Abdominal cerclage for Incompetent Cervix

We lost our babygirl at 21 weeks due to cervical incompetence. I had a perfect pregnancy but at a routine ultrasound they realised that my cervix was only 13mm and funnelling. The following day it was 8mm. I had an emergency vaginal cerlclage inserted that ruptured the membranes so the water broke. I was induced a week later and our daughter died during labor. Our world fell apart.

I have been told by the hospital that next time when/if we fall pregnant (I have endo and a blocked tube), I?ll need a vaginal cerclage at week 12-14.

However, after spending months doing research I have come across so many women that have still lost babies with a vaginal cerclage in place. Their stories are heart breaking..

I don?t want to risk losing another baby. But I know if I get a vaginal cerclage I will still worry so much every single day of the pregnancy. There is also no way I would risk working, but the bed rest would drive me crazy and also increase my chance of getting blood clots (I have Factor V Leiden).

I am hoping that I can have an abdominal cerclage instead, as the success rate is over 90%. However there is not that many doctors in Australia that perform this procedure because it is such a big operation. I have heard that some doctors are using key hole surgery to perform it, which would make it safer but its apparently controversial.

I would like to get in touch with anyone that has had (or considered having) an abdominal cerclage here in Australia.

Thanks
Kristin

*angel Mia*
born 19 Oct 2008
due 4 Mar 2009

I too had an emergency stitch placed at 19wks after a routine U/S found my cervix was thin and funnelling.. I think mine was 9mm from memory.. The stitch was put in successfully, but unfortunately I still went into labour at 23wks.. After 9 days in labour my bubs were born and unfortunately only survived 12 days.. I have recently been to see my high risk OB to discuss subsequent pg and she said the same thing.. Stitch would be put in around 14wks.. She seems to think I should have no probs as when they put the stitch in before my cervix had already started to open etc, but early placement should prevent this.. I don't know if this helps at all, but I have heard of lots of success stories.. I have no idea about this other abdominal stitch.. I am sorry for your loss and I hope you go on to have a beautiful bub in your arms..

I'm so sorry for your loss..

i've now spent months of doing research and after reading about so many women who have had multiple losses even with an early TVC in place, we have decided to go with the permanent abdominal cerclage. A TVC might hold, but at least we know that my cervix is almost guaranteed to hold with a abdominal cerlage. Unforunately it is not as common in Australia as it is in the UK and US.

After meeting with a doctor who had very limited experience (2 operations), the good new is that last week I found out that there is a very experienced doctor in Brisbane, Dr Laurie Brunello. He has performed the abdominal cerclage approx 20 times and also overseen another 20 operations.

Dr Brunello said women should not need to have multiple losses to prove that she qualifies for the operation, or that she needs to prove that a vaginal stitch wont work. He said ? Why risk losing another child when you can have an operation that almost guarantees a successful pregnancy (of course other things can still go wrong like any pregnancy).

The Gold Coast couple that met with Dr Brunello has experienced 3 second trimester losses after doctors told them they would be fine with a vaginal cerclage instead. Now they have finally found someone that can give them a successful pregnancy.

Best of all, Dr Brunello has never had a patient with a loss due to Incompetent Cervix with an abdominal cerclage in place.

I also know of a lady in Melbourne who had her abdominal cerclage done by Prof Tom Jobling two months ago after losing twin boys and she was very happy with him and the procedure.

Personally I'll be going over to the US this month to have the operation done there by Dr Davis. He has performed the abdominal cerclage for over 250 patients and his pre-pregnancy placement success rate is 100%. It is a simple procedure that takes 30-60 minutes to complete and I?ll be in hospital 1-2 nights. The cost is US$ 4,000 for the procedure and hospital stay but its worth it knowing that the operation will cure my incompetent cervix.

I hope you are doing ok, good luck with everything.

Kristin
Angel Mia's mum

Hi Kristen,
Wishing you the very best of luck with your up coming op in the US. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks :) Its all a bit overwhelming and exciting at the same time. It wasn't an easy decision to make but now that we have, I feel really confident. I guess people go overseas to have all sorts of surgery (I could do with bigger boobs :redface: sorry!) so we were thinking why not if it will save us from going through another loss.

Only 27 sleeps to go..

Well, I guess once you become pregnant you will get those bigger boobs! So really its a win all around!

xx

I hope it all goes well for you xxx

Hi there, I was just reading your story and wanted to know how you got on. I had my little boy at 23 wks and now that he's a bit older we would like to have another child. have been looking at an abdominal stitch, very curious to know how things went for you!! kelley
mum to Anna 7yrs, angle Zoe (21wks) and Sam 3 yrs born at 23 wks.