Twins, 75%effaced (cervix 1cm length), 23 weeks

[Hokulananana]

We're at 23 weeks with our twins and my cervix has gone down to only 1cm in length (i.e. I am 75% effaced) and is funneling (at 18 weeks it was measuring 2.5cm in length and was funneling). They never checked for dilation, so I'm not sure about that.

I've been on modified best rest since 18 weeks, and am now on strict bed rest with daily progesterone suppository.

I've already been in the hospital twice for contractions, and received a terbutaline injection to stop contractions as well as an antibiotic injection for a chronic uti that wouldn't go away with 2 rounds of oral antibiotics (this appears to have cleared up finally).

I am extremely nervous about my short cervix length. In general, the doctors seem to take a reactive approach, as opposed to proactive. I'm not too trusting of them at this point. I keep asking when I'd be hospitalized for this and all I ever get is "it depends" and "at 24 weeks the babies will be viable so we can much more aggressive with treatment." I will have my cervix measured again tomorrow. On Thursday I will be 24 weeks.

My question is, if my cervix length is still 1cm, or has gotten any shorter, does that seem like something that would warrant hospitalization? I'm also having contractions at an in teased frequency within the past couple days. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? What did your doctors do and what was the outcome?

I plan to be extremely blunt with the dr tomorrow about the fact that I will do anything to ensure these babies stay in until its safe and healthy for them to come out, and will demand that I get solid answers and receive the highest level of appropriate proactive care.

What's your experience/opinion on this? Thank you!

PS- I've already asked about cerclage and even at 18 weeks they said it was too late due to the funneling and the fact that I'm carrying twins.

 

[HockeyWife86]

Sorry to read and run, i don't have any experience with this but GL and fingers crossed for you

 

[RunningMomOf3]

I don't have much experience, but just wondering how things are going? Update?? I hope all is well.

 

[amjon]

I would be mad they didn't do a cerclage at the first sign of trouble. I would demand to be in the hospital with a level 3 NICU as well so if they do come they are prepared. If they were to come at home it would likely be too late once they got to the hospital.

 

[proudparent88]

We're at 23 weeks with our twins and my cervix has gone down to only 1cm in length (i.e. I am 75% effaced) and is funneling (at 18 weeks it was measuring 2.5cm in length and was funneling). They never checked for dilation, so I'm not sure about that.

I've been on modified best rest since 18 weeks, and am now on strict bed rest with daily progesterone suppository.

I've already been in the hospital twice for contractions, and received a terbutaline injection to stop contractions as well as an antibiotic injection for a chronic uti that wouldn't go away with 2 rounds of oral antibiotics (this appears to have cleared up finally).

I am extremely nervous about my short cervix length. In general, the doctors seem to take a reactive approach, as opposed to proactive. I'm not too trusting of them at this point. I keep asking when I'd be hospitalized for this and all I ever get is "it depends" and "at 24 weeks the babies will be viable so we can much more aggressive with treatment." I will have my cervix measured again tomorrow. On Thursday I will be 24 weeks.

My question is, if my cervix length is still 1cm, or has gotten any shorter, does that seem like something that would warrant hospitalization? I'm also having contractions at an in teased frequency within the past couple days. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? What did your doctors do and what was the outcome?

I plan to be extremely blunt with the dr tomorrow about the fact that I will do anything to ensure these babies stay in until its safe and healthy for them to come out, and will demand that I get solid answers and receive the highest level of appropriate proactive care.

What's your experience/opinion on this? Thank you!

PS- I've already asked about cerclage and even at 18 weeks they said it was too late due to the funneling and the fact that I'm carrying twins.

I am so sorry you are going through this but as a glimmer of hope I can say this I had a very close friend who had her twins at 20 weeks! They are now 2 years old! Medical advances these days are amazing! I wish you all the luck try not to stress keep us updated! Hoping everything will be fine!

 

[sunnylove]

At 19 weeks my cervical length was below 1cm (with a singleton) and I managed to make it 7 more weeks on basically no cervical length at all. By 23 weeks I was also 100% effaced. However, I never went into labor or had any contractions. I had incompetent cervix; it sounds like you are showing signs of early labor, and the contractions are what's causing your cervix to shorten and dilate (add to that the fact that you're carrying twins).

At nearly 24 weeks I would not get a cerclage; it wouldn't do much at this point anyway, but don't worry about that. A lot of hospitals and doctors do not do cerclages with twin pregnancies and a lot of those pregnancies have a great ending. Hang in there and keep us updated!

 

[vermeil]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

 

[justhoping]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

^^ agree with EVERYTHING SAID above..

i would definitely ask about this to make sure your babies are going to get the best treatment for them....

dont let doctors poo poo you from getting the best chances for your babies

 

[proudparent88]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

No she went into labor her water broke and everything the babies were in the hospital for a very long period of time but did survive. And that is a big sign on how far medical advances are anymore these days. I wish you the best and hope it all works out. Well we are in the US so it could be different. In fact it can vary from state to state.

