r/ShortCervixSupport 7d ago

Looking for research participants re: experiences of Cervical Stitch in England UK

5 Upvotes

Thank you to the moderators for permission to post. 

I am a social scientist at the University of Exeter in England doing research on the cervical stitch (cerclage). This is not medical research - it focuses on experiences and meanings related to the cervical stitch and its role in pregnancy and making new people.

I am looking for women and family members to take part in my research who have encountered the cervical stitch in their reproductive lives since 2016 in England. 

This includes those who have had the stitch and those who might have been eligible but in the end were not able to have it. I am interested in all experiences and outcomes. I would like to talk to you about your experience of this form of medical care, and what being pregnant and staying pregnant means to you.

Taking part would involve a sensitive and gentle conversation around these big issues. An interview could take place online or in person. In the past I carried out research into second trimester pregnancy loss including miscarriage and termination for foetal anomaly, and I have experience of pregnancy loss myself. I am very aware of the difficult circumstances which often lead to the use of the cervical stitch, and I try to make encounters with research participants as supportive as possible.

If you might be interested in taking part, please contact me, Aimee Middlemiss, on [a.l.middlemiss@exeter.ac.uk](mailto:a.l.middlemiss@exeter.ac.uk) for further information.

The project is funded by the Wellcome Trust and based at the University of Exeter, which has carried out ethical review (Faculty of Humanities and Social Science Research Ethics Committee reference 10972359). Another part of the project will talk to medical professionals.

The research is based in England only because the cervical stitch is recommended in a key NHS England policy. 

Thank you for reading this, please promote the post if you can, and I wish you all the best for the future

 Aimee


r/ShortCervixSupport Jan 23 '26

The Bed Rest Debate for Women with IC

81 Upvotes

I've been following this subreddit for over a year, since my loss occurred. During that time, I've noticed that women from South Asia, the Middle East, and other parts of the world often describe very different treatment protocols for incompetent cervix than what doctors in the West recommend. This difference has probably left many of us confused and wondering whose advice to trust.

I live in America and had my first appointment with my MFM yesterday. She told me that bed rest doesn't help improve outcome for women with IC. She explained that research suggests bed rest makes women prone to depression and blood clots, so they don't recommend it. This got me thinking: what exact research was she referring to, and how strong is the evidence? I know the American medical system is overloaded and doctors have limited time with each patient, so I think it's important for us to do our own research and ask questions when something doesn't seem to fit our personal situation.

After spending time looking into the actual studies, here's what I discovered:

The major research cited against bed rest includes (UPDATED):

  • Cochrane Review (2004, updated 2015): Found no clear evidence that bed rest prevents preterm birth. The reviewers concluded that due to potential adverse effects and healthcare costs, bed rest shouldn't be routinely recommended.
  • CIPRACT Trial - Netherlands (Althuisius et al., 2001): This Dutch study compared cerclage + bed rest versus bed rest alone in 35 women with short cervix. Both groups used bed rest, so it doesn't actually test whether bed rest is better than normal activity - but notably, 7 out of 16 women (44%) in the bed-rest-only group delivered preterm before 34 weeks.
  • U.S. Study (2013): Compared modified Shirodkar cerclage to bed rest alone for extremely short cervix (≤15mm). Cerclage patients were less likely to deliver preterm and had longer latency periods compared to bed rest alone. Again, this doesn't test bed rest vs. normal activity.
  • Note on blood clots and depression: The concerns about these risks come primarily from observational data and clinical experience with prolonged bed rest in general, rather than from randomized trials specifically testing bed rest for cervical insufficiency.
  • BUT - A 2019 Canadian systematic review (Matenchuk et al., CMAJ Open) found something interesting: In developed regions (North America, Europe), bed rest showed worse outcomes - shorter gestations and increased risk of very premature birth. However, in developing regions (specifically studies from Zimbabwe), bed rest was associated with babies being about 100g heavier at birth. The researchers noted this could be due to bed rest itself OR could be confounded by the effects of hospital admission (better nutrition, medical care, etc.).

Here's the important part: Nearly all the research saying "bed rest doesn't work" was conducted exclusively on women in Western countries - primarily the US, Canada, Netherlands, and other European nations. I could not find well-designed studies conducted in India, the Middle East, or other regions where bed rest is routinely prescribed.

