Cervical stitch/suture/cerclage at 22w - your experiences?

[Amity]

A girlfriend of mine is being admitted tomorrow for a cervical suture at 22w gestation. She had a m/c at 8w last year, and they discovered her cervix had thinned to 2cm and was funnelling last week.

At the ultrasound the other day, the cervix is down to 1cm and still funnelling.

What experiences have you had about cervical sutures/stitches? What gestation did you have yours? Did it "last"? What can she do to ensure baby stays in as long as possible? (She has a 2yo at home, too).

Any advice appreciated.

TIA

[Trillian]

No idea Div, but I really hope it works out for her.

[Deedles]

Hi, Well we lost our first baby at 20 wks due to a incompetent cervix.

So the next time I was pregnant I had a scan and they noticed it was getting quite short. I was also 22 wks when they found it.
Then the next day I was put in hosp and had the stitch put in under an epidural as it can be dangerous to go under anaesthetic when your pregnant sometimes.

It went in fine and I only had a small amount of bleeding.
I had to take it easy for the rest of the pregnancy and dtd was a no no!
It wasn't uncomfortable at all.

I had it taken out at 37 weeks then went into labour naturally at 38 + 2. I did end up with a c section but that was due to DS having his head in the wrong position.
With DS2 I had a vbac and all went well!

So good luck to your friend hun and I hope I helped a little bit.

[Amity]

Thanks girls - anyone else?

[blessedatlast]

Well you know my story With the twins I had the stitch at 19wks after shortening and funneling was found.. Babies born at 24wks.. This time stitch at 14wks.. It held.. My cervix didn't open til right before J was born when my contractions were very very strong..

If she just has the cervix issue by itself she could carry full term.. Is she contracting? If not, there is no reason the stitch wont hold..In my case the contractions were just too strong.. If she is contracting tell her to take some calcium magnesium, it helps calm the uterus.. Actually tell her to get in anyway JIC..

I really hope this bub stays.. Can you or someone organise to do her meals, shopping, take her child etc.. She really needs to be on as strict bed rest as she can get away with..

[LimeSlice]

My SIL had he first DD at 24.5 weeks, and then her second DD was born at 20 weeks, she has an incompetent cervix.
With the third, they put a stitch in at 13 weeks, and bubs was born full term.
She said it didn't hurt, had very minimal bleeding right after the procedure and it (apparently) worked. They took it out at 37 weeks and she carried until 39. She was on bedrest though for the last month of the pregnancy after she had some early and strong BH, just to be on the safe side.

Best of luck for your friend.