 

[sunnylove]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

No she went into labor her water broke and everything the babies were in the hospital for a very long period of time but did survive. And that is a big sign on how far medical advances are anymore these days. I wish you the best and hope it all works out. Well we are in the US so it could be different. In fact it can vary from state to state.

The youngest reported baby to survive outside the womb is 21 weeks, 6 days and even that was disputed. A baby, especially twins, cannot live at 20 weeks. You can go into labor, have your water break, and still not deliver for weeks, so you must have something mixed up.

 

[justhoping]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

No she went into labor her water broke and everything the babies were in the hospital for a very long period of time but did survive. And that is a big sign on how far medical advances are anymore these days. I wish you the best and hope it all works out. Well we are in the US so it could be different. In fact it can vary from state to state.

The youngest reported baby to survive outside the womb is 21 weeks, 6 days and even that was disputed. A baby, especially twins, cannot live at 20 weeks. You can go into labor, have your water break, and still not deliver for weeks, so you must have something mixed up.

yup....yea twins are alot smaller at each age so...you are right

 

[amjon]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

I also know someone with a healthy 20 weeker so it's not impossible. I think being born in an appropriate setting helps immensely and if there was a chance mine would come that early would demand to be kept in the hospital with the level 3 NICU in case they did come.

 

[justhoping]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

I also know someone with a healthy 20 weeker so it's not impossible. I think being born in an appropriate setting helps immensely and if there was a chance mine would come that early would demand to be kept in the hospital with the level 3 NICU in case they did come.

not twins as they are much smaller at each age...so a sinleton might be somewhat ok at 20 weeks but a twins at twenty weeks would measure smaller and a bunch of other stuff.....

 

[amjon]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

I also know someone with a healthy 20 weeker so it's not impossible. I think being born in an appropriate setting helps immensely and if there was a chance mine would come that early would demand to be kept in the hospital with the level 3 NICU in case they did come.

not twins as they are much smaller at each age...so a sinleton might be somewhat ok at 20 weeks but a twins at twenty weeks would measure smaller and a bunch of other stuff.....

Mine were NEVER smaller than what is expected for a singleton and twins are also supposed to mature faster. To 20 weeks twins should follow the same growth curves as a singleton. At the end their growth may slow a bit though.

 

[justhoping]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

I also know someone with a healthy 20 weeker so it's not impossible. I think being born in an appropriate setting helps immensely and if there was a chance mine would come that early would demand to be kept in the hospital with the level 3 NICU in case they did come.

not twins as they are much smaller at each age...so a sinleton might be somewhat ok at 20 weeks but a twins at twenty weeks would measure smaller and a bunch of other stuff.....

Mine were NEVER smaller than what is expected for a singleton and twins are also supposed to mature faster. To 20 weeks twins should follow the same growth curves as a singleton. At the end their growth may slow a bit though.

im sorry i never had one, just going from when I was a nurse in an ob office for ten yrs...

its what i experienced but you had a good outcome...im sure alot of women with multiples have

 

[MummyKK]

https://preemies.about.com/od/readersstories/a/World-S-Smallest-Preemies.htm

21 weeks and 5 days is the earliest a baby has survived.

 

[AP]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

No she went into labor her water broke and everything the babies were in the hospital for a very long period of time but did survive. And that is a big sign on how far medical advances are anymore these days. I wish you the best and hope it all works out. Well we are in the US so it could be different. In fact it can vary from state to state.

The youngest reported baby to survive outside the womb is 21 weeks, 6 days and even that was disputed. A baby, especially twins, cannot live at 20 weeks. You can go into labor, have your water break, and still not deliver for weeks, so you must have something mixed up.

It's really frustrating when you hear these "my friend had their baby..." stories. If they were true, they are world records.

 

[LucyLake]

Err I don't want to doubt your story but survival rates before 23 weeks are very low. Perhaps your friend was hospitalized at 20 weeks?

OP if you can make it to 26-27 weeks the odds for twins improve dramatically. You're almost at 24 so that's very good! You should insist on being treated in a hospital with a level 3 or 4 nicu as someone else suggested. And yes be proactive and ask lots of questions!!

My son was in a level 4 nicu then later transfered to a level 3. The high frequency oscillator that kept him alive the first few days isn't found in most level 3s. Typically babies born before 29 weeks at least here In Canada are sent to level 4

thinking of you

I also know someone with a healthy 20 weeker so it's not impossible. I think being born in an appropriate setting helps immensely and if there was a chance mine would come that early would demand to be kept in the hospital with the level 3 NICU in case they did come.

not twins as they are much smaller at each age...so a sinleton might be somewhat ok at 20 weeks but a twins at twenty weeks would measure smaller and a bunch of other stuff.....

Our identicals have always measured ahead of singletons. For instance, average singleton weight in wk 27 is 2 lbs, 2 oz and Baby A weighed 2 lbs, 7 oz Baby B 2 lbs, 14 oz

 

[sunnylove]

Twins do tend to fair better earlier, even if they are smaller because twins develop at a faster rate than singletons do. Typically twins are always smaller than a singleton at the same gestation, but it's not always the case. Still, no baby can survive at 20 weeks, if someone has said they had their kid at 20 weeks then they had their dates off which is very easy to do.