funneling w/ a cerclage, how long did you last?

Hi everyone I am new member, but have been viewing the forums for the last week. I am looking for info and encouragement.I am 22 weeks and 3 days pregnant with b/g twins , last week I had an emergency cerclage placed due to a weak cervix. My cervix was 4.5 cm and in a week went to 2.7 due to funneling from inside. The water bag is in the funneling and the funneling is around a cm. wide give or take ........... but the cerclage is holding at 2.5 cm. and the funneling is remaining the same. Off and on I am also experiencing mild contractions and have been given nifedipine which is working to keep uterus relaxed. now strict bedrest. Does anyone have a similar situation? What is happening? If so how long has your cerclage held for? Doc says with the funneling i am high risk for infection but so far I am good. Has anyone else been ok without infection???

 

I was in your same situation. You can go a long time!!

At 16w5d I had an emergency cerclage. My cervix was 0.2cm (2mm), pretty much non-existent, and funneling. The cerclage brought it back to 3.5cm, but since it was so short so early they put me on bedrest at home anyways. I was also on Indocin to relax my uterus.

All was good until about 22 weeks when contractions shortened my cervix back to about 1cm. I was put on extremely strict home bedrest and Nifedepine was added. At 23w5d they put me on hospital bedrest, and at the stroke of midnight when I hit 24 weeks my first round of steroid shots were given. They were convinced my babies were coming at 24 weeks, baby A was pushing her foot into the funneled part of my cervix.

But I held on, those babies stayed in there for 4 weeks of hospital bedrest, no changes the whole time. They took me off Indocin around 26 weeks but I stayed on Nifedepine. They released me back to home bedrest at 28 weeks.

I had my baby shower (at my home, with me laying in my chair) at 30 weeks, and after that the entire week I felt worn out and my back was killing me. I have back issues and I thought it was going to go out. I kept telling DH they'd have to put me back in the hospital if my back went out. I went for my weekly peri appointment that Friday. The entire morning I felt like I had an upset tummy, had to go (BM) but couldn't, and the entire way there I realized I was contracting every 6-7 minutes. Told the peri this and she sent me immediately up to L&D. Upon exam they realized that baby A's water had broken (I had no idea) and they gave me an immediate rescue dose of steroids and admitted me.

They were going to try to keep me pregnant for at least another week to get me to 32 weeks, but baby A had her cord wrapped around her feet and was trying to push it out of my cervix, so after 48 hours to get the steroids to take effect, they delivered me by c-section. It was at exactly 31 weeks.

But my cervix was still holding strong, at around 1cm, with the cerclage. The PROM is why I delivered early.

It can be done, drink a ton of water and fluids, lay on your left side, stick to the bedrest faithfully. If you have to go in the hospital, know that it is terribly difficult, but completely worth it in the end. Hang in there!

 

With my son I was 1 cm dilated at 20 weeks, Was put on bedrest at 16 weeks. Got a cerclage placed at 22 weeks and bedrest the rest of the time. Went into the hospital at 30 weeks with PTL as I was still 1cm but 100% effaced. I was on Indocin for a while, got the steroid shots while in the hospital and sent home on much stricter bedrest. I went on to carry until 35w 6d which was the day my cerclage was removed and I quickly (less than 30 seconds) went from 1cm to 3-4cm. I delivered 8 hours later. I was constantly checked with him, since I had an infant loss caused by IC.

With my twins I got a cerclage at 13 weeks and carried without bedrest until 35w 5d when my water broke and I had to get into the hospital to get the stitch out and deliver. I actually had a normal pregnancy with my twins.

Just take it really easy and you should be able to go for a good bit longer.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your own experiences........... It really lifted my spirits . I am drinking almost 5 liters of water a day ( i am so thirsty) and lay on my left side most of the time but switch to my right when my hip begins to ache so much I need to give it a break. Next week they will make a decision about going in for hospital bedrest. Thank you again