hello everyone. i am new to this. i am in need of some insight. i am 22 weeks pregnant. i went to the doctor yesterday for cramping and found out that my cervix measures at 1.5cm. i was sent to the hospital to be monitored. While there i was given a shot to stop contractions and procardia. i was released and prescribe procardia and protestergone pills. my doctor later called me and said two options to take the medicine and be hopeful or get a stitch which she strongly disagrees with. i am on very restricted bedrest. i am in need of some success stories of a situation like mine. also, while at home i did my own research and found great stories about transabdominal cerclage. just wondering am i too far along for that procedure?? anything would be helpful to me right now.
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need advice...22 weeks pregnant with cervix incompetent
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21 replies
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- By mygirlsmom
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 9:54 pm
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I just replied to your comment on the other post. My sister made it from 24 to 38 weeks on just bedrest and medication. She essentially had no cervix and couldn't get a cerclage. Send me a message if you want her to contact you. Here's some of her story from a previous post:
Hi Missy Minx, I'm "MyGirlsMom's" sister. I live in CT not far from you, and I did hold on to 38 weeks. Holding onto my son from 24 weeks to 38 weeks was one of the hardest things I've ever done but you can absolutely do it, with some luck too. The doctors were very negative about me; sent me by ambulance from my local hospital to Yale, heard all the horror stories of what can happen with preemies. I spent 4 weeks (including Thanksgiving and XMas) in the hospital. Everything seemed out of my control except for 1 thing: I could do my best to keep still as much as possible. In the short run, it was pretty easy request, really. My tricks: 1. I kept a calendar next to my bed and at the beginning of each day (b/c I felt the nights were the longest/worst part of bedrest), I crossed off a day...a minor miracle in itself! Then, I stuck to a schedule for myself each day...only watched TV until 11am, then read magazines or books in the afternoon. I also forced myself to go to bed (or at least try) at 11:00pm, and tried not to nap to make sure that I could fall asleep at night. Each day gave me confidence I could make it another, and another...and by the time I got to a week, a whole line of the calendar was crossed off, and baby Charlie was that much bigger. It's mind over matter for you...easy to say now, but you REALLY CAN do it!
My first goal was to get through the night (at 24weeks), then to 25 weeks...then to 27 weeks...then 29 weeks...They sent me home then (in total disbelief). I continued my "strategy" until one night, I bent over and my water broke (38wks). The joy was unbelievable.
I'll be sending you good vibes. Keep up the good work and with some luck (I can't take all the credit for sure), it will all work out.
- By tlawrence
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 10:08 pm
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Thanks so much. I got a sigh of relief reading your post. Do you know what mediciations were taken?
- By mygirlsmom
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 10:32 pm
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Terb, while in the hospital, at first, then Niphetipene, every 6 hours. Here's another one of her posts: Good luck!!
Hi, it's "sister" again! Yes, I was on strict bedrest to get up to pee and shower (1x/week...so gross!). A few sponge baths too by the nurse (not fun). I had the steroid shots when I was first admitted at 24 weeks. No progesterone (did that when I first got pregnant), but I was on niphedipine (sp?) every 6 hours to stop contractions. I had a very sensitive uterus so anytime my bladder filled, I had contractions. Thus, I was up 3 times at night using the bathroom (the nurses would wake me up). They also made me wear tight stockings on my legs to keep the circulation going. So annoying! And they listened for the baby's heartbeat 2x/day which I liked very much. Enjoy the simple pleasures (a new magazine, a funny Judge Judy episode, a sunny day) and it will make it all a little better. I avoided all baby shows (esp. TLC) and didn't ask about the NICU...I figured my son's birth would be unique regardless of when he was born and I would adjust to it then, rather than freak myself out with possibilities. But, whatever works for you is fine. Feel some comfort in knowing that you're not alone; as you've seen, a lot of us have gone through it and are going through it. What a gift that you found this website; I wish I had!
- By violetsmom
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 12:04 am
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Hello! Welcome to the group. I also have an incompetent cervix and wanted to let you know that MANY women make it to term with the regimen your doc has prescribed. I was on procardia, 17P injections and I had a preventative TVC. Yes, it is too late for a transabdominal cerclage as they are typically done either pre-pregnancy or between 9-11 weeks. You can do it...just don't give up hope..you are very close. I am also a member of http://ic.hobh.org/forums/, a site devoted to women with IC. I HIGHLY recommend you check it out and get some support with other women in your position who are on bedrest. It helped me tremendously throughout my pregnancy! Good luck
- By Mama_Cyndi
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 1:15 am
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I'm praying you get LOTS of time before that little one arrives. You (from everything I read) have a great chance of not delivering for several more weeks. I have incompetent cervix as well but we didn't know until my water broke at 24 weeks. When I got to the ER I was already dialated 3-4 cm. You have a huge advantage over my situation. Keep those feet up and your upper body down. I'm sending lots of prayers your way.
