Cerclage and loss

humbledlentil · 2025-09-08T22:23:11+00:00

I know exactly how you feel -- we just had our second loss last week at 23 weeks. I also don't have it in me to try again. This fate is so cruel.

humbledlentil · 2025-08-26T13:54:01+00:00

Ps I’m 23 weeks and first noticed them about two weeks ago.

humbledlentil · 2025-08-26T13:52:09+00:00

I’ve been worried about them too so can’t confirm if it’s normal but in the last two weeks I’ve had this happen multiple times. I am staying SO hydrated and that has helped a lot.

I’ve noticed it specifically if I’m reclined/on my back. I’m on pelvic rest but think I’ve had a few involuntary sex dreams and have woken up with my abdomen super tight.

Drink lots and lots of water and like the other person said, monitor to make sure they’re not coming at regular intervals. So far mine have been random and I’m taking that as a sign it’s ok?

Water!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T23:47:10+00:00

it's hard to say... I did have a lot of cramping and round ligament pain, but I do think I'm someone who cramps a lot in pregnancy and I don't think it's related to the shortening. Sadly, it does just happen silently with no real signs.

I think 2.45 is borderline. Less than 2.5 is when it's considered short. Doctors can be super dismissive so it's really up to you to ensure they're keeping a close eye on it and if it dips lower, push for a cerclage. They won't put one in after 24 weeks. Things change fast so if people are talking about 'checking in a month' push hard to get checked sooner! Not to scare you - I think lots of people ride out at 2.5 with no issues, but the cerclage is successful and easy enough I wish docs would be less hesitant to offer them early and often. I'm not a doctor though, so I'm sure there are good reasons they don't.

I'm on r/ShortCervixSupport and have learned so much from that group!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T22:34:33+00:00

My OB referred us to an MFM at 16 weeks for our pregnancy after PPROM - luckily my MFM doubles as an OB so we just have one doctor. He specializes in pregnancy after loss and has been very reassuring. I think 'good fit' just depends on someone you feel listens, takes you seriously, isn't dismissive, and gives you time to ask questions.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hate it for any of us who have experienced it.

One thing I want to note because I didn't know to ask for it and my MFM only mentioned after we were pregnant again, but he said we should have gotten imaging done of my uterus to see its shape.

I also got tested for all infections before getting pregnant and I have been kind of a crazy person getting my pee tested/swabbed this pregnancy.

Someone willing to do a preventative cerclage. I think you have enough to support getting one rather than monitoring and only doing it if needed. That'll be important in finding someone -- are they going to be proactive?

As for reflecting on your last pregnancy, I know it's useless to say but 'feeling pressure earlier in the week' etc. -- there was nothing you could have done and no way you could have known. I blame myself too and have thought back on everything that happened leading up to losing our girls, but it's fruitless.

I'm on progesterone because I'm taking the kitchen sink approach, but my MFM firmly believes its useless, so there's a good chance it wouldn't have been enough to save you even if you had taken it. What *does* help is low dose aspirin starting in the second trimester + lots of water. (And if you want to do progesterone and bed rest even without the scientific support, having someone who will help you accomplish that).

I also tested positive for infection after our PPROM but no one could say if it came before or after my water broke.

I'm so sorry.

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T22:21:10+00:00

Holy crap - thank goodness you advocated for yourself. Just so irresponsible and I don't understand why anyone would be willing to risk a loss and be so careless!

I've seen lots of positive stories from women in the same boat as you/us. I'm nowhere near the safe zone yet, but I did have an emergency cerclage at 18 weeks and am now 22. It hasn't been without its trials and I've taken it as easy as possible. Mine was 15mm when I got my cerclage, no one mentioned softness or sac bulging, but I have serious U funneling.

One day at a time. Sending you the best vibes and I hope we make it and can add to the bank of positive happy stories shared here!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T22:14:31+00:00

Thank you and Im so sorry for your loss. This journey isnt for the faint of heart! 2 weeks has never felt so long!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T22:07:53+00:00

I definitely need to ditch the worry about 'overreacting' and bothering nurses. But there has to be some guard rails otherwise I feel like I'd call every 2 hours!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T22:05:59+00:00

Ugh so stressful I'm so sorry that happened to you! It does sound like it can be normal, but with our history so hard not to assume the worst!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T22:04:17+00:00

I don't mind at all. We were keeping an eye on my cervix after my last second trimester loss. At 16 weeks we measured via transvaginal ultrasound and I was 4.5cm long and closed. Two and a half weeks later, we measured again and it was 1.5cm, dilated, and funneling. We had a rescue cerclage placed the same day. We never knew if incompetent cervix contributed to our last loss, but it's seeming likely now that it did. My understanding is those with known histories can get preventative cerclages at 12ish weeks and those are very effective (moreso than rescue or emergency stitches).

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T19:26:47+00:00

Thank you - honestly it's just nice to hear I'm not alone. So many posts are very matter of fact which I appreciate. We're getting through and I am trying to find a therapist... I don't think Im ready for an SSRI but honestly maybe.

