- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Pregnant after a Loss
nuttycoconut
member
I got my TAC on Friday! (super long and detailed)
nuttycoconut
member
Hi ladies! I wanted to share my TAC (transabdominal cerclage) story for you in case some of you IC ladies are considering a TAC. I just can't believe after all of the research and waiting that it's over! Dh and I went to NJ on Thursday morning. We checked into our hotel (got upgraded yay!), got some Friendly's, then went to Kennedy Hospital to meet Dr. Davis. He was so amazing. He spent 2 hours with us answering questions, giving us an ultrasound, showing us the mersilene (string that was used in my cervix) etc. Then he spend another half hour drawing us maps and looking up restaurants for us to go to dinner! We went to this cute little town called Haddonfield (near Cherry Hill) and had a nice Italian dinner. I ate every bite since I knew I wouldn't be eating solids until Saturday. I ate some of DH's dinner too 
Of course DH was bummed because we were 30 min from Philly and probably 20-30 min from Atlantic City. Plus there were golf courses all around. And his friend lives very close to our hotel. And he got to do NONE of it. haha.
I checked into the hospital Friday morning at 7am. I was terrified. Dr. Davis came to find me in the waiting room to say hi and give me a hug before his first procedure. He said, "alright I'm going to go do my first TAC of the day and get warmed up for you." I was scheduled for the 2nd one of the day.
Then I was called in around 8 to go change and answer millions of questions from the nurses. I was freezing and shaking and so scared but one of the nurses calmed me down so much. **loss mentioned **She said she had boy/girl twins too and her daughter died in a car accident. She said she had another son after and people would say to her "don't you wish you had a little girl?" She would say, "I did have a little girl!" Every birthday is bittersweet because she celebrates her son and mourns her daughter. She used her daughter's initials for her son that was born after the car accident. She had another daughter a few years later but of course she can't replace the daughter she lost. She said that she is happy now but events like that will change your life forever. I know that's such a sad story but for some reason, her opening up helped calm me down. Also, I felt like she understood me and was compassionate. **Ok you can read now***
I went into the operating room after that and brought my hats Max and Molly wore in the hospital. All of the doctors and nurses loved the hats and kept making sure I had them next to me. I also brought my ipod with a playlist of relaxing music. Dr. Davis didn't want me to have it next to me (something about the metal) so he figured out how to play it through the sound system in the operating room. It was so amazing! They gave me my spinal anesthesia and epidural and everything started going numb. That was probably the worst part. It hurt! And I had to stay curled up in a ball which was so hard. I got to lay down and they put up the blue sheet you always see go up for c-sections. Then he put this paper blanket on my arms and chest that puffed warm air into it. It's called a bear hug and it was so nice and warm. I was still freaking out and terrified and just trying to breathe and focus on the music. A few min later the anesthesiologist said "your incision was made!" I had no idea so that was good. The surgery was about an hour. I closed my eyes, breathed, focused on music, etc. I could feel some movement and tugging but nothing hurt. The nurses were always right by my head and checking on me, asking me how I was, etc. The room was so quiet. When they were about to tape me up I asked to see my incision. They were pretty surprised about that request and so they tried to help me up to see but my tummy was in the way. So they put "camera 3" on it and I could see my scar on the monitor next to me. It was like a spooky jack o lantern smile because of the staples.
When it was over, they gave me an ultrasound. That was the only time I cried, when I saw the heartbeats and knew the babies were okay. One of them waved at me! They gave me tissues and the Dr. said "it's okay to smile!" So I did.
So then Dr. Davis said it was the calmest surgeries he's ever had and that they all loved my music. How awesome! He wouldn't let anyone talk during the surgery so they wouldn't interrupt the music. I asked them to save a piece of the mersilene for me. They said they don't often get that request, but they will sterilize a piece and give it to me for my baby book. It actually went right through my cervix so that's a cool souvenir to have!
