Tan discharge and pelvic pain three weeks after McDonald cerclage

[Caffeinelover01]

Hi all I am 3 weeks and 3 days post McDonald cerclage. It’s been a couple days I’m having pelvic pain I went to triage they given me thrush pessary which hasn’t worked I am having tan coloured discharge and I am freaking out I will attach a pic please (GROSS I KNOW!) can anyone tell me if they have experience this type colour in pregnancy or while having a stitch in I have looked online can’t seem to find any threads for abit of peace x

Hopefull bump 😭

I'm sorry I can't be much help as I can't see the photos and haven't had the procedure you are discussing, but I didn't want to read and run.
As I said, I can't give any medical advice, but I can confirm that I had a range of multi-coloured discharge during my, very straightforward and unproblematic, pregnancy. I was already suffering from heightened anxiety during my pregnancy and must admit I was worried every time the discharge changed colour but, every time I checked it out with triage, they told me it was perfectly normal so I very much hope the same is true for you. The fact that triage have seen you and prescribed pessaries is positive news. I had thrush during pregnancy, causing itching and some discharge, but it quickly cleared up with treatment and I was advised that it was extremely common in pregnancy and nothing to worry about.
If it helps, I believe that discharge during pregnancy is a good thing as it is your vagina's way of helping to prevent bacterial infections. Unfortunately, I feel like increased discharge during pregnancy is not widely discussed enough and so can come as something of a surprise when it happens! We all know about the other common symptoms, morning sickness, breast tenderness, etc. but this is one of the many delightful pregnancy surprises that doesn't get talked about much for some reason! Also, while brown discharge can be blood, I was advised that it is usually old blood and therefore considerably less concerning than red blood. It may therefore be remnants from the procedure you had, but the colour suggests it is a few weeks old rather than anything ongoing. Hope some of this helps. Wishing you all the best.

@Everlore thank you so much for your lovely reply.. I hope it is something from the procedure I had it’s just that 2 of my baby’s passed and my anxiety does not let me think positive I wish I wasn’t like this !

Is it brown or more yellow? Does it smell? Any swelling/itching? Looks yellow on my screen (thrush related) and defo increase in discharge is associated with pregnancy, and with infection, it’s your body trying to manage the situation.

When are you being seen again? Do you have a follow up? How many weeks are you? Is baby moving reg pattern?

I always say, if in doubt, check it out. Put your mind at rest.

Hi @HVPRN it’s like a beige type and yes a little itchy externally also swabs have been sent off. I also have a cervical scan on Tuesday .. it feels like forever away 😩 I’m 17 weeks today just want it to go away I think having the cerclage in makes me more anxious 😬

have you tried asking over in Reddit short cervix support? There are a lot of sutured cervixes over there! I’d say old blood/general healing could easily be a reason for the continued coloured discharge. I’m assuming this is an early preventative suture? Can you contact the consultant/team that did it and run your symptoms by them? Agree with the sentiment of if in doubt check it out. I’d want to rule out infection even if it’s really unlikely, that way you can free brain space for nicer things!

@aLogLady hey thanks for ur reply.. i did go today had a swab done and waiting for the results my cervix was clothes and stitch looked oka on speclum but still have pain.. they think its BV or thrush …

@Caffeinelover01 not great about infection if they’re right but great that it’s being looked at as now it can be treated. Well done going in. Glad to hear the stitch looks good and cervix closed. Hopefully it’ll all settle down quickly. is the pain bad? Do a look at short cervix support, the folks over there are massive advocates of the stitch, so hopefully can make you feel a bit less nervous (though obvs nothing will make you feel relaxed). I’m on progesterone only as stitch wasn’t possible, but I def wanted one.

I was actually in a similar situation Thursday with some pink spotting and mild itching (cervix has been 11-14mm since 16 weeks) and they kept me in overnight for monitoring as I was too scared for speculum exam, got a tv scan and still closed. Swabbed too so we’ll see, but no further symptoms. Solidarity!

@aLogLady yes I joined Reddit and it looks good.. may I ask why the stitch wasn’t possible for you? How far are you now ?? Also how long till your swabs are back

@Caffeinelover01 they said a few days for the swabs as they need to grow the bacteria in culture to see what’s there. I had a very thorough lletz two years ago and the surgeon removed all of my external cervix (but said he’d just taken 1/4). I only found out the severity of it during this pregnancy or I’d have had trans abdominal cerclage pre ivf.

but I’m 27 weeks now, which felt impossible at 16 weeks. They think the scar tissue from surgery could be helping. I’m very much hoping for 32 weeks, but one week at a time.

sorry I wasn’t clear there, when they went to do the cerclage they realised there was no external cervix left to access.

