans for reassurance.

@LavenderInTheField I think you will definitely be offered a cervical length scan in this situation. I think it's protocol if you have had two procedures, to scan at 16,18 and 20 weeks x

Thanks @pgm24 for your response. I'll keep my fingers crossed that that's the case. I guess I found it a bit confusing if I had two procedure or one. Because surely they wouldn't just perform a lletz without doing a biopsy first? So everyone who has had a lletz must have had two procedures no?

@LavenderSweetPea when I had my lletz, they could see straight away just by the colposcopy that I needed the cells removing, so did not do a biopsy beforehand. X

@pgm24 ahhh fair enough, I didn't know they could tell without a biopsy. I'll try to push to get the scans then in that case.

A punch biopsy is very different to a cone biopsy. A punch biopsy takes very little itty bitty samples to be analysed to confirm suspected concerns. Having a LLETZ after a punch biopsy would be considered one procedure. A cone biopsy takes a much larger chunk than the LLETZ and if a cone biopsy is done after a punch biopsy then it’s also considered as one procedure.

Ime these indicators don’t always flag to inexperienced midwives so make sure you request an urgent early appointment with a consultant as they will put you on the pathway for cervical length scans and cerclage.

I don’t know if someone else answered this but cervical length scans are definitely not done as routine, they have to be requested specifically and are done internally (I wasn’t aware and let’s just say dressed quite unbefittingly)

Ah I see, thanks @CostaDelPatio I actually don't know what type of biopsy I had. It was all NHS though so it'll be in my notes somewhere. Fortunately my midwife took my concern at the booking in appointment seriously enough and booked me in with the consultant at 16w. I assume the consultant won't scan me there and then but will book me in at a later date if required, but I think I'll wear a dress just in case!

I do know all about needing internal scans when you're not dressed right. My last pregnancy was ectopic and of course I ended up in a and e in dungarees. I was in pain and tbh pretty much hysterical but I do also remember thinking I couldn't believe that was the day I decided to dress a one piece.