so confused need help

[reallylongtime]

hi everyone

i just went to the doctors yesterday to dicuss my loss of my baby at 17.5 weeks pregnant. When i told him what happened he questioned if i have incompetent cervix. He said he could do a cerclage but he said they ( the doctor's) usually wait until you have at least 2 second trim m/c's ( i have had 8 m/c's this one was the longest). I told him I don't want to go through this again. He was telling us the con's of having the cerclage and the pro's but mostly the con's.

What i was wondering if anyone has had one done if they can tell me what to except and if it worked for them or if it didn't work for them. And also if the had any problems with the cerclage and what they did for this problem. Any information i would love to here because i have to decide for the next time i get pregnant and before 10 weeks.

I hope someone can help me. I am so confused i was thinking this was my answer and it was something easy, but now i don't know.

thank you
reallylongtime

[LeslieT]

I am so, so sorry for your losses. I've had 3 myself, and especially my last one at 13 weeks was probably the most heartwrenching experience of my life.

After your number of miscarriages, including 1 at 17.5 weeks due to he thinks IC, if he's not willing to agree to one early in your next pregnancy if you feel strongly about having a cerclage, I'd find another doctor. There is absolutely no reason for you to go through another loss just to hit a "quota" miscarriage number. I find that pretty ridiculous, not to mention callous.

Yes, there are risks with cerclages just as there are with any procedure. Which is why they don't typically do them unless there is a history that warrants one. But your history certainly seems to warrant keeping a close eye on IC and probably getting a preventative cerclage with your next pregnancy.

Again, if he continues this song, I would find another doctor. One who will more willingly weigh the cons against the pros of your history, and certainly one that won't coldly require you to experience yet another miscarriage before considering one.

[momto3angels]

First, I am so sorry about your loss~losing a much wanted and loved child is devastating.

Incompetent cervix is extremely difficult to diagnose-there can be other reasons for cervical incompetence, for example bacterial infection, or PTL. And, your dr is not alone, there are many drs who won't diagnose IC until 2 second trimester losses. There are many controversies surrounding the effectiveness of cerclages.

There are risks associated w/ cerclages. The 2 biggest risks are infection (the cerclage is foreign body and any time a foreign body is introduced to the body, the risk for infection increases) and PROM (premature rupture of the membranes).

All that being said, I have a cerclage. It was placed at 22W after a vaginal u/s showed significant funnelling and shortening of my cervix for no apparent reason. After listening to the pros and cons, my DH and I decided to have the cerclage placed.

I have been on strict bedrest since 22W, have taken meds as a preventative against preterm contractions, and have had cultures for BV every 2 weeks, as well as other things. I, personally, believe that it is the cerclage and bedrest that has kept me pg (currently 33+Weeks)

I know MANY women who also feel that having a cerclage is what enabled them to carry thier baby/babies to term or near term. But, medically, this is very hard to prove. However, one thing my dr said to me after DH and I decided to have the cerclage was this: It is very difficult to prove if bedrest and cerclages are efective bcs it is very difficult to find high risk women who are willing to be in the test group that forgoes bedrest and a cerclage I thought that made a lot of sense.

I hope this information helps.

[LynnUS]

Hi,

I am so sorry for your loss--devastating to say the least.

I too think it is ridiculous that any doc would say you need to have more than one 2nd tri loss to warrant a cerclage.

I lost my son at 22 wks to a suspected but never confirmed IC. In my 2 subsequent successful pgs. I had preventive cerclages placed just after the 1st tri. Thankfully I experienced no complications.

momto3angels did a great job of detailing the risks associated with cerclage, but know that the risks are much less when they are placed early.

Wishing you all the best!

Lynn
9yrs ttc#1 "unexplained"
3 first tri angels
Gordon Edward b/d 8/20/92 @22 wks
Madeleine, 3-1/2 w/preventive cerclage
3 yrs ttc#2
4 more first tri angels
dx: suspected IC, immune issues
currentlly pg on a natural cycle w/immune meds
cerclage place 1/31

[reallylongtime]

thank you all for the information it helped alot. We have decided to do it because we have to try everything. At least if it doesn't work which i pray doesn't happen this time we can say we have tried everything.

Again thank you for the information

reallylongtime

[Twins_Squared]

Hi,

I just saw this and wanted to respond.

First, I am so sorry to hear of your devastating loss. I know from personal experience that there are no words of comfort right now, but please know you are in my thoughts and I'm here to support you as you grieve.

As for what caused your loss, it is hard to say what might help in future pg's but as far as I'm concerned (as was my Peri) one loss is one too many and you should find a physician willing to examine (with a fine toothed comb) your entire pg and make a game plan before even becoming pg again. I would suspect that a preventative cerclage should be a part of the plan.

Also, since I don't know the circumstances surrounding your loss, I did want to add that many women who suffer from IF also seem to have undetected uterine infections (BV, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, ecoli, yeast, etc.) and these infections can be the root of a host of problems. In my case, infections caused preterm labor, incompetent cervix and PROM (also my loss) and controlling the infections were the key to a successful outcome.

Hugs,