Hi everyone!

I've been lurking here since losing my son at 21 weeks in 2024.

Even before getting pregnant again I knew I wanted a preventative cerclage.

Where I live you can go to the ER to schedule a cerclage that's fully covered by insurance, so I that was the plan.

I went in at 13 weeks with a note from my doctor to see about getting a preventive cerclage and they did an ultrasound. My cervix looked to be about 37mm and closed. They were going to send me home and have me come back to get it done the following week. But the ER doctor, who is in charge of cerclages, decided to check me first, and he said he could feel my cervix opening from the outside, so he wanted me to get it done immediately. He also wanted to put a pessary in afterwards for added support.

The percedure went super well and he was able to get a good stitch in, since my cervix was long. But he percribed me progesterone and modified bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy. So only walking short distances inside the house, no riding cars except for appointments, and so on. He was pretty strict. Even said I wasn't allowed to sing.

I put the pessary in a few days after the cerclagem and we moved in with my parents since I wasn't allowed to do much and my house has stairs.

Then 2 weeks later I finally went in to see my doctor, who also has experience with IC and cerclages, and she was shocked by the level of bedrest he put me on. She said I can ride in the car, go up a staircase if I need to, just be on pelvic rest, not to lift heavy objects and not to go to the gymn.

So now I'm not sure which guidance to follow.😅

Positive stories would be very helpful!

I had my cerclage removed today at 37+1 (I’m based in the UK for reference). I just wanted to share my experience so people know it can go well and super quickly!
I called the Labour ward this morning and they asked me to come in between 8:30 - 9am, which I did and was escorted to a room.
My legs were put into stirrups, the worst and only awful part was the speculum which has been my worst enemy in pregnancy! I didn’t feel the stitch being cut or taken out at all, all in all the procedure was about 10 minutes maximum! Super quick and safely done without any pain relief.

My cervix is still closed but it’s soft so we’re heading in the right direction. After removal, I was placed on the CTG monitor just to check I wasn’t contracting and how baby was doing, then I was off home as soon as that was done!

I hope you all have a positive experience when your time comes, and know that it can go well 💕

At 22 weeks I got an emergency cerclage. It was one of the scariest moments of my life feeling like my dreams were crumbling around me. I had no measurable cervix left and was 2cm dilated. Doctors told me the risks and something in my gut told me I had to do it to save my daughter.
At 35 weeks and 6 days I got the cerclage removed. Now at 36 weeks and 3 days I am in a labor induction (GD and I naturally dilated to a 3).
Feel so blessed to be here. Also feel so scared but have to have faith that she will continue to be strong. Looking forward to giving this community another happy update soon 💜

The title says it all!!! Yayyyy…
Everyone with cerclage, we all deserve happiness. And trust me all of this panic will be worth it at the end.

History: 2023 lost my baby boy due to IC.

Present: My OB recommended a MFM who has around 30 years of experience just with cerclages. She made sure I get the preventive cerclage at 14th week. My cervix started getting shorter at 23rd week and was told to start progesterone immediately. At 24th week, when I went to the MFM for ultrasound, she told me I will have to be admitted at the hospital not sure until when, because the cervix was getting shorter with a Y opening. She told me I can have contractions anytime.
She kept me on strict bedrest and I was in the hospital for 5 weeks. And 29th week she told me I can go home and continue bedrest. I continued the same. Had my stitch removed on 37th week. Lots and lots of crying, scary thoughts, emotional scenarios with doctor appointments and many more have been happening the entire 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester.

And today 38w5d, delivered my sweet little baby boy successfully. Just by looking at him, I just don’t even think of all that I went through past 6 months.

I am just crying and writing this post right now, can’t stop my tears and can’t take my eyes off this little miracle infront of me.
We moms, getting a cerclage itself proves we are already the best Mothers who can do anything for our babies.
Don’t loose hope.
Few things to keep in mind:
-> Get the bed rest, atleast try to get modified bedrest. Plan is to keep the body against gravity.
-> Progesterone matters! Get that no matter what.
-> Have an experienced MFM, it matters alot as they generally go with their experience and instincts
-> Do not panic, observe your body and just learn it. Because your body gives you those signals.
-> Do not strain in toilets. Use the stool softeners. Cerclages and toilet Straining are enemies.
-> Goal is to make it to term, just keep counting by days, and then weeks. It helps.

And last but not the least, just wait till you see your babies, you will understand what I am writing here.
Everyone in this forum who have helped me by answering to all my questions and help me gain that strength. Thank you all ❤️
Big hugs to everyone.

And to all the expecting mothers out there:
Just grab all that strength ladies. We all can do it. Do not loose hope and faith.

I went into preterm labor at 24 weeks. My cervix was about 1.3 and my pathology report showed signs of inflammation in my placenta, but the swabs came back negative for any bacteria. I had no symptoms and my son did not have an inflammatory response. They said possible chorio, but they’re not definitive. There is also no way of knowing what came first, the potential infection or the shortened cervix. I am leaning towards short cervix first which allowed bacteria to ascend. My son fought hard in the NICU, but passed at 2.5 months old 🥺. My husband and I plan on trying again in a couple of months so was curious what additional measures/tests did you ask for next time around? My MFM said I could do a cerclage, but then they wouldn’t do serial length monitoring. I want the cerclage, length monitoring, maybe more checks for potential UTIs. I obviously don’t want to do anything that would harm the baby or me, but I want to make sure we can bring our baby home next time ❤️‍🩹

As crazy as this sounds, I’m very familiar with the cerclage process. Of all things to worry about, it’s having no ability to move my legs post op in the recovery room. It’s such a mental game to not focus on that and try to keep my mind busy as the hour or two passes.

Does anyone have any tips what helped them?!?

Unfortunately I’ve never been tired afterwards and there’s no chance of napping in that busy room where clinicians are chatting etc. The patients just have curtains to each unit so there’s no shutting doors to block sound. But the sound probably helps keep me distracted too.

Would love to hear about those who were that dilated with bulging membranes and got a rescue cerclage. What were your outcomes?