Short cervix at 21 weeks

[calypso]

Thinking of you all. I had 1cm or less from 21 weeks and was on bedrest for 12 weeks. I still delivered a preemie, but it was all worth it.

 

[Currituckgirl]

Thinking of you all. I had 1cm or less from 21 weeks and was on bedrest for 12 weeks. I still delivered a preemie, but it was all worth it.

Thank you!! You ended up delivering at 33 weeks, right? Did you have a cerclage? I am at 7 mm now. I have another check on Thursday, I am praying it isn't worse. We opted out of the cerclage because of the possible problems with them and how far a long I was.

 

[calypso]

Yes, I delivered at 33+2. I did not have a cerclage, my ob/gyn & my MFM did not recommend it. It was tough emotionally and physically but I am glad for it all.

Have you had steroids or progesterone? Feel free to message me.

 

[sevilla24]

Thanks, Calypso, it's always nice to hear about positive stories!!!

Currituckgirl - hang in there and keep us posted after your appointment on Thursday.

I have another weekly cervical check tomorrow, now that the baby is growing and I have a belly... this is when I get nervous!!!

Meaggers - I hope you made it through your baby's due date with some sort of peace I am sure it was hard. You must have an appointment this week, too????? That means all three of us have appointments!!!

Praying for nice long cervixes ladies

 

[Currituckgirl]

Sevilla, good luck today at your appointment!! Let us know how it goes

Praying for long cervixes for all of us ladies

 

[calypso]

Updates on your appointments?

 

[Currituckgirl]

My appointment was good!! Jacob now weights 1 lb and 14 oz and we saw him practice breathing!!!! We were so happy to see that! They aren't going to measure my cervix anymore though My doctor said they only measure until they give the steroid shots. That is the only reason to measure. He said that he was amazed that I have made it this far. I hope I amaze the socks off of him by going all the way until 34+ weeks. That would be marvelous. I would probably amaze the socks off of myself also!

Sevilla, how did your appointment go?

 

[Meaggers]

Hi ladies. Sorry I've been offline for a few days due to some construction going on around here.

Thank you for the positive words and success story Calypso. Your little girl is beautiful!

Currituck- That's great news about your little Jacob and your appointment of course. I bet you'll make it all the way!

Sevilla- I hope your appointment went well!

As for me: I had a little scare a few days ago and went to L&D due to severe sharp pains and pressure that did not let up. They didn't find anything though once at the hospital. The pressure soon subsided, the pains went away, and everything turned out well. Cervix was closed (holy cow a cervical check hurts), urine was fine no infections, and there were no active contractions measured on the monitor. So in this case no news was wonderful news and little Hunter is still in there baking.
I had a follow up appointment yesterday with my doctor. Just the usual stuff like measuring my stomach, urine test, etc. Everything checked out fine there as well. I won't have any more cervical measurements. So the last one at 3.3 at 23 weeks is my last. They didn't recommend anything further. It makes me nervous that I have no idea. So I'm not really on bedrest (although I do take it easy) and of course on my progesterone suppositories. Hopefully all will continue to go well. I do not think my doctor is planning on giving me steroids either unless I start going in to labor and hopefully by then it won't be to late. They did do an FFN test, but I don't know what the results were on it or if it's even come back yet. I have another doctor's appointment in 2 weeks to do my glucose test.

Sorry so long

 

[calypso]

Glad things are relatively okay for you.

Meaggers, some drs don't believe that bedrest helps and they don't "assign" it. I obviously beg to differ and think it made all the difference in the world. That said, you are a decent length (3.3) at 25+ weeks. The critical point is 17ish-24ish weeks. Of course, every week helps and the goal is always full term. Taking it easy I think is a good choice!

 

[sevilla24]

Currituck - I am confused why they will stop measuring your cervix.... is it because by 26 weeks if you aren't having major issues, then that means you have managed to avoid the "critical time"? I am curious because they didn't catch my cervical issues with my daughter until 28 weeks and so I never knew when it began shortening... (the previous ultrasound had been at 19 weeks and was fine) so it was some time between 19 and 26 weeks.

I am currently at 20 weeks and my appointment went beautifully. Still a nice long 4 cm cervix!!!! I still hesitate as there is still time for it to shorten.... but when will that worry be over? calypso - you say 17 to 24 weeks.... do you think that means if I can make it to 24 (or 26 like currituck) I can let go of some of the worry??? Hope so!!

Meaggers - They are done measuring your cervix too??? I am so confused - does this mean you are out of harms way too??? I hope so for you!!! Thanks for the "long update" it is helpful to hear other people's experiences. So sorry you had such a scare, but it sounds like they took good care of you.

When is every one's next appointment?? Mine is this coming Tuesday, July 3rd. I will still be 20 weeks (or maybe just barely 21).... constantly nervous. Even had a nightmare the other night that my waters broke eeeek!

 

[sevilla24]

I just re-read my post and I hope you ladies don't take it and worry that they are done measuring your cervix!!!!!!!!!! I only ask a million questions because I SO DESPERATELY hope that it means once you hit a certain point (24 weeks????) they don't think you are at risk any more!!! That would be the BEST news!!!!!!!!! I was afraid that I would be constantly worried about my cervix right up 'til 36 weeks, ugh!

 

[calypso]

Sevilla, I mean critical period as in this is where incompetent cervix fails most often unnoticed while a baby is big enough to cause the cervix strain but small enough to go into fast labor that can't be stopped and then baby cannot be viable. This is just based on info my dr shared at the time. I was kept in hospital bedrest until 26 weeks after my steroids. IC is scary. After 24 weeks baby is viable and most drs offer steroids when you've been having issues threatening early labor giving your baby a better chance though still small. The goal is always full term. I don't want to pretend that once a certain point passes you are home free, the struggle is everyday to remain pregnant.