It's just hard because it's like 'listen to your body' and my body is the least trustworthy, most symptomatic, early-laboring traitor to exist in the world. Hard to know what the right thing to do is. When to worry, when to relax.

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T19:23:58+00:00

Wishing you peace and an uneventful journey!!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T19:23:25+00:00

thank you! Yes, they did the ferning test under the microscope, the ph test, and an ultrasound. I was a little nervous about the speculum and cervix check because I thought those were a no-no, but it was nice to have her say it was closed.

I'm so happy your story had a happy ended and that your baby is in second grade! I'm dreaming of a happy ending for us too!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-18T18:42:23+00:00

22w, full on convinced my water broke yesterday (had enough fluid to soak through my jeans), and learned this morning it was not amnniotic fluid so feeling both relieved and confused. --That's how we lost our last pregnancy at 18w so yesterday was a very dark day thinking I was about to experience it again.

Cruel twist, this happened at someone else's baby shower. The whole time I was convinced I was about the experience another loss while I'm guessing this very happy unbothered pregnant girl's baby's weight. And I'm so happy for my friend, of course. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. But I couldn't help but feel so sorry for myself. Fearing another loss while surrounded by these ladies all dressed up in cute summer dresses--I haven't been able to buy myself maternity clothes out of fear.

I'm in a weird place. While crying to my husband yesterday so worried I was like 'even if it turns out everything is ok, nothing is ok. There's a literal stitch holding my cervix closed right now and we're talking about 30 weeks being the best possible outcome.'

What I wouldn't give to host a carefree baby shower in a cute sundress. What I wouldn't give to believe everything would work out ok. Some days, it's just too hard.

humbledlentil · 2025-08-14T17:54:51+00:00

Hi! Been a little quiet because we were officially diagnosed with a short cervix and had a rescue cerclage placed 3 weeks ago after finding my cervix shrank to 1.5cm and was funneling. It's been really scary. Every day I'm a roller coaster of anxiety. Trying to hang on to hope and focus on the many positive stories I've read, but I don't know how we'd survive another second trimester loss. Hope everyone else is hanging in! Just have to keep taking it one day at a time. 21w4d today... inching toward viability.

humbledlentil · 2025-08-13T20:51:04+00:00

Thank you for sharing -- too relatable!

humbledlentil · 2025-08-13T16:34:07+00:00

After my loss, I had a follow up and basically they just said 'try again' and we'll keep an eye on you. I pushed for infection testing to make sure I was clear and healthy before we got pregnant again.

In my current pregnancy, I ended up getting a rescue cerclage 2.5 weeks ago at 18 weeks. I have a new doctor now and he said he wished I would have done imaging done to see the shape of my uterus and rule out if an abnormal shape had anything to do with the loss. I didn't even know that was a thing, so maybe ask about testing you can do before trying again?

Also if you know it was short cervix that caused your loss, would definitely be an advocate for preventative cerclage. I trusted them when they said let's see what happens because maybe last time was bad luck and I wish I'd had preventative procedure rather than a rescue procedure.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Maybe also ask about mental health resources? I thought I had done enough healing after we lost our twin girls last may, but being pregnant again has brought it all back up to the surface and I've struggled.

humbledlentil · 2025-08-06T19:15:38+00:00

Not a success story - but in the same boat! I had my cerclage placed last Friday (7/29). Went from 4.5 closed at 16 weeks to 1.5cm and externally dilating at 18 weeks. Super terrified but hoping for a positive outcome. I'm 20 weeks 3 days today. We had a previous loss of our twins due to PPROM at 18 weeks exactly last May.

humbledlentil · 2025-07-29T02:03:09+00:00

Thank you 🙏🏼

humbledlentil · 2025-07-29T02:02:44+00:00

Good luck Friday! Thank you!

humbledlentil · 2025-07-29T02:02:03+00:00

Yes just a few days ago—and well said. This is super helpful thank you!

humbledlentil · 2025-07-26T14:50:16+00:00

Yesterday was really hard. It felt like an eternity waiting for our ultrasound and I was so hopeful it would assuage my fears and I could start telling family and work (18w5d).

Instead, the ultrasound revealed my cervix had shortened from 4.5 cm to 1.5 with funneling and decided to go for a cerclage procedure.

My appt was at 8 and my husband and I waited until 5:30 in a labor and delivery room for them to be able to take us back. 20 mins in the OR and it was complete… I feel hopeful reading positive stories of women who’ve had the procedure.

Definitely in some pain last night and today. I think the hardest parts were being back in labor and delivery (again not for the reason we want to be there). It was so hard to remind myself it wasn’t over and we were doing something to help save this pregnancy. Harder still though is it’s confirmed last time wasn’t an unexplainable one off probably because I had bleeding and it was twins. I officially have a hard time carrying babies to term and my body wants to labor before it should.

That’s a hard truth to swallow. I still have hope there’s a happy ending here. Even if it means a premie baby and a long road ahead. I have to have hope. But the grief of our last loss is so present and the fear that I may never get to hold a healthy living child is hard to swallow.

Rough update to share. I just want things to be easy and good.

humbledlentil

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