cerclage question

[nj teacher]

ANyone have a cerclage removed? Just wondering whether you had to get a spinal for the removal - I had one to get the stitch initially.

And was the removal done in your OB/peri's office, or at the hospital? Mine was "installed" in the hospital by my peri, but my OB will be removing it.

Did it hurt? What was involved?

THanks!

[Viketory]

Do you have a Shirodkar or McDonald? The first one is supposed to be stronger and I'm guessing that's what you have since a peri did it.

I had the Shirodkar placed by a peri and was scheduled to have it removed at the hosp with no anesthesia. It was supposed to be a simple thing. Take the stitch out and monitor me to make sure I didn't go into labor. My water broke three days (36w2d) before scheduled removal though and was removed by the OB on call for my practice.

I hate to say this but it was the most painful experience of my life. The stitch had become embedded and the fluid made it hard for her to see. It was a Sunday and she hadn't seen the OP report from the placement and it was double knotted and she didn't know that. I spent 15 minutes with no drugs while she stabbed at my cervix trying to get that thing. Half of it came out but she couldn't get the other half.

Finally she gave me some Nubain and once I relaxed a bit it was easier for her to see and it came out. I was close to needing a C Section because it was stuck.

How it goes depends on whether it's embedded or not. If it is it's harder. The cerclage will cut through your cervix like a knife through butter and will rest in there. It may be to your advantage when the time comes that your cervix never grew back so there's less to embed in, I don't know.

I'm not trying to scare you, the OB said mine was the most difficult removal she had ever done so I don't think it's that common for it to go like that.

I do advise if you can though to find out if there are any special knots in there or to get a copy of the OP report in case the removal is done in unplanned circumstances. Also, don't be dumb like me and wait for them to offer drugs, ask if it gets to be too much. I laid as still as I could but it's impossible not to tense up.

When she was done I was 3cm dialted, not sure how effaced, and had a fine vaginal delivery 8 hours later.

Any other questions just let me know and congratulations. You've done an amazing job keeping your babies nice and snug!

[nj teacher]

thanks Karen, that was really helpful. I'm not sure what type of cerclage it is, but I have two separate stitches (that's what I see on u/s). And it held my 0.8 cm cervix together for 14 weeks so far, so it must be strong, lol!

I think I will ask my peri to remove it instead of just pushing it off onto my OB. Bart thinks we should be in the hospital in case I go into labor.