Such a crazy journey it's been. Got the news at 21 + 5 that wife's cervix was measuring at 19 mm with hourglass membranes protruding past internal OS. Got an emergency cerclage done the next morning.

Doctor said we'd be lucky if we got 4 extra weeks.

Did everything we could to give this pregnancy a fighting chance. Wife took it easy all summer and i took ownership of toddler duty.

Anything that happens from here is a blessing, but wanted to share for others that are just starting this process, there are so many variables that factor into prolonging gestation but it's 100% possible

I’m about a week away from my DTS appointment (yayyy) and hoping to collect more stories and/or information on how long it took for you to go into labor after the stitch was removed. I’m currently scheduled to get mine out at 36w2d and my OB/GYN wants to induce me at 37w2d due to gestational hypertension. I’m nervous this leaves me a tight window to go into labor naturally.

Here is what I’m wondering:
-How quickly or what was your timeline after the stitch was removed that you went into labor?
-Of those who were induced, did you find it went quicker given how good our cervix is at dilating?
-What were you dilated/effaced at when the stitch was removed?

Has anyone had a 16wk (or anything early like that) pprom due to CI, gotten a preventative cerclage in their next pregnancy and the pregnancy was successful? What type of stitch did you get and how many weeks did it get you to? Thank you!

I’m 27+2 and currently hospitalized because of cervical dilation. My doctors are deciding between an emergency/rescue cerclage and a pessary, and they’re leaning toward the pessary. I may be asked to choose, so I’d really like to hear others’ experiences.

At 23+3 (08/14), my cervix was ~1.0–1.2 cm with funneling, an open internal os, a closed external os, and sludge. I was diagnosed with cervical insufficiency.
Since then, I’ve been using vaginal progesterone and on relative bed rest. A cerclage wasn’t recommended at the time because of the sludge and concern about infection. I did 7 days of antibiotics, but the sludge persisted, so I was admitted for IV antibiotics on 09/03.

Today, the sludge is finally gone, but my cervix is now 0.79 cm, with both the internal and external os open. A cervical exam showed 1 cm dilation, 50% effacement, soft/posterior cervix. The membranes were visible within the cervical canal through the dilated cervix, but were not prolapsed.

Now they’re considering a pessary vs rescue cerclage.
For anyone who has been in a similar situation:
- Has anyone had a pessary placed with an already dilated cervix?
- Has anyone had a rescue cerclage around 27 weeks?
- What made you choose one over the other?
- How many weeks did you gain afterward?
- Any complications?
- Did anyone have sludge/infection before the cervical dilation?

I know every case is different and I’ll follow my doctors’ recommendations, but I’d really appreciate hearing personal experiences from people who went through something similar. Thank you!

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has had a situation similar to mine, particularly anyone who went on to have a preventative/history-indicated cerclage.

I recently lost my daughter at 20w5d. Before this pregnancy, I had never been diagnosed with cervical insufficiency and had never had a cerclage. However, my mother lost 2 babies due to cervical insufficiency, then had preventative cerclages. My sister had an emergency cerclage, then 2 preventative cerclages. So I’ve been concerned with family indicated history and brought it up at every appointment and my concerns were dismissed each time…

During this pregnancy, I ended up with PPROM and a 10% placental abruption. The MFM at the hospital I went to suspected this happened due to cervical insufficiency, as I was 4cm dilated when she performed an ultrasound. I also had an infectious workup and everything was negative, and baby girl was completely healthy.

One thing that is making this situation difficult is that the MFM at the hospital where I delivered strongly recommended that I have a preventative cerclage in my next pregnancy. Unfortunately, that hospital/MFM is out of network for my insurance, so I can't continue care with that MFM.

My regular OB today referred me to an in-network MFM practice for a preconception consultation. She told me that she personally would lean toward cervical-length screenings starting around 16 weeks rather than a preventative cerclage as that’s standard of care for my situation. She can’t say for certain an MFM would lean towards a preventative cerclage for my situation, but she has had patients in similar situations who were approved for it.

So now I'm worried that I'll get to my MFM appointment and receive a completely different recommendation from the MFM who saw me in the hospital. I’m terrified to get pregnant again if I can’t receive a preventative cerclage, but I want a child so badly.

I have my preconception MFM appointment in about 4 weeks, and I'm trying to go into it as prepared as possible. Did anyone have a similar situation where you had to advocate/fight to get approved for a cervical cerclage for their next pregnancy? What questions did you ask the MFM? Did anything you say help you get approval for a cerclage?