I was wheeled into recovery, then went to my room a while later. It took me until the late afternoon/evening to wiggle my toes and feel my feet. I had an IV and catheter so it didn't matter. DH stayed the night with me and was awesome because he could grab my phone, the remote, my book, water, etc. I bossed him around all day and night. Dr. Davis checked on my several times. We tried to sleep but were woken up every 2 hours for my vitals. Ugh. Saturday was tough because they took out my catheter and I was forced to get up and go to the bathroom. It was hard for me because I still had effects from the morphine and anesthesia so I was dizzy and threw up (sorry). So I had to use a bedpan part of the day and have an iv again. Dr. Davis came and said, "Ok so I heard you wanted some more attention from me!" haha. He brought me ice cream and tomato soup. Later on I got to eat solids! Yay! I had a pasta lunch and a meatloaf dinner that weren't so bad. I also had to walk around every hour or so to practice and help myself heal more quickly. I wasn't released until 8:30 pm, which was later than the others because of my dizziness. Dr. Davis did another ultrasound right before and showed me my cervix and where the stitches were made. Babies were happy and dancing away. He gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him anytime that night because our hotel was 5 min from his house! He said he would not give me the number unless he really meant it.
So that night in the hotel was okay. I booked a handicapped room so I can have the higher toilet, be on the first floor, and have the walk in shower. We were also supposed to have a separate living room and kitchen (I figured poor DH needed space to watch tv and do work since he had been cooped up with me for days). So I was very bummed when the hotel said their handicapped suite flooded so all they had was a regular room (not a suite and not handicapped). It ended up being fine since they gave us a big break on the price (not that it mattered to me since I really wanted the other room). Dr. Davis came to the hotel the next morning to check out my incision before we made the 4 hour ride home. We took a picture with him and he gave me a hug goodbye. I really think he was the most amazing doctor I have ever met.
We started the journey home. I saw a Cracker Barrel and had to stop for breakfast because I'm obsessed with that place. I got my grits n eggs and biscuts n gravy! Minimal traffic so that was great. Bumps were definitely painful. We had to stop every hour so I could stretch my legs and walk around. I went to my MFM's office to get the staples out on Monday and they were very impressed with the nice insicion and the quick healing. It's tough getting around and getting up to go to the bathroom. But the Percocet helps! I'm supposed to be doing mostly nothing all week, then a bit more activity next week, then after 2 weeks I should feel much better. So, another major hurdle was cleared in our journey to start a family. Next week (July 31) is my NT scan so that will be another (smaller) hurdle. Thanks for reading!
Of course DH was bummed because we were 30 min from Philly and probably 20-30 min from Atlantic City. Plus there were golf courses all around. And his friend lives very close to our hotel. And he got to do NONE of it. haha. I checked into the hospital Friday morning at 7am. I was terrified. Dr. Davis came to find me in the waiting room to say hi and give me a hug before his first procedure. He said, "alright I'm going to go do my first TAC of the day and get warmed up for you." I was scheduled for the 2nd one of the day.
Then I was called in around 8 to go change and answer millions of questions from the nurses. I was freezing and shaking and so scared but one of the nurses calmed me down so much. **loss mentioned **She said she had boy/girl twins too and her daughter died in a car accident. She said she had another son after and people would say to her "don't you wish you had a little girl?" She would say, "I did have a little girl!" Every birthday is bittersweet because she celebrates her son and mourns her daughter. She used her daughter's initials for her son that was born after the car accident. She had another daughter a few years later but of course she can't replace the daughter she lost. She said that she is happy now but events like that will change your life forever. I know that's such a sad story but for some reason, her opening up helped calm me down. Also, I felt like she understood me and was compassionate. **Ok you can read now***
I went into the operating room after that and brought my hats Max and Molly wore in the hospital. All of the doctors and nurses loved the hats and kept making sure I had them next to me. I also brought my ipod with a playlist of relaxing music. Dr. Davis didn't want me to have it next to me (something about the metal) so he figured out how to play it through the sound system in the operating room. It was so amazing! They gave me my spinal anesthesia and epidural and everything started going numb. That was probably the worst part. It hurt! And I had to stay curled up in a ball which was so hard. I got to lay down and they put up the blue sheet you always see go up for c-sections. Then he put this paper blanket on my arms and chest that puffed warm air into it. It's called a bear hug and it was so nice and warm. I was still freaking out and terrified and just trying to breathe and focus on the music. A few min later the anesthesiologist said "your incision was made!" I had no idea so that was good. The surgery was about an hour. I closed my eyes, breathed, focused on music, etc. I could feel some movement and tugging but nothing hurt. The nurses were always right by my head and checking on me, asking me how I was, etc. The room was so quiet. When they were about to tape me up I asked to see my incision. They were pretty surprised about that request and so they tried to help me up to see but my tummy was in the way. So they put "camera 3" on it and I could see my scar on the monitor next to me. It was like a spooky jack o lantern smile because of the staples.
