Cortazia Dent

Cortazia Dent has been through a lot the last few years, experiencing two traumatizing pregnancy losses. In order to have a better chance of carrying a pregnancy to full-term, she had been advised that a Transabdominal Cerclage would be the best option. Adanna Amanze, MD, maternal fetal medicine specialist, recommended Shawn Ramsey, DO, of HCA Florida Capital Women’s Health to do the procedure — she knew of his specialty of robotic surgery and being able to place the cerclage.

Cortazia says. “After consulting with Dr. Ramsey, I agreed to have a Transabdominal Cerclage performed, also known as a TAC.” A TAC is a small, extremely strong, woven synthetic band stitched high on the cervix. This band supports the full length of the cervix and resists the pressure the growing fetus places on it. The band prevents the cervix from opening and losing the pregnancy. In Jan. 2022, Dr. Ramsey performed the procedure laparoscopically with the use of a surgical robot.

In Oct. 2022, Cortazia was delighted to find out she was pregnant. She says, “This pregnancy journey went well — but I was nervous because of my prior losses, but with the support I had with Dr. Ramsey and his team — they made it easy for me. Dr. Ramsey made sure I was monitored every two weeks around the same time I lost my previous two pregnancies and that made me feel like Dr. Ramsey cared and wanted to make sure that this time I was able to bring my baby home.”

On June 22, 2023, at 36-weeks, a c-section was performed and baby Jariah was born weighing in at 5 lbs., 11oz. “I was blessed to be able to be awake during my c-section, to hear my baby cry with her father next to me. I shed a few tears because of my prior two losses which led me to not being able to bring my baby boys home or hear them cry — but I was able to hear my daughter’s first cry,” says Cortazia. “My birth experience was amazing at HCA Florida Capital Hospital — from the physicians to the environmental services team. Everyone was so nice and everywhere I went (coming in to the hospital, walking the hallways, leaving the hospital), I was congratulated with smiles, which made me feel so good and welcome.”

Cortazia also says, “The staff in L&D/Postpartum were amazing! They took great care of me, baby Jariah — and they made sure dad was okay too. Melissa, the nurse that I had was very sweet and answered all of the questions that I asked and made sure that I had everything I needed. I would recommend HCA Florida Capital Hospital because they treat you like family!”