Tiếng Việt
Over five years, she experienced five pregnancy losses, including late miscarriages and preterm births. Some of her pregnancies progressed to 28–30 weeks, but sadly, none resulted in a baby she could bring home, despite receiving care at leading obstetric hospitals and undergoing cervical cerclage procedures.
After years of hope and heartbreak, the emotional, physical, and financial toll on her and her husband made the decision to try again incredibly difficult. At one point, she even wondered whether surrogacy might be the only way for her to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother.
Then, in 2017, her journey took an unexpected turn when she came to Hanoi French Hospital (HFH).
A Turning Point in Her Sixth Pregnancy
In 2017, when she was nine weeks pregnant with her sixth pregnancy, Mrs. N. came to HFH for a consultation with Dr. Ho Van Thu, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Thu still remembers what she told him during their first appointment:
“If you can’t help me carry this pregnancy to term, this will be my last attempt. If I want to have a child, I may have to ask a family member to carry the baby for me.”
Given her complex obstetric history, Mrs. N.’s pregnancy was considered high-risk and required close monitoring and careful management. After assessing her condition, Dr. Thu recommended a cervical cerclage to help reduce the risk of preterm birth.
Cervical cerclage requires careful assessment of a patient’s obstetric history, cervical condition, and gestational age to determine whether the procedure is appropriate and when it should be performed. As Dr. Thu explained:
“In cases like these, the cerclage needs to be placed with great care and precision. It takes considerable experience to ensure the stitch is not placed too deeply, which could damage the membranes, or too superficially, which may provide insufficient support.”
From then on, Mrs. N. was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy. At 37 weeks and two days, the cerclage was removed. She subsequently went into labor and delivered vaginally. Her baby was born healthy, weighing 2.7 kg.
After years of uncertainty and disappointment, she finally held her baby in her arms and brought her child home.
“Don’t Worry. I’ll Be Here to Support You Every Step of the Way.”
Looking back on her decision to seek care at HFH, Mrs. N. recalled:
“In early 2017, when I found out I was pregnant again, I was extremely anxious. My previous pregnancies had all ended too early, and I had no idea how I could carry this baby to term.
I remembered something I had once heard from a French doctor who came to examine a patient in the obstetrics department. He mentioned that doctors in France used a different type of suture for cervical cerclage, and that this type of suture was used at Viet Phap Hospital. That stayed with me, so I decided to come to HFH for a checkup when I was nine weeks pregnant and see Dr. Ho Van Thu.”
Throughout her pregnancy, Mrs. N. gradually became less anxious with each visit. One thing she remembers especially well is Dr. Thu’s reassuring words:
“Don’t worry. Everything will be all right. I’ll keep monitoring your pregnancy and be here to support you.”
“At first, I wasn’t even confident enough to sign up for the 12-week maternity package because I was afraid I might not make it to delivery. So I paid for individual consultations and only registered for the hospital delivery package when I was 32 weeks pregnant.
My husband and I were overjoyed when our first baby finally arrived at 37 weeks and two days, weighing 2.7 kg.”
A Trust That Continued Through Two More Pregnancies
Their journey did not end with the birth of their first child.
“Our second baby came along when our first child was only eight months old, before we had even planned for another pregnancy. I was worried because our first baby was still so little, and I knew I would have to look after the older child while going through another pregnancy. But my husband and I decided to continue with the pregnancy.
I went back to Dr. Thu and had a cervical cerclage at 13 weeks. Our second baby, a boy, was born at 38 weeks and five days, weighing 3.4 kg.
After our second child was born, my husband and I decided that our family was complete. We stuck to that decision for seven years. Our older child is now nine, and our younger one is seven.
Then, in early 2026, we found out we were expecting our third baby. I was 39 at the time and about to turn 40. In the end, we felt that since this baby had come into our lives, we wanted to give the pregnancy every chance. After seven years, we were preparing to become parents to a newborn all over again.
I returned to HFH to see Dr. Thu and have my pregnancy monitored. When he saw me at my first appointment, he jokingly asked, ‘Another baby?’
This time, I felt much more relaxed. After having a cervical cerclage at 12 weeks, I continued working and going about my daily routine as usual. Now, at nearly 40 weeks, I have once again welcomed a healthy baby into our family.
Looking back, my husband and I feel incredibly grateful to Dr. Thu and the entire hospital team for standing by us through all three successful pregnancies. Their care and support helped us get through each pregnancy and welcome our three children into the world. Today, we feel truly blessed to have the family we once could only dream of.”
