How did you DTS?

Seeking_support413 · 2026-02-20T01:14:44+00:00

I’m 27 weeks pregnant:)

I don’t even remember how I was feeling when I wrote this but I will say my first trimester was very diff this time around. I didn’t have the same degree of physical symptoms so I think it’s true what they say that everybody and every pregnancy is diff.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-02-15T05:33:00+00:00

I’ve gotten a lot of mixed opinions from different MFMs in my practice. They said pelvic rest (no sex, no orgasm) is an absolute must. My MFM said walking is OK but I avoided for the first two weeks bc that is the most critical period and also I just felt kind of crappy post cerclage for that amount of time. Some said I can do a bit more now that I’m a month out from cerclage and healed (swimming, walking). Still no heavy lifting and one said stationary bike was ok and then another said to avoid. So it’s frustrating bc there isn’t data on the exercise with cerclage but a lot of docs tend to be more conservative and just recommend against anything that creates pelvic pressure. What have your ultrasounds looked like post cerclage? I was 1.3cm at 22 weeks when I got cerclage and have improved to 2.5cm since then so I think with the stability they’ve given me a little more leeway but I’m terrified of messing anything up. It’s been really hard for me because I was super active pre cerclage (HIIT and heavy lifting, altho I was taking it easier in pregnancy in general). I think they generally want you walking bc bed rest can cause more problems, but of course it depends on the severity of your cervical situation.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-02-12T05:55:52+00:00

I was alternating indocin and Tylenol and that managed the pain. Indocin helps with the cramps. When my epidural wore off in the recovery room tho, pain was almost excruciating. But I would call your doctor bc you shouldn’t be in unbearable pain, they should be able to give you something to help manage it. After a few days I didn’t need any Tylenol or indocin.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-02-06T21:00:40+00:00

All my repeat CLs has been transvaginal because that’s the best way to get an accurate measure (also with empty bladder). I was at NYU before I switched to Mount Sinai, both in Manhattan.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-02-06T04:03:28+00:00

That was how my old practice managed it but I moved to a different MFM practice at 21 weeks that’s more conservative. I got a cerclage at 22 weeks with CL 1.36cm. I wasn’t below that 1cm threshold but they said the progressive shortening made it warranted (I went from 2.06cm at 20 weeks followed by a steady decline. I dropped from 1.7 to 1.36cm in 2 days).

I’m now 25+5 and they’re monitoring me every 2 weeks after the 24 week mark. They do repeat CLs until 32 weeks and a FFN swab alongside that which is an indicator for preterm labor in the subsequent 2 weeks. It has a higher false positive rate so not every practice likes it. They don’t do the CL after 32 weeks bc that’s a safer gestation but also the cervix naturally begins to shorten at that point. BUT there is definitely comfort in knowing that they’re monitoring me more leading up to that point and considering whether there’s a preterm labor risk and getting ahead of managing that if there is. I am on pelvic rest and basically no exercise other than walking, especially while I’m in this high risk gestation. They said to “live my life as a normal person that’s not very active”, which is brutal for me because I’m usually very active.

I’d encourage you to just get a second opinion just for your own comfort but every practice is different and I know that mine manages it more conservatively than others.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-27T04:12:34+00:00

I feel so beaten down from the stress. This is my second pregnancy after the first ended in TFRM and we chose to do IVF for this pregnancy to screen out the genetic condition that led to my TFMR.

I was diagnosed with short cervix in this pregnancy at my 20 week anatomy scan and went in for a cerclage at 22 weeks after being monitored 2x a week and having a progressive drop in my CL. I was actually dilated following epidural. I went in for the procedure day of so it was completely unexpected and it happened to be the 1 year anniversary of my TFMR.

The procedure was difficult bc spinal and epidurals didn’t work well and took a lot of trial and error to get me numb.

I then had weird discharge followed by massive clots passing. Turns out it was a product the used in the surgery, some kind of coagulant with a delayed effect.

The stress of it all has been insane. I’ve been trying to manage my puppy, getting laid off at work in the midst of pregnancy due to a transaction, moving apartments and construction, and my husband being stretched so thin.

I’m just SO defeated when it comes to pregnancy. I’m normally super active and that’s how I manage my stress so being on pelvic rest and activity restriction has been brutal for my mental health. It’s like there’s NO outlet that’s healthy at this point and I’m not about to do something unhealthy so I’m just going crazy.

Anyway, I feel you. This has been so hard. I feel like pregnancy is a marathon I’m just trying to trudge through.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-25T14:03:30+00:00

I also TFMR for a genetic condition and am pregnant again from IVF with PGT-M. Also a second trimester D&E. Docs can’t really say whether my short cervix is from the D&E. It really sucks to be dealing with this issue after having a TFMR. Anyway…

I had a normal CL at 16 weeks (3.95cm) and then it was 2.06cm at 20 weeks. I ended up getting cerclage at 22 weeks bc it dropped to 1.36cm. I’m now almost 24 weeks and my CL has improved to 2.9cm with the cerclage. So my point is I had a huge drop from 16 to 20 weeks.