- By jwcft1
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 8:51 am
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Absolutely 100% get the rescue cerclage if you can. At 21.4 weeks my doctor discovered my cervix of 13 and did not think the cerclage was an option. At 22.1 weeks my cervix had decreased and the perinatologist conferenced w my ob and they decided it was the best option. I am today 30.3 weeks and after total bedrest (6 wks in hospital, small break at home - bad idea - returned to hospital last week) my cervix went back up to 31, but in the past few days decreased to 17. I am fairly certain delivery is knocking on my door.
That being said, there are girls on my floor who are having both singles and multiples who have held on w/o rescue cerclage.
Before the window closes and it is too late for rescue, fight like crazy to get it. I had the McDonald version. You can do it either way, but my doctor liked to say it was "added insurance" against early delivery.
I can vouch that it at least got me from 22.1 weeks to 30.4.
Feel free to email me w any ?s
leecain317@sbcglobal.net
Good Luck,
Lee
- By tlawrence
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 9:22 am
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thank you all!!! i truly needed some hopeful stories.
- By norahd
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 10:54 am
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I was dilated 5cm (yes FIVE) when I was 21weeks. The Drs all said it was over, that I was ready to deliver. But they put on nifedipine,later one dose of mag sulfate, just in case. Strict bed rest (feet up, upper body downALL-THE-TIME HELPS) for as long as, and I delivered at 34w3d. You can do this!
- By alinanjeff
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 11:00 am
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Wow, norahd!! I was dilated 1-3 at 22wks and docs gave my 3options-to abort, to be induced and lastly to wait. Well, we waited and delivered at 28wks. He's a very healthy, active 12month old boy! good luck to you!
- By tlawrence
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 11:09 am
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i'm trying to stay in the bed as much as i can but i keep having to use the bathroom. do you think that will have a big effect on me?
norahd---did you get a cerclage? what did your cervix measure at? did you see a perinatologist?
- By tlawrence
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 11:12 am
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alinanjeff ----what did your cervix measure at? were you on any medicines? what about bedrest? what was it like to deliver at 28 weeks? will he have any issues later in life b/c of the early delivery?
- By JamiesMom
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 12:38 pm
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tlawrence,
Sorry if I ramble a bit. Back story: With my son, we had no idea that I was at risk for ANY pregnancy complications and we were shocked when at my 22 week diagnostic u/s my cervix was 1.2 cm. Even then, my doctor told me that I might just have a naturally short cervix and that I was still at very low risk for delivering prematurely. When I went in for my 24 week OB appt., she wasn't even going to check me. She only did because there was a med student present. I was completely effaced and 2 cm. dilated. She had me drive myself to the hospital, and by the time I was checked into L&D (with traffic, parking, and check-in it was close to 2 hours) I was in active labor. They kept me in the hospital for the next month on rounds of terbutaline and magnesium, telling me I'd deliver within a couple of days (I head this every other day for weeks). I told them I could hang on and so could my son. He was delivered at 29 weeks, 3 lbs even (huge), had a 60 day NICU stay and now has no complications except a little asthma. He's the average height of a 4 year old at the age of 2 1/2! (My husband is tall, too.)
My story now: I am currently 28 weeks 5 days along with my daughter. For this pregnancy, I switched to a high risk perinatologist through another hospital's perinatology clinic (they are simply amazing!). I've had a very irritable uterus since 16 weeks (at that point, they put me on "house arrest" and procardia and said to anticipate some bedrest in the future). My husband and I decided not to get the cerclage because my body tends to reject procedures like that and my doctors agreed because of how active my uterus already was and how soft that was making my cervix. At 22 weeks, I got put on formal bedrest because of the severity, yet irregularity, of my contractions. At 24 weeks my cervix had shortened to 2.5 but wasn't funneling yet. At 26 weeks, it had funneled to .8 and there was talk of hospitalization. My last two u/s have shown it staying at .8. :) I don't have much of a cervix, but it's there. I'm anticipating a hospital stay when I do dilate, but I'm confident that we are holding on at least until 30 weeks and potentially even until Thanksgiving. I'm only on 10 mg Procardia round the clock. I did have steroid shots at 24 weeks, and I'll get them again after 30 weeks if we make it that long. We're still in process with this one, but I hope this encourages you. We believe in answered prayers, and bedrest is manageable! It's put a huge dent in our income (I'm generally the primary breadwinner), but we are confident that everything is happening how it should. If you ever need to vent - linmag@juno.com
~Maggie in California
- By sourgirl
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 1:00 pm
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I was 21 weeks when I complained to my doctor of unbearable pain. She told me to sit on an ice pack. three days later the bleeding started so I went back and they found out I was about 3 cm dialated with the membranes bulging out. I was sent to the hospital and put on complete bedrest upside down in hopes the membranes would go back in. (try peeing into a bedpan when you are not tilted upside down! haha not fun!)
