Cervical suture/stitch for incompetent cervix

[courtney]

My last baby was born at 21.5 weeks. I have since been told that I have an incompetent cervix and that I will require a suture during my next pregnancy. I'd like to know the experiences of other women who've required a suture - what were you required to change about your lifestyle during the pregnancy specifically because you had the stitch and whether there were any complications or discomfort resulting from the stitch. Finally, did it work - did you make it close to term?

Thanks,
Courtney

[Aleida]

Hi Courtney, Sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure everything will be fine next time. I too lost my twin girls at 22 weeks and then required the stitch in my next pregnancy which went smoothly from start to end. I had the stitch put in at 15 weeks and was on antibiotics 2 weeks before and a number of weeks after. The first week I had to take it very easy but after that I just had to limit my activities. Overall things didn't change dramatically but I am sure your OB will explain all of that to you. I too 2 steroid shots to improve the baby's lungs at 26 weeks just in case I went into labour early. The stitch was taken out at 36.5 weeks but my OB prefered to have it taken out at 37.5 weeks. I was just worried that I would go into labour with the stitch in. I then gave birth to a healthy boy at 37.5 weeks. He is now 11 months old and I have just found out I am pregnant again so I will go through the same process.

I wish you the very best and hopefully we hear good news soon.

Love Linda

[tiffanny]

Hi Courtney,
Im sorry to hear about your little one, big hugs. I lost my boy at 21+4 due to IC and infection. I too was told that with my next pg I would have to have a stitch. Eight weeks later and I was pg with my DD (wasnt planned) @ 13 1/2 weeks I had my suture put in. I had a mcdonald one put in, it is a drawstring type loop with a tail on the end so it was easy to remove. I was told to take it easy after the stitch and not do strenuous exercise or lift any heavy items so that in itself put me on maternity leave. There was no discomfort with the stitch as I couldnt feel it although the one time that DP and I DTD it freaked him out coz he could feel it lol We were advised not to have intercourse but we just got carried away and the guilt we felt after was enough for us not to anymore lol. My cervix started to shorten at around 24 weeks and I had DD @ 31 weeks but not because of the stitch I developed PE. Once they took the stitch out though I dilated 1 cm almost instantly. I, like Linda, was given 2 steroid shots @26 weeks as a precaution and then again @28 and 29 weeks because they knew bub was coming early. The fact that DD had the benefit of 4 steroid shots meant that when she was born her lungs were able to function without assistance and all she had to do was put on weight. My Dr's said that the chance of me going to full term with my next pg were slim but what do they know-they told me I'd never fall pg in the first place.

I hope that everything goes smoothly for you the next time and your little angel watches over you and bub and keeps you both safe xoxox

Tiff

[courtney]

Linda and Tiff,

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. As I'm sure you found, there is very little available to tell you, as a pregnant woman with IC, what to expect your pregnancy to be like if you have the stitch. I'm so sorry to hear about your losses and very happy to know that you have both now had wonderful little babies.

Out of curiosity, are either of you in Melbourne? If so, who was your doctor or where did you go for your primary pre-natal care? I've spoken with two doctors; one suggests taking it easy and the other one said that I would not be allowed to do ANY exercise (not even yoga or swimming) once the stitch goes in. They also use different types of stitch (one recommends a silk stitch, the other uses McDonald suture). So I'm in a quandary about who to see when I do fall pregnant (TTC starts after our renovation ends next month).

Thanks again,
Courtney

[Aleida]

Hi Courtney,

I went with Lionel Steinberg who is located at St Vincents and he went with the mac donald stitch and I am not sure on Yoga but he didn't recomend swimming but maybe that was just at public pools. I didn't have to change my lifestyle that much but I certainly had to take it easy and since my job required me to be on my feet nearly all day I had to go on very early maternity leave.

Good luck in finding the right Dr.

Love Linda

[courtney]

Thanks Linda. I was wondering about Lionel Steinberg because he has such a good reputation for approaching things naturally, but then I want to balance my desire for a natural non-medicalized birth with the expert care that IC requires during pregnancy. It seems that some OBs don't care for IC themselves, but refer you to a high risk OB if that occurs, and I didn't know whether Lionel Steinberg fell into that category or not. One of the doctors I've spoken with seems to provide the expert pregnancy care combined with the focus on natural childbirth, but he seems always to be having a very busy day. I presume you're happy with Dr. Steinberg. Is he your doctor this time around as well (congratulations, BTW!)?

Courtney

[Aleida]

Hi Courtney, Yes I was completely happy with Lionel and we will be using him again for this pregnancy. Lionel is known to be pro natural but of course if there are any complications he is the man to look after your high risk pregnancy. I guess you have to make an appointment with him to make your own opinions though. I do warn you he is a little dry but he was always there to answer any of my insignificant questions and never made me feel embarrased. He would always call me back that day to reassure me that everything was fine. I went in for random heart beat checks and he was never fazed. We now have our beautiful boy. I hope that helps and I hope you find the right Dr to suit your needs.

Love Linda

[Visitor9]

Courtney,
I had a stitch put in with DD as I had lost 2 prev to IC. I was told by one Obst that I would of had my stitch in at 13 weeks and left in hospital till 36 weeks and then I might of been allowed home after they took the stitch out so I looked for other obst.
I found a wonderful one at Francis Perry that deals with alot of cervical issues with multiple pregnancies. I was on limited bed rest due to my severity but could still get up and do a few things. He told me that many obst can do sutures and all say they can...but there is sutures and there are great sutures. My cervix never shortened after my stitch went in prev preg went to 1.4 this stayed at 4 ish all the way thru.
I'm in the 2ww at the moment but know that at least this time I dont have any worries with the cervix suture.

[courtney]

Hi Bec,

Who was your obstetrician? I take it you're going back to the same one?

Thanks,
Courtney

[Visitor9]

Mark Umstad

[emaly]

hi
i have recently had a cervical suture inserted after i miscarried one of my twins. i was 19 weeks and was told that it could be due to a incompitent cervix. i am now 24 weeks and twin 2 seems to be doing well. The fact that i got pregnant was a bit of a mirricle as i have polysistic ovories and have been having all sorts of treatment for a long time. i find it a great comfort finding the site and hearing of people with similar problems.

we dicoverd that twin 1 was a girl and we named her poppy and have just found out that twin 2 is a baby boy in which we hope to name him oliver.

my consultant plans to remove the suture at 36 -38 weeks so fingers crossed it goes to plan. if there is anyone who has any advise it would be apreciated all the best