Cervical cerlage

I had one in my 3rd pregnancy with my second baby after a letz procedure, I made it to 34 weeks and she was perfect but I have big babies so she was 7lb 6 at 34 weeks lol x

Thank you replying. I just really want to get to a stage of where the baby will be ok. The surgeon really scared me when she said I didn’t have a lot of cervix left and she only just managed to get the stitch in. Did you do anything in particular after to help? Xx

Might be worse than me as you had the surgery twice but I was recommended to rest as much as possible, not lift anything heavy etc and was given growth scans but all I can say is trust your body, if you even have a niggle that something isn't right go straight to triage!

I’ve got some growth scans booked in already so hoping they will put a few more in place now I’ve actually had the procedure. It was all very rushed as had the check Friday and wasn’t meant to see the consultant until this Friday to discuss a plan but was rushed into have it done yesterday. I’m having to take extra hormones so will continue to do that aswell and defo take on board what you have said. Thank you so much again xx

Someone I worked with had to have 3 LEETs procedures in a year leaving her with minimal cervix. A year later she fell pregnant and had the baby at 38 weeks. Their little one is now 3

That’s really reassured me. Thank you ❤️

@Hannah rest a lot. Minimal walking, avoid bending over to pick up things , reduce use of stairs etc basically avoid too much pelvic activity. The more strain you put on pelvic the more your cervix opens then the more strain you’ll put on the stitch and it can loosen up causing early labour. There’s a group on the link for CC mummies, read the posts and follow tips - it helped me a lot . https://community.whattoexpect.com/forums/cervical-cerclage-mommies.html

I could have written this post myself. I had two letz procedures and was rushed for an emergency stitch the day after my 20 week scan. I had my stitch removed at 37 weeks and carried a 9 pound baby to 39+4 weeks. I was convinced I’d go into preterm labour but had to be induced in the end. I was able to work until 32 weeks (doing a desk job that required me to bend and lift a suitcase out of my car each day with no complications). I know it’s hard to not worry, but try not it. When I looked at the stitch after the removed it, it was huge! So it certainly does the job of keeping baby in! Just wanted to share my positive story to help reassure you. I know it’s scary and worrying but you’re in the place you need to be to keep baby safe! Sending lots of love

How did they decide you needed a cervical stitch? I’ve had one LLETZ procedure and am terrified that I’ll not have much cervix

@Aimee thank you. I’ve been soo worried about it and getting myself all worked up that I will lose the baby or go into preterm later on. I’ve got some light bleeding on/off is that normal after? I only had it done yesterday at 4pm and the consultant said it was nothing to worry about but obvs I do haha xx

@El when I had the Lletz I had to go back for a 2nd as it showed that they hadn’t got all the cells. The consultant who done it said I would 100% need a stitch due to what they needed to remove. I’ve been very vocal to my midwife etc. I had bleeding / spotting on n off since 6 weeks. Put on progesterone at 8 weeks and had scans every 2 weeks. So they were aware my cervix needed checking which was done last Friday at a routine scan for it but it was measuring 20mm so they rushed me to the consultant Friday and I was then took into hosp Tuesday morning and had a spinal and the surgery done. The surgeon said I had very minimal cervix and she struggled to get the stitch in. Which sent me into a state of panic. But I’ve seen 2 further consultants and they all seem really happy that It will hold. If you are worried definitely speak up in your scans or midwife appointments xx

@Hannah oh bless you, that must have been really scary :( My midwife knows I had a LLETZ and she said they will measure my cervix at some point but I can’t remember when she said they’d do that

@El it’s been really scary. I had a massive breakdown at 12am last night when the midwife came in. Poor women I think it all just came flooding out. Don’t quote me but I think if you haven’t had issues then it’s 20 weeks. But if you’re concerned or worried just keep on and see if they can check for you xx

@Hannah oh bless you, I’m not surprised! Xx

@Hannah I was in exactly the same boat. I was convinced that if I did make it to term that as soon as the removed the stitch that baby would come bursting out but the progesterone helps lengthen the cervix as well as the stitch to keep it in place. Yea I had some really light bleeding for about a week. I was really anxious and went into triage so many times from week 20-39. But I’m here writing this now as my 7 month old baby is sleeping. It’ll all work out. It’s just scary because it’s unknown, even without complications it’s scary!

@El I think it varies from trust to trust. I didn’t have the length of my cervix checked until my 20 week scan. I found out after that the midwives should have referred me for a cervical length scan earlier as they knew my history of 2x letz rather than waiting for my 20 week scan. If you are worried, I encourage you to speak to your midwife to get it checked earlier. I only say this as I was rushed to have the stitch put in as my cervix was so short and baby was so big by 20 weeks that my cervix had already started funnelling (opening) in the 24 hours between the scan and the procedure