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Incompetent Cervix?

Mgnsmom
0 Recommendations

Anyone have an incompetent cervix and able to go full term?

Our 25 weeker, Megan, was born last summer. I knew I had a bicornuate uterus due to 2 early m/c's before Megan. I then found out I had an incompetent cervix when Meg was born early. We are thinking about whether or not we want to try again in a year or so, but I just don't know that I can go through the NICU experience again. Has anyone with an incompetent cervix been able to go at least close to full term? I have always pictured my life with 2 kids and now I'm seriously considering stopping with one...

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Surgery Procardia Incontinence Adoption Miscarriage Pregnancy Cervical cancer Anxiety Hypertension Progesterone

18 replies

Mamato4

My friend had IC w/ her first and delivered at 30wks after a hospital stay. Since then every pregnancy afterwards around 12 wks she would have a cerclage placed. She was able to carry her last 3 children to full term w/ no bedrest. I'd definitely talk to you Dr about your options. W/ you past history they'll keep a closer eye on your cervix. I havent had IC before but because of my past history w/ preemies they do wkly trans-vaginal ultrasounds to check my cervix to make sure things are going alright.

Mgnsmom

Just hearing that she was able to go full term without bedrest is so encouraging! That touched on my other concern - how I would take care of my daughter if I had to go on bed rest. Thank you!! :)

jturner1228

I discovered I have an IC after delivering at 26 weeks. We have opted not to have any more children but I have discussed the options with my OB. He told me that my chances were very good to carry to FT with a few precautions and close monitoring. He said I would definetly have a cerclage between 12-14 weeks and then would start hormone shots around 20 and have more frequent checkups beginning around 24 weeks. Hope that helps as well.

Mgnsmom

Thank you! I definitely need to talk to my dr more about what would happen with the next pregnancy. Having the NICU experience has made our decision of 1 child or 2 a million times harder!! I would say that right now we are leaning towards stopping with Megan. I honestly don't think I would have it in me to go through that again - the NICU or the m/c's.

calebony

I had my son at 24 weeks due to incompetent cervix. He is now 19 months and I am 21 weeks pregnant with my second child. I had a cerclage placed at 12 weeks and started hormone shots at 16 weeks. They have looked at my cervix through transvaginal ultra sound at 13 weeks and again 20 weeks. And when I go weekly for my shot they monitor my symptoms (cramping, leakage of fluid, swelling, blood pressure, etc.)So far so good but these upcoming will be a little nerve-wrecking for me. I can keep you posted if you want.

Mgnsmom

Do they have you on any restrictions - any sort of bed rest, lifting restrictions, etc? I can only imagine the anxiety you must be feeling. It still digs at me to see my SIL have blissful, happy pregnancies one after the other (on her 3rd). It sounds like you have a great team of dr's caring for you and your peanut - please keep me posted!! :)

MBA

I have a friend who had IC & carried her baby to full term. Her docs were great, however, in addition to the things mentioned in the other posts, she also was on VERY restrictive bedrest (but not hospitalized) for most of her pregnancy (with the result - a very healthy full term baby). I think you have to go into it knowing that might be a possibility - you just never know what will happen during a pregnancy (as most of us with preemies know!).

A-pair-n-2-spares

Hi,
I guess I am the first with I/C and a full term pregnancy to respond, although I prefer to use the term Cervical Incontinence (instead of referring to any part of my body as incompetent).

I delivered my first child at 22 w 4 d, my second child through a vaginal cerclage at 27 w 5 d, and I carried twins to what is considered "term" for twins with a laparoscopically placed transabdominal cerclage (TAC). I did it standing up, with no bedrest.

Your bi-cornate uterus may cause a concern, but then again, I know of one of the moms on our TAC support group (www.Abbyloopers.org) who has had the TAC placed with that issue. I wish I could remember whether she was pregnant or not at the time of placement or if she has delivered yet.

The TAC is placed via the abdomen and at the top of the cervix, and basically strengthens a weakened cervix.

Feel free to contact me directly if you need any additional information.
Lisa R.

