Most cerclages are removed anywhere from week 37-38.  Depending on what type of cerclage you have in it can be removed right in the office or in Labor and Delivery.  A speculum is placed in the vagina and a couple of snips to the stitch knot and its out.  My experience was it was mildly uncomfortable mostly from the speculum and the removal of the stitch itself was like a few quick pinches (please remember pain is subjective but I didn't think it was bad).  Removal is usually an uncomplicated procedure.  My MacDonald cerclage was removed without the need for pain medication.  Some will experience a complication and difficulty reaching the stitch and then there may be a need for pain medication.  A Shirodkar type can be left in place permanently and it is a c-section delivery or it can be removed also at 37-38 weeks with a spinal or epidural to allow for vaginal delivery.  I always had my Shirodkar stitches removed. {NOTE: If A women is having a Shirodkar stitch type placed and you don't want it to be permanent, you have to discuss this with the doctor prior to the surgery.  The reason is the stitch knot is finished off is different to allow for vaginal delivery.  Not all doctors finish them that way.} There are no definite answers when it comes to "When will you deliver after"?  Your body will call the shots.  When mine was removed (McDonald type) I was kept for observation for an hour and had mild cramping and went home at 3 centimeters.  I stayed that way with no further contractions for another 10 days and finally needed to be induced.  Don't count on delivering the day it is removed unless you are effaced already or dilated more than 5 or you may be disappointed.  Often what happens when a cerclage is removed is there is some scar tissue that develops around the stitch site and it takes the cervix awhile to get through that to dilate for delivery.