Anyway, I made it to 24 weeks and 3 days. My water never broke but the baby was out from the waist down (still inside the water). Somehow she got her butt and legs back in me but after that I started having horrible back labor. After two days of that I was completely worn out and knew I couldn't do it any longer and I was afraid she would just come out without a doctor there to give her immediate attention, so I let the doctors deliver her.
It would have been nicer to get more time, but despite the setbacks she is now doing well and will hopefully come home within the next month.
I have to say that you are brave. While I was in the hospital on bedrest, I went online looking for encouragement.. I read one story and it was not a good one. I cried for three days over it and did not look at the computer again the rest of my visit.
I wish the best for you, hang in there and just try keep the little one in you as long as possible. When you get down to it, every hour counts.
- By M-and-D-Mommy
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 2:08 pm
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Hi, I did not have time to read the other posts, but I wanted to let you know that I was on restrictions (right from the start), then on home best rest (monitored with the little machine) and then bed rest in the hospital. I had a regular cerclage placed. That cerclage was the ONLY thing holding my girls in (and the strict bed rest). Towards the end, one of my girls had her head on the cerclage (literally!!). Oh and my girls were born at 29 weeks (possibly 28 - there is debate now:). Good luck!!!
- By 1pair-n-1spare
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 3:12 pm
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Hi,
I wanted to correct something that was written about Transabdominal Cerclages (TAC)...
They are traditionally done in-pregnancy between 11 and 14 weeks. There are some doctors who have been placing them laparascopically between 9 - 11 weeks (most prominently Dr. L. Charles of FL), and other doctors, in the worst cases (.5 cm or less) where hope was pretty minimal who have placed the TAC up as far as 19 weeks (I am speaking of Dr. G. Davis in Cherry Hill, NJ). As has been noted the TAC can also be placed Pre-Conception.
I made it to 28 weeks on STRICT hospital bed rest with 1.2cm of cervix left. "Rescue" transvaginal cerclages are pretty tough to put in without chancing breaking the waters... and in fact, have a very, very low instance of actually working.
I got my TAC pre-conception and carried twins to 34 weeks with it. And am currently pregnant again using the same stitch (it is permanent).
I wish you luck, no contractions and hope that your cervix holds on for at least 8 more weeks and gets you out of the micropreemie zone. If you need anything, please feel free to PM me.
Lisa
- By 1pair-n-1spare
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 3:14 pm
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M - and - D Mommy,
Don't you just HATE when the docs "Debate" over the conception date of YOUR children???
Glad to know your 28 weekers are doing well. I meant to mention that mine is pictured with me!
Lisa
- By Silvia429
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 7:23 pm
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Hi am new here also. Sorry about my english is not my first language. I know how u feel and what u going thru. Am in the same position right now. Am 25 weeks and 5 days am in bed rest since Friday they going to keep me here at the hospital for a month and if everything is the same they will send me home to be in bed rest also. Bu I understand how u feel sometimes am scare of even standing and going to the bathroom. I pray and have the hope and been positive my baby will stay there until february. I will pray for u and keep u in mind. We will make it. Be positive u don't loose anything with that. When u in bed and with everything doctor say we let negative reach us bu am just taking baby steps and everyday I wake up and feel my baby is another day that when by and is amiracle and he is trying next to me. Talk to your baby everyday. They know. They feel. Put your self and your baby in god hand and be positive babys feel everthing.
- By tlawrence
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 7:33 pm
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thank you all so much for the inspiration and prayers. this is my first baby and very excited about it.
- By tlawrence
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 7:35 pm
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thanks. do you know why you are in the hospital?? i was there but then got discharged the same day. what does your cervix measure. i wish the best for you too. i pray every day and know that god will see us through.
- By Silvia429
- Posted October 29, 2009 at 8:02 pm
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The doctor told me I don't have a cervix and am 1cm dilated already. And they worry of how bad it can get. So they going to keep me a month. Or maybe until I have the baby. Am reading how everyone is on medication bu they haven't give me nothing. in two weeks they going to check my cervix againg and see if everything is the same or it getting better or bad. Well I hope u have people checking on u at your house. That really weir they send u home so fast. They always keep womans at least 2 weeks if they dilated and u are dilated u say right? Well just pray and have faith. God send everyone for a reason and I know my son is coming to the world for a reason. And am positive we will make it we will. Thank u I wish u the best also and let me know how is going everyday.
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