Oh bless you I pray to god u make it full term.. I have had 2 baby losses 1 full tern and 1 22 weeks. My full term delivery ruined my cervix it got torn so it’s very weak last time I had a emergency stich at 21 weeks in 2022 whic failed one week later now 4 years on I got it at 13 weeks in 17 weeks I just want to make it to 24 weeks so I can breathe .. I feel so alone and isolated nobody understands how I truly feel

Also @aLogLady next wee at 28 weeks you reach the magic week ♥️ are you on any restrictions??

@Caffeinelover01 yes I know I seriously can’t believe it! Wish I could go back in time and comfort my distraught self at 16 weeks.

just pelvic rest, so no impact sports, heavy lifting or intercourse. Oh no swimming or baths. First few weeks i lay down any time I wasn’t active while I found out if my cervix was actively shortening, but that was self prescribed. But I’ve been walking ~4-5 miles a day without issue. But am stopping that after the bit of blood, at least for a week while I see if everything is stable. It’s a weird balance to get as I’m at risk of blood clots if not active but guilty feeling when too active heh.

How about you? What’s their care plan for you going forward?

@aLogLady so I’m on no intercourse only and no heavy lifting in the first week I had bed rest and after that I got active I have 3 LC who are all under 9 so it’s not really a choice for me.. but I still take it easy I cook clean and stop when I need do and do my kids school run..

yesterday I was a complete wreck I cried and cried all day my brain just does not have any good hormones left after all the trauma I have been through but today the pain is a lot better and discharge has calmed down a little let’s hope it stays that way as it’s only the start of the day 😩

its the worst when there are symptoms coming so you’re on constant high alert rather than just being able to trust in the stitch in the background. But they will be able to treat whatever is causing the pain and discharge, and then you can get back to not being constantly reminded about your risks. I’ve only ever had early losses so I can’t imagine the level of stress you must feeling, but I do hope once this blip clears up you can get back to managing your busy household as a welcome distraction and start counting the weeks down/up.xx

Yeah I also have a cervical scan on Tuesday cannot wait for that I will deffo update you on here it’s nice to have some company even tho it’s remotely ♥️ every Saturday is a new week for me so each Saturday me and the kids have a nice breakfast to celebrate another week and the kids dad if he’s not at work 🤭♥️

@Caffeinelover01 aww its Saturday for me too! We celebrate in bed by reading the next stage in the nhs book and on the website with a cup of tea :) and mum always texts with the next vegetable haha. Glad to hear you have some nice moments in amongst the worry ♥️

Well let’s update this thread every Saturday and celebrate each others milestone 🌺

@Caffeinelover01 absolutely!! X

Hii! Hope your well I had my internal US today and she given me 2 measurements for my cervix one was 2.4 cm and one was 2.9 but she said she’s sticking with 2.9.. I’m so confused by this but cervix is good no and closed tight

I had this from two weeks after my cerclage until it was removed at 33+1 when my waters broke. I was scared it was a sign of infection and got swabbed and tested regularly, but it was just my body’s way of keeping everything around the stitch clean and lubricated. We worked out that the slightly tan/yellow colour was due to minute blood cells in the discharge because the cervix is so sensitive and having a cord through it caused minor irritation. So the discharge was my body’s way of keeping the irritated area with replenished cells.

Good luck!

@KittyFantastica yes I hope it’s the same for me! Thank you so much for your message x

Ah that’s a good length either which way @Caffeinelover01 usually when I have a scan they measure it about 5+ times and try to work out what the truest measurement is and stick with that. You’ll get to recognise your cervix on the scan and what looks normal for it :)

oh I actually wrote the above message a few days ago but when I came here to wish you a happy new gestational age (18 today?) my message loaded in the box unsent!
Hope you’re snuggling in bed with the kids reading the next week on the nhs page! :)

Hii! @aLogLady thank you! I am indeed in bed with my kiddos❤️ yes I’m 18 weeks today.. how many r u? Is it 28!! The magic week.. I hope you keep going this way.. and is my CL good you reckon ? I’m not good with the measurements at all