JamiesMom

I got diagnosed with IC at 22 weeks, hospitalized at 24 weeks and delivered my son at 29 weeks. He is now an EXTREMELY healthy 16 month old, but those NICU experiences and my delivery experience were really bad for a variety of reasons. I've been told that my chances for carrying the next one full-term are pretty good with the cerclage at 12 weeks and some bedrest (probably). My husband and I have always wanted a bunch of kids, but we know that this situation means a few will be adopted later. Yesterday, we made the decision to try for one more. I share your concerns, but knowing the possibilities ahead of time makes me feel better than the ignorance of my first pregnancy. We'll plan for bedrest and be grateful if it's not necessary. My family and in-laws both live in town, so I have a great support system and that makes a big difference. I found this cute little site last night when I was researching (see what one little decision like having another baby does? :)). http://www.storknet.com/complications/bedrest/intro.htm It has some nice suggestions from moms who have been on extended bedrest and coped with it. Check it out. It certainly made me feel better able to cope with the idea. Hope this helps! I'll keep you posted on our progress, too.

momof24weeker

I too am a member of Abbyloopers and just had a transabdominal cerclage (TAC) placed in March 2008 after my daughter was born at 24 weeks in July 2006. I am currently in my 7th week with my second child so I can't say I've made it full term yet but my doctor is very confident I can make it close to term without bedrest.

I know the transvaginal cerclage (TVC) is an option and a few doctors wanted me to go that route. But when I looked at all the women (yes, it is successful for some women out there) who lost babies or ended up on bedrest, I knew I needed to do all that I could to have a successful pregnancy.

My 24 weeker will be two this week so bedrest with an active toddler is not possible for me. I am very confident in my TAC, yet of course still nervous. The success on the Abbyloopers site is amazing and ultimately helped me decide to go ahead with it. They have great resources.

Good luck to you and remember, inspite of what your doctor says, you are your best advocate and know what is right for you and your baby and your body.

Melissa
http://pregnancyafterpreemie.blogspot.com/

KellarsMommy06

I was diagnosed w/a IC after the loss of my 1st son Cameron at 20 wks. With Kellar I had a cerclage placed at 13 wks and was on bedrest from then till I delivered Kellar at 26 wks. The cerclage held as well as it could, but unfortunately for me it did not get me anywhere near term. My bedrest in the beginning was limited, I could get up and go to the couch, get my own food and drinks, then about 19 or 20 wks I went to total bedrest, had to move in w/my parents b/c my husband had to work during the day, I was allowed 3 10 minute showers a week and that was it. In and out of the hospital several times w/contractions and shortening of my cervix. The tvc works for some women I was just not in that lucky number, Kellar is doing great considering his nicu history, but if I were to try again I would go w/a tac, but honestly for me I will probably not chance it, I think God for the one precious little one that I have.
www.kellarreid.com

Mgnsmom

Thank you so much for all of your stories. Of course this topic for me boils down to whether or not we will try again. I'll have to talk with my dr. about the TVC and TAC and which one she would recommend if we would try again.

Lisa - The bicornuate does really concern me b/c that is just yet another issue that puts me at risk for preterm labor. As I learn more about cerclage's, I will have to check out abbyloopers.

Jamiesmom - DH and I have also discussed adoption. It is definitely something I need to learn more about. I saw a post on the board about adoption, so I'm anxious to see some of the responses / experiences.

Melissa - I agree that if we would try again I would have to do a lot of research and make sure I'm doing what best for #2. I definitely hope that all goes well with your pregnancy!!

KellarsMommy - My DH also feels that we were lucky with Megan and he doesn't want to risk anything with another baby. I know there is a part of me that is searching for a full proof fix for my problem, but I know that doesn't exist.

