Treatment to prevent a premature birth

Having a cervical stitch 

A cervical stitch is an operation where a stitch is placed around the cervix (neck of the womb). This may help to keep the cervix closed and reduce the risk of premature birth. 

A cervical stitch is either put in vaginally (transvaginal) or through the abdomen (transabdominal). A transvaginal stitch is more common. 

Is there any reason I couldn’t have a cervical stitch?

Sometimes you may be advised not to have a cervical stitch because it would be bad for your health or may not help prevent premature birth. This may happen if you:

• have any signs of infection
• are having vaginal bleeding
• are having contractions
• your waters have already broken (PPROM). 

Are there any risks from having a cervical stitch?

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that a cervical stitch will work, so you may still experience a late miscarriage or premature birth. 

The risks of surgery are rare but include:

• bleeding
• infection
• injury to the bladder
• injury to the cervix
• your waters breaking early. 

Having a cervical stitch is not always possible. For example, if your cervix is already too short or too far open. A vaginal cervical stitch does not increase your chances of needing an induction or a caesarean section. 

How is a transvaginal cervical stitch put in?

A vaginal cervical stitch is performed in an operating theatre in hospital. You’ll be given an anaesthetic that will make you numb from the waist down or that will make you sleep. Your healthcare professional will talk to you about which option is best.

The surgeon will insert a speculum into your vagina, hold the cervix and put a stitch around it. The stitch is then tightened and tied, helping to keep the cervix closed. The operation usually takes less than an hour and you’ll be offered medication to ease any discomfort after the surgery. 

There are 2 different types of vaginal stitch:

• low vaginal stitch (sometimes called a McDonald Cerclage)
• high vaginal stitch (sometimes called a Shirodkarstitchor TVCIC – Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage).

Which type of stitch is used will depend on your personal situation and your healthcare professional. They should talk to you about this before the procedure. 

When is a transvaginal cervical stitch put in?

A vaginal cervical stitch is usually done between 12 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Rarely, it is done at an earlier or later stage. 

How will I feel after having a transvaginal cervical stitch?

You may have some vaginal bleeding or brownish discharge for a day or 2. Once you recover, you can continue as normal for the rest of your pregnancy. You can have sex when and if you feel comfortable (unless you have been advised not to).

You should contact your healthcare team if you experience any of the following:

• contractions or cramping abdominal pain
• continued or heavy vaginal bleeding
• your waters breaking
• smelly or green vaginal discharge. 

When is the transvaginal cervical stitch removed?

Your stitch will be taken out in hospital at around 36–37 weeks of pregnancy (unless you go into labour before then). A speculum is inserted into your vagina and the stitch is cut and removed. 

This usually takes just a few minutes. You may experience some discomfort, but most women don’t need anaesthetic to numb the area.

You may notice some blood staining or vaginal spotting afterwards. This should settle within 24 hours, but you may have a brown discharge for longer. Tell your healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Can I have a vaginal delivery after the transvaginal cervical stitch is removed?

Yes. Very rarely, scar tissue can form around the stitch, which prevents the cervix from dilating (opening) enough during labour. This makes a vaginal delivery more difficult. However, less than 3% of women need to have a caesarean section because of cervical scarring. 

What if I go into labour when the stitch is in place?

If you go into labour with the cervical stitch still in place, you should contact your maternity unit straight away. It is important to have the stitch removed to prevent damage to your cervix.

If your waters break early but you are not in labour, the stitch will usually be removed because of the increased risk of infection. Your healthcare professional should talk to you about when this should happen. 

What is a transabdominal stitch? 

A transabdominal stitch is a cervical stitch that is put in through the abdomen. Your doctor may offer you transabdominal stitch if:

• you have had a transvaginal stitch before and it didn’t prevent a preterm birth
• you have a high risk of very early delivery and the shape of your cervix makes a transvaginal stitch impossible. 

How is a transabdominal stitch put in?

The doctor will need to make a cut in your abdomen (stomach). You’ll be given an anaesthetic that will make you numb from the waist down or that will make you sleep. Your healthcare professional will talk to you about which option is best. You shouldn’t feel any pain, but there is pain relief available. 

When is a transabdominal stitch put in?

You can have a transabdominal stitch before getting pregnant or in early pregnancy (before 14 weeks).

Does a transabdominal stitch always work?

There is no guarantee that a transabdominal stitch will work. But you will have a very good chance (over 90%) of giving birth when your baby is full term.

Can I have a vaginal birth after a transabdominal stitch?

No. You will need a caesarean section to deliver your baby when you are around 37–39 weeks pregnant. This is because the stitch will prevent the cervix from opening and labour could cause damage. 

When is the transvaginal cervical stitch removed?

It is safe to leave this stitch inside your womb, so you will not need to have it removed. This may be helpful if you decide to have another baby. 

You can request to have the stitch removed during your caesarean section, but it isn’t always possible. 

What is a rescue stitch?

You may be offered a cervical stitch as an emergency procedure if your cervix has already opened and you are between 16 and 27 weeks pregnant. This can help prolong pregnancy. This is called a rescue stitch. This won’t be suitable if you:

• have signs of an infection
• have vaginal bleeding
• are having contractions. 

This procedure carries risks and doesn’t always work. Your healthcare team will talk to you about the risks and benefits of this procedure. 

What happens if the cervical stitch doesn’t work?

If the team at the hospital think you are going into labour with a cervical stitch, they will likely examine you and perform some tests to find out if you are in early labour. 

If you have had a transvaginal cervical stitch, you will need to have it removed before your baby is born. This is because there is a risk of it tearing if it is still in place while you are having contractions. 

If you had a transabdominal stitch, you’ll be advised to have a caesarean section.

Will I be advised to go on bed rest for premature birth?

There isn’t any research that proves that bed rest helps to prevent premature birth. But your midwife or doctor may offer this as a treatment. If so, they should discuss the pros and cons with you. 

What are the warning signs of premature birth?

Pregnancy for women at high-risk of premature birth can be a very anxious time. If you are worried about any signs or symptoms, should contact your midwife or hospital immediately. Here are some possible signs of premature labour that you can look out for:

• regular contractions or tightenings
• period-type pains
• a "show" – when the plug of mucus that has sealed the cervix during pregnancy comes away and out of the vagina
• a gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina – this could be your waters breaking early (PPROM)
• backache that's not usual for you.

Tell your midwife or hospital staff immediately if:

• you are bleeding
• your baby is moving less than usual
• your waters have broken and they are smelly or coloured. 

Find out more about the signs of early labour.