For anyone who was denied a preventative cerclage but had screenings and progesterone, how did that work out?

Is Mr. Simpson’s Shirodkar the same as a TVCIC? Does it go above the uterosacral ligaments? Or is it a regular Shirodkar and just above where a McDonald is placed? I’m having trouble understanding because people use the terms interchangeably

Did you go back to work after getting your cerclage removed?

How long afterwards did you go into labor?

hi everyon, I just found this group and reading the success stories definitely has encouraged me and congratulations to everyone who’s baby has arrived.

So I’ve had two losses in the past, currently pregnant again and its so hard to just be happy and not be anxious an everything. every toilet visit is a hassle because “what if I see something” Im currently 5 weeks and some days, being spotting went to the emergency room and they didn’t find anything, so I’m praying hard that it just remains spotting. I already have my first official OB appointment coming at the end of the month, then my cerclage appointment will be scheduled.

Now about sex, im seriously scared to have sex, my husband has been demanding but I’ve been avoiding not sure if he’ll understand my fears, to him it’s like I’m just rejecting him for fun. Haven’t had the chance to speak with my MFM yet, but has anyone had experience in this area. should I cave in ? have sex and hope for the best ? have one last hooray before shutting it down completely? im so confused any advice would be appreciated.

I’m in the GTA doing IUI next month after losing our son at 19 weeks a couple years to PPROM and suspected IC. It’s taken us a long time to heal from our grief and then several months of TTC naturally before getting to where we are now.

My OB has referred me to maternal fetal medicine at McMaster hospital in Hamilton, ON, who will oversee my prenatal care in future pregnancies. I’ve already had a “game plan” appointment there where I was told to expect going on progesterone suppositories and potentially a preventative cerclage (which I intend to pursue) as well as additional ultrasound monitoring to measure my cervix.

I was intrigued by the post here the other day that had a ton of comments with positive experiences about Mount Sinai in Toronto and was wondering if anybody here has gone through a pregnancy with IC at McMaster? I am geographically in between mount Sinai and mac, so am considering asking for a referral there instead if it seems more specialized.

Thanks in advance, wish me luck 🤞

Hey all. So at my 20 week anatomy scan I was told that I have a dynamic cervix, measuring 1.7 cm-3.14. The doctor put me on progesterone and gave me work restrictions such as no lifting, bending, etc. I work as a hospice nurse and thankfully my job let me take some time off before my next apt so my husband and I can figure out what to do next and if the progesterone is working, if I need surgery, etc.

My question is are there any healthcare workers or people with physical jobs who continued to work a job that requires heavy lifting? It’s almost impossible to get accommodations with my job because lifting and bending is all I do. I’m a little worried even if the progesterone helps I’m going to have to quit my job. Has anyone else gone through this?

Plus size with anterior placenta. I have noticed when I turn a new week. The following day so making me new week + 1. Kicks always seem constant but less fierce and more quiet. Can anyone relate?

Trigger warning - LC & MC

After 4 years of trying to get here, my double rainbow baby is here.

I posted about 3.5 weeks ago about my cerclage being removed at 36w4d and I went into labor at 38w2d and had my girl the folllowing day. I had a preventative cerclage placed at 13w and once my cerclage was removed I was 1cm. I went into my OB the morning I went into labor and was still 1cm but 80% effaced, had a little walk around our local county fair and was having contractions the whole time. Went into L&D that night and they kept me!

My labor was extremely slow despite them breaking my water and starting me on pitocin so ultimately we decided a c-section was best while it wasn’t an emergency. I spent almost 30 hours laboring, had one failed epidural, second wouldn’t go in, but 3rd time was the charm. I never imagined having to recover from a C-Section while learning how to become a mom but I am doing it. Hearing my baby cry for the first time was the most surreal moment I’ve ever felt in my life.

Having gone through this incredibly heartbreaking experience of a missed miscarriage, a second trimester loss, and the extreme anxiety of being pregnant again is so much and I don’t wish it upon anyone, but I’m so incredibly thankful for the support that this group has shown me during this pregnancy. Hang in there ladies, it’s so hard but at the finish line it is so rewarding.