ella-addison

I wanted to give you my experience. My first I was diagnosised with IC at 28weeks when my cervix went from 1.8cm to 0.8cm in a weeks time. I was also contracting at the time and was unaware of it. I stayed in the hospital for 5 weeks until I delivered her at 33 weeks.
DH and I were like you very on the fence about having another baby. i was in the hospital for 5 weeks and she was in the hospital for 4 weeks.
Well God had other plans for us. When Ella was 12 months old I was pregnant again. We were scared as can be. Things started out well. I talked to my OB and the peri about a cerclage - both said no because of all of the contractions I had with the first pregnancy. the cerclage would only irritate an already irritable uterus. I was 50% effaced at 25 weeks - 3 weeks earlier than last pregnancy. I was then started on Procardia along with the shots that I was taking. at 27 weeks they quit measuring my cl as it was 1.6cm. I was only on modified bedrest - which was best for me because with total bedrest I would contract just walking to the bathroom. Modified I was able to take a shower, fix a quick lunch and i was not contracting very much. By 32 weeks I was 2cm dilated. I was too tired to do anything but lie in bed. I had to go in weekly from 32-34 weeks to stop labor. By 35 weeks I broke through completly and delivered my second preemie. She was also in the NICU - but only 2 weeks.
I can say that we are done now. I am very blessed that I have two healthy little girls, but I physically and emontionally can not go through another bedrest pregnancy and the NICU.
I wish you luck in your decision and know that God will be with you the entire time

muenchkins

Hi there, I see many have suggested TAC. I had one placed for twins because I had "no cervix" after surgery for cervical cancer at age 25.

I only want to make a couple comments that might help. The abdominal cerclage is totally different from the vaginal one. The vaginal one, many regular OB's will place and are "eager" to do so. But the efficacy of them are quite controversial. As a last ditch effort, combined with close monitoring, and no other problems, they can help buy some time. Meaning a few weeks. For most, if there are other complications, they are less effective. An abdominal cerclage is placed by a specialist (perinatologist). They can also be placed laproscopically so they are less painful than the "open" version where they give you an incision similar to a c-section. Plus healing time is less with it. Because of your bicornate uterus, you may be at higher risk for uterine rupture with an abdominal cerclage in place. Keep in mind, the abdominal cerclage would require you to have a c-section. It is not like the vaginal one that they can just "cut" during labor and let you deliver. Even if you miscarry at say 20 weeks, you would need a c-section. For me this wasn't reason enough NOT to have the permanent cerclage placed. Plus it stays in for subsequent pregnancies. Mine was in for the twins as well as my second pregnancy, my daughter. My doctor just watched me like a hawk for signs of thinning in the uterus. He used 3D US to visuallly inspect every inch to look for any "windows" starting to form. When they did, he scheduled the c-section for the next day. (that was 34 weeks)

In my opinion, you made it to 25 without help. You would only go farther with assistance. If you are eligible for an abdominal cerclage and you have decent perinatologists who are willing to do what it takes to get you to term... I would do it. As you get older, you want that second one so badly. It is easier to handle all of the efforts when you are younger. Plus healing times are quicker also.

My twins were 26 weekers, not because of the TAC, but because of a medical screwup at the hospital I was at. No one knows how far I would have gone if that hadn't happened. 26 week twins in the NICU was horrifying, even for a nurse. My sons had a rough course and one was in the NICU for 4 months, died and was brought back, and was on oxygen for a year. The thoughts of enduring that again was totally in my mind. But the preganancy with my daughter was amazing. Yes, I had contractions, and was watched my hubby very closely. (he's a perinatologist) But we went 34 almost 35 weeks with her and it was a completely different experience. It was wonderful. Had I not done it, I would so have regretted it. Now, I can at least look back with something positive to remember. Had I quit with the twins, I don't think I ever would have had the chance to "heal" from the situations I experienced with them.

I hope this helps. It is a very hard decision. If you have any questions or need a referral to a "good" perinatologist in your area, let me know. My hubby is one of those rare docs that believe a miscarriage is a terrible thing to LET happen, especially if you can do something to prevent it. He goes to the extreme to help people get what they want. Even strangers. I am including my personal email if you want to ask him any questions directly. If not, just know that that reference is there if you need it! Sometimes it just helps to know there are alternatives out there for you. lori@legalmuench.com Best wishes for you whatever your decision! God Bless!!!
Lori

A-pair-n-2-spares

You might want to contact Dr. Leroy Charles... If anyone is going to know how much having the bicornuate is going to effect the TAC, it will be him.

