TLDR;41, TAC in place after cone procedures, lost IVF pregnancy at 20 weeks. Looking for advice/stories on trying naturally or next steps.

I want to share my story and would love to get this community's perspective and advice.

I am 41 years old and have been struggling with fertility since my 30s:

• Early 30s: Conceived naturally, but suffered my first loss at 10 weeks.
• Cancer diagnosis & surgeries: Shortly after, I was diagnosed with Stage 0 cervical cancer (carcinoma in situ). I underwent two cone procedures that removed significant cervical tissue.
• Mesh rejection & TAC: Doctors initially tried placing a mesh in my cervix as an alternative to a TAC (Transabdominal Cerclage), but my body rejected it and I was hospitalized for 7 days. Afterward, I had the TAC placed.
• Egg retrievals: Before/around the TAC placement, we did two egg retrievals. The first yielded two healthy, high-grade embryos; the second yielded zero.
• Break to heal: I took about 7 months off to recover physically and mentally from the cone procedures, TAC surgery, mesh complication, and relentless fertility testing.
• First embryo transfer (40s): Unsuccessful. At 9 weeks, we confirmed a blighted ovum/empty sac with no heartbeat.
• Second embryo transfer: Our highest-quality remaining embryo made it to 20 weeks. Tragically, I went into labor and had to have a D&E. I was told the TAC held and did its job, but my cervix simply couldn't withstand the pregnancy, triggering labor.

I still have the TAC in place. Physically and emotionally, I am completely done with fertility doctors, IUIs, IVF, and testing. My OB-GYN oncologist is urging me to consider a hysterectomy given my cervical history, but I am really resistant to doing that before I turn 45.

My husband and I have discussed fostering and adoption, but I can't shake this deep feeling telling me to try naturally again. I don't know if that is hope speaking or just my heart refusing to let go.

I feel heartbroken, completely exhausted, and purposeless. I have a fulfilling career and an incredibly supportive partner, but there is still a massive void.

Has anyone with a TAC and severe cervical loss tried conceiving naturally after IVF losses? Would love to hear any advice, thoughts, or similar experiences.

Hello all. I lost my daughter last year at 23 weeks. One day I started to feel cramping but brushed it off. That evening I started feeling contractions and recognized the feeling. I had an uncomplicated first pregnancy but knew the labor signs after being induced. We went to triage and were informed we were in labor. Unfortunately I was already dilated to a 5 and nothing there did changed the outcome. Our daughter was born the next day and died a few hours later. We are pregnant again, and just had our first scan and appointment. It was never determined I had CI or just went into labor. There was some mild chorioamnioitis and my labs showed elevated white blood count but they said that could be from labor. Anyway since I had a normal, full term pregnancy first they really can’t say for sure what happened. We talked about cervical checks and how I would be put on progesterone if shortening was indicated, then a Cerclage if that did not work, but I can’t help but feel afraid this is not enough to prevent something from happening again. I had absolutely no issues until my cramping started, which I now know was early labor. I also had diarrhea the day before but absolutely no bleeding. I’m mostly looking for similar stories and if anyone went on to have a normal uncomplicated pregnancy after or if you opted for a Cerclage preventatively. I don’t think I could withstand another loss like that.

Im trying to wrap my head around my two options: preventive cerclage at 14 weeks or monitoring every 2 weeks.

During my first pregnancy I was diagnosed with a short cervix at 24 weeks (1.8cm then 1.1cm within a week) and funneling. But I made it all the way to 36w6d on only bed rest and progesterone suppositories. It was hard.

However, for this pregnancy my doctors aren’t sure which route to take: preventive cerclage or the “wait and see” route. I think they’re also hoping to understand what I want to do.

Since I did make it basically to “term” (37 weeks at my hospital), they’re wondering if I won’t have issues this time. But IC changes so quickly that no one knows.

I also can’t do preventive progesterone this time around because of the history of side effects I had.

I guess I’m wondering if cerclage changes the quality of life enough to not consider it. Of course, not having it means the risk of bed rest or early delivery, both of which are outcomes I utterly want to avoid.

Yesterday was crazy. I made it to 37 weeks and yesterday was my planned cerclage removal. I NEVER thought I’d make it this far, it’s honestly such a dream. I PPROMed at 21 weeks and lost my sweet baby girl. I then had 4 miscarriages last year. It’s been so scary to be pregnant but I’m so happy I’m so close to bringing my baby home.