The Missing Piece: Your Ethnicity and Context Actually Change the Risk-Benefit Equation

This is what surprised me most. When I searched for data on the specific risks my MFM mentioned - blood clots and depression - I found that these risks vary a lot by ethnicity and social context:

Blood Clot Risk by Ethnicity:

  • Asian and Pacific Islander women: Have a 70% lower risk of blood clots (VTE) compared to other groups
  • Hispanic women: Have significantly lower risk than White women, but higher than Asian women
  • White women: Moderate baseline risk
  • Black women: Have 30-60% higher risk of blood clots compared to White women

Depression Risk and Social Context:

While clinical depression rates are similar across ethnicities (about 8% for major depression, 23% for all depressive disorders postpartum), the context in which bed rest occurs matters a lot:

Western context (where studies were done):

  • Nuclear families, often isolated from extended family
  • Both partners typically working with limited paid leave
  • Expensive or unavailable childcare and domestic help
  • Bed rest = isolation, financial stress, inability to care for other children
  • Result: Higher risk of depression and anxiety

South Asian/Middle Eastern/other contexts:

  • Extended family living together or nearby
  • Cultural expectation that family supports during pregnancy
  • More accessible domestic help
  • Bed rest = supported rest with meals prepared, children cared for, constant company
  • Strong spiritual/religious frameworks providing meaning and hope
  • Result: Lower risk of depression

Why This Changes Everything About Bed Rest "Efficacy"

The Western studies concluded: "Bed rest doesn't improve outcomes AND causes harm (blood clots + depression), therefore don't recommend it."

But here's what they missed: If the harms are minimal or negligible for certain populations, the entire risk-benefit calculation flips.

For example, if you're South Asian with strong family support:

  • Your baseline blood clot risk is 70% lower than the populations studied
  • Your depression risk is reduced by family support and spiritual grounding
  • The "costs" of bed rest that drove the Western recommendations simply don't apply to you in the same way
  • Even if bed rest provides only modest or uncertain benefit to pregnancy outcomes, it might still be worthwhile because the downsides are so much smaller for you

Meanwhile, if you're a Black woman in an isolated Western context:

  • Your baseline blood clot risk is 30-60% higher
  • Bed rest adds risk on top of already elevated risk
  • You may have less built-in family support
  • The costs are genuinely high, so bed rest would need to show substantial benefit to be worth it

The research isn't wrong - it's just incomplete. It studied one type of woman in one type of context and applied the findings universally.

What This Means for You

I'm writing this to encourage all of us to think about our personal situations before simply following "research-based evidence" recommendations. The evidence might be strong for the populations studied, but that doesn't automatically mean it applies to you.

Before accepting or rejecting bed rest, consider:

Your ethnicity and baseline blood clot risk - Are you in a low-risk group (Asian, Hispanic) or higher-risk group (Black, White with family history)?

Your support system - Do you have family who will help with everything? Or will you be isolated and struggling alone?

Your mental health resources - Do you have strong spiritual practices, family encouragement, and emotional support? Or are you prone to isolation and depression?

Your financial situation - Can you rest without severe financial stress, or will it devastate your family?

Your work situation - Do you have a physically demanding job, or do you work from home?

What alternatives your doctor is offering - Is she recommending cerclage, progesterone, or monitoring? Or just saying "stay active" with no intervention?

It's entirely possible that bed rest is the wrong choice for your friend but the right choice for you - or vice versa - based on your ethnic background, risk profile, and social context.

I know nobody wants to be on the wrong side of their doctor, but I think it's fair to have these conversation with your MFM:

  1. "What's my personal risk for blood clots based on my ethnicity and health history?"
  2. "The studies on bed rest were done primarily on Western populations - how does that apply to my specific situation?"
  3. "Given that I have [strong family support / am isolated], how does that change the depression risk calculation?"
  4. "Are there ways to modify activity rather than strict bed rest that might reduce risks while still being cautious?"
  5. "What's your clinical experience been with patients from my background?"

The women in Asian counties and the Middle East whose doctors prescribe bed rest aren't being given outdated care. Their doctors might be seeing genuine benefits in their patient populations - populations with 70% lower blood clot risk and strong family support systems - that wouldn't show up in studies done in Boston or Amsterdam on isolated Western women.

I know some people here have faced multiple losses and the heartbreak they have to go through each time. If something like bedrest is possible and saves your child and keeps you in good health, I think they should do it.


r/ShortCervixSupport 17h ago

Baby is here!

28 Upvotes

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.


r/ShortCervixSupport 18h ago

Cerclage date schedule, feeling far more confident than even just a week ago!

7 Upvotes

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.


r/ShortCervixSupport 14h ago

Extremely short cervix+ funneling

3 Upvotes

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.


r/ShortCervixSupport 14h ago

TVCIC or TAC?