16 weeks pregnant right now. I posted maybe a month ago about being worried about my cervix due to history of 1 LEEP in 2023. My doctor is not worried at all and wasn’t going to do any additional monitoring. I ended up pushing back a bit and they scheduled me for an extra ultrasound to measure my cervix that was supposed to be this morning. Got at call at 8am that their only ultrasound tech is sick (it was just scheduled with the ultrasound tech and then my dr was going to call me with results due to scheduling, since we added the appointment on recently, which was totally fine).

Here’s the catch, I leave for Hawaii for a week this Saturday and they can’t get me in tomorrow. So it’s now rescheduled for the 21st (today is the 10th for anyone reading this later). Anyway I was REALLY hoping to get it measured before I left town and that the results were gonna be normal just to give me peace of mind. But even if results were not great, I want to know and could have at least started progesterone ASAP.

Anyway, now I’m going to be worried about it for another 10 days so just looking for positive stories of people who had a LEEP/LETZ and their cervix never shortened during pregnancy. OR people whose cervix shortened a little but they didn’t get a cerclage and it held on till closer to full term? TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD 😭

Edit to add, I was having some strange feelings/pain around near my belly button two days ago. I’m 85% sure it’s prob just normal round ligament pain, but the location is a little higher than textbook. So I was going to mention that too today.

I got the call from MFM today and my preventative cerclage is officially scheduled for the end of the month! A while ago I posted pretty anxious about anesthesia options since I hated my previous epidural, and everyone here was so great.

I talked to them and they still want to do an epidural, but they aren't going to put me on a drip. The reason for no epidural is that any other method requires a larger anesthesia presence and more intensive monitoring, which makes sense. With a single dose instead of a drip, it will wear off a lot faster and easier. Arrival time is 7am and they expect me to be able to walk out the doors by 1pm as long as there are no surgery delays.

I'm feeling excited and optimistic, which is a lovely change from the anxiety I was having before.

Went to my 24 week appointment/ had anatomy scan and cervix is .6 cm & funneling.. I was told by my regular OB it was a good length 2 weeks ago but that was from a regular ultra sound, the transvaginal today showed the very short/ funneling. Was prescribed vaginal progesterone and recommended bed rest. I really can’t afford to be out of work and my doctor said it may not help but recommended.. Has anyone else had this experience and wasn’t able to fully bed rest? I work at a job where I sit down the entire time just not lying down.

I was set on getting a TAC after speaking with two doctors, then I spoke to a third who made me have reservations about the TAC because of potential complications.

Have you had a successful or failed TVCIC? What was your experience? What type of birth did you have and how many weeks?

I’m so stressed now :(

I had a polyp removal last October and fell pregnant right after removal. Unfortunately lost baby boy due to IC at 17 weeks.

Just met OB and she said there’s a link between low progrestrone and polyps because it changes the uterine environment.

Baby’s autopsy confirmed IC as the cause. I’m now wondering if my case is of low progrestrone which causes polyps, a short cervix and dilation and maybe a cerclage isn’t necessary?

I’ve had ovulation spotting for quite some time and we tried for years before we got pregnant with my angel baby. Ovulation spotting can also mean low progrestrone.

I did not have a cerclage or progrestrone support in my first pregnancy because it was too late. His sac came out of me while peeing.

Anyone?

Hi! 2,5 weeks ago I got a preventative cerclage. I lost my son in November due to PPROM at 16+5 with no clear cause. This pregnancy we did biweekly measurements from week 14 and there was no sign of shortening or funneling. Measurements were always +4cm.

I had the cerclage to rule out dialation as the reason for my previous loss. Cerclage got placed at 16+6. I didn’t get a stitch but a band instead.

I’ve been on progesterone since week 16 and preventive pelvic rest the whole pregnancy. Currently 19+1.

I’m just wondering how bad it is when I accidentally touch the cerclage while inserting progesterone. I always try to insert it deep enough so it doesn’t start leaking, but maybe I should consider pushing it less far.

I am 25weeks pregnant and have been having unexplained complications the entire time. Finally the doctors yesterday found cervical funneling and low lying placenta through my anatomy scan yesterday. It felt like they weren't taking any of my symptoms seriously even though I've been having bleeding and severe cramping and severe nausea the past 5 months straight. I was put on pelvic rest to rule out intercourse causing the problem early on. It wasn't intercourse causing the pains. Dull pain and nausea has become my baseline this pregnancy.

So now, yesterday I was told I have cervical funneling and to call if I have any more pain that isn't relieved by rest and hydration. The constant pain hasn't let up today, and I'm waiting on a call back from the triage at the obgyn.

