What is it like to have a cervical stitch?

I still feel I am very much coming to terms with having a cervical stitch. Having it for just over a week, it has still been a rollercoaster and something that is constantly on my mind. The doctors managed to extend my cervix from 4mm to 24mm (with the typical cervix during mid-pregnancy being 35mm). I never thought I would be jealous of another womans cervical length! Scouring forums often leaves me thinking the worst and regularly leaves me in tears, reading about ladies with lengths of 15mm pre-stitch we just have to remember we have all been in this terrifying position.

20 weeks + 1 day cervical scan

So I thought I would put together a list of questions I would have liked to have known the answers to...

1. What was the epidural like?

Talking to my mum about it afterwards we both had completely different experiences with the epidural. It felt like someone had dribbled some warm fluid down one side of my back whereas my mum found it very painful. The epidural was more effective on my left compared to right which was a very interesting experience because when it eventually wore off my left side took much longer to regain sensation. The doctors test to see if it's working by putting a cold spray on you to see where you can feel it, I think I lost all sensation below my belly button. The doctors then cover you up so you can't see whats happening.

2. Is the stitch painful?

I didn't feel the doctors put in the stitch but I could feel it afterwards. I had very sharp pains on my left and right side near my cervix following the operation. This could have been due to the little one lying on my cervix (just for fun!). The pain is quite dull, bearing in mind it is an operation I wouldn't be surprised if there was quite a bit of swelling. The more I move around the more painful it gets, but sometimes the pain only subsides if i get up! It also hurts if I need to visit the toilet for a more lengthy visit.

3. Can you feel the stitch?

I can feel the stitch, at first I really did panic as to whether this was normal. It feels a lot tighter in my lower pelvis compared to before. It almost feels like there is a tampon left in there, so very different to when there wasn't much left of my cervix.

4. What do you need to be careful of?

Keep everything clean! The risk of infection is big in terms of stitches, making sure everything remains clean is all I think about for hours on end. Bacteria from the vagina can enter the cervix and cause the membranes to rupture and just can't be prevented sometimes. I feel better knowing I am doing everything I can... disinfecting the toilet before every use, only having showers, using alcohol hand sanitiser and not using scented shower gels.

5. How often should you have checkups?

This was the first question on my mind. The doctor scanned me the next morning to check on the baby and stitch but after that it is up to the premature clinic to see you. Do not leave the hospital without that appointment! They don't like repetitive scanning so we'll only find out what is happening on monday during our first premature clinic appointment where I am hoping they will scan.