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Procedure gives women chance to be mothers

by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
It was Alvina Calvin’s dream to become a mother and raise a family with her husband, James. But unlike many couples who are affected by fertility problems, the Calvins' challenge lay in a healthy pregnancy.

Alvina, 37, became one of only a handful of women in the country to give birth thanks to a new procedure that combines an easy technique and minimally invasive surgery to produce healthy results. 

On March 23, Alvina gave birth to son, Evan James. Evan’s birth would not have been possible without Alvina having to undergo a laparoscopic abdominal cerclage, a surgical procedure that uses a laparoscope to guide instruments to place purse string stitches around the cervix and close it, preventing any chances for premature birth or miscarriage.

Alvina and James were anxious to begin a family following their marriage in 2001. But the process would be a painful, difficult journey for the Moncks Corner couple. Early on, Alvina was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix, a condition causing the lower part of the uterus to dilate early during pregnancy. 

She previously underwent two other cervical cerclage procedures, but neither were successful and resulted in two separate pregnancy losses. 

James and Alvina Calvin welcomed their son,  Evan James, on March 23. Alvina had a healthy pregnancy thanks to a new technique and care by GYN specialists Drs. David E. Soper, left, and James Carter.

Last spring, Alvina was placed under the care of gynecology specialists David E. Soper, M.D., and James Carter, M.D., at MUSC Women’s Health. Although she was a candidate for abdominal cerclage, Soper and Carter offered her the minimally invasive approach, laparoscopic abdominal cerclage. 

Based on her past experiences, Alvina agreed to undergo the new, surgical procedure three months prior to becoming pregnant. It took less than an hour to complete.

“The best thing about it was that it was considered an outpatient procedure,” Alvina said, who recovered within days and was careful throughout the rest of her pregnancy.

Alvina was admitted to the hospital in late March. With James close by, she delivered the 5-pound-plus Evan by Cesarean section. 

“Any woman who’s in a similar situation may want to consider this as an alternative option,” Alvina said. “This is the best way to go. The recovery time was not bad for me. Sure it has its risks, but it’s more than worth it because at the end I have my baby.” 

With their prayers answered, the Calvins hope the cerclage procedure will allow them to continue to expand their family in the future. 

“We’re really excited about these results,” said Soper, who will join Carter next month to present their results at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  in Philadelphia. “This success pushes our department’s envelope to the edge in the area of laparoscopy and gynecology, utilizing our in-house experience and combined skills to ensure continued success in the field.”
 
 

Friday, April 2, 2004
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.