How quickly can your cervix change?

Hi everybody. I've been experiencing pretty regular contractions for several weeks now, and the doctor has me on the highest recommended dose of Procardia. However, it's not helping, and since yesterday evening, I have been having contractions 5-6 minutes apart. They are not painful, but they are pretty intensely uncomfortable. My cervix was just checked on Wednesday, 3 days ago, and it was closed. Should I be worried about a really quick cervical change? I have another OB appointment on Tuesday, but I'm trying to decide whether I should go ahead to triage and get checked out.

 

unfortunately, this is something that REALLY varies from person to person...i have a "cervix of steel" as the midwives have labeled it...you may need something stronger than procardia, like terbutaline (nasty nasty stuff, i've had it twice now)...it also can depend on if you have other children and how your labors went with them..if the twins is your first pregnancy, there really is no precedent, unless your sister or your mom had twins, your labors will often reflect those of your direct female relatives...personally, i'd go in to triage just to make sure things are ok...they may want to try to stop the contractions with something stronger as it is...how is your water intake? the midwives have me drinking enough water to drown a fish, which equates to about 8 17 oz bottles a day...i wish i were kidding on that number, i'm SO tired fo WATER...also, lay on your left side, i've been told that may help as well...and if nothing else, it's always better to go in and be sent home than not go and find out later you probably should have..

 

Ah, terbutaline ... like having 10 shots of espresso, only not as fun. The last time I went to triage, about 2 1/2 weeks ago, they would not give it to me because I was on the Procardia, so I'm not sure what they would do if I showed up again.

This is my first pregnancy, and also the first twins in my family, although my mother delivered very quickly with both me and my brother when she went into labor (4 hours with me, 2 hours with my brother). On Wednesday, my cervix was measuring at 3 cm., which the doctor said was still nice and long, so I have to wonder how quickly that can shorten. As far as water is concerned, I constantly have a bottle of water in my hand (although I don't think I'm drinking quite as much as you are).

You're right, I probably should go ... it's just that the last time I went, the nurse in triage basically told me I didn't need to keep coming in for regular contractions until something felt "different." Nothing is really feeling "different" ... I'm torn.

 

Like the PP, I agree that it is different from person to person. I can tell you that my cervix went from closed to soft and dilated to 2cm in 3 days. I was having contractions and didn't even know it. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry. 29 weeks is still way too early to have those babies if you can avoid it. :hug: Best of luck to you!!

 

Okay, I'm going. Thank you both for your advice.

 

Glad you are going in! :hug: Keep us posted!

 

i hope things went well with you going in! my contractions ARE different this time (lots of pain in the back, and for my only other natural labor, that's how it went then too) and the midwife told me to stay home unless i lost my plug (i have a stubborn cervix), my water breaks (i've never had that happen), or the contractions get to be less than 2 min apart....so i'm sitting and waiting...anyway, i got sidetracked...i hope they send you home hale and hearty!

 

I hope all goes well with you, serialmommy! I saw that you were within 20 days of your due date, so I imagine the different contractions might have been the real deal. When you have the chance, please let us know how you are!

I did go into triage yesterday, and ended up getting a terbutaline shot (this time, they acted like it was no problem to have it in conjunction with the Procardia). My cervix is still closed, thank goodness. Of course, as soon as I got home, I started having contractions again! I guess this will just be the norm for me for the remainder of my pregnancy. Anyway, thank you all again for your advice and well-wishes!

 

Glad you went in and got checked out. I got terb with procardia AND Mag, all Together for 4 weeks, so I have never heard that they can't be used together. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and emptying your bladder often (both can cause uterine irritability). Also if I were you, I would put myself on bedrest if your Dr hasn't already. Everyday you can keep those babies in your tummy is 3 days they won't have to endure the NICU! Good Luck!! :hug: