Sewing the cervix closed?

[HeavenLeigh]

After a bleeding episode last night I called my doctor and described what was going on. He confirmed my theory that the blood was coming from my cervix and said I may have to have a Cervical Cerclage. That's where they sew the cervix closed. Has anyone ever had one of these or even heard of one of these? I had never until now. Here's a site that explains what it is and does.


Cervical Cerclage : American Pregnancy Association

[IUgrad02]

I have definitely heard of this, but I do not know much about it. I'll take a look at that link though. Keep us in the loop. Hope all is well with you and your belly bump.

[Csara]

Yes, I have heard of it. Basically they sew you up and then open it when you are ready to give birth. You have to pretty much be on bed rest or at least very limited activity, as far as I know. Good luck!! Whatever helps your little bean stay put and healthy, right?

[stacyl]

Heard of it, known people who have had it done, and my MIL should have had it done back in the 70s (when it existed, but they didn't bother putting it in until the mom had hit 27-28 weeks - she lost a baby at 26 weeks and my SIL was a 27 week preemie with the health issues to show from it).

My understanding is that it isn't a big deal and may keep you off bedrest for a bit longer. I've even known some people to have one, have it removed at 36 weeks and stay pregnant for 3 weeks beyond the cerclage removal. That's irony

[Tearianna]

One of my co-workers had this done, and it helped her carry a baby to term after having 3 previous miscarriages. She didn't have to go on 100% bedrest, but she did have a desk job and she did have to take scheduled rest times throughout the day when she'd lie down on a cushion in her office for a while.

She said it really wan't that big of a deal, compared to some of the other things we have to go through during labor and delivery! Of course, it is always scary when it's happening to you ... but you really want that cervix to stay closed as long as possible ... and the stitches will help with that.

[HeavenLeigh]

I'm glad to hear that the ppl you know had good experiences with it. I honestly had never heard of this procedure. I know what it is and does but still can't grasp the big picture on it....
Every time I think about it I imagine my do-dah sewed shut. Not a pretty picture BTW. Can my cervix still bleed after this is done? Ever since that pap anytime I strain like during nature calls or bending over/picking something up that's not even heavy--I start to bleed. Last night was pretty bad. The doc said there's no doubt between my double uterus and cervix problems that's why Darek was premature. Thank God he was okay compared to what he could have been. He just couldn't suck to eat and had jaundice that was tough to go away. I was young and scared and had no idea what was going on. I thought he was going to die. I couldn't comprehend why they would send him to a bigger hospital if he was "fine". I had a raging case of PPD and panic attacks. I do NOT want to go thru that again.....so if means having this done, I'm ready.

[Margarita]

I would think that the bleeding would stop after this procedure. I believe that's part of why they do it. The bleeding indicates potential problems carrying to term, so they do a cerclage to stop the bleeding and help the pregnancy continue.

It doesn't sound fun to me, but if it helps, whatever it takes. Don't worry, they won't sew your doo-dah shut! Remember, your cervix is way up in there and is just a tiny opening.

Best of luck to you! You are in my thoughts and prayers, girl!!

[mcmommy]

I also have had friends who have had this done and in all their cases it helped them carry closer to term. They all had physical restrictions, like not lifting more than 5 lbs or so, and some did have some bedrest. All recovered quickly from the cerclage procedure. I know it sounds scary, but I think it is a pretty simple procedure.

[nisha]

I think I'm the odd man out here......

There's no evidence that a cerclage will stop the bleeding. If you bleed that much from other things, more than likely you just have a very sensitive cervix.
A cerclage will help you if you are dilating early, or have an "incompetent cervix". Has the cause of bleeding been determined?
I started effacing early with my first pregnancy, and my Midwife talked about doing a cerclage. Thankfully, things didn't get any worse so we didn't do one. Now after the fact, the more I research it, the more thankfull I am that I didn't have to make the decision.

I would reccomend lots of research before making a decision either way, and hopefully soon you'll have some answers as to why you are bleeding!

[La-Petite-Fleure]

Hi guys, i haven't posted on here in a bit but i happened upon this particular post at 3 am.......and i have gotta say NO YOU DO NOT NEED A CERCLAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had an incompetent cervix when i was pregnant last year....a cervix which could not hold the baby and at 3 months i had the beginning of a miscarriage.......went to my ob straight away and he looked at me had tests done, etc. and confirmed my incompent cervix. Anyway, i asked him if he was going to do a cerclage and he said...what? He said he uses a pessary....a plastic device which inserts inside of you that doesnt necessarliy close the cervix all the way but rather Transfers the weight of the baby from the front to the back....ensuring that the cervix doesnt open anymore and he assured me at in all the years he used this method....which has been a lot....that he has had virtually no miscarriages and almost no preterm births either. I carried till full term and i didnt need to stay in bed all that time either, as you would with a cerclage. My doctor says it was actually used in the MIDDLE AGES as a method for icompetent cervix, leaking amniotic fluid, etc. Anything youd need to *sew up*...... it does work and you cant even feel in there. Its onlie as painful as a pap smear really, and honestly, it made my pregnancy a great one, being that it was in the summer and i wanted to show off my cute baby bump. Honestly, any doctor who tells you different can call Dr. Keith Ramsay, in NW Indiana......this is a really awesome procedure....i was born a preemie at 22 weeks and my mother had a cerclage with me. My son didnt have to be born earlie because of the pessary. I urge you to try it if you have some kind of cerclage issue.