Ep175 – Transabdominal Cerclage, PCOS, and IVF Success with Michelle Byrd

Have you heard of a Transabdominal Cerclage?

In a transabdominal cerclage procedure, a gynecologic surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen near the bikini line. Through this transabdominal incision, the surgeon places a small, woven synthetic band high on the cervix. The band supports the cervix, preventing it from opening and losing the pregnancy.

Today’s guest was diagnosed with PCOS and knew she would need assistance to have a family.  After trying naturally for sometime she was directed to a Fertility specialist who recommended IVF.  Michelle Byrd’s first round of IVF was a success as she was pregnant with boy girl twins, but lost them due to cervical insufficiency at 18 weeks.  She had embryos from her first IVF cycle and was able to get pregnant again after having a cerclage for cervical stitch placed at 16 weeks.  Michelle went on to lose that pregnancy at 17 weeks.  She then began searching for options to prolong her pregnancies and researched a transabdominal cerclage, a cervical stitch placed before she is trying to conceive and increases her chances of pregnancy.  In this episode Michelle takes us back to the painful moment of losing her babies due to cervical insufficiency, her decision for getting a transabdominal cerclage, and her successful frozen embryo transfer and rainbow baby pregnancy.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have had cervical insufficiency or an incompetent cervix and are considering a transabdominal cerclage.  This episode is for you to listen to if you have PCOS, experienced a 2nd trimester loss, and have gone through fertility treatments.

Become a Sisters in Loss Birth and Bereavement Doula Here

Living Water Doula Services

Book Recommendations and Links Below

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community

Sisters in Loss Instagram

Sisters in Loss Facebook

Sisters in Loss Twitter

You can follow Erica on Social

Erica’s Website

Erica’s Instagram

Erica’s Facebook

Erica’s Twitter