Cerclage - anyone BTDT?

[ged]

Apparently, recent studies suggest they are not as effective as some may think, and treating with progresterone is more successful than a cerclage. I think bed rest is likely in either case. According to my understanding, there is about a 2% risk of losing the baby due to a cerclage. So, if you have had a cerclage, can you tell me why, when/how far along were you, and how the experience was? How much bed rest were you on? If you chose not to have one, any comments/experiences would be great as well. Thank you!

[Carrots]

I have experience with shortening cervix, but I have not have a cerclage. I discussed the procedure with my perinatologist when I was pg with DD, after suffering the loss of my triplets the year before, and he said the studies were inconclusive. Also, in my case, he wasn't convinced IC had anything to do with the loss of my triplets since I had so many other complications. However, at 28 weeks with DD, I was suddenly dilated 2 cm (too late for a cerclage), was given the steroid shots for her lungs, spent a week in the hospital, then sent home for 2 months of bedrest. I lucked out and delivered her at 38w6d.

At my post partum visit, we agreed that next time around I would take the progesterone shots starting at 17 weeks, but would not have a cerclage.

I do know of others who had cerclages and they worked well.

Many hugs.

[Twin Mom]

One of my friends had a cerclage at 20 weeks when she was pregnant with twins. I don't know the full details but her cervix was opening so they closed it up. She was on full bedrest from then until a few weeks before she had a scheduled c-section. Her twins were fine and were both over 6 lbs if I'm remembering correctly.

[ged]

Thanks for your comments. I am seeking some more feedback, as I lost a baby at 18 weeks because my cervix opened and it was too late for a cerclage. Now, I am 12 weeks along and need to decide whether to do the cerclage or just monitore/wait and see/progresterone,etc. I need to decide soon. My Dr., like the PPs, does not think very highly of the cerclage, but will do one for me if I choose to go that route.

[gator95]

I have had two cerclages. I was pg and had some spotting and cramping at 23 weeks and when I went to the ER, I was dialated to 10 cm. My son was born a few hours later and did not survive. In my case, my dr felt it was a classic case of incompetent cervix and felt a cerclage was necessary. I got pg again and had cerclage done at 13 weeks with a spinal. B/c I didn't want to take any chances, I was on strict bedrest from week 13 until week 37 when I delivered. I did go into labor with the stitch still in and the stitch did start ripping through my cervix, not painful but just something the dr told me during the c-section. Fast forward two and half years, got pg again, did cerclage again at week 13. I did as much bedrest as possible with a 2 year old. The stitch started pulling out around 28 weeks and I got the steroid shots for lung maturity. I made it until 37 weeks and then my water broke (cerclage removal was scheduled for 3 days later) and ended up with another c-section.

For me, it was the right decision. I can't trust my cervix at all! Let me know if you have other questions!

HTH!

Jessica

[chinook]

We lost our first daughter in 2005 after my cervix was found to be dilated at 20 weeks with bulging membranes. They attempted a rescue cerclage after two days basically standing on my head in the hospital but it was not to be. It was a "classic case" of IC.

I had a vaginal cerclage placed at 13 weeks with our b/g twins. My cervix was very soft at that point. I went on bedrest at home and stayed that way for 17 weeks. By 20 weeks of pregnancy I was intermittently open to the cerclage and had about 2cm (sometimes a bit more) of cervix past the cerclage.

At 30 weeks I came off of bedrest.

At 34 weeks + 5 days my membranes ruptured. The kids were born by c-section a day later.

At that time (2006) they were doing a study on vaginal progesterone in high risk pregnancies and my OB felt that the jury was still out. I had found a brazilian study from 2005 I believe that seemed to indicate it was of benefit but he wasn't impressed with how the study had been conducted.

So, I can't say what progesterone might have done for me but I am certain that the cerclage is the only reason I have two kiddos tucked into their beds as I type this. I think one of the big problems with IC is that it is massively overdiagnosed because it can be so hard to differentiate between that and PTL. I truly, personally, feel that someone with true IC can absolutely benefit from a cerclage.

There was an IC community on Yahoo groups I believe (can't recall exactly) that might be of further help.

I'm very sorry for your loss and wish you the absolute best of luck.

[DrSally]

My SIL had one b/c her DS1 was born at 26 weeks. With DD2, she was on no bedrest and went full term.

[lilycat88]

I had a cerclage placed at 13 weeks by my high risk OB. It was my first pregnancy but I had surgery years before for a complete uterine/cervical/vaginal septum and they left the septum in the cervix. Basically, it was a total precaution because they had no idea what my cervix was going to do. I had a spinal, came home and rested the rest of the day and weekend and was back to work on Monday. I was monitored by ultrasound every week for what seemed like forever and had a c-section at 37 weeks. I had some shortening but my regular OB felt that the cerclage did its job.

[Tnstrainor]

Yes I had a cerclage at 18 wks 6 days with my 3rd pregnancy. I lost my first son at 18 wks 6 days when I had premature rupture of membranes. I lost my second pregnancy at 13 weeks. My third pregnancy I went to maternal fetal specialist. I was watched carefully and I was not feeling right. I went in and my cervix was shortening and then I was put on bed rest. Later in the week I went back still my cervix was shortening. I had the cerclage at 18 wks 6 days. I was then put on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. My doctor only had two patients on bedrest. I had weekly appointments and even with the cerclage they said I would be lucky to get to 30 weeks. I made it to 38 and had the cerclage taken out at 37 wks. Bed rest was difficult but worth the sacrifice to have my earth angel, who is now 3. I will not ttc to conceive any more because every day I worried if this baby would survive.

[ged]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I am leaning towards the cerclage, and will probably schedule an appt. next week, for surgery in less than 2 weeks (my peri says he wants to put it in at 14 weeks, and I don't really want to go much later than that anyways). I don't really have time to get an official second opinion (though I am trying), so I am very grateful to get to hear all your real life experiences. I know many of you have been through painful losses. Thank you all again.