29 wks 1 cm and 30% efface and SCARED!

Any help would be appreciated! I will be 29 wks tomorrow and had he flu on Monday. Went to regular ob check and was told I was 1 cm and 30 % effaced. They put me in the hospital for 24 hrs to give me fluids since dehydration can send you into preterm labor and because my cervix had changed from 2 wks ago. He said my cervix was still long and that my fetal fibronectin test was also negative. Am scared to death. I don't want these babies too early, obviously! Should I be worried, has anyone else had a similiar situation? HELP!

Angie

 

i don't have experience with your exact situation but i believe you can be 1 cm/30% for quite awhile - it's not necessarily indicative of you having babies anytime soon, esp. if your cervix is still pretty long. Has anyone mentioned you getting the steroid shots? I got them at 24 w (after a negative FFN test) and I believe it helped my boys a lot.

The other thing you should remember is that, while obviously you want the babies to cook as long as possible, 29 weeks is further along than a lot of women get. Stay on top of things, but don't stress yourself too too much.

 

I have no experience with this or advice, but want to give you a :hug99: because you are so worried. Like pp said, you could remain that way a long time, so just stay on top of it and hang in there.

 

I was 1 cm dilated at 29 weeks and ended up delivering at 30 weeks. This probably isn't what you want to hear but it can still be OK. Make sure you get the steroid shots!

My boys are now 12 weeks old and came home from the hospital 4 weeks ago. They are perfect little boys and although their NICU stay was the hardest thing I ever experienced, everyone is OK now.

I don't really have any advice except to stay off your feet and rest! If you do end up delivering, please PM me if you need any NICU advice.

Cary

 

I agree on the time...yay for thirty weeks :banana: ! And with a negative FFN, technically, you have at least two more weeks (I think that's the one they test every two weeks...). That would put you at 32 weeks, which is our magic number as moms of multiples, right?

My sister was 2 cm, 30% effaced for over three weeks with her third pregnancy. And if there isn't a third pregnancy that's willing to jump out the gate at the first chance it gets, and SHE didn't, I have faith that you'll be JUST FINE!!! :hug99:

HTH
angel

 

At 23 weeks, I went to L&D for contractions and had changed to 1cm and 50%. After a few days in the hospital, I went home on Procardia and strict bedrest. It's been almost 7 weeks since my preterm labor started and I'm almost 30 weeks now! My cervix has shortened a lot more in the past 2 wks especially, but so far we're hanging in there. I don't know if I'm anymore dilated now because we do the abdominal U/S instead of internal checks or transvag U/S because anything internal starts the contractions rolling out again for me. Just try to take it easy and drink a lot of fluids!!

 

I had a VERY similar situatino to yours, minus the flu. My cervical length at 20 weeks had went down to 2.5, but dr. still allowed me to work my desk job. At my 27 week apt, I was 1 cm and effaced (can't remember how much). I was placed on home bedrest. At 30 weeks, I started having a lot of BH contrax (every 3-4 minutes). I went to L&D and was admitted. They gave me steriod shots and the ffn test came back negative. they kept me there on constant monitoring and NST until 32 weeks. I was released at 2 cm and 50% effaced. Went back in a few days later b/c of severe pain...said it was gall stones (had a gall scan) and stayed for 3 days with pain management. Went back home on bedrest for 2 days. Went back in again with MORE contrax at 33w4d. Was placed on mag and was 3 cm 50% effaced. They took me off the mag at 34w. Gave me terb for the contrax, but mag or terb was NOT stopping labor. They checked me and said if I had progressed, they were going to deliver. At 7:00 am at 34w1d, I was 4 cm and 100% effaced with baby A engaged in my pelvis...first baby was born at 8:31 that morning!

So, I made it 7 weeks being dilated. I know others who have made it further with being 1 cm dilated. Don't freak out just yet. It's great that your ffn came back negative!!! Just rest adn follow your dr. directions!

 

You can stay 1 cm for a long time! I know I did for 3 weeks or so with my son. This time around I had PTL issues at 31.5 weeks, was 2 cm dilated- then magically went to 5! I am now 5 weeks past being 5 cm dilated and they are taking the babies tomorrow. Just take it easy, listen to your doc, and try to rest as much as possible. And if you aren't feeling right, please be sure to call your doc! Labor seems to present in so many different ways!!! I went in with a headache- had no clue I was having contractions!!!!

