Cerclage

Yes I’ve had one - do you know what one you are having?

@Amy no idea, i have my first appointment with the pre term labour team next week I lost my first pregnancy at 16w 4d due to pprom so they will be monitoring my cervix length and said i can either have it monitored or have a cerclage put in place and I’m undecided but i would rather try the stitch than nothing at all, anything to avoid having another loss again Did it work for you?

I’m now 30 weeks pregnant I had it fitted at 15 weeks, it is definitely worth having so I would recommend especially if you’ve already had the experience you have previously I’d say you would be slightly foolish not to. The chances of success with pregnancy are a lot greater with it then without, the preterm clinic will and should monitor you closely after it’s been fitted until you hit about 24 weeks. But if it’s offered to you then take it!

I had one put in at 21 weeks. Currently 31 weeks and all good so far. It was scary making the decision to go ahead with it, especially as I wasn’t far off the cut off point of having one (my hospital won’t do them after 22 weeks) but I’m so glad I did it. Also on progesterone as well x

@Amy its something I’m definitely going to ask about at my appointment as well as doing my own research at home i know there are a few types but I’m unsure which is best, thank you for commenting i have asked in other groups but its not really a common thing i guess so i struggle getting replies i feel a little lost so its always nice to hear from someone else who has experience with it, is there a specific type of stitch you decided on?

There’s a really good group on here called “short cervix mamas” which I found useful in gathering info etc x

@Kayleigh thank you! Im glad its worked out well for you Its not a decision to take lightly is it even taking new medication is daunting because i don’t have just myself to think about anymore and i want to give baby the best chance, I’ve been taking progesterone pessaries since 7 weeks started aspirin at 12 weeks so really hope we get to bring our baby home this time 🥹 x

I had the shirodkar suture, it’s not your choice which one you have the preterm clinic will decide which one is best suited to yourself and the baby (I didn’t get a choice which one anyway) - but if it’s offered to you I’d take it 100% especially with your previous heart breaking experience. It’s a scary thought etc but 100% worth it in my opinion and I honestly personally believe that without it I wouldn’t be where I am now x

@Amy well that makes me feel a little better that its not me deciding its a big enough decision already as it is i would hate to have the responsibility of choosing 😅 is there anything i need to do before hand to prepare? Ill ask at my appointment anyway but its always nice to hear from someone with experience x

Honestly absolutely nothing to prepare for, just take it easy and rest don’t do anything to straining in general, the procedure is done via a spinal anaesthetic which is similar to an epidural, it’s a very quick and straightforward procedure. Also try not to keep researching things on the internet, it isn’t gonna to help with stress etc I know it’s hard not to, however it’s really important that you have as less stress as possible for you and especially the baby. Xx

I have a cerclage in place since about 15weeks, after 2 previous preterm losses. I’m also on progesterone pessaries. However, there were some concerns when I was about 23wks about the cervix funnelling, which basically means it was opening on the inside and shortening. So I had a long hospital stay until I was 28wks just in case baby comes. I’m now 34wks, cervix measuring 3mm last i checked which is about 6weeks ago. Lol I’m literally hanging by a thread. It’s a miracle. The cerclage helps plus the progesterone however it is very important that you get a lot of rest and avoid physical stress. They don’t tell you that enough. I wish you all the best.

I lost my firstborn at 23+4 weeks due to cervical insufficiency. Currently 38 weeks pregnant with baby number 2, and had the cervical stitch removed 10 days ago. I had the McDonald stitch put in at 19+5 weeks and it definitely did its job!

@Amy i think the spinal is what scares me most at the minute 🙈 i also live in an apartment with no elevator so ill be having to take 2 flights of stairs after having it done Ill try my best not to look things up just trying to have as much knowledge as possible before the appointment so i know what to expect to a certain degree xx

@Zaytun congratulations on making it this far! What an achievement not long to wait now until baby is in your arms, I’m so happy it worked for you hoping it works the same for me 🤞🏻 good luck with the rest of your pregnancy x

@Leah when i was admitted into hospital they did check my cervix length and it was within the normal range, they did tests on my placenta and there was signs of infection but they cant confirm if i got that before or after my waters broke, i did also have abruption and a subchronic hematoma too so hoping progesterone,aspirin and also cerclage will prevent anything and give us the best chance of getting baby here safely, so happy it worked for you! Gives me every bit of hope x

This is exactly what happened with me. I had a placental abruption with my first and that’s what they put it down to. When I got pregnant again, my cervix length was really long and closed but I requested progesterone pessaries anyway at 13 weeks ish, by 19 weeks my cervix had shortened from 41mm to 24mm. So I think the placental abruption was a secondary response to the cervix shortening with my first, as my placenta has been absolutely fine this time.