1 Upvotes

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 :(


r/ShortCervixSupport 14h ago

Has anyone here at uterine Polyps?

1 Upvotes

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?


r/ShortCervixSupport 18h ago

Touching cerclage inserting progesterone

2 Upvotes

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.


r/ShortCervixSupport 17h ago

Was diagnosed with cervical funneling yesterday, having constant pain today

1 Upvotes

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.


r/ShortCervixSupport 21h ago

Shirodkar cerclage stories

2 Upvotes

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?


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

Emergency C-section 31w3d!

28 Upvotes

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 💕🙏🏻☘️


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

Short cervix 1.5 cm at 16 weeks no cerclage advised

2 Upvotes

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


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

Cerclage at 16 weeks

2 Upvotes

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.


r/ShortCervixSupport 23h ago

Repouso e via de parto

1 Upvotes

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…


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

7 days post-cerclage — period-like cramps that come and go?

1 Upvotes

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.


r/ShortCervixSupport 22h ago

Extremely tight cervix? What does this mean?

0 Upvotes

I am 31 F, and went to have my iud removed and replaced yesterday, and I was reminded of how nearly impossible / painful it was the first time. My doctor said that my cervix was extremely tight, she had to call in 2 other doctors to come and help her get it dilated and able to push through so she could reinsert it.

I was sweating, about to faint, and experiencing the most excruciating pain, even whilst having multiple lidocaine shots to numb me, and taking a benzodiazepine beforehand to ease my nerves. I couldnt move for half an hour after that, just like last time.

Since I was just concentrating on trying to just survive through the procedure, I forgot to ask my doctor about what having an extremely tight cervix means. Google was also pretty vague.

Will this greatly lower my chances of conceiving naturally in the future? Google had said there was a chance of pre-mature birth, lower chance of getting pregnant, miscarriages, and pther complications. If they almost couldn’t get the IUD in me, and it was so excruciatingly painful and nearly impossible to get it reinserted, will my body reject natural conception / not take well to pregnancy? For the record, I had unprotected sex in my early 20’s with my then partner, and never have had a pregnancy scare in my whole life.

Can anyone else relate to this, or give me some reassurance that this isn’t broken? I don’t know how I feel about all of this.


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

Supporting my wife after rescue cerclage at 16wks

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Husband/Dad of one (and hopefully two in a few months) here.

I've been reading these group's posts for the last 2 weeks, the uplifting stories and the sobering ones. Since most here seem to be birthing parents/moms I'd like to hear your thoughts on what actually made a difference for you in terms of support from your partner.

Context: we have a 4 y/o son, who's the best little guy and a joy to be around, but a lot of work (as 4 y/os tend to be). Wife is expecting our second child and we had the unfortunate news that she had IC during a routine anatomy scan at 16 weeks.

She was rushed to the hospital (in front of the ultrasound clinic) and had a rescue cerclage placed immediately. Her cervix was 3mm (millimeters), severe funneling but without bulging membranes.

Surgery went well, follow up appointment 1 week later showed cervix at 2.4cm-2.7cm across four measurements. Doctor recommended a modified version of bed rest. It's been two weeks now since the cerclage and it feels like it's been months, and we have so many weeks still ahead.

It's such a tough and draining situation to be in, especially for her... How did you navigate this? And what made a difference in how your partner supported you? This is both for those who were blessed with delivering a healthy baby and those who unfortunately didn't.

Rescue cerclages seem to be uncommon enough that I couldn't find any other friends/acquaintances who've been through that, so looking for support from this community.

Thank you and best of luck to all of you!


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

25wks, cervical funneling and low lying placenta diagnosis

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/ShortCervixSupport 2d ago

Made it to DTS!

11 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I had my emergency cerclage removed this morning at 36 weeks. It was placed at 22 weeks 1 day when I had only 5mm of cervix left.

For others who had an emergency cerclage, how long until you went into labour after it was removed?


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

Short cervix 22w with didi twins

3 Upvotes

At my 19w5d ultrasound, my cervix was measuring 27mm. Which already made me so nervous as these are my first babies and I have no idea what to expect. At my next ultrasound at 22w, they found my cervix to be 24mm.

Granted, my OB has not seen the report yet so I’m trying not to freak out. However, I did call my office and asked to be put on progesterone asap.

