Double cerclage, success story
I bring you a success story of a double cerclage. At my 19-week pregnancy ultrasound, they found that my cervix was very short (7 mm) with funneling and sludge. The next day, I underwent an emergency cerclage, leaving me with a cervical length of 14 mm. At the follow-up appointment one week later, my cervix had shortened again to 8 mm, so I was advised to remain on strict bed rest until the end of the pregnancy, with no option for a second cerclage.
We sought second opinions and eventually transferred to another hospital that specialized more in this area. At that hospital, I underwent surgery again: they removed the previous cerclage (apparently the suture material used was not appropriate, and the cerclage had been poorly done) and placed a new one, achieving a cervical length of 25 mm. During the first week, I was on almost complete bed rest (only getting up to use the bathroom and shower while seated), and afterward I gradually added some activity as my follow-up appointments progressed (by the end of the pregnancy, I was allowed to walk about 15 minutes a day). At every check-up, my cervix shortened a little more, and I always had funneling when pressure was applied.
Finally, against all odds, I made it to 37 weeks, when they removed the cerclage. I gave birth at 38+1 weeks, with no complications during delivery (ironically, they had to induce labor after my water had been broken for 24 hours because I did not dilate on my own).
It was quite a traumatic pregnancy: undergoing two cerclages and everything that comes with them, being on bed rest for four months, and above all, the mental burden… The statistics in my case were against me, but I managed to beat them. I carried to term, and my baby boy was born healthy, weighing 3.3 kg (7 lb 4 oz)!
This forum helped me a lot during sleepless nights, so I hope my story can help other women who are going through the same traumatic experience.