As for not measuring after a certain point, around third tri your cervix normally begins to shorten and or soften so is less reliable. There is also a risk of irritating the cervix or introducing infection at every exam.

This is all info I got from my drs while pregnant and I am in no way saying that any of your drs are wrong or right or to change treatment plans, etc. just sharing info I received. Your dr should be your #1 go to.

 

[calypso]

Sevilla - as far as letting go of some worry around 24-26 weeks, I breathed better when I knew my baby was at least viable, though by no means did I relax. That said, my cervix was almost gone and I was dilating.

An I forgot to mention that usually when they stop doing CL checks they do non-stress tests which all depends on your dr of course.

 

[sevilla24]

Calypso - thanks for the information!!!! I certainly know that every woman is different, every situation etc. And I knew I would actually never really stop worrying... maybe wishful thinking??

They are currently measuring my cervix through a regular ultrasound... although I know with my first pregnancy, once the baby was bigger, they did transvaginal for more accurate measuring. I do remember them discussing steroid shots for her lungs etc. I guess I just blocked some of that out of my memory.... Come to think of it, I don't actually remember at which week they stopped measuring the cervix, but I know it wasn't right up until the end.

I googled the heck out of this subject, but talking to ladies going through it - or have gone through it - is way better. Even if all our situations are a little different, we can definitely learn from each other. Thanks

 

[Meaggers]

I really wish my doctor would do the steroid shots just in case. I'm a little relieved that I'm nearing 26 weeks but by no means comfortable. From what I understood my doctor said he would keep my cervix in mind but that he wasn't actively worried about it. Also that after 24-26 weeks the baby would be too big to not have contractions in the event of preterm labor. so if something was to happen we would know without measuring. He mentioned that at this point taking it easy and taking progesterone are the only things that can be done about my cervix. It was too late for a cerclage when mine was noticed. So I just pray a lot and try to take care the best I can.

 

[lizziedripping]

Hi ladies, I had no idea another IC thread was so well underway. It's lovely that you're all able to support each other, and please be aware of the other IC thread that you are most welcome to join any time

Just for the record Sevilla, once you are past 26wks the direct threat of IC has passed mainly because an IC tends to dilate to a max of 3cms - wide enough to allow a baby of 26wks to pass through, but not wide enought o deliver a bigger baby. Past that point you need to have strong, regular contractions to dilate the cervix further thus allowing delivery of a bigger baby. Sometimes earlier cervical changes can progress into ptl and cause delivery later than 26wks, but by then it is a different issue and one of ptl rather than IC. Strictly IC is a mechanical problem usually fixed with a stitch and/or rest.

At 4mms it sounds as though your cervix is looking good. They should pick up any significant changes on your next scan in time to take precautionary measures hun. As for not worrying past 26wks, as some of the others have said, you do relax at viable age, but you never truly feel happy until reaching 37wks (atleast I didn't anyway).

For those of you not aware of my story, I carried 17Ibs of twin to 38wks with a stitch in place, and despite funneling to it from 25wks it still held. Term babies are a possibility even with IC so never give up hope ladies xxx

 

[Currituckgirl]

Sevilla ~ The reason my doctor isn't going to measure my cervix anymore is because at my doctors office they only measure until they give you steroid shots and since I already had the steroid shot at 24 weeks then there was no need for the measurement, I guess. I was disappointed, I feel better just knowing what is going on with my cervical length. I wish there was a time when we could stop worrying. I think my time to stop worrying will be around 36 weeks!! Your cervix seems to be doing wonderful, 4 cm!! Yay!! At 20 weeks mine was at 1 mm! I am praying yours stays nice and long!

Meaggers ~ Oh wow! I am glad your L&D trip was uneventful! The cervical checks are horrendous, I have had four of them in the past 7 weeks. I can definitely tell when a doctor is a little rough. I can feel your pain on that. Your cervix seems to be doing wonderful also, 3.3, YAY!!! Praying yours stays long also!

Calypso ~ Did they do the NST on you when you were pregnant? If so was it done in the doctors office? I have not been told about them doing that. All my doctor said was they aren't going to do a cervical length check and I just have to keep doing what I am doing and watch for signs... a sit back and relax kind of approach.

Lizzie ~ Thank you for the information about PTL and IC. I hope my problem is just IC, that would be nice... well nicer than having both. I was on the other thread too but there are so many woman on there and it is so incredibly hard to keep up after being away for a couple days. I don't know how you do it!!

As for me, my next appointment will be July 12, and my next ultrasound will be July 26. I am a little nervous that it is set out so far. I guess since my doctor isn't having my cervix checked then there is no need for an ultrasound every two weeks. I hate not knowing what is going on with Jacob for a month! I am just praying that this month goes by fast on bed rest. I am starting to get cabin fever really bad. I have been on bed rest now for 7 weeks. I am hoping to go farther of course, but it is very trying. My last cervical length was between 7 mm - 9 mm, that was at 23 weeks. I am praying that my body is as stubborn as my brain is and keeps Jacob in for a long time.

 

[calypso]

I had one NST and was actually at my last appt (where I got sent to the hospital for the last time to deliver) to have a second NST.

Unfortunately I had IC and PTL. The IC had dilated/effaced me and PTL didn't help.

Lizzie is awesome, I don't think I could have gotten by without talking to her, I was a mess.

 

[Currituckgirl]

Thank you Calypso! I hope they do an NST on me just for safe measures

 

[calypso]

Happy 27 weeks Currituckgirl!