When it was over, they gave me an ultrasound. That was the only time I cried, when I saw the heartbeats and knew the babies were okay. One of them waved at me! They gave me tissues and the Dr. said "it's okay to smile!" So I did.
So then Dr. Davis said it was the calmest surgeries he's ever had and that they all loved my music. How awesome! He wouldn't let anyone talk during the surgery so they wouldn't interrupt the music. I asked them to save a piece of the mersilene for me. They said they don't often get that request, but they will sterilize a piece and give it to me for my baby book. It actually went right through my cervix so that's a cool souvenir to have!
I was wheeled into recovery, then went to my room a while later. It took me until the late afternoon/evening to wiggle my toes and feel my feet. I had an IV and catheter so it didn't matter. DH stayed the night with me and was awesome because he could grab my phone, the remote, my book, water, etc. I bossed him around all day and night. Dr. Davis checked on my several times. We tried to sleep but were woken up every 2 hours for my vitals. Ugh. Saturday was tough because they took out my catheter and I was forced to get up and go to the bathroom. It was hard for me because I still had effects from the morphine and anesthesia so I was dizzy and threw up (sorry). So I had to use a bedpan part of the day and have an iv again. Dr. Davis came and said, "Ok so I heard you wanted some more attention from me!" haha. He brought me ice cream and tomato soup. Later on I got to eat solids! Yay! I had a pasta lunch and a meatloaf dinner that weren't so bad. I also had to walk around every hour or so to practice and help myself heal more quickly. I wasn't released until 8:30 pm, which was later than the others because of my dizziness. Dr. Davis did another ultrasound right before and showed me my cervix and where the stitches were made. Babies were happy and dancing away. He gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him anytime that night because our hotel was 5 min from his house! He said he would not give me the number unless he really meant it.
So that night in the hotel was okay. I booked a handicapped room so I can have the higher toilet, be on the first floor, and have the walk in shower. We were also supposed to have a separate living room and kitchen (I figured poor DH needed space to watch tv and do work since he had been cooped up with me for days). So I was very bummed when the hotel said their handicapped suite flooded so all they had was a regular room (not a suite and not handicapped). It ended up being fine since they gave us a big break on the price (not that it mattered to me since I really wanted the other room). Dr. Davis came to the hotel the next morning to check out my incision before we made the 4 hour ride home. We took a picture with him and he gave me a hug goodbye. I really think he was the most amazing doctor I have ever met.
We started the journey home. I saw a Cracker Barrel and had to stop for breakfast because I'm obsessed with that place. I got my grits n eggs and biscuts n gravy! Minimal traffic so that was great. Bumps were definitely painful. We had to stop every hour so I could stretch my legs and walk around. I went to my MFM's office to get the staples out on Monday and they were very impressed with the nice insicion and the quick healing. It's tough getting around and getting up to go to the bathroom. But the Percocet helps! I'm supposed to be doing mostly nothing all week, then a bit more activity next week, then after 2 weeks I should feel much better. So, another major hurdle was cleared in our journey to start a family. Next week (July 31) is my NT scan so that will be another (smaller) hurdle. Thanks for reading!
