Pregnancy is an important and crucial period in the life of every woman. Unfortunately, health problems at this time are far from uncommon. And in some cases, the doctor recommends a special procedure to the patient, during which a suture is applied. On the cervix during pregnancy, sutures are needed in order to prevent miscarriage or premature birth.
On the other hand, surgical intervention during the bearing of a child scares women. So in what cases is such a procedure prescribed? What are the risks associated with it? What is a surgical procedure and how is the rehabilitation period? The answers to these questions are of interest to many patients.
Suturing the cervix during pregnancy: why is it needed?
The uterus is an important organ of the reproductive system. This is where the implantation of a fertilized egg takes place and the embryo develops further. Normally, the woman’s cervix begins to open slowly, starting from the 36th week. But in some patients, the discovery occurs in the early stages.
This is fraught with extremely dangerous consequences for the child, because a growing organism may still be non-viable. Miscarriage or premature birth are consequences that a future mother may face. It is in such situations that doctors prescribe stitches on the cervix during pregnancy - a similar procedure can save a child’s life.
The main indications for the procedure
Of course, there are situations when sutures on the cervix during pregnancy are simply necessary. Indications for the procedure are as follows:
- Isthmic-cervical insufficiency is a pathology that is accompanied by the expansion or shortening of the cervical canal of the cervix. A similar phenomenon develops with anatomical defects of the cervix, which, in turn, can be associated with mechanical damage, previously suffered by inflammatory diseases, cancer, etc.
- Hormonal malfunctions, because it is hormones that control the condition of the walls of the genital organ. A change in the amount of certain hormones in the blood can cause relaxation or contraction of the muscles of the uterus, early opening of the cervix.
- If the patient has a history of previous miscarriages or premature births, then the doctor will probably carefully monitor the patient’s health and prescribe surgical intervention if necessary.
A suture on the cervix during pregnancy can ensure the normal development of the baby. Nevertheless, only an experienced obstetrician-gynecologist is able to decide on the procedure.
What preparation does stitching require?
Suturing the cervix during pregnancy is not a very complicated procedure. Nevertheless, the doctor may decide to undergo surgery only after passing all the necessary tests and analyzes.
Starting from the 12th week of pregnancy, women are sent for ultrasound, during which the specialist can determine the early opening of the uterus. Ultrasound can be repeated to confirm the diagnosis. Naturally, as before any other operation, it is necessary to take blood and urine tests, check the level of hormones in the blood of a pregnant woman and conduct other tests. Immediately the day before the operation, vaginal debridement is performed.
Features of surgical intervention
Naturally, patients are interested in questions about how exactly the surgical intervention occurs. In fact, this is not such a difficult procedure, and it lasts no more than 15-20 minutes. Suturing is performed under general anesthesia. To strengthen the uterus, as a rule, durable nylon threads are used.
The doctor may suture the external or internal edges of the pharynx. Access to tissues is usually through the vagina, but in some cases a laparoscopic procedure is required (through small punctures in the abdominal wall). The number of stitches depends on how much the neck has opened.
When are stitches removed?
Already sutures on the cervix during pregnancy help preserve the fetus inside the womb. As a rule, they are removed at the 37th week. Naturally, before this, a woman undergoes an examination and an ultrasound examination, during which it is possible to find out whether the child is sufficiently developed to be born.
Removal of suture material is carried out without anesthesia - this procedure may not be very pleasant, but painless and quick. In most cases, childbirth occurs on the same day. But even if there are no contractions, the woman should be in a hospital.
It is worth saying that in some (rare) cases, a suture on the cervix during pregnancy, alas, cannot prevent the early birth process. Then the seams are removed on an emergency basis. If you do not perform the procedure on time, then suture threads can severely damage the pharynx, complicate childbirth and create problems in the future (if a woman wants another child).
Postoperative period: rules and precautions
Sutures on the cervix during pregnancy provide the baby with normal intrauterine development. Nevertheless, the success of the procedure largely depends on how the rehabilitation period goes. The woman spends the first 3-7 days after surgery in a hospital, under the constant supervision of doctors. She is prescribed strict bed rest, taking antibacterial agents (as a prophylaxis of inflammation) and antispasmodics (prevent the uterus from contracting). In addition, sutures are washed regularly with antiseptic solutions.
In the first few days, patients feel mild pain in the lower abdomen. Perhaps the appearance of vaginal discharge in the form of a sacrum, with impurities of blood. Such phenomena are considered normal and go away on their own. Gradually, the woman returns to her usual way of life.
There are some requirements that should be observed until the end of pregnancy. In particular, the future mother should not be lifted, engaged in physical labor, or overwork (physically or emotionally). Sexual life is also contraindicated. Important for women and children is rest and healthy sleep. A good diet will have a positive effect on health (it will help prevent constipation) and walks in the fresh air.
Suture on the cervix during pregnancy: complications
Like any surgery, suturing is associated with some risks. The procedure can cause some complications, in particular the inflammatory process. Such a pathology can have different reasons - sometimes pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the tissues during the procedure, sometimes already during rehabilitation. In addition, the development of an allergic inflammatory reaction with tissue contact with suture material is possible. These complications, as a rule, are accompanied by the appearance of uncharacteristic vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen, and an increase in body temperature.
The cervix after suturing during pregnancy can become hyperactive. Due to hypertonicity, women experience pulling, cramping pains in the lower abdomen. As a rule, you can return the patient to normal with the help of special drugs and bed rest.
Do not forget that the premature opening of the uterus is a consequence, not an independent problem. It is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis, find out what exactly caused the pathology, and eliminate the primary cause. For example, with hormonal disorders, the patient is prescribed special hormonal drugs. Chronic inflammation also requires some therapy.
Contraindications to the procedure
It is worth noting that this procedure can be carried out far from every case. A suture on the cervix during pregnancy is contraindicated in the following cases:
- The presence of a sluggish inflammatory process in the organs of the reproductive system.
- Increased excitability of the uterus (referring to cases where it cannot be eliminated with medication).
- Bleeding.
- Blood clotting disorder, as massive blood loss is possible.
- Severe chronic diseases, including damage to the kidneys, heart, or liver.
- Frozen pregnancy, the death of a child in the womb.
- The presence of certain abnormalities in the process of child development (if this is confirmed by diagnostic procedures and tests).
- Suturing has a time limit - the intervention is not performed after the 25th week of pregnancy.
It is worth saying that if for some reason a surgical procedure is impossible (for example, if the problem was diagnosed too late), then a special pessary made of durable plastic is placed on the uterus. It not only keeps the cervix closed, but also partially relieves the load from the uterine walls. In addition, the patient is recommended strict bed rest.
Reviews of doctors and patients about surgical intervention
Of course, a lot of useful information can be obtained by talking with women who have a suture on the cervix during pregnancy. Reviews about the procedure, by the way, are mostly positive. Many experts say that sometimes such surgical intervention is the only way to save a child’s life and give him enough time for normal development.
Women also leave positive feedback. The procedure is easy - only in the first day after the operation, some discomfort is possible. Of course, there is a likelihood of complications. Here a lot depends on the competence, experience and skills of the doctor, and therefore pregnant women can only be advised to take a specialist’s choice and strictly follow all his recommendations after suturing.