Cerclage info

elvis_cbw

I just got back from my 1 month follow up after my late loss in February.  They had originally thought it was a placental abruption, but the pathology results showed an infection.

OB believes I have a weak cervix.  He suggested a cerclage for the next pregnancy.  I understand technically how it works, but can someone tell me their experience with a cerclage so I know what to expect?  Were you put on bedrest?  Were you restricted in your activities?  How often are you checked on?  Any information is appreciated.

kikis7780

Sorry to hear about your loss. I cannot even imagine going through that.

I had an emergency cerclage placed at 19 1/2 weeks. We went in for our big u/s and my shortened cervix was discovered. I was admitted to L&D and the next day had the cerclage. My experience wasn't bad at all- scary because it was all such a shock, but overall it wasn't bad. I was in the hospital for 5 days and then sent home on strict bedrest afterwards. I've been on BR since and will be until our little guy arrives. I have bathroom & shower privileges and that's about it. I go every week to get my cervix checked.

My drs have told me that for future pregnancies, they'll automatically give me a cerclage after 1st trimester and then i'll be on bedrest again.

It's different for everyone, but I hope this info helps you.

elvis_cbw

Yes, it does help.  To be honest I am a little overwhelmed.  I've never had so much as a stitch on my finger or been in hospital for anything major other than having Ben, so this scares the shiit out of me (I'm such a wimp!).  Is it normal to be on BR with a cerclage or is that just because you had an emergency cerclage?

lanva

I've had 2 preventative cerclages due to IC.  They do a spinal block so u're numb from waist down.  It's outpatient and usually done in the OR where they do c-sec's.  It looks like fishing wire/thick dental floss.  They stitched me at the top and at the bottom of cervix.  My 1st one was done at 13 wks & this one was at 10 wks. 

It can be uncomfortable at times, like a pinching and that's typically b/c u've done too much & need to rest.  I was only on modified bedrest at 24 wks 1st pg. and mod. bedrest @ 18 wks. w/ 2nd.  The nurse was surprised that the perinatologist let me work b4 getting the cerclage in.  I'm a special ed. teacher and work with some violent students.  My dr. said that as soon as I'm pg. I'm not working but I worked w/ major restrictions. 

I think once they know it's a viable pg. (see heartbeat) they do the cerclage as early as possible and want u to be off work before the cerclage but I worked after w/ restrictions.  I really think it depends on the case and the length of the cervix after the cerclage. 

Oh, and I got it out at 35 wks.  No sex that whole time.  Then the little bugger wouldn't come & I was induced at 39 wks. due to GD.  I don't think that will happen this time, I feel worse already and think the baby will come shortly after the cerclage is out.  Also, they couldn't remove all the cerclage in the office b/c of scar tissue but said it wouldn't prevent me from dialating b/c it was removed in all the other spots and the wire was cut but it didn't and actually was removed at my 6 wk. post-partem visit.

 Anymore questions, I'd be happy to answer.  Hope that helps, GL!

mosby75

I just had my cerclage removed 3/19/09. ?It was put in at 14 weeks. ?I had a Shirodkar cerclage. ?The procedure was done under anesthesia and it was uneventful. ?I thought it was a breeze. ?I was relived to have my little darling tucked snug inside. ?I am very happy that I had it done!!! ?I was checked almost weekly. ?Each time, I would get a trans-vaginal ultrasound to check my cervical length. ?It can be nerving at times when you are told that your cervix has shortened...you want it to stay long and closed. ?But, by monitoring it weekly, the Drs. are able to determine what is needed. ?I went on bed rest at 23weeks (at home), I had to do progesterone insets nightly...and I was prescribed Ibuprofen (up until about 31 weeks). ?So, yes activities were restricted. ?I could get up to go to the bathroom and shower. ?It is worth it in the end. ?At times, it can be scary and you may wonder if your pregnancy will be successful. ?In hind sight, I would not have worried so much. ?

At 36 wks., my cerclage was removed...it was not painful at all. ?I was hoping that she would foloow...but no such luck. ?I am still pregnant (37 wks) and waiting for nature to take its course.?

I wish you the best!!!! ?I don't think I would have had a successful pregnancy without my cerclage. ?The success rates are very high! ?Good luck!!!?

?

2BWEDN2007

I gave birth to DS at 24w5d due to IC.

With this pregnancy, I had a preventative cerclage at 15w6d. I didn't start showing any cervical length changes with DS until 21.5 weeks which is why they did my cerclage so late. They will usually do these between 12-14 weeks on average.

I have not been put on bed rest and my doctor told me unless my cervical length changes I will not be ordered on bed rest. I am on light, modified bed rest right now (no working, no sex, no exercise) and I pretty much just lie down when I am not taking care of DS (when he is napping, playing by himself, etc.). I am having cervical checks every other week until 28 weeks and they will decide from there how often they want to monitor me depending on how my cervix is doing.  So far it is long and closed, but like I said I had no issues with DS until 21.5 weeks so my next appt is the most important one since I will be at the same GA.