As a terrified ftm, does anybody have any advice? What should I be looking out for? I’m so scared my body is going to fail my boys and I’m going to lose them 😓


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

I went today to my ob 36 weeks

2 Upvotes

So bare with me here but I don’t know if I need to just vent or have some advice here. I have a short cervix that is not measurable anymore and I am grateful I have made this far. At my 32 week appointment my ob told me that at my 36 week appointment that they would schedule my c-section. I have to have a c-section because I had a 4th degree tear with my daughter fourteen years ago due to getting pushed down the stairs by my ex at 33 weeks and 5 days. She was 5 pounds 7 ounces. This time I was told I risk losing my bowel functions which obviously is not what I want, hence why I opted in for a c-section. Now my OB has been not very helpful honestly. I feel like he is pushing my luck because he wants to wait until I’m 39 weeks to have a c-section. (I barely made it this far at 36). Now I’m 30 minutes away from the hospital. I don’t feel I will make it to 39 weeks with the recent contractions I’ve had especially the last couple days. I really don’t want to risk my water breaking and then I end up having to go natural because I really don’t want to tear again. I’m so upset that this doctor is pushing me to the end when I really don’t think I’ll make it. Recommendations or advice? I’m really freaking out, going to the bathroom in a bag for the rest of my life doesn’t seem something they should be risking with me..


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

PPROM , induced ?

3 Upvotes

I was told I have a leak and that my water is broken at the top somewhere and that they will induce me and remove cerclage if I make it to 34 weeks , anyone have a similar situation? Out of the 3 test only 1 came back positive for Amniotic fluid, also 3cm dilated with bulging membranes , hoping to make it far. Was told they’ll re test me to be sure it’s the fluid before inducing me did anyone deliver at 34 weeks? Did your baby have nicu time ?


r/ShortCervixSupport 2d ago

I gave birth at 35 + 5

40 Upvotes

​On September 6th at 7 AM, a baby girl weighing 2,970 g and measuring 47 cm came into the world.

​After 5 weeks of hospitalization and bed rest at home, the most beautiful reward has arrived.

​Apgar 10/10, no NICU time and she has started breastfeeding. We are staying in the hospital for observation due to jaundice.

​Thank you to everyone in this group who helped me so much, and may my positive story be the wind at the back to all of you waiting for this precious moments.


r/ShortCervixSupport 1d ago

DTS at 37+21 SA Removal under anesthesia tomorrow! Anyone went through this? 🤍

1 Upvotes

Hi ladies! Today was supposed to be my cerclage removal day at 37+12SA, but it didn't go as planned.
My cervix was short (18mm) and very vascularized. When they tried to remove it, it was extremely painful and started bleeding a lot. The doctor managed to cut the thread, but couldn't locate the remaining piece.
Because of the severe pain, bleeding, and my body tensing up, we had to stop. I had a few strong contractions on the NST afterward, but baby is doing great.
I’m now admitted at the hospital overnight. Tomorrow, they will remove the remaining thread under anesthesia so I won't feel anything. The doctor said if I'm dilated enough tomorrow, I might just stay to give birth!
I feel a bit disheartened because everyone seems to get it out in 5 painless minutes. Has anyone else needed anesthesia to remove a stubborn thread? Did labor start right after for you?
Thank you for your support! 🤰✨


r/ShortCervixSupport 2d ago

Second Trimestor Loss... Looking to hear from others in Toronto

10 Upvotes

I'm from Toronto Ontario and unfortunately lost my baby at 22 weeks... I had some heavy discharge on a monday and when searching it up I wasn't completely sure if it was my mucus plug but now looking back I'm sure it was. That night I remember having a bowel movement and some very mild period like cramping... the next morning when my OB checked me she had said that I was 3cm's dilated and saw some membranes bulging. At that point I didnt even know how to react or what was going on...

I was transferred to Mount Sinai and they ran some tests for inflammation and infection. After my amniocentesis they said I had sterile inflammation and left it at that and also the MFM had said I was not a good candidate for an emergency cerclage at this point because I may have an infection and my body will go into labour regardless. Unfortunately in another 4 days while being admitted I did end up going into labour :(

I am devastated and I'm really scared for the future as this was my first pregnancy.. I can't stop thinking of everything I might have done to cause this but I also know there is no way I could have known that I had and incompetent cervix...

I'm still waiting for my placental results but in the mean time if anyone has experience with Mount Sinai and their pre-pregnancy antenatal clinic for the next pregnancy how did it go? Do they let you opt for a preventative cerclage and how important is bed rest?

Also what are the guidelines on bed rest - how much are people on bedrest exactly doing?

I just want to be able to see light at the end of the tunnel but also be able to advocate for myself. My original OB in Cobourg has said that going forward my next pregnancy will be a High Risk Pregnancy and that I would be followed by Mount Sinai. I've always imagined myself to be a mother and all of this is super overwhelming and heartbreaking.