17 weeks and cervix is shortening

Hello ladies,
Hope you don't mind if I join you. My name is Elizabeth.I have a ds that is 20 months. He was born at 37 1/2 weeks due to pre eclamsia. I lost my twin boys at 5 1/2 months in September.It happened so fast and we never knew there was a problem. I still don't know if it was IC,PTL or if an infection started it.

I am now 17 weeks pregnant with twin girls.I had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks. At 16 weeks my cervix was 3.2.I started feeling some pressure and went for a cervical length.A week later at 17 weeks I am 2.9.I have placed myself on mod/strict bedrest. My peri doesn't seemed too concerned. I am terrified.

Should I be laying on my left side or my back.I would love any and all suggestions.

I look forward to getting to kow all of you ladies. Hope you are all doing well.

Healthy 9 months to all of us.

xo,

Elizabeth

 

Hi! I would lay on my side and stay on serious bedrest. That's just me, though!

I had an emergency cerclage at 21-ish weeks with my twins, and I only had like a length of 0.9 cm. (2.9 cm is much better!) By strict bedrest, I kept them baking until 34w1d. I was told to stay in bed, get plenty of fluids and just rest. Do whatever you have to to keep those girls in there!

Also, there was a lot of discussion, I recall, about funneling and measurements of the cervix. Has your doc noticed funneling? Despite my cerclage, there was funneling (which was dynamic - it would change). The cerclage can be a big, big help.

I wish you well. . . if you need any encouragement, please message me! Congratulations on your girl twin pregnancy!

 

Hi Elizabeth,

I'm sorry for the loss of your twins. This must be so scary.
I was down to 6 mm and made it to 36 weeks. I'm glad you have a cerclage in place. I wasn't eligible for one because my daughter's sac was bulging into the cervix. Strict bed rest really helped. I stayed around 1.5 cm for the rest of the pregnancy and made it to 36 weeks.
My peri told me not to lay on my back. It constricts blood vessels and can make you dizzy or have less blood supply. Something about the weight of your abdomen. They always say the left side is best for circulation to the uterus. But I was on bed rest forever, so I definitely switched sides. I couldn't stay on my left side for 12 weeks!
Make sure you drink plenty of water. I ended up back in the hospital a few times for dehydration (I couldn't tell) and it made my contractions worse.
Hang in there!
Beth

 

I am brandnew to this site and I am also 17 weeks with a shortening cervix. I had a bit of a break down today out of fear of losing my boys. But after reading everyone's responses to yours I have perked up a bit. I'm 2.5 right now and I have a dr.s appt on Friday to see how bed rest has done for me so far. I've been saying my prayers and I'll say them for you too (I hope you don't mind).

Good Luck!

Tiffany

 

At 20 weeks I was put on modified bed rest. I had a lot of contractions and my cervix was around 2 cm. I was also put on procardia to help relax my uterus and at 24 weeks was placed on a home monitor. I was told the left side as well. From about 23 or so weeks on, my cervix has been closed and has been over 3cm. I just went today and it was still over 3 cm. Like PP said, drink lots of water to stay hydrated and keep you uterus more relaxed, also, empty your bladder very frequently because that too will cause your uterus to get irritable and then it will contract. Good luck!!!

 

I was put on bedrest at 17 weeks also for a shortening cervix. I don't recall the exact length now, but it was less than 3cm. I also could not get a cerclage because of the placement of my DS's sac. The risk was too high of bursting that and losing him. My cervix was down to .7cm by 26 weeks. HOWEVER, I continued to carry them all the way to almost 32 weeks and actually delivered because of pre-e. Every week the Drs would tell me there was no way I'd make it to my next visit. Well almost 6 weeks later my cervix was still holding strong!! So, there are definitely success stories. I remember being scared to death, but it all worked out! I definitely laid on both sides. The left is the recommended side, but 15 weeks on my left side was never happening. The back is not suggested, but I even did that sitting propped up just a little.

Good luck! I'm wishing you the best!

 

Thank you for that!! I needed to hear the success stories. I had a break down yesterday morning but I'm much better now.

 

:hug: It is hard, hang in there. I hope your appt. goes well tomorrow. Has your dr. mentioned the possibility of a cerclage?

 

Hi ladies,
I wrote the original post when I was 17 weeks pregnant with my girls. I am now 25 w 1d and I can't believe it. I was a nervous wreck and cried all the time. I did a lot of bedrest and my cervix had been holding steady at 3.0 for 7 weeks. I get a u/s everyweek because my peri is wonderful and knows how scared I am. I used to read evryone's posts and think my goodness you are at 24 or 26 wekks ..how lucky..And here I am.. I truly believe bedrest works. I have help with my 22 month old ds because I try not to lift him. I will make it all up to him when the girls are born.

I try to look forward to milestones 24 weeks,28,32...

Thank you all so very much for your encouragement. I have a way to go,but It helps so much to read success stories. Tiffany you will be there soon. Please write me any time.

Much love to all,

 

I'm sooo excited for you!! Wow...25 weeks...funny I think the same things you did... it's so far away!!!! But to know that you're there and things are well just fills me up with joy!! You didn't have to get a cerclage because you held steady correct? I can't wait to find out how I'm doing tomorrow. I hope I've gone back to 3.0. I will throw a party... from my bed...hahaha.

Good luck to you and I'm sure I'll be hounding you...it's so nice to know I'm not the only one...and that things aren't as bad as they may seem at the time.

Much love,
TC



[quote name='Kyle'smommy' date='03 September 2009 - 12:25 PM' timestamp='1251995120' post='1442730']
Hi ladies,
I wrote the original post when I was 17 weeks pregnant with my girls. I am now 25 w 1d and I can't believe it. I was a nervous wreck and cried all the time. I did a lot of bedrest and my cervix had been holding steady at 3.0 for 7 weeks. I get a u/s everyweek because my peri is wonderful and knows how scared I am. I used to read evryone's posts and think my goodness you are at 24 or 26 wekks ..how lucky..And here I am.. I truly believe bedrest works. I have help with my 22 month old ds because I try not to lift him. I will make it all up to him when the girls are born.

I try to look forward to milestones 24 weeks,28,32...

Thank you all so very much for your encouragement. I have a way to go,but It helps so much to read success stories. Tiffany you will be there soon. Please write me any time.

Much love to all,
[/quote]

 

I will be sure to post how my appointment goes. My doctor has mentioned the cerclage and hospital bedrest and I will except whatever she offers as long as it will keep these babies safe!!

Thank you for the support!!!

Love,
TC

 

How are you doing?
xo