I just took mine out with all three of my pregnancies between 4 & 7 months. My hole never bothered closing over.I did have to force it back in, though. I'd had it done for about 2 years with DD1.
I've had it in for 9 years now.
A friend of mine used a plastic one. She still has it for her next bub. She swears by them. Apprently you can cut them to your size or something?