He isn't a perinatologist, but a specialist in laparoscopic OB/GYN surgeries.

His office number is 561.784.7014
And his website for more info on his office and him personally is...
http://www.leroycharles-md.com/

He is the doctor that placed my TAC.

Lisa

awood

I was diagnosed with an IC after delivering my son at 26 weeks. After a long (3 months) and bumpy road in the NICU, the thought of having another one scared me too death!! A month before my son's 2nd birthday we found out that we were expecting. I had 2 cerclages placed at 13 weeks, started 17P (progesterone) shots at 16 weeks, bedrest starting at 18 weeks, bi-weekly cervix exams (ultrasounds) starting at 20 wks and uterine monitoring (2hr per day) starting at 22 wk and tributilene (sp?) for days that my contractions were more than 6 an hr. I have a TRUE incompetant cervix...no question about it. (My son literally came in the bathroom while I pushed 1 time to give a urine sample) I had my cerclages removed at 36 wks and 1 day and went into labor and delivered at 36 wks and 4 days. This definetly proved to me that the cerclages worked. Bedrest was defintely beneficial as well. The uterine monitoring would show a lot more contractions on the days that I was more active (i.e. dr. appointments).
I was like you in thinking that there was no way that I could survive bedrest with a toddler. It is hard but it can be done. Sitting in the floor to play, reading books, having them come to you, etc. I would say that the most difficult part of bedrest was not being able to pick up my son. I missed that. BUT - You just have to keep telling yourself that each day the baby is in the womb is one less day that you have to spend in the NICU. And there is no better feeling than taking your baby home WITH YOU:).
I will pray for you and your husband in your decision. Having a TERM baby is completely different than a PREEMIE. So much easier and your worries are about basic everyday baby things as opposed to life threatening things (O2 levels, hypertension, brain bleeds, etc.) I know that our past experience made us have a new appreciation for life.

Good luck and God Bless!!
Ashley

Mgnsmom

Thank you so much for all the information and encouragment! This has given us so much to think about. We would still wait about a year to try - hoping that Megan is walking by then (she would be 2). That would make it so much easier if I would have to go on bedrest.

ItsMel

I know I'm jumping on on this late .. VERY late but as I was googling for an IC support group, I came across your post from the summertime and wanted to offer you some info.

Over five years ago, at a routine gyn appt. I mentioned to my Dr. that I had some cramping on my left side. He sent me for an U/S and then told me that he doesn't know why I am cramping but - can tell me that I have a septate/arguate uterus *originally thought it was bicornuate*.

He told me that the only thing to worry about from here on out is when my husband and I want to try to have a baby. He told us that it might take longer to get pregnant and that once we do, he'll have to monitor my cervix very closely. He obviously went into way more detail, but I'll try and keep this brief!

Well, fast forward to three months later and I was indeed pregnant with our first son who will be celebrating his 5th birthday in April.

At right around 12 weeks my cervix started to shorten and my Dr. admitted me to the hospital right away to place the cerclage. I was then put on bedrest for the remainder of the pg. as a precaution. Jared was born @ 38w5d.

When Jared turned 1, my husband and I decided to start to try for #2. To our amazement, we got pregnant on the first try and 38 weeks later came Zachary. The stitch was put in place @ 13 weeks as a precaution and I was monitored throughout my pregnancy with him, too - - every two weeks. I was working at the time, and able to keep working throughout the pregnancy since I had a desk job.

I am currently 29w6d pregnant with our third baby, a girl this time. Again, I had a cerclage placed @ 12 weeks and have been monitored every two weeks for cervical chance. This time around, my cervix has not been shorter than 4cm at any point yet. I am hopeful and optimistic that this pregnancy will go full term as well.

I know that my case is rare, and many -- unfortunately have to endure the loss or premature birth of a child before they are even diagnosed with IC. I thank my lucky stars each and every day for how blessed we truly are!

Good luck to you, and by all means - there is CERTAINLY hope that you can have a full term, healthy baby to add to your family!

If you have ANY questions, feel free to message me!!

Take Care, Good Luck!

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