Advice wanted

[BabyMaybe917]

Sneaking over from 2nd Tri.
A little background. I'm currently 22weeks3days with our little girl. At 19w6d I started having contractions and at my follow up appointment was found to have funneling and a cervical length of 7mm. I was started on Procardia to stop contractions (none for 2 weeks now) and prometrium for my cervix as well as given a cervical pessary. I am now under the care of maternal fetal medicine. I was in the hospital for a week and went from 7mm to 1.2cm.
At my appt today my cervix was 8mm to 9mm which is considered stable but still concerning. I'm just wondering if any of you ladies have advice to offer. The Dr is preparing me for the possibility of early delivery. We will do steroids at 24 weeks regardless of signs of ptl to be on the safe side. If you would have known or had a chance to prepare yourself for a preemie what would you do/recommend?
I'm very optimistic that our baby girl will be OK and that I'll make it to at least 24 weeks and my Dr agrees with that is just a matter of how much further I'll make it. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm at home on bedrest and can't help but wonder what to expect and how to best prepare. Thank you!

 

[JJKCB]

I cant really help but good luck

just a random note: im sort of constantly 1cm dilated since DS was born (although I havnt been pregnant since) but hopefully if contractions stop being a little dilated wont cause a massive problem

 

[MummyMana]

I don't really have any advice as such, but the fact that they're keeping an eye on your cervix is a good thing! I was walking around 4cm dilated for 2 Weeks that I knew of and who knows how long before that, before my daughter was born, so hopefully even if you do begin to dilate it won't mean labour is imminent! I hope that helps a bit

 

[sunnylove]

I never had contractions or went into labor but at a normal 20 week scan (I was 19+3) the doctors told me my cervix was only 9mm. I got the McDonald cerclage immediately and was put on strict bed rest at home. My cervix continued to shorten all the way down to "immeasurable" and I started funneling internally. Once I hit 23 weeks ("viability") I was 100% effaced and put on strict hospital bed rest.

While in the hospital, one of the neonatologists came down from the NICU for a consult and that's when I knew I was having a preemie. I wished and prayed I would make it until at least 28 weeks, but at 26+3 the baby "broke through" my cerclage so to speak with his dancing little feet and he was falling out so I got an emergency c-section about an hour later.

That is my story, but it doesn't mean it will be yours. All I know is that my little squirt is beautiful and perfect now!!

Despite going through it all, I don't have a ton of advice. You just have to lock into your strong, mother side and pull through. It's hard! Make sure you watch lots of funny shows and don't Google things too much. Know that women who have been in your situation have carried to full term, and that your baby will be great!

Also, there is an Incompetent Cervix thread over in Gestational Complications which is the thread I visited a lot for support when I was going through this. Good luck! (Here's the link.)

https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/g...cervix-stitch-cerclage-threatened-labour.html

 

[BabyMaybe917]

Thanks for the responses! I was on hospital bedrest for a week. They decided the cerclage wasn't an option due to my contractions. So I got the pessary.my cervix went to 1.2 cm the day I was sent home but I'm worried since it's back at 8mm now. I was allowed to go home this visit but am thinking I might get admitted again with my next visit especially so close to 24 weeks. They also told me nicu staff would talk with me If I'm admitted again.
I've been on the gestational complications thread for incompetent cervix but have yet to find anyone else with a pessary. I was the first patient to get one at my mfm office. So they aren't able to tell me a whole lot either aside from what studies show.
I've been stalking the nicu thread. Your stories all give me hope and tips on what to expect etc from a preemie.
I've started my hospital bag a little early and am rounding up the basics for our baby girl. I want to be as prepared as possible. And it helps pass time. TV gets boring after all day of it!

 

[Simonecah]

So I would say that you should try to be as ready at home as you can... Have the room ready, bottles for feedings expressed milk, boppys, toys, food, etc. you will have very little time to do all of those last minute things once you finally come home, so do them now. Clean, clean, clean if you can. Get hand sanitizer and lots of hand soap for hand washing. Call your insurance and let them now what is going on. Tell your employer. Consider starting a blog or a place to post info/pics for when you want to give quick updates to lots of family. Make sure all vehicles you drive are in awesome working condition,. Good luck! Message me if you want. I have lots of good advice from our unexpected early delivery!

 

[shobbs]

Wish u all the best, just to say when I had my premie at 28 weeks I had the cot up and that was it and everytime I left baby at hospital I cried for hours seeing his room knowing I wasn't pregnant anymore nor I had baby home. I wouldn't worry about getting things ready yet, if baby is born very early the hospital won't discharge until at least 35 weeks, weighing over 4kg and feeding on there own for 48 hours so you'll have plenty of time. I got my boys pram and clothes etc 2 days before he came home. Cos I couldn't bare to not have him home. I would stock up on cotton balls wen u wash your premie and by pampers micro nappies (can by in boots in uk) they can't wear clothes until they are free of IV lines etc. just pack a camera and capture everyday that your baby grows. You'll still have a newborn baby wen they get home at 3 months old wen mine came home he weighed 4lb

 

[Dinah93]

Rest. If your baby is born early you'll be home a long time before they are, you can prep the room then. Right now resting is the best bet to buy them more time on the inside. My DD was a later preemie than yours may be at 28+0, but small for age at 1lb 15oz. It's a very scary time, but I know a 23 weeker born at 435g (less than 1lb) who came home with no oxygen, no long term complications, so there is certainly reason to stay positive.

 

[Foogirl]

I agree with Dinah. Rest rest rest. The nursery can happen later, the cleaning, the painting the shopping, you will have time to do it before LO gets home. Every day inside you is a bonus for the baby. If I could do anything different again it would be to sit on my butt and watch television!

If possible, can you visit the NICU and have a tour so you know what to expect if you do end up there? Find out what they provide and what they don't. Also, think about starting to build up a stock of frozen meals if you can. Cook twice as much of any freezable meal you are making and stick some in the freezer. Will you be driving to the hospital to visit your LO or taking a bus? Is there parking, can you get a discount on it for long term use. Do you know where to get preemie clothes and nappies if you need them? It's really the practical things I wish I had had time to organise before hand.

And with the hugest hug I hope you never have to use any of my advice!