Anyone have a cervical cerclage?

krdesi

So, because I have had a cone biopsy in the past (biopsy of my cervix due to irregular cells), the doctors have recommended I have a few more ultrasounds to monitor my cervical length. I have the first cervical length ultrasound next Tuesday at 16w2d and they OB mentioned today that if it is showing that it's shortening or opening, that I would require a "cervical cerclage" which to my dismay meant stitching my cervix closed! That freaked me out of course, and I really hope that my cervix is normal because it is so early to be going down the cervical shortening stages!

I know some other ladies on here had some cervical issues and was wondering if anyone had had the stitch? Was is totally awful? Can you go about your normal routine afterwards or are you on restrictions?

 

amb2013

In didn't need one but it was a possibility that they discussed, I'm currently 38 weeks 4 days with a singleton. But because I lost twins around 24 weeks last pregnancy, it was considered but since this pregnancy is a singleton they just prescribed progesterone from week 16 through 36. I have a cousin who recently was in similar shoes as you a d they assumed she would need cerclage due to cone biopsy but she never did! She actually was overdue and carried to 41 weeks with no complications. Hope you hear from women who had one to hear the experience. I hope you don't even need it! Also, check the high risk board. Good luck!

ThereBeDragons

I have a cerclage. It was placed under general anesthesia and I never had more pain than a Tylenol could cure- and even that was only the day of.

Restrictions depend on the state of your cervix at the time of placement and how stable your cervix is once the cerclage is placed. Some women get a preventative cerclage at 13-16 weeks (usually indicated by a prior loss) and have no restrictions. Some women get a cerclage because of a moderately short measurement and will have minimal restrictions. Some of us get a cerclage because our cervix is only measuring 1cm instead of 4cm, and wind up with a list of restrictions ranging from no heavy lifting, limited physical activity, all the way up to hospital bed rest.

I started with restricted activity- 1hr of movement a day, no lifting- I could still do my grocery shopping but that was all I could do in a day. My OB moved me over to full bed rest a few weeks later- and I'll be in bed (mine or the hospital) until my cerclage is removed (32 or 36 weeks- i forget which) or I deliver. 

But my cervix is hanging out at 1.3-1.5cm and I have a prior loss- so bed rest was expected.

thecuddleeffect

I have incompetent cervix, because of that I chose to get the TAC (transabdominal cerclage) which is a permanent band around the top of my cervix. I think its good that your Dr is being proactive about cervical length. If I had received a TVC (trans vaginal cerclage - which you would get) I would have had it placed at 14w and I would have been on bedrest the remainder of my pregnancy.  That being said, you dont have history of incompetent cervix, just of the biopsy, so really you could be fine. With a TVC they place a stitch through your cervix towards the lower part (what they can access vaginally) it is then removed at aroudn 34-36w in hopes for a normal vaginal delivery. If your cervix continues to funnel to the stitch they may modify your activity level. Please ask me any specific questions you would like, I kind of a "cervix junkie". Good luck!

krdesi

Thanks for the replies, ladies!

This all sounds really scary with anesthesia involved! Anesthesia gives me a panic attack!

I have never been pregnant before now, so I don't have any history other than the biopsy, but I am really upset that none of this was discussed when I got the biopsy, even though I asked what potential risks for the future were. The new OB also said that they were shocked that I even had a biopsy for what my diagnosis was and they would have never done something so severe for that. Really frustrating to think about!

I really hope that everything goes well and my cervix is behaving right now! I'm sorry you girls had to deal with such stress!