Cerclage Moms, please come in!

cbranch89 · June 2014

So, I've read about the procedure on here but what happens after? How often were you monitored? Did you receive the p17 shots too? So far the plan is still to get through first tri and I believe my appointment next week we are scheduling and discussing the cerclage. I have placenta previa already so I don't know what that means for my procedure, but I guess it's a day to day thing?

Manada · June 2014

I don't have a previa, but I had a cerclage placed last week, so I am new to the process - but here.

I was hospitalized Tuesday last week, had the cerclage placed Wednesday, and was initially discharged Thursday afternoon. I ended up having some heavy bleeding overnight Thursday so I was readmitted Friday early for the day for observation and released again that evening.

We had our first f/u appointment today, with the MFM covering for our regular doc, so I actually anticipate the plan changing next week when we see our MFM. But so far we are scheduled for a cervical check and an appointment weekly to see how it's holding, plus 200mg progesterone suppositories daily, plus home bedrest indefinitely.

I will be 20 weeks tomorrow and we are working with a first goal of making it at least to visibility before making more big moves.

I wish someone had prepared me more for the cerclage procedure and the immediate recovery. The procedure for me wasn't a problem at all, I had a spinal and fantastic anesthesiologist - and I was perfectly numbed up and couldn't feel a thing. I had a bunch of people talking to me throughout the whole procedure, and that really helped distract me from what was happening below the sheet.

Afterwards, I was in really good spirits for about an hour until the spinal wore off, and the pain hit like a ton of bricks. I have no idea why they didn't give me pain relief immediately, but I didn't get any until I was writhing and crying in bed from the pain, it was pretty awful. Eventually they gave me 2 Oxycodones and something to stop cramping and that worked, I took those every 4-6 hours until about noon the next day. After that the pain was easily controlled with tylenol. I also needed help making it to the bathroom for that first night or so because it was painful to walk or shift positions for a day or so.

Looking back, the procedure was scary because of the risks and unknowns, but it was quick both in terms of the actual surgery, but also in terms of recovery. It felt awful very briefly, but also has the potential to be the key to the support your cervix might need. I am glad we went ahead with it now...

Good luck! I hope it goes well and you get good pain relief from the get-go!

takmjs · June 2014

@Manada, wow, that was quite an experience for your cerclage. My guess is that they didn't give you pain meds right away is because some/most people don't need them (it wasn't even discussed that I would be in pain afterward). I was constantly being asked if I was having cramping or contractions, and my answer was always, "no, I can't feel anything down there." My cerclage was 2 weeks ago, and it took me a long time to be able to have any sensation down below and to pee, but I didn't have pain afterward.

takmjs · June 2014

@cbranch89, I got my cerclage 2 weeks ago, so this is pretty new to me too. I don't have placenta previa, and my cerclage was preventative before any signs of shortening/funneling. I will be getting my first progesterone shot tomorrow (16w) and getting them weekly until 36 weeks. I was scheduled to have cervical checks every 2 weeks from 16-22 weeks, but that was before the cerclage was in my plan. I don't plan on telling my doctors that I still have them scheduled, and I like the reassurance, even after the cerclage, to make sure my cervix is functioning correctly, but I don't think most doctors check your cervix regularly after a cerclage. Mine are just so busy and I'm seen by one of the 6-7 doctors, so I don't think they can really keep track of everyone like they should. Best of luck to you. Keep us updated!

cymplicity27 · June 2014

It's been 5 years since I got my first cerclage and don't remember a lot of details, lol. It was an emergency cerclage at 16 weeks and I was pregnant with my twins. I don't remember the procedure being bad at all. I'm not sure if it was because of the twins or the fact that it was an emergency cerclage but I was monitored TWICE a week until I delivered. I kept those puppies in until 37 weeks btw when they didn't expect me to make it to 24!

I'm just headed to my 6 wk appointment next week and if all is well I suspect I will be getting a preventative cerclage at some point.

amtay825 · June 2014

I had the cerclage placed last month, and I also had placenta previa at the time. Thankfully, the previa corrected itself so no more concerns about that. The cerclage was preventative for me as I've had a 20 week loss and then with my last pregnancy shortening and funneling along with preterm labor. With my last PG, my cervix was very short and the cerclage didn't help. With this one, we caught it soon enough and so far its been a breeze. The actual procedure isn't bad, the epidural worked wonders and I never knew what was going on down there. The whole procedure from start to finish took only about 15 minutes. The recovery was not bad either; the worse part was the anesthesia wearing off so slowly. First, my lower abdomen came back which meant I could feel the need to pee; but it was impossible. It took so long for everything else to come back that I was in a lot of pain from my bladder being so full. After I was finally able to pee, it wasn't so bad anymore. Yes, I was sore down there like if I laughed or something I felt like I could feel the actual stitch; but the meds for cramping they gave me seemed to help with that. I took those for 2 days and after that didn't even need Tylenol. I stayed on bedrest for 2 days afterwards, then moderate bedrest for the remainder of the week. 6 days after the procedure I was back to living a normal life. I had a followup appnt the following week for a cervical check, and have had one every 2 weeks after that. Everything looks great, (PRAISE GOD!) and my cervix is 'beautiful' and stitch is holding great. SO different than last time; last PG it was a constant battle to keep DS in. My MFM was supposed to start progesterone shots at 16w but because I'm doing so well; he decided I don't need them at this time. Another praise God! I will continue to see him every 2 weeks for cervical checks as long as its measuring good. If ever it starts to shorten, we'll go to weekly.

