22 weeks rescue stitch

[LuckyNo14]

Hi everyone,

Background - 12 first trimester losses, 2 ectopics. Now 21+5 with the help of immune treatment. Noted to have a shortened cervix at 16 weeks (25mm). Have been getting bi weekly cervical length scans.

2 days ago went for routine cervical length scan noted to be 18mm & funnelling. Booked for a stitch the next days.

Went in yesterday, speculum showed just under 1cm dilated & they could see the scan through it. Had a rescue stitch put in under spinal.

I feel absolutely fine. Just looking for some stories. I’ve been set home on modified rest - no work, feet up as much as possible but not complete bed rest. I’m on Cyclogest anyway which hasn’t seemed to have helped at all.

Any stories or advice welcome (ideally success stories to settle my nerves) ❤️

Hiya,

I had second trimester loss at 18+4 and was advised that I would need a stitch with my next pregnancy.

With my next pregnancy told them about my loss and they done cervical scan and at 16 weeks my cervix has shortened to 16mm and funnelling was advised to get the stitch which I did along with cyclogest. And was advised to go on sick leave and to rest.
I had a scan every two weeks and cervix kept shortening and funnelling but the stitch was doing the job. I then spent three weeks in hospital due to the cervix opening to 1cm but it then closed I was advised that the cervix is a muscle and that it does open and close by itself.
By the end of the 3 weeks my cervix had closed and scans had supported that including speculum exams. And they were happy to send me home and then to be seen every 2 weeks again by the pre term doctor.

I did end up giving birth at 30+3 due to infection I had but if I didn't have the infection they were confident that I would have gone full term.
My daughter was in special baby unit for 5 weeks and now is home and healthy.

My advice is just to relax if possible and just think positive I was so nervous for my whole
Pregnancy and suffered with prenatal depression but I received help with my doctor which is so helpful.

Thoughts are with you for a healthy pregnancy which I'm sure you will
Have! The stitch has great results!

Wishing you all the best!

Hi @tashambr thank you so much! 30
weeks is my goal at the moment. Obviously every week is a celebration though. I’m slightly anxious as they don’t want to check my cervix again although I’m not sure they could do anything even if my cervix is worse. What kind of infection did you have? Did you have symptoms of infection?

I had a stitch with my second after they found my cervix shortening around the same time as you. Had already had a premature 34 weeker and was really worried about baby coming too early , so I was really pleased to get the stitch in. Had regular scans every 3 weeks and was very nervous throughout. Went to get checked out whenever I thought there was a sign of infection or water leakage etc. I lost my mucus plug around 35 weeks so they took the stitch out and I laboured normally after that and gave birth at 35+1 .
Take it easy and get seen if you have any concerns along the way. Good luck !

Honestly I was the same every week was a victory and I use to speak to the bump telling her to stay in another week! I was so relieved when I hit 24 weeks!

They told me the same they didn't want to disturb my cervix just in case which made me anxious as well they only looked when they were doing a fnf test to see if It was a possibility I would go in pre term labour.

I suffered with uti 3 times but cleared with antibiotics but this last infection they couldn't place cause I had no symptoms but I had a abrupted placenta which cause me to go into labour so that's where they think the infection was.

@LemonDrizzle89 thank you ❤️ did you lose your mucus plug with the stitch intact?

@tashambr thats so scary!! I’m slightly worried because they could see my membranes through my cervix but the consultant said it was like looking through a pin prick it wasn’t open a lot. I had antibiotics in theatre but didn’t have any of discharge so I’m worried about possible infection getting to the sac.

This is the furthest I’ve got so I genuinely don’t know what it normal pregnancy symptoms and what isn’t. Such a worry but really am doing all I can do to keep them in. I’ve been talking to my bump like you @tashambr saying they better stay in for at least 8 weeks minimum 😂

Yeah lost my mucus plug with the stitch in.

Honestly I was the same I went in to get checked and they said I was 1cm dilated with the membrane bulging out and they sent me to Chelsea and west minster hospital for 3 weeks for bed rest, it was so scary but they scanned me once a week and on the third week they said my cervix has closed with the membrane going back inside as well that's when they advised me that the cervix does contract and then go back to normal. And that some women who have the second child sit at 1cm in their second pregnancy cause the cervix is a muscle so don't worry to much about that but the bed rest done wonders for me!

Have you had more discharge then Normal since you've had the stitch cause I was so worried I would be able to tell the difference I use to take pictures to show the doctors but they all put my mind to rest that it was just discharge.
I'm was the same I couldn't tell what was normal but I know lightening crouch is real and completely normal as well.
But any pain or anything I wasn't certain I did ring the maternity unit.

Did they talk to you about the steroid shots and the magnesium drip yet?

Oh that’s good to know! Hopefully mine does the same. I’ve read so many positive stories but just felt like my consultant wasn’t oozing with confidence. So I only had it 2 days ago, so I’m still spotting but it’s went from red blood to like a watery pink so I don’t know if that’s just mixed with discharge or if it’s something to worry about. My gut is telling me it’s okay the now.

When I asked her about steroids & magnesium she said she didn’t want to talk to me about it too much but would if she had to talk to me about it. She said they don’t give steroids in my trust unless they think labour is imminent or threatened because they don’t have as much of an effect if they’re given then no labour for weeks. But from what I’ve read on here everyone was basically getting steroids at 24 weeks?

Yeah I had the red blood after the stitch and then it turned light pink then stopped that's normal. Also the way they placed mine I could feel my stitch which I normal but no one told me that! And you have an increase of discharge which is normal.

Yeah I was told steroids work best with the 24 hours of getting them I got it at 25 weeks cause they thought labour was imminent but it wasn't then gave me one more when I actually went into labour. The magnesium they give you if you go into early labour it's rough for the first 30 mins but after that if all good but I'm sure you won't need it!

Don't worry to much with consultants they have to prepare for the worst but hope for the best mine was the same and the doctors.

@tashambr yes!! I can feel the stitch too, it’s almost like I’ve got a tampon in? 😂 thank you so much! You have put my mind at ease. Hopefully, I can get to my goal at the minimum and anything after that is a bonus ❤️

It really does I was so worried I went to triage cause I thought something was wrong!

I know it's a worrying time but try and enjoy it as well it goes by so fast before you know it your little bundle of joy will be here!

Wishing you all the best you for you and your bundle of joy you are going to smash it!

Yes I lost my plug with the stitch still intact. So they took it out straight away in case I went into full labour with it in! I would definitely say that the stitch helped me to last until 35 weeks. Without it my consultant said my babies would be earlier and earlier. So would have almost certainly been very premature without it .

No experience but just wanted to say I’ve so much hope for you! ❤️

@Mumofoneson5 thank you so much, you honestly don’t know how much your message made to me ❤️

@tashambr thank you ❤️

@LemonDrizzle89 I’ve read so many positive stories about mums like you who have lasted to 35 weeks & beyond. Thank you ❤️