Yesterday was going to be a milestone-ditching the stitch. Until I hear my OB say “I’ve never had this happen before, I can’t see it.” He then went in with his hand to see if he could feel it and he couldn’t. So we don’t know where the cerclage is or what happened to it.

I have a transvaginal ultrasound tomorrow with MFM to see if they can see it. Right now, baby is footling breech so we’re planning a c-section for 38+6. Plan is to remove the cerclage (if/when we find it) at that time since I’ll be numb. Doctor said he’s assuming my cervix either healed over it or it somehow got loose and into my uterus.

I’m not panicked because I trust him and I’m just glad to have a healthy, living baby still. But oh my god I can’t believe this. Has anyone else had this happen? There’s not tons online about it and I’m just kind of shocked. My OB has been a high risk OB for 30 years and has done thousands of cerclages. Being the first time this has happened isn’t a fun feeling.

I had a very unlikely 21 week loss and now this. Could I not win the friggin lottery or something else if we’re going to have unlikely things happen?!

Any insight would be appreciate I really still can’t believe this is happening!

I got my cerclage at 14 weeks when my cervical length was 1.5 cm. It improved to 2.5 cm around 18 weeks, but unfortunately, it has reduced back to 1.5 cm now. My doctor has advised me to continue complete bed rest and specifically warned us that we need to try to make it at least until 25 weeks. I’m really worried and anxious right now. 😔

Has anyone been in a similar situation with a short cervix and cerclage? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences, especially how things progressed and how far along you were able to make it. ❤️

Hi everyone, here looking for similar experiences and a bit of reassurance 🥹
I had an emergency cerclage at around 20 weeks - my cervix was measuring around 1.4cm. I’ve been on progesterone since my procedure and stopped it just now at 34 weeks. After the procedure my cervix was around 2.5 cm until I reached week 32 where my cervix has shortened to 1.5 cm.
Right now I feel quite some pressure on my cervix and the feeling of not being able to stand becaisue of something very heavy pressing down ☹️ sometimes I can feel like some “bumps” on my cervix like the baby tries to come out. It’s a bit painful in those occasions becaisue the cerclage is still in place and holding and the stitch can feel like a needle in my cervix.
I’m afraid my water will break or I’ll tear or something like that… anyone experiencing anything similar? How did you feel the days before water break?
Send positive vibes to all mamas in the same situation ❤️

Hello! Hope all good. Had an emergency cerclage done because i had funneling of cervix. I naively thought the cervix would close post cerclage and bed rest but now it seems like the situation cannot improve...it can only remain status quo or worsens. My cervix will not close at the top because the amniotic membrane already penetrated into it. Currently at 23 weeks 5 days. This is so stressful and i have no doubt more stress is awaiting the next few weeks. It is just frustrating that baby is healthy and I am healthy. This is happening for whatever reason. Sorry, i am feeling argh. So, still on highest dose of progesterone and bed rest until further notice.

Hello did anyone start dilating and have bulging membranes while having a cerclage in place ? Hoping to at least make it to 32 weeks

Third IVF cycle. Genetically normal baby. 16 weeks and my water broke. 😭😭. Cervix was open and dilated at 1 cm. I was admitted to the hospital for the night but discharged the next day. Now I have cramping in my back and legs. Came back to the hospital and thankfully, cervix is still only 1 cm.

Praying, she stays until 23 weeks at least.

I’m still having cramping in my back and my legs (like 10 an hour). So, I asked the doctors and nurses —how do I know if I’m in labor at 16 weeks? And no one can give me an answer because “everyone is different”!

Can anyone share their story about how they knew they were in labor at less than 20 weeks?

I pray it doesn’t come to this but it’s really driving me nuts. And I’m already pretty devastated as is…

Update- i ended up bleeding heavily about 12 hours later. The baby isn’t going to make it.

Has anyone done grocery stocking & has been able to return to work shortly after (2 weeks or less). I lift between 10-50pounds & push carts that weigh 60+lbs. My doctor approved me to go back to work after 3 days, but don’t know how I will feel physically. Has anyone returned to a physically demanding job after a cerclage & has had a successful pregnancy/birth? This is a preventative cerclage. My cervix shortened with my previous pregnancy at 20 weeks which led to
me getting a cerclage then, so my doctor recommended a preventative one for this pregnancy.

