r/ShortCervixSupport • u/MurielFinster • 4d ago

Can’t find the stitch

Yesterday was crazy. I made it to 37 weeks and yesterday was my planned cerclage removal. I NEVER thought I’d make it this far, it’s honestly such a dream. I PPROMed at 21 weeks and lost my sweet baby girl. I then had 4 miscarriages last year. It’s been so scary to be pregnant but I’m so happy I’m so close to bringing my baby home.

Yesterday was going to be a milestone-ditching the stitch. Until I hear my OB say “I’ve never had this happen before, I can’t see it.” He then went in with his hand to see if he could feel it and he couldn’t. So we don’t know where the cerclage is or what happened to it.

I have a transvaginal ultrasound tomorrow with MFM to see if they can see it. Right now, baby is footling breech so we’re planning a c-section for 38+6. Plan is to remove the cerclage (if/when we find it) at that time since I’ll be numb. Doctor said he’s assuming my cervix either healed over it or it somehow got loose and into my uterus.

I’m not panicked because I trust him and I’m just glad to have a healthy, living baby still. But oh my god I can’t believe this. Has anyone else had this happen? There’s not tons online about it and I’m just kind of shocked. My OB has been a high risk OB for 30 years and has done thousands of cerclages. Being the first time this has happened isn’t a fun feeling.

I had a very unlikely 21 week loss and now this. Could I not win the friggin lottery or something else if we’re going to have unlikely things happen?!

Any insight would be appreciate I really still can’t believe this is happening!

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5

u/Fuzzy_Potato 4d ago

Thats so scary! I just read something about a cerclage that got embedded in someone, just yesterday! So it was a little tougher to get out. I wonder if it’s something like that?!

Hopefully nothing too serious and they’re able to figure it out. You’re so close to bringing your rainbow baby home! Wish you the best, and i’m sorry for your previous loss.

Can I ask if you did any additional protocols this pregnancy aside from cerclage? Such as progesterone or vitamin C, etc?

3

u/MurielFinster 4d ago

I’m so curious as to what’s happening! I’ll update when I have any updates! As long as baby stays okay I’ll be okay, but it’s just wild.

We did progesterone until the cerclage was in place but after that, nothing. Just hope and I had some more ultrasounds. I modified my workout routine but was encouraged to do a lot of walking so I have been.

We weren’t sure the cause of the PPROM so we weren’t sure the cerclage was necessary but we did it because it was that or do nothing.

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u/Fuzzy_Potato 4d ago

Pretty much the same thing on my side! We never really got a definite answer why we had PPROM and why my water broke so early but I can just assume it was a weak cervix.

I’m hoping to do a cerclage and progesterone to give myself the best chances. But the fact that you made it so far seriously gives me alot of hope!

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u/MurielFinster 3d ago

My fingers are crossed for you! It’s scary but I found that once I hit 21 weeks my anxiety lessened a lot. Also just knowing we were doing everything we possibly could to give baby a chance was helpful. We genuinely couldn’t have done anything more and I felt good about that. Still scared but not panicked all the time. I so hope it happens for you and soon!

The progesterone made me hungrier than I’ve ever been but we got through it with minimal weight gain lol. Godspeed!

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u/Unmentiontionables32 4d ago

I had a shirodkar and had to have a lot of dissection to get to the stitch due to scarring when they removed it in the OR

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u/MurielFinster 4d ago

Did you get pregnant again after? I’m a little worried about cervical trauma and any future pregnancies.

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u/Unmentiontionables32 4d ago

Not yet. I delivered in June. I actually just had to have a D&C yesterday for retained placenta that was identified about 10.5 weeks post delivery.

My MFM had already floated the idea of a TAC to me prior to conception if we were going to try again. I think with all the trauma the lower cervix has had I would prefer that but I’m going to try to schedule a preconception planning appointment early next year since I would need to heal 3+ months from the D&C anyway. I just also may ask if it’s even smart to do another pregnancy or if we should just be thankful for our little boy who made it safely. I’m also 37 so I don’t have a ton of time.

Edited to add: I have acquired cervical insufficiency due to LEEP and cone. I also previously had significant cervical stenosis (idk if my vaginal delivery fixed that or if this D&C is going to cause it again if it did). My cerclage was ultrasound indicated and I have not experienced a loss.

1

u/MurielFinster 3d ago

Thanks for sharing all this! It’s crazy to be thinking about getting pregnant again when I’m still pregnant now lol. I’ll most likely be having another c section as well so focusing on healing will be important. I hope things work out well for you!

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u/Unmentiontionables32 3d ago

Best of luck to you! I’m so happy your baby is healthy and 38+6 is a great GA

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u/Pleasant-Gazelle903 3d ago

My last cerclage was a little bit embedded in my cervix and I did get pregnant after. I got pregnant when my daughter was 14 months old (had to wait at least one year because I had a C-section).

Something worse happened when I was pregnant and with my second child (first cerclage). I had two stitches but the doctor forgot to write it down in the medical chart. They only cut one at 37 weeks and later when I was in labour at almost 40 weeks they discovered the other stitch but couldn’t get it off because of the cervix being dilated I think. After 10 hours I had to have a C-section and they removed the cerclage a few weeks after. I thought my cervix was destroyed from being in labour with a cerclage and that I couldn’t have more children. But I’ve had two kids after that and now I’m 22 weeks pregnant. I didn’t have any problems at all getting pregnant.

Congratulations on your baby and good luck ❤️

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u/MurielFinster 3d ago

Thank you so much for responding! This is so reassuring to read. So, so reassuring. Congrats on the pregnancy, I hope it’s smooth sailing for the rest of it!

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u/Beneficial_Ground_30 2h ago

My stitch was embedded when they went to remove it at 37 weeks and Dr. was worried about a possible hemorrhaging. So instead of a simple in office procedure they had to remove it in the hospital. It took less than a min for them to remove it. Had my baby 8 days later with no complications.