Cerclage question

I have a question for you ladies who have had a cerclage. I have never heard of this until I came to TS. I have now heard it from other moms I know… well my Dr. called me Friday morning saying he wants me to meet with a high risk OB and have a consultation on a possible cerclage… So I go in Monday at 2:00 for the consultation.
If he thinks I should get one due to my PTL history and my cervix issues, what can I expect? Is it an in office procedure? I guess I just want to know what’s involved… Everything involved… what was your experience…
I will go over all this with him (of course) but I want to go in a little prepared if that is the road he thinks we should go down… Also is there a window that this can only be done in a pregnancy? Is there a point it is too late?
I did a brief internet search on the topic (with not much luck)… but I thought what better then to ask the wonderful ladies here…

Thank you all in advance :hug99: …

Elizabeth

 

My cerclage was done in the O.R. and I think that is where it is normally done (but I'm not 100% sure). But they would not want to introduce any sort of infection when doing the procedure so the O.R. makes sense. I had a spinal, so I was not put under. I spent the next 2 nights in the hospital so they could monitor me and give me IV antibiotics, but my cerclage was emergent and they wanted to make sure my contractions had died down and my cerclage was going to hold.

The earlier the cerclage is done, and with more length, the better. Mine was done at 16w5d with 0.2cm of cervix left, and it had a 50% chance of working. Normally preventative cerclages are done around 13-14 weeks, and I think the latest some (not all) doctors will do them is 22-24 weeks. The bigger the babies the riskier I believe.

Good luck! I am a cerclage believer, it saved my pregnancy.

 

I also had an emergency cerclage at 24 weeks, which is the latest they will do it. At that point I didn't have much cervix left, but they told me it should last.

I had mine done at the OR too. I was in almost a week, but that is because I was having contractions as well. I also had a spinal which I didn't like the feeling of. I felt as if I couldn't breathe, but they assured me everything was fine. I did have some cramping afterwards for awhile as well, as well as discharge, which I was told was totally normal.

The cerclage gave me 10 more days which I know truly helped!! I do believe the earlier you have them the better, but sometimes, like my case, there is no reason to have one earlier, I had no PTL or cervix issues from my first pregnancy, so it was never discussed until the day before I had it when my cervix suddenly went to almost nothing!

But if you have previous cervix issues, it is probably a good thing to have.

 

I know there are varying opinions on this. I've had PTL issues and short cervix since 19 weeks. My team of peris (4 of them) and my two OBs were all in agreement not to do one. I was told that the research does not show them to be beneficial for multiple pregnancies and could be detrimental. I don't know what specific research they were referring to though.

 

Thank You Ladies :hug99: ,

I am sooo glad I posted this, I had NO idea that it was that involved… glad to have time to digest that BEFORE my appointment… my DH is not a fan of the idea… he says something in his gut tells him this is bad (but that could be his lack of knowledge)… but we will go in with open minds to the appointment… I will keep you posted and tell you the out come later today…

Thank you again for your insight…
Elizabeth

 

GL at your appt Elizabeth! i pray u get the answer u want to hear

 

Update: well we just got home and the Dr and my OB think its best to get the cerclage… as my cervix has shortened again… I was 2.9 two weeks ago 2.7 one week ago and 2.2 today… with some funneling… he said the funneling doesn’t surprise him as the babies measured 20w (I’m only 18). So I go in Friday really early… the big kicker… the only thing that has scared me this whole pregnancy was getting a spinal… and now I am going to have TWO!!! I even posted if anyone had tips to help me get over my spinal fears… but I thought I would have months to mentally prepare.
Thank you all for your support and insight…
Elizabeth

 

I had to have a cerclage due to a previous loss at 20 weeks and a diagnosis with an Incompetant Cervix (dialating too fast with absolutly no notice and no feeling).

When I got pregnant again my OB decided that I would need a cerclage but will not place them until after the first trimester is over. I had mine placed at around 13 or 14 weeks. I went into the OR, had a spinal and was awake the entire procedure. They placed a stitch in my cervix to help hold it tightly shut. There is a slight possibility of contractions afterwards. I felt some slight cramping for about an hour or so. After about 3 hours of observation with fetal monitors I was sent home.

Since I was considered high risk due to my previous loss by OB was very cautious and I spent most of my pregnancy laying down on modified bedrest. My cerclage held until 32 weeks when I started to dialate and went into preterm labor that was not stopping. Ther cerclage was removed and my contractions stopped. I help out another couple weeks and delivered at 34 weeks.

I personally believe that the cerclage is the only thing that saved my pregnancy and helped me get as far as I did .

If you have any questions whatso ever please pt me. I do not come into expecting very often but this topic happened to be at the top of the list and caught my eye.