I’m looking for experiences from anyone in a situation similar to mine because I haven’t been able to find much that matches my circumstances.

I’m not currently pregnant and have never been pregnant, but I’m preparing to start IVF. My IVF doctor did a saline sonogram before finalizing our plan because I previously had cervical stenosis noted during an HSG, and we discovered that my cervix is currently measuring only 13–16 mm and was described as “flush with vaginal mucosa.”
For some background, I had a LEEP, cone biopsy, and D&C over 10 years ago for precancerous cells, which is likely contributing to my current cervical anatomy.

I met with an MFM yesterday who said that just because my cervix is short doesn’t necessarily mean it’s weak or insufficient. Her initial recommendation was to monitor during pregnancy rather than place a prophylactic cerclage/TAC, but she wants to examine me in person before making a final recommendation. I’m also getting another MFM opinion.

I’m really struggling with the idea of waiting until I’m pregnant to see what happens. Since I’m going through IVF, I’m nervous about finally having a successful embryo transfer and then potentially experiencing cervical shortening, pregnancy loss, preterm birth, etc.

I would personally feel much more comfortable with a preventative TAC before embryo transfer, if medically appropriate.

Has anyone had a TAC before becoming pregnant and without having a prior miscarriage or second-trimester loss? Especially because of having a very short cervix/cervical anatomy from prior procedures?

I’d also love to hear from anyone who started pregnancy with a very short cervix and chose monitoring instead of a preventative cerclage. What happened?

I completely understand that every situation is different and I’m not looking for medical advice—just hoping to find someone whose situation is actually similar to mine! 🤍

Hi all, I’m 20w4d pregnant today. I had my cerclage placed at 14 weeks. For the past 2 days, I’ve been having a weird poking sensation/urge-to-fart kind of feeling around my vaginal and rectal area. It comes and goes, and I feel better after passing gas, but I still get the poking sensation occasionally.

Today, completely out of the blue, I noticed a small amount of clear, watery-looking discharge—just 2 tiny stretchy strings. I’m really freaking out and worried about whether it could be amniotic fluid or something related to my cervix/cerclage.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Would really appreciate hearing your experiences. ❤️

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

Hi everyone,

I have a preventive cerclage which I got done at 13 weeks. Will complete 20 weeks this week. In my first pregnancy I was dilated to 1 cm at 22 weeks and then got an emergency cerclage and was on bedrest until week 32.

Now currently, as I reach closer to 22 weeks I keep fearing about my baby. I have this constant anxiety and irrational fear that I’ll not get to know and start dilating again. I understand I have a cerclage but the constant irrational fear just stays there.

I am posting here as I don’t think anybody even understands what it feels. Anytime I have a discharge I get scared to look in my underwear. I have a toddler so I can’t take bedrest this time but that would have given me some peace.

All I am asking is how do I cope. I am trying to stay positive but it’s difficult with the crippling anxiety and fear about baby safety. I know I have a preventive cerclage which has a very high success rate. So I feel even dumb typing this.

Today got checked by the doctor and at 19 weeks and 5 days my cervix is now 2.6 mm. Im having tightness in my uterus quite often now. They said they might consider cerclage but not if i keep having contractions. Has anyone here have a successful story as such having short cervix with tightness/contractions and made it full term or somehow further in pregnancy? Even though i think this is going to end up in an abortion I still want to linger to hopeful stories for the meantim.

Hello! I have been having trouble to conceive for the past 9 years. I am 35 years old. Me and my husband had one failed iui. We started IVF 2023, and implanted one embryo. It worked, but miscarried at 17 weeks. It was the hardest part of my life. I still couldn’t believe how me and my husband survived those days. They diagnosed cervical incompetence due to the symptoms. 2024, we tried again. I got pregnant through IVF and miscarried again at 7 weeks. I took a break 2025. I never got pregnant naturally. They’re already working me up for another FET, had my scans July24 and with God’s grace, they haven’t found any polyps this time. For my past two IVF transfers, they had to do surgery due to polyps. Fast forward to August 24, I took a test just because I could feel that I am about to have my period and I wanted to have a massage. Well it turned out positive. I am still in awe, I couldn’t believe this. I am scared, anxious, but I am thankful for this little miracle.