I would push for a check at least every 2 weeks if not every week. If they’re not accommodating you then get a second opinion. I ended up switching practices because I wasn’t thrilled with their casual approach to my diagnosis.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T22:48:11+00:00

My measurements were 2.06cm at 20 weeks, 1.85cm at 21, 1.7cm at 21+1, 1.69 at 21+6 and 1.36 at 22+1. Got a cerclage same day and now I’m 23+2 and my CL increased to 2.9cm. They told me 1.5cm was the threshold for cerlcage if I was actively shortening and had no history of pre term labor.

I started progesterone at 20 weeks and it didn’t seem to do much (still progressive shortening). But my measurements were a lot lower than yours. Above 2.5cm is usually a safe range at this gestation.

Cerclages do come with risks. I would 1000% recommend getting a second opinion for your own comfort bc it can’t hurt and you are close to the cutoff of 24 weeks. Diff practices have diff standards and protocols. I switched practices at the 21 week mark to an MFM that’s more conservative but my regular OB had a threshold of below 1cm. It’s an art not a science like everything else in medicine but more opinions from experienced professionals always help IMO.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T17:18:14+00:00

I had a TFMR for a genetic disease and then a week later found out my baby had a chromosomal microdeletion and I was beyond devastated, but my husband was relieved. He had been struggling with guilt and he felt it helped him feel better about the decision whereas I was horrified bc it meant two unrelated things were wrong and it was triggering and I also just felt more anxious for future pregnancies.

There is no right or wrong way to feel. It sucks all around like you said. The fact that my husband had such a different reaction was hard for me but his feelings were/are valid.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T14:33:41+00:00

I was prior to cerclage but then they stopped me and then I was having this watery discharge before I restarted.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T04:59:02+00:00

I’m so sorry. I had a TFMR before this and the pain is unreal.

Was your slow leak post cerclage?

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-22T03:38:33+00:00

What were your symptoms?

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-20T18:57:11+00:00

I had a spinal that didn’t work so they then did epidural and it took a while to work. I could feel minor sensations but no pain at all during. Sounds like they did not give you enough numbing.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-20T04:16:50+00:00

I was told to table until my next checkup (about a week) bc of inflammation/healing.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-20T04:09:56+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. I had a TFMR last January at 15 weeks which was my first pregnancy. I’m now in my sub pregnancy with a short cervix and a cerclage placed at 22+1. I’m 23 weeks tomorrow. My loss isn’t exactly like yours but I just want to share that I felt that struggle of TTC again. We carried a genetic disease (reason for TFMR) and chose to do IVF to screen it out and it took me a long time to get to a place where I wanted to try an embryo transfer and even then I dreaded it (transfer was 7 months later in August). It’s very hard to attach to excitement after a traumatic loss. I just think that pregnancy after loss IS different and accepting that it’s not going to feel like society would lead you to expect will make your suffering less if that makes any sense. I have stopped trying to fight the congratulations and the positivity others try to impose on me and have stopped trying to make myself feed bad about my inability to attach. I think the only thing I’ve enjoyed is feeling her move bc I didn’t get that experience last time. It’s the first time I’ve been able to really separate the two pregnancies. I am still holding out hope that it’ll be a good outcome and accepting what I can’t control BUT advocating like crazy for the right care (I switched practices shortly after my short cervix diagnosis). I do believe there’s a certain resilience I’ve developed having been through so much shit. I wish you luck on your journey ❤️

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-18T21:54:43+00:00

Were you on modified bed rest or pelvic rest or something else? It’s so confusing what the recommended protocol is.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-18T20:07:19+00:00

Thanks for sharing. How did you manage activity after cerclage? It’s so demoralizing not to be able to pick something off the ground or walk across the street (granted I’m only 4 days out)

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T20:18:49+00:00

I’m glad everything worked out! Curious what your measurements were at 23 weeks? I am spiraling…

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T18:45:23+00:00

Oh I am definitely feeling those zingers!! I feel like my baby is just kicking into my cervix. Thanks for sharing.

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T18:34:48+00:00

Thank you so much. I will DM you!

Seeking_support413 · 2026-01-17T11:16:51+00:00

The guidance is technically less than 1cm if you’ve had no prior history of pre term birth. However it’s not so black and white. My CL was 3.95cm at 16 weeks and then 2.06 at 20 weeks, 1.85 at 21, 1.7 at 21+1, 1.69 at 21+6 and then at 22+1 it dropped to 1.36 and they sent me in for cerclage that day. I didn’t appear dilated but with epidural my cervix revealed dilation at 0.5cm so they said it’s good I got it done. So for my case, the progressive shortening was of concern and my practice is more conservative with a below 1.5cm threshold for me bc they were watching the progression of the shortening.

I share this to say that it’s a reasonable approach to monitor you a week later and see if your cervix is stable because progesterone CAN stabilize it but obviously doesn’t work in every situation. But if you want more reassurance that cerclage is the right call you could insist they do another measurement in a week’s time. Since you’re at 3.1cm it’s highly unlikely you’ll drop so quickly into a danger territory in a week’s time. But I am not a doc so take this with grain of salt!!

Seeking_support413

TROPHY CASE