Hi Tia,

I just wanted to firstly say how sorry I am for your loss. My situation was a little different but I wanted to share with you what I have been through with this current pregnancy.

I have an excellent Ob who organised for me to have my cervix scanned every week from 15-24 weeks to see if my cervix was actually the problem which cause my Nikita's early arrival. At about 22 weeks it shortened but still within the "normal" parameters. I have had some funnelling but still because the cervix length is long and closed it has given my specialist and Ob no reason to be concerned.

We talked about a stitch initially and again at 22 weeks when the shortening frightened me. We decided that if we continued to shorten to 2cm then we would have a stitch put in place.

I am now 25 weeks and I have one final cervix scan next week at 26 weeks. It looks as though my problems were contraction related and not cervix. I have no idea if I will make it to term but my goal is 34 weeks. I am glad that I didn't rush out and have a stitch put in because they are not a sure fire guarantee that the pregnancy will last to term, they also can cause irritation which may start contractions and there is also the risk of infection, and once you have a stitch you will always need one for every subsequent pregnancy.

I know for some women this is the only option they have so for those people I would say to definately have one put in. But if you are not 100% certain that you have IC perhaps discuss close monitoring with your Ob then as a second option (and before it becomes an emergency situation) to have a stitch put in if you shorten to a certain length.

Do your research so you have a clear understanding of the Pro's and Con's of a suture. No matter what you do there are going to be risks for you and the baby as well as a load of stress.

Best of luck when you start TTC again, it is scary but the rewards are soooo wonderful especially when you pass the "trouble" time of the previous pregnancy.

Nae x x x