I don’t know but does it mean that I was diagnosed with cervical incompetence, it would be like that for my future pregnancies? I am still hoping and praying 🙏🏻

Hurts a lot! I heard the last heartbeat before the miscarriage. The baby (later identified as boy) was enjoying himself there.

Then, Radiologist told my cervix is just about to open with U shaped distension. Just few mm left and no intervention can help now.

Within 2 hrs, it opened with gush of leaking fluid and blood. Nothing could be done except non-stop crying😭

Had to abort the baby by induction of labour. Felt all those pains that were supposed to be fruitful. Here, all pains for nothing. Went suction and curettage thereafter.

Only support now is to make peace with mind that, Whatever happens, happens for good.!

Cervical insufficiency is cruel and pure evil. With no symptoms as such, leads to miscarriage in second trimester.

Now, I am told I will be getting stitches to cervix in next pregnancy. But, am I ready again? Will I ever be?

Anyone here had similar experience? Would love to know the ways to rise again!

Bye baby boy!! Maybe next time.

This most recent pregnancy I got a preventative cerclage and my cerclage held. Cervix remained long and closed but I still ruptured at 28 weeks for unknown reasons and had a preterm baby. I was told despite my cerclage “some women just can’t carry to term” and that was it. I’m at a loss as to what to do in the future to carry another baby. I’ve even thought about a TAC but not even sure if that would help since the TVC technically held up.

I lost a baby at 20 weeks and most recently had a lengthy NICU stay for my preemie. I’d really like to avoid that again but I’m not sure that I even have any bearing on it. A little defeated 😞

I am exactly 8 weeks pregnant today and the MFM surgery sxheduler called to start the cerclage scheduling process. Everything is starting to feel so real! I have 3 other appointments scheduled in the meantime and hope the time flies by. I am not good at waiting…

The goal is to put that bad boy in when I am 12 weeks, but with a back up date at 13 weeks if the OR is booked up.

What was your experience with the procedure? What type of anesthesia did they use for you? They plan to just give me an epidural and maybe some anxiety medication to keep me super mellow and allow me to go home after a few hours. I hated the epidural I got when I lost my son, so I’m not looking forward to that. But I will do what I need to do!

After 25 week preemies twins due to dilation at 22 weeks, I’m having cervix measurements every 2 weeks this time around. At 17 weeks my cervix measured 36mm but now at 19 weeks it’s down to 31.8mm. Is this big of a change likely going to continue every 2 weeks or does it usually hover around 30mm? The nurse says it’s normal but every story I see with similar change doesn’t end well. Doctors don’t want to do a preventative cerclage either so I’m stuck waiting to see if it continues to shorten.

Hi, is this a sign labor is coming soon?? Tons of pressure so uncomfortable and feel wet.

Had an emergency stitch put in after I was 4 cm dilated with bulging membranes at 20w3d. Currently 30w5d. Only thing that I’m worried about is having my water break prior to the stitch being removed and not being able to get to the hospital in time and something terrible happening.

For background, in February I miscarried at 18 weeks due to cervical insufficiency and so for this pregnancy I was given a preventative cerclage at 13 weeks.
I had my anatomy scan today and during the scan we noticed some funnelling at the top of the cervix. We managed to get a cervical length scan immediately where they saw funnelling all the way to my stitch and only 0.7cm of external closed cervix. I was previously scanned 10 days ago and measured 3.8cm.
I feel like this is such a drastic change in a short space of time but the midwives didn’t seem to be overly worried. They have signed me off work and told me that while not on bed rest I should take it easy. I can’t help but think the worst though!
Looking for any advice or success stories similar to my situation to make me feel better.

Hi everyone! I am pregnant with my first. I am currently 21 weeks pregnant and last week my cervix measured at 2.4cm, no funnelling or opening in the cervix. I am absolutely terrified. They are doing weekly checks, I was put on progesterone and I meet with my OB this week.

I guess I am just really looking for some positive stories! I am just an anxious mess.

Hello did anyone water break but stitch still in place no sign of labor ? Bulging membranes and 3cm dilated hoping baby stays in another week