Has anyone ever heard of a surgery to prevent a miscarriage by sewing up the opening to the uterus?

Question

Please give websites and the name of the surgery if you can. My friend has had 4 miscarriages total and 3 in the last year. She can hold the baby for about 6-10 weeks and she loses it. The husband and her both have had tests done and they are both normal. My mom told me about a surgery that can be done once the baby is in place and shows no sign of deformity. But mom doesn't know the name of the surgery. The baby will stay until full term.

Answer 1

The procedure you're referring to is called a cerclage -- there's no need to cite specific websites, it's a very common procedure and any OB or OB/GYN is perfectly familiar with it. However, while the procedure is done to help the cervix remain closed during pregnancy it is NOT "surgery to prevent a miscarriage."

A cerclage is done if a woman has what's called an "incompetent cervix" -- and while an incompetent cervix can lead to miscarriage, that happens much later in pregnancy than your friend has ever experienced, when the weight of the growing baby, placenta, etc. becomes too much for the cervix to handle...the cervix opens...the baby is lost.

Unfortunately, early miscarriage such as those experienced by your friend cannot be surgically prevented, and are most often and most likely the result of chromosomal abnormalities. Both the man and woman can "karyotype" normal -- that is, their chromosomal workup, or karyotype, is fine -- but what happens when egg and sperm unite is a different story. A cerclage will do absolutely nothing to prevent an early loss, or a loss that's the result of something other than incompetent cervix (and a cerclage does not ensure a baby will be carried to term in any event).

Recurrent pregnancy loss is a horrible thing -- I know, I've had it, with 5 pregnancy losses to my name. I also underwent testing -- I'm going to assume your friend has seen a reproductive endocrinologist and/or reproductive immunologist, and was not simply tested by her OB. If no cause at all is found an RE might suggest PGD, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, which is suggested in cases of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Essentially, embryos are biopsied and about 10 chromosomes tested for "aneuploidy" -- to make sure the proper number of each of those chromosomes is present, no more and no less. It requires that IVF also be done, of course, so the doctors can access the embryos. Healthy embryos are then transferred to the woman.

There's a lot of information about PGD on the web, your friend can look there. There are also great cites for miscarriage support, and I also recommend the forums at http://www.tcoyf.com and http://www.ivfconnections.com.

Best of luck to your friend; she's lucky to have your help and support.

Answer 2

It's a ciraluge of the cervix. If her OB thought it was beneficial he would have suggested it. But, it's not always benefical nor does it always help. It just depends on the circumstances of the miscarriage. If the miscarriage is happening that early it's usually a sign of a genetic problem rather than a problem "holding" the baby. Perhaps, her and her husband should undergo genetic testing to see if they have any chromosonal abnormalities which will cause early miscarriages.

I also have a friend who has went through many miscarriages 14 in total over the last 10 years. They went through genetic testing on their last miscarriage. They haven't shared the results but I'm guessing it's not good as they are starting the adoption process this year.

Answer 3

I believe the surgery is called cerclage. The surgery is to try to hold the baby in when a woman has an incompetent cervix (meaning, the cervix won't stay closed while the woman is pregnant).

Please understand... the surgery may not help your friend. An incompetent cervix is not the only reason for miscarriage. I know it wasn't the cause of mine. There could be many other causes for her losses. She could discuss this option for her doctor, but don't get her hopes up. It may not help her at all.

Answer 4

Not the uterus, but I've heard of them sewing the cervix closed once an embryo is established. This would only be done if cervical incompetence was the reason for the miscarriages. This is probably not the reason for your friend's miscarriage though, since she does not make it to the 2nd trimester. At even 10 weeks, the baby should not be too big that the cervix cannot handle it. I wish her luck!

Answer 5

I've heard of it. An old co-worker of mine had this done cause she had a lot of miscarriages in the past. I don't know what the name of the surgery is but its a stitch that helps to keep the cervix closed until just before the delivery date. But usually with this surgery bed rest is involved so the stitch holds and around two weeks before the due date the stitch is removed. Your friend would have to talk to the doctor to see if this is something that'll work for her.

Answer 6

hey it's called a CERCLAGE ( i hope i spelled it right)
i have a weak cervix my first son was born at 20weeks he was 1 pound and he didn't make it. My daughter came at 23weeks she was 1 pound 3 ounces she made it and she's doing fine.
my doctor told me i have a weak cervix that i wouldn't be able to carry a baby full term unless i get the cerclage when they stitch your cervix up until you go into labor. you have to be over 16weeks before they can perform this. just last September i was pregnant and i was 16 weeks they couldn't perform the stitch because i was already spotting and they cant do it while you're bleeding. so i lost the baby. you have to be on bed rest until 16 weeks. it should work. I'm sure your doctor will explain it to you. good luck. oh by the way I'm 8 weeks now and taking it easy on bed rest until 16 weeks so i can get it.......

Answer 7

I have never heard of such a surgery. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exisit. It probably isn't in practice since it would probably be unethical considering that when a miscarriage, (spontaneous abortion), occurs the fetus is already dead or "non-viable" and if it were to be "kept in place" would only cause an infection as well as major complications for the woman including having to undergo a total hysterectomy. I can't see a doctor reocommending THAT for any of his patients.

Answer 8

She needs to talk to her OBGYN to see if that is even the problem. And i believe the surgery actually includes stitches that close up the cervex opening.
There could be hundreds of reasons her body cannot keep the baby she needs to find the problem out first with her doctor....

Answer 9

It is called a cerclage, they use a suture to tighten the cervix like a purse string. I think that it is a procedure that is more often used to prevent preterm labor than miscarriage. I am sorry for your friend's losses, it is sad.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cervicalcerclage.html

Answer 10

I think it call a cervical collage the put a mesh around the cervix so it dose not open prematurely type in your search engine and see what come up.