History of incompetent cervix -- want OB who believes in cerclage

[Anonymous]

I'm new to the area, and newly pregnant. I have a history of incompetent cervix (nice phrase, eh?), and KNOW that I want a preventive cerclage at 12-14 weeks. I know people who had preterm babies, and then had a cerclage and carried to term.

I have to choose an OB immediately, and want to choose one who won't oppose my choice for a cerclage. Preferably, I'd like this OB to practise at Georgetown University Hospital or Children's Hospital -- where there are Level-4 NICUs to care for my baby should he/she be born preterm.

Does anyone have experience with this particular issue?

Many thanks,
OP

[Anonymous]

Are there OB's who DON'T believe in cerclage? I think it's a pretty common procedure and most OB's will be totally onboard with it, especially if you have a past indication for it. I know Dr. DeSouza (who delivers at Sibley) does them. He is very good -- a solo practioner who is kind and attentive. Really like him.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP -- in case the babe came early, they would have you go to Georgetown if you were otherwise planning on delivering at Sibley.

[Anonymous]

i had a preventive one done at 13 weeks or so - no history but i have a t-shaped uterus so there was a chance there could be an issue.... saw Drs Andersen, Maanavi, Davis, Muasher, Yoon in Fairfax -- they deliver at FxHos which is one of the best in the area. Davis did the cerclage and then I had follow up care with them AND the perinatalogy group at FxHos who monitored the cerclage thru out the pregnanct for any weakening, etc.....

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure any OBs practice at Children's - no deliveries there.

[Anonymous]

Although their default is Sibley, I think Dr. Hill & Reiter direct patients to Georgetown if they go into very early labor because of the NICU facilities. I'm not sure what the cutoff is, but it may be 32 weeks (I'd actually be curious if anyone knows what week for sure, as I'm always nervous I'll go into preterm labor and not know where to go). I have no idea on their view of cerclage. I'm at risk for Incom. Cervix due to prior surgeries - in other words, I could have a problem, but I've never had a pregnancy in which it did happen. I'm past 24 weeks now and everything seems to be holding steady. At this point they've made it clear that if my cervix starts to go they would probably just put me on bed rest and not perform a cerclage, but presumably they would have gone the cerclage route had my cervix started to shorten earlier.

[Anonymous]

Go to Joseph Collea or Helene Landy at Georgetown. They both are both MFM (High Risk) OBs who have been practicing for years (i.e. they know what they are doing).

I am 29 weeks into a twin pregnancy and developed Preterm Labor symptoms at 23 weeks. Collea dealt with it aggressively by putting me on bedrest and then drugs. I am still carrying my babies and am quite sure that if I didn't have such experienced doctors I wouldn't be. While I don't know Collea's or Landy's opinions on preventive cerclages, I trust their judgment. But be forewarned, Collea can have a somewhat odd bedside manner.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

I also have incompetent cervix. My two children were both born full term though thanks to bedrest (5 months of bedrest on each pregnancy!) and cerclage (for the second pregnancy).
I cannot recommend enough Dr Khoury of Perinatal Associates of Northern VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Joseph Collea or Helene Landy at Georgetown. They both are both MFM (High Risk) OBs who have been practicing for years (i.e. they know what they are doing).

I am 29 weeks into a twin pregnancy and developed Preterm Labor symptoms at 23 weeks. Collea dealt with it aggressively by putting me on bedrest and then drugs. I am still carrying my babies and am quite sure that if I didn't have such experienced doctors I wouldn't be. While I don't know Collea's or Landy's opinions on preventive cerclages, I trust their judgment. But be forewarned, Collea can have a somewhat odd bedside manner.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Hi all. I'm the OP. I'm curious about which drug Collea gave you to deal with your preterm labor symptoms?

Also, to the person who asked if there were any OBs who won't do cerclage, the answer is yes. On this forum, for instance, once woman said that her doctor said "cerclage doesn't do any good."

[Anonymous]

I was a patient with Perinatal Associates of Northern VA. and loved Dr. Nies. I was pregnant with twins w/ hx of incompetent cervix so has also on bed rest and terbuteline (sp?). Made it through to 36 weeks and have 2 healthy 5 month old girls. This was actually my 2nd cerclage - my son is 2 y.o. I credit the cerclage for getting me through to a healthy gestational age for both pregnancies.

OP - good luck to you. I was so nervous throughout my pregnancy but the cerclage gave me piece of mind.

[Anonymous]

OP to PP -- thanks for the encouragement. It helps to hear success stories.

[Anonymous]

I currently have a cerclage and am 36 weeks. I will deliver at GW and my doctor has been great. I delivered my first baby there at 24 weeks and the doctors in the NICU were excellent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I currently have a cerclage and am 36 weeks. I will deliver at GW and my doctor has been great. I delivered my first baby there at 24 weeks and the doctors in the NICU were excellent.

Congratulations on making it to 36 weeks! I hope that because the NICU doctors were excellent, that means that your first baby is doing okay?