IVF #1 BFP b/g twins!; loss at 23 weeks due to I.C. and PTL.
IVF #2 BFP 5/26/12; due date 2/6/13; TAC surgery 7/20/12, blessed with another girl & boy!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: I got my TAC on Friday! (super long and detailed)
So glad it was a good experience for you!
::whispers, "what's a TAC?"::
Cycle 9: BFP 5-3-12:EDD 1-24-13 It's a girl! Born 12-27-12
Oh my gosh I'm sorry! I just edited my post to include that part. It's a transabdominal cerclage that you can have if you have a late loss due to an incompetent cervix. Some ladies decide to have a transvaginal cerclage and do well with it but others get the stronger one (way more invasive surgery) which is a TAC. I chose a TAC for many reasons, one of them being that I was going through ivf again and knew there was a chance of twins again.
Married the love of my life 7/11/09 - Our first baby, Peyton Mark, was born sleeping 10/25/11 at 33 weeks - Our second baby, BFP 2/4/12, welcome to the world Raylan! Holy Moly, BPF 2/4/14, please be safe and sound little one!
My Blog
It sounds like you had a really good experience and I'm so glad! The Dr. sounds awesome, why can't all Drs be like that?
Hope you recovery goes smoothly.
type 1 diabetic for 7 years. Been on the pump for 6 years.
You got a Rock Star TAC!!! The Dr. Haney and Davis TAC's are the Cadillacs of TACS - you will carry these twins a long time!!!!
I'm so proud of you, hon! I had moments before mine that I wanted to quit and run back home. It's SO scary but SO worth it!!
HUGE Hugs TAC Sister!!!!
Twin boys born too early at 17w4d and 18w2d in February 2010
Transabdominal cerclage placed September 2010
DS born at 35w1d in February 2011
Twin girls born at exactly 36w in February 2013
BFP #2 - EDD 2/26/12 M/C 6/28/11 @ 5w2d
BFP #3 - EDD 4/7/12 M/C 8/2/11 @ 4w2d
Too beautiful for this earth
BFP #4 - EDD 12/09/12, Lucille arrived 11/26/12
I honestly think Dr's bedside mannors make a huge difference when it comes to everything. If a Dr has a positive vibe and you feel like you could trust a Dr with your whole world than you know you have an awesome Dr.
I am so glad that everything has gone well for you.
TTC since 11/2009; Lap/HSG/Hysteroscopy: 5/2011 (endometriosis - removed; endocervical polyp - removed; high pressure in bilateral tubes - cleared)
BFP #1: 8/4/11; DS1 born sleeping on 11/16/11 at 19w1d
BFP # 2: 5/7/12, EDD 1/10/13, DS2 born 1/4/13
BFP # 3: 11/8/13, EDD 7/17/14, mmc 10wks
BFP # 4: 5/16/14, EDD 1/15/15, praying for our 2nd rainbow baby
BFP#1 10 wk missed mc
BFP#2 DS born at 40+2 on 8/14/12 BFP#3 DD Born at 39+3 on 5/13/14
You've heard what I've done, not what I've been through.
If you were in my shoes, you'd fall the first step."
BFP: 01/08/11 EDD: 09/15/11 Natural MC: 02/03/11
BFP: 02/14/12 EDD: 10/26/12 D&C: 03/09/12
BFP: 04.05.12 EDD: 12.17.12 Born 11.18.12 Jackson Kane 6lbs 5ounces
BFP: 06.08.13 EDD: 02.13.14 Baby Girl.. 2U2 Here we come
[url=http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers][img]http://global.thebump.com/tickers/ttfdf7a.aspx[/img][/url]
I love finding others with TACs! I wish you a long and successful pregnancy with your TAC baby!
I agree!! We will have 38 weeker twins for sure
Thanks for all of your advice & support.