A stitch of hope

After the heartbreak of a late-term pregnancy loss in October 2023, Maya Haggerty was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix—a condition in which the cervix begins to open too early during pregnancy. Her maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialist recommended a transabdominal cervical cerclage, a more advanced and durable alternative to the traditional transvaginal approach that had previously failed her.

Initially, Maya was hesitant. “Losing our son was traumatic,” she shared. “Because the first cerclage failed, I had a lot of fear that it would happen again.” But after her husband’s research and reassurance, she agreed to move forward with the procedure—one that offered a higher success rate and renewed hope.

That hope came in the form of Dr. Olga Muldoon, a complex gynecologic surgeon at AdventHealth Porter and one of only a few providers in Colorado performing robotic transabdominal cerclage—and the only provider to do it needleless. Dr. Muldoon believes this is a safer and more precise approach. Instead of pushing a needle through tissue, she uses a tool to create a canal between the uterine arteries and cervix, where she wants the stitch to go, guiding it with intention. “The needle technique is more blind,” she explained, “and you’re hoping it’s not trapping the uterine artery.” This approach may better preserve uterine viability and avoid complications associated with traditional methods.

“There were many times during our journey when I felt truly supported by Dr. Muldoon and her team,” Maya said. “They explained everything in detail and answered all my questions. Knowing this wasn’t an experimental procedure, but one with a track record of success, helped me stay positive.”

Just weeks after the surgery, Maya was stunned to discover she was pregnant again. “I had a flood of emotions—relief, excitement, and anxiety. But I was hopeful that I might have a chance at a full-term pregnancy.”

Her pregnancy was closely monitored with weekly ultrasounds and specialist visits. Maya leaned on her support system and took extra precautions to protect her health and her baby’s. When she finally held her daughter in her arms, she was overwhelmed with gratitude. “I looked at my husband and cried. I looked at her and thought, ‘Thank you, Jesus.’”

According to a national study, 20% of pregnancies in the second trimester are lost due to insufficient cervixes, and 10-25% of all-trimester losses are attributed to this condition. “It’s heartbreaking seeing these women lose their babies at 21 or 22 weeks—so close to viability,” Dr. Muldoon said.

She emphasizes the importance of awareness and access to this life-changing procedure. “Many women don’t realize this option exists,” she said. “Vaginal cerclages can fail up to 46% of the time, while abdominal cerclages—especially when done pre-pregnancy—can be successful in up to 90% of cases. But it’s technique-dependent, and not many providers are thoroughly trained in it.”

Her advice to those facing an insufficient cervix: “Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you. And if you choose to move forward with a cerclage, do your research and find a provider who is well-trained and experienced.”

Maya’s message to other women facing similar challenges is one of resilience and faith: “Get the cerclage. Keep the faith, even when you feel like giving up. Your story is unique, and it’s hard—but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Trust the stitch.”

She also expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Muldoon and her team: “There are no words to express how thankful I am. They gave me hope—and helped bring my baby into the world.”