I am also receiving the Progesterone shots weekly and will continue them until week 36. My doctor has high hopes for me. A cerclage itself has a success rate of 80% if you have experienced a previous loss or early birth so the odds are in your favor. Best of luck and I am sorry for your loss.

lanva

GL, I am also on weekly progesterone shots, which also helps to prevent preterm labor.  They last about 20 wks.  Week 16- 36 or so. 

I am so sorry for your loss!  GL to you and remember when u're little one is here, u'll forget about all the hard stuff we go through to get them here.  We don't start to remember until we go through it again. 

 

SweetieD21

Hello!  Just wanted to say thank you for posting this!  I lost our baby girl at 18 weeks due to my water breaking.  I will be on progesterone, p17 shots, and have weekly or bi-weekly checks on my cervix, then given a cerclage, if needed.  All of these posts from women that have had successful cerclages have made me feel confident for when I get my BFP (hopefully this cycle!). 

Shlei

I had a cerclage put in at 19 weeks. I have a dynamic cervix which means every time it's measured it measures differently. It puts me at a higher risk of going into preterm labor. Anyhow, they put in the cerclage at 3cm.

I went on a Thursday night and was kept overnight to watch my vitals. They put an IV in and monitered to see if I had any contractions. I didn't. They started me on an antibiotic tap too ward off infections from the surgery. I was not able to eat anything after midnight.

The next day they gave me alka seltzer and wheeled me to the surgery room. There I was met by anesthesiologist and given a relaxant then a local anasthetic. Then they had me sit up at the edge of the bed where a nurse stood right in front of me. They told me to sit up and that I would feel preassure. I did as they gave me an epidural. My legs went numb and they laid me back down. A gaggle of doctors came in and put my legs in the stirrups. I was so doped up I barely remember anything. I couldn't feel anything either. They did a purse stitch around my cervix and sent me to recovery. There I was in and out of sleep. I remember that I couldn't feel my legs at all and tried to move them. It's the oddest feeling. Basically as I got feeling back my legs felt as though they had fallen asleep and were waking up. That tingly/prickly feeling that you get after a limb falls asleep. It's very odd. I remember that the iodine they had burned (it was on the inside of my thighs). I was eventually wheeled back to the room where I was observed for another couple of hours until I could go to the restroom successfully. When I was able to walk and go to the restroom I was released.

The next day I felt a little sore but that was gone by the next day after that. They warn you that the epidural can give you a nasty headache. I never got one.

I was released with no limitations except nothing in the vagina and no rigorous exercise. I put myself on modified bed rest on the weekends. Even though I can move around I want to be extra safe so I spend my weekends relaxing as much as possible. I do have to take 17P shots (alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate) weekly to keep my uterus calm and not go into preterm labor. Also, I do go in every other week to get measured and make sure my cervix is closed shut. Last check up (a week later) my cervix was shut at 4cm.

The risks of a cerclage are: premature rupture of membranes (PROM), infection, and/or ripping of the cerclage (if you go into labor).

elvis_cbw

Thanks so much for all the posts ladies.  I really appreciate you sharing your stories.

justspeechy

Hi,

I had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks.  My cervix was measuring 2.8 and was softening and my doctor did not want to take any chances.  It was overwhelming to hear at first but I knew I wanted to take every precaution to help my baby.  The procedure itself was not bad at all.  First the nurses had to start an IV, which may hurt because you are dehydrated from not drinking past midnight.  I was given a spinal anesthetic.  It wasn't so bad, it pinches and then burns and you feel your legs get tingly and numb.  I couldn't feel anything when the procedure was happening - just slight tugging and movement but it doesn't hurt.  You feel a little akward b/c your legs are up high in the stirrups but the whole things was only about 15 minutes.  Then you are taken to recovery and can't leave until you can walk and urinate.  They had to catheterize me because I was still numb and my bladder was full. As the anestheic wore off I felt very minor cramping. 

You may have some cramping and spotting the next few days but they give you a painkiller to help and prevent the cervix from spasming.  I did get a headache about 2 days after the procedure - it is very normal, but does not occur in all cases.  You feel better when you lay down and it usually goes away within 24 hours.

I am just about 18 weeks and I go every two weeks for an internal to check my cervix.  Since the procedure my cervix is much higher than it was and my doc says she is happy with the results.  I was not placed on bed rest but told to take it easy. 

I wish you the best of luck!   I have heard many success stories of women having cerclages.  Hang in there and keep us posted!

 : )

 

 

Yummy Sushi Pajamas

We lost our son at 19 weeks gestation with no explanation, except a possible infection.  When I got pregnant again this time, they saw me every two weeks for monitoring.  At our 19 week anatomy scan, they found serious funneling and a shortened cervix, so I got an emergency cerclage put in and I have been on bedrest ever since.  I saw the doctor every week until 32 weeks, and now I go every two weeks because my cervix has been stable for several checkups.

If you get a preventative cerclage (one they put in around 12 weeks, before there is need) then you might not have to be on bedrest at all except for a couple of days after it is put in.

They are taking mine out at 36 weeks, and then who knows when the baby will be born!  For putting mine in, I had a spinal block so felt nothing, and I spent about 2.5 days total in the hospital.  I think if you have it done preventatively, it might be an outpatient procedure.

ashmcc09

Good luck dear. I have had my cerclage in 3 weeks due to ic with last pregnancy. so far all is well.