Cerclage Stitch

nikkitaplin · May 2014

Anyone have or had one? What can I expect? I am also a preschool teacher.

We found out last mothers day we were pregnant. We delivered Aug. 20 at 20 Weeks. That is when we found out our baby was a boy. We named him Liam Jameson. He was 10 ounces and 10 inches long. We got to hold him and say our goodbyes but the doctor said the 'reason' was incompetent cervix. We found out the Monday before mothers day (ironic much?) that we are expecting. I'm about 6 weeks. U/S on Tuesday. Doctor appointment on June 19...stitch shortly after. I'm trying to prepare myself for what to expect. Any advice or personal stories a welcomed!!!

jess123456 · May 2014

I am so sorry for you loss. Congrats on your pregnancy. I don't have experience with this but I know several women on this board probably have. I know someone in person who lost her son around 20 weeks and had great success with her cerclage for her second son. You can also try Parenting After Loss too. Thinking of you.

buggirl72 · May 2014

**lurking**

I'm sorry for the loss of your LIam Jameson. I also delivered my son at 20 weeks and he too was 10 ounces and 10 inches.

Have you met with a MFM yet? Besides a cerclage, you may want to ask about progesterone shots through the second and third trimester.

angelsnight · May 2014

I had one put in at 14 weeks and my beautiful rainbow is now 8 weeks old. We lost our first daughter last year at 22 weeks due to IC. If you're not mobile, click on the link to my blog in my siggy, I wrote about the cerclage insertion. I think it was like September 19th 2013 or somewhere in there.

nikkitaplin · May 2014

What does MFM mean? I Have an ultrasound on Tuesday. Appointment on June 19. My doctor told me that he would put the stitch in at 12 weeks when we went in for my f/u appointment after loosing my son. The nurse on the phone last week said it usually goes in at 14 weeks. I'm trying to not let the anxiety get the best of me.

I really don't mind going on bedrest if it means a successful delivery!

nikkitaplin · May 2014

angelsnight said:

I had one put in at 14 weeks and my beautiful rainbow is now 8 weeks old. We lost our first daughter last year at 22 weeks due to IC. If you're not mobile, click on the link to my blog in my siggy, I wrote about the cerclage insertion. I think it was like September 19th 2013 or somewhere in there.

I don't see your link to your blog. I'd love to read it!

buggirl72 · May 2014

nikkitaplin said:

What does MFM mean? I Have an ultrasound on Tuesday. Appointment on June 19. My doctor told me that he would put the stitch in at 12 weeks when we went in for my f/u appointment after loosing my son. The nurse on the phone last week said it usually goes in at 14 weeks. I'm trying to not let the anxiety get the best of me.
I really don't mind going on bedrest if it means a successful delivery!

It's a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. They are high-risk doctors and, with your 20 week loss, you should be under the care of one if you have one in your area. An OB is not an MFM. If you love your OB and want them to be part of your care and be at your delivery, you can ask for co-management on your referral to the MFM.

nikkitaplin · May 2014

My OB said they would do it. We have one office in our area and they are crazy booked up. He said he's done MANY cerclage stitches...so I feel like I am in good hands. ???

PinkCamino · May 2014

nikkitaplin said:

My OB said they would do it. We have one office in our area and they are crazy booked up. He said he's done MANY cerclage stitches...so I feel like I am in good hands. ???

Hi. I'm so sorry for your loss. Congratulations on your new pregnancy!

I've also got an incompetent cervix. After my first loss my OB nonchalantly told me she would place a stitch at 14 weeks and that I'd be fine. I really wasn't satisfied with that answer and was really angry at her for not paying more attention to my issues that ultimately led to me delivering my twins at 21 weeks.

I sought out an MFM who is a specialist in high risk pregnancies. Essentially my case is run of the mill for her and she knows exactly how to treat IC cases and has amazing success rates. I met with her about 6 months after my loss and we discussed a treatment plan which will include a cervical stitch after a good NT scan, progesterone supplementation and strict bed rest from stitch placement until removal at 36 or 37 weeks.

If I were in your situation I would push to see an MFM. Although OBs can generally take care of ladies with other high risk issues including BP related problems or GD I really don't feel that OBs are the right choice when you're dealing with pre-term delivery problems and pre-term labour. Please see someone who specializes in this okay?

Also, MFMs generally see their high risk patients more often. When your dealing with IC it's important that your cervix is monitored often via serial ultrasounds - MFMs know this and accommodate by seeing you more often than a normal pregnancy.

Best of luck

kimmyberly26 · May 2014

I'm so sorry about your loss. I don't have any advice but wanted to say congrats and welcome. FX that this is your rainbow baby! Keep us posted.

rlajambe · May 2014

****lurking from PAL*****

First, I'm sorry for your loss.

How far along are you? Which week does June 19th put you at?

I ask because it seems like a while to wait for an appointment with IC. Your doctor will need time to book the OR.

You asked if anyone that has experience with cerclage. My last pregnancy was successful due to a preventative cerclage.

My first appointment was at the 9 week mark. It was an ultrasound to measure the size of the baby to ensure that my dates were correct. My surgery was booked during that appointment. I was ultrasounded again the day before surgery to ensure viability.