Hope this helps, and has eased your mind a bit. Every body and every PG is different, so don't let someone else's bad experience scare you. Praying for you, update this post when you know when its scheduled for so I can be praying for you through the procedure!

cbranch89 · June 2014

Thanks for all the responses. My next MFM appointment is next week so I will update then!

Samuelismomma · June 2014

*lurker from pgal* so glad I found this post

Dr told me I will need to do cerclage because of preterm labor with ds at 29 wks and had him at 34 wks. Your experiences have made me feel a lot better:)

Deblondie1 · June 2014

I didn't have previa but I did have a cerclage.

After placement at 13 weeks, I went on modified bed rest. No lifting, no standing or walking for long periods of time, tons of rest, etc. I didn't have any real pain after the procedure. Cramps and a little spotting but nothing crazy. I did not handle the spinal well but that didn't have any bearing on the cerclage itself. Try to schedule it for a Friday, just in case.

I did not get the shots but I did take meds for irritable uterus. I ended up on strict bed rest because of IU. My cervix never changed and only shortened as it was supposed to as pregnancy progresses.

The cerclage was removed at 37 weeks. I immediately dilated to 3cm and was 80% effaced. I went into labor 2 weeks later, at exactly 39 weeks.

Good luck!

dzla15 · June 2014

Has anyone ever had a cerclage because of previous LEEP procedures? I have had two leeps and the most recent 2 months before we conceived.

Manada · June 2014

@dzla15‌ - I had a LEEP about 3 years ago. The MFM doesn't attribute my cervical issues exclusively to it at all, but it definitely factored in when the decision was being made about how close to monitor and whether or not to do a cerclage.

It was definitely something I was worried about though, and I was pushing for a cervical check earlier in my pregnancy because of it -- turned out I had that bleed before that booked scan, but it was a concern of mine for sure.

kz's_girlygirl · June 2014

dzla15 said:
Has anyone ever had a cerclage because of previous LEEP procedures? I have had two leeps and the most recent 2 months before we conceived.

I have an abdominal cerclage, so a little different, but wanted to chime in here. I had a pretty aggressive leep procedure done (I didn't know it was 'aggressive' until my current dr examined me!) and it left me with a short cervix. Since I had a previous loss at 17 wks and have a short cervix anyway, my dr wasn't confident that a vaginal cerclage (even a preventative one placed before changes occur) would be successful for me.

I would definitely ask your dr about how the leep shortened/didn't shorten your cervix.

GL!

saaustin97 · June 2014

I didn't have previa, just the cerlcage, yesterday. It wasn't bad at all. By the time the spinal wore off, the only paid I had was the full bladder and inability to go. I'm on bed rest today and luckily work from home whenever i need to so will take it easy. Since I'm so early, next follow up isn't until next month. I had a rescue cerclage done with DS at 25 weeks due to IC and was just happy to do it early this time.

jillianalmorgan · June 2014

I am 21 wks and my cerclage placed at 14. Very easy. Didnt need any pain meds after. Also didnt bleed... youll do great! Anythjng for our babies right?

cbranch89 · June 2014

So I am on the schedule to have it placed on July 8th. My NY scan is July 2nd and next appointment is July 18th. He said I will also receive p17 shots starting at 16 weeks

andichelle · June 2014

I'm glad to have found this post! We lost our son in Oct at 20 weeks, and I am now 9 weeks 3 days with baby #3. My doctors decided I have IC because of a very hard labor with my first son, he was coming out before i was fully dilated. My doctor recommends that I get a cerclage placed at the end of the first trimester and I am so nervous. I will do anything for a healthy baby, but just the thought of a surgery and being awake almost makes me pass out

ERDRmama1 · June 2014

I had a wonderful spinal and the procedure was done in 20 minutes. It took almost 6 hours for the spinal to wear off though which sucked! After it wore off I had cramps from hell. It felt like labor- like I seriously took a wheelchair to the car. I was bleeding (not too bad- less than a period) for several days (I am on aspirin and lovenox for clotting issues) and the cramping did not stop. I only took Motrin, but knew when the 6th hour between dosing was coming as the pain was severe and would wake me from sleep. I had been on modified bedrest since. No progesterone, but I was on Indomethacin with the recommendation to start Procardia, I just stopped the Indomethacin and began procardia- as I was trying to hold off as long as possible in adding any other meds. The cerclage is being removed in a few days and I am hoping to to have any pain form my "irritable uterus"

cbranch89 · July 2014

Procedure is tomorrow. I am having a minor panic attack

caden1206 · July 2014

I hope everything went well.

sehardigree829 · July 2014

Having my ver first cerclage placed next friday. Honestly, my mind is racing amd im super scared. I have read alot of great turnouts but one cant help but wonder the "what if's". Trying to be positive.

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