 

I have a very similar situation as well. I was in the hospital last week (at 27 week 5 days) with PT contractions and was dilated 1-2 with about 30% effacement. My doctor told me that you can be dilated like that for weeks and weeks (my mom, who had twins, was dilated 3 cm for 4 weeks before going into labor). I am on bedrest now, but have been hanging in here so far. I am worried, but I am trying to stay positive. Every day that they stay in here is one less day in the NICU, so I am doing everything they tell me to the letter. I think the negative FFN test is very reassuring. Try to stay off your feet...

 

I was 80% effaced & 1cm dilated at 26 weeks. I went on strict bedrest (at home), and thanks to terb, delivered healthy baby girls at 37 weeks.

You CAN do it!

 

I know you're scared :love0028: I was too, but I was 40% effaced and 1cm at 28 weeks...put on moderate bedrest and delivered healthy babies at exactly 36 weeks (they came home with me 3 days later).

 

Girls,
I want to thank your all for your responses! I did have the steriod shots one on Monday night and one on Tuesday. I was told to take it easy today and return tomorrow for another cervix check. I am also nervous because of them checking my cervix digitally (finger) again. Won't this stir things up. No bedrest yet but should I be.

Angie

 

I replied to you on the bedrest side too. . . . just wanted to say I would put myself on bedrest at least until you see where this is going to go. Seems odd that they would give you steroids and then not tell you to be on bedrest, I would do it myself just to be safe for awhile.

 

I didn't go through this myself, but I know what it's like to be worried for your babies at 29 weeks!
Just keep in mind, that's a HUGE milestone, and every week that goes by from now on adds lots and lots of good news.
:hug99: I'm glad you're getting the shots; they will very much help! Let us know how your appt goes and keep drinking that water!

 

You could stay at 1cm for quite a while, but I would be worried as well. I would keep staying well hydrated and going to the bathroom when you need to. I would call your doctor if you have any type of cramping or contractions. I hope your babies will stay put for a while longer. Prayers going out to you.

 

Hi everyone,

Appt. went well today, still 1 cm and 30%. Cervix is firm as well. I go back Monday for a full u/s, cervical length check and another FFN. I have been having alot of braxton hicks today to the point I am quite uncomfortable. Do you think it could be because of me laying around the past 2 days? I just hope they aren't changing my cervix anymore. Woo hoo, 29 wks today!

Angie

 

Angie, I hope your good news stays! Take it easy and try to keep your feet up so those little ones can cook longer! And yes, braxton hicks can become uncomfortable, but be careful, they can turn into reg. contractions too. :hug99:

 

First of all congratulations for making it to 29 weeks!! That is excellent! Did your Dr give you the steroid shots? I know its easier said than done, but try to stay calm it is good for you and the babies. Good Luck!

 

kyrstyn,
yes I had the steriod shots (2). was having quite a few braxton hicks yesterday but seem to be having a better day today. Am not on bedrest. Hope this is o.k. dr. didn't recommend it yet. Hope everyone has a good weekend. IT is freezing cold here in the midwest and icy!

angie

 

I wasn't in your exact same situation but I was dilated to a 3 and 90% effaced from 28 weeks on.....with bedrest I didn't deliver my twins until 35 weeks. Just take it easy.

 

Congrats on 29 weeks You are doing great

Dianna

 

Update!

Good appt. today. Cervix is 3.2 cm and baby A is 2 lb 10 oz and baby B 3 lb. I go back in a week! Woo hoo I was so excited! Dr. said baby a is head down and baby b is head up and that I could deliver vaginally but since I was expecting twins I could have a c-sect if I wanted. I don't know what to do, my son was born vaginally but I just don't think I want to do it again especially with 2 babies. I felt like everything was falling out and it was uncomfortable. Does anyone have any experience with have vag birth with one pregnancy and then c-sect with a different pregnancy? How would you compare, which would your prefer. I would love to be able to go to the bathroom after delivery and not have to squirt with a bottle due to pain and swelling etc. Talk to you soon!