The surgery is pretty interesting. They give you spinal anaesthesia (which feels weird) and they place a speculum and begin to place the stitch. (Warning: Do not look at the OR lights, there's reflection and you do not want to see that.) After the surgery, they wait for the anaesthetic to wear off (you need to be able to walk and pee before you can go home).

After my cerclage was placed, I had a lot of restrictions. No sex, no lifting more than 10 lbs., no running, no jumping, no baths, no swimming and no physical exertion of any kind. I was able to avoid bedrest, but everyone's restrictions are different.

My doctor performed several transvaginal ultrasounds during my pregnancy and also checked the stitch manually to ensure that it did not slip out of place.

I did have quite a bit of bleeding, my baby dropped at 31 weeks and I won't lie to you, it hurts to have that stitch in there towards the end. At, 18 weeks I was seeing the doctor every 2 weeks, by 32 weeks, it was every week. My doctor monitored me very closely.

Removal came at 36 weeks and was performed at the hospital under "conscious sedation". Honestly, I can't remember a thing after they gave me the drugs for that one.

My LO was born 2.5 weeks later.

My best advice is be proactive. Pink Camino is right. You need to consider a specialist. I was fortunate to have a peri as my OB from the start, but many people don't. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Some of my questions to my peri"

How many cerclages have you performed?

What is your personal success rate? (yes, you can ask this!)

What technique will be using? How many cerclages will be placed? (I had two, sometimes this changes in the OR though)

What kind of restrictions will I have during my pregnancy?

What kind of complications can result from this surgery?

What should I do if there are complications? (call office, go to office, go to ER. etc.)

What kind of anaesthesia will be used (for placement and removal) and what are the possible complications of this medication?

I wish you a healthy pregnancy and hope this helps you.

angelsnight · May 2014

nikkitaplin said:

angelsnight said:

I had one put in at 14 weeks and my beautiful rainbow is now 8 weeks old. We lost our first daughter last year at 22 weeks due to IC. If you're not mobile, click on the link to my blog in my siggy, I wrote about the cerclage insertion. I think it was like September 19th 2013 or somewhere in there.

I don't see your link to your blog. I'd love to read it!

Are you mobile? If so you can't see my signature info. I'll post a link to it tomorrow.

nikkitaplin · May 2014

rlajambe said:

****lurking from PAL*****

First, I'm sorry for your loss.

How far along are you? Which week does June 19th put you at?

I ask because it seems like a while to wait for an appointment with IC. Your doctor will need time to book the OR.

You asked if anyone that has experience with cerclage. My last pregnancy was successful due to a preventative cerclage.

My first appointment was at the 9 week mark. It was an ultrasound to measure the size of the baby to ensure that my dates were correct. My surgery was booked during that appointment. I was ultrasounded again the day before surgery to ensure viability.

The surgery is pretty interesting. They give you spinal anaesthesia (which feels weird) and they place a speculum and begin to place the stitch. (Warning: Do not look at the OR lights, there's reflection and you do not want to see that.) After the surgery, they wait for the anaesthetic to wear off (you need to be able to walk and pee before you can go home).

After my cerclage was placed, I had a lot of restrictions. No sex, no lifting more than 10 lbs., no running, no jumping, no baths, no swimming and no physical exertion of any kind. I was able to avoid bedrest, but everyone's restrictions are different.

My doctor performed several transvaginal ultrasounds during my pregnancy and also checked the stitch manually to ensure that it did not slip out of place.

I did have quite a bit of bleeding, my baby dropped at 31 weeks and I won't lie to you, it hurts to have that stitch in there towards the end. At, 18 weeks I was seeing the doctor every 2 weeks, by 32 weeks, it was every week. My doctor monitored me very closely.

Removal came at 36 weeks and was performed at the hospital under "conscious sedation". Honestly, I can't remember a thing after they gave me the drugs for that one.

My LO was born 2.5 weeks later.

My best advice is be proactive. Pink Camino is right. You need to consider a specialist. I was fortunate to have a peri as my OB from the start, but many people don't. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Some of my questions to my peri"
How many cerclages have you performed?
What is your personal success rate? (yes, you can ask this!)
What technique will be using? How many cerclages will be placed? (I had two, sometimes this changes in the OR though)
What kind of restrictions will I have during my pregnancy?
What kind of complications can result from this surgery?
What should I do if there are complications? (call office, go to office, go to ER. etc.)
What kind of anaesthesia will be used (for placement and removal) and what are the possible complications of this medication?

I wish you a healthy pregnancy and hope this helps you.

I have an ultrasound on Tuesday to check my dates. If I'm around 6 weeks then June 19 will be my 10th week. I honestly don't remember having a period in April which would mean that on Tuesday, I may be closer to 9 weeks. My ultrasound is in the office so I will ask to schedule the surgery then (not only for OR openings but also for work purposes). I will ask all those questions. When we did the follow up after we lost our son, I asked if I should seek a peri doctor. My OB said they can take care of all my issues and have many times before. I honestly feel super comfortable with them. I will ask all those questions though. Thanks so much. BTW, I was told I could make an appointment sooner if I wanted to but I want to hear the heartbeat so that's why I am waiting for the 10 week mark.

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