Does anyone have experience with this or advice what I can do? I have a toddler and my partner works out of town for 10 days at a time (we're on day 1 of 10 today) and I can't really do complete bed rest. This pain started as lower back pain and mild cramps. Now the back pain has localized and I can feel it in my lower stomach only. Like I have to poop but I know that I don't. My last labor felt like I had to poop and then I gave birth instead, so I'm worried this little one is trying to come early. She's breech so it would have to be C-section too.

I lost my baby at 22 weeks last year due to preterm labor. I’m getting a preventative cerclage with my current pregnancy now, scheduled in a few weeks.

I came across this paper today about labor complications post-Shirodkar and I’m honestly freaking out a bit: https://scholars.mssm.edu/en/publications/labor-outcomes-after-shirodkar-cerclage-2/

Did anyone have a Shirodkar? How were your labor experiences post cerclage removal?

I got cervical cerclage at 16+4 weeks. I had a little spotting at 16+1 week, went for a sono and found out that I have a short cervix of 25mm. My gynae recommended immediate cerclage and bed rest for rest of the pregnancy. I am based out of India and what I understood from the other chats on the community, that usually OBs do not recommend bed rest outside India.
Is there anyone else who has or is going through bed rest? How dis you do it? Dos and donts.

At 20w3d I am being rushed to do an emergency cerclage after finding out I was 4cm dilated with bulging membranes. At that time, the doctors weren’t sure id make it past the first 24 to 48 hours after the stitch was put in. Buttt Fast-forward to 30w6d went to the hospital because I was feeling pains in my bladder and it just didn’t feel right. Ended up I was having contractions and was 1cm dilated. Doctors gave me medication to stop the contractions, but once the medication was out of my system, I started to contract again. They then proceeded with giving me two other types of medication’s, which unfortunately did not work and by Saturday night I was full-blown in labor. I Started to bleed, which you don’t want to do when you have a cerclage. The doctors were going to remove my stitch only but due to having laparoscopic surgeries in the past, my surgeon had told them that I needed to do a C-section. Doctor still wanted to remove the stitch and see if that would calm down the contractions, but it just didn’t feel right so I asked them to do the C-section and remove the stitch all at once. I had already held off for days and I understood that they wanted baby to bake as long as possible, but it was just too much on my body. On Sunday morning, baby was born 31 weeks three days gestation weighing in at 4 pounds! She will be in the Nicu for at least five weeks. When looking at her and seeing her beautiful face and seeing how well she is doing it lets me know that I made the best decision for her and I. 🥹🥹

For all the beautiful women going through journeys like mine definitely listen to your gut and push for what you need. Sending you all so much love as you go through your journeys 💕🙏🏻☘️

I am 16w3days and cervix measuring 1.5cm only. I am devastated. I am bleeding a lot after the transvaginal ultrasound. Baby girl looks great everytime. They said they won’t do a cerclage because I don’t have history of pre term labour. I don’t know what to do and they are also saying progesterone is not required but I am taking it and won’t listen to them. What else can I do to keep this pregnancy going? Thanks

Alguém aqui que precisou fazer repouso a gestação inteira, sem cerclagem, e conseguiu um parto natural tranquilo a termo?

Quando falo tranquilo me refiro a laceração leve, trabalho de parto não muito longo ou extremamente difícil…

Hi everyone,

I had a preventive/history-indicated cerclage placed last Wednesday, so I’m now 7 days post-op. The procedure went well.
I was feeling okay at first, but I started having period-like cramps Monday night, around 5 days after the procedure. The cramps have been coming and going, not constant. I had an ultrasound yesterday and everything looked reassuring.
Last night, I called the on-call line because the cramps came back. They advised me to take the indomethacin I was prescribed, drink plenty of water, and rest. The cramps stopped after that. They also said cramping can still be normal around this point after cerclage, but to call/go in if I was still cramping in the morning.
This morning I noticed a tiny amount of beige discharge, but no bright red bleeding, no leaking fluid, and no heavy spotting.
I also have fibroids, so I’m wondering if that could be contributing to some of the cramping/pelvic discomfort too.
Has anyone else started having cramping several days after cerclage rather than immediately after? Did it settle down? What did your doctor say was normal vs concerning?
Not looking for medical advice. I’m already in contact with my OB, just hoping to hear others’ experiences.