intro/20 week appt/question

Hi! I'm Cynthia. I have an 8yr old daughter, 4 yr old son, 2 yr old son and 20 weeks preggo with di/di girls. I see my OB every month and my perinatalogist every 2 weeks. Yesterday I had my 20 week appt with my perinatalogist. Both girls are 10 ounces. My cervix is 4cm and he seemed really happy that my cervix is holding up so well. Not much of a surprise to me since I was induced with all 3 of my older children. I'm really worried about preterm labor though. Has anyone had a really good cervix measurement at 20 weeks and then ended up having an mircopremiee?

Cynthia

 

Congratulations and welcome!

I was put on bedrest for a multitude of reasons, one of which was a shortened cervix (2ish cm, I believe?). However, it always stayed consistent. When I delivered my girls at 29w6d it was totally unrelated to my cervix (they had to take them due to those other reasons ) I don't think I was ever 4 cms! Mine started to shorten very early. 4 is really great!

 

Congrats on the twins girls!!! We're really close, I'm 19.5 weeks along. I was told my cervix measured a 5 at my last u/s (I'm getting a cervical u/s every two weeks) and that was good as well. Thank goodness for high and closed cervixes, lol!!!! I had PTL with my ds (started at 24 weeks...but was lucky enough to carry him to 36 weeks), so they're being VERY cautious with me now that I'm expecting twins. I'm also very scared about having a very young preemie...of course I'm also scared I might have a complication even before I make it to viability (which is soooo close for us). I hope they keep monitoring your cervix...that is really giving me peace of mind since I have an irritable uterus and have contractions daily (not regular, but definitely bothersome).

I'm doing several things to help reduce my risk of PTL as well: total pelvic rest (no sex, orgasms, even nipple stimulation...frown), no lifting heavier than a gallon of milk (mean my 3 year old has had to learn to climb up to me), minimize bending and squatting, only minimal physical exertion, short walking only, and giving myself 'rest periods' during the day where I lay in bed or have my feet up, twice monthly cervical u/s, and an at-home nurse who monitors me weekly and gives me 17P injections (to help prevent PTL in those who've had it before). These issues may be waaaaaaay to extreme for you, but these are the guidelines my peri has given me for someone who is very high-risk.

GL and welcome!!!!

 

:welcome: to Twinstuff Cynthia! Congrats on your twins. :Clap:

Yes, me! At 20w my cervix was over 4. Then at my 23w6d appt is was about 1. :woah: My oldest DD was born at 41 weeks and weighed 9.5 lbs so I had no history of PTL and was not considered high risk at all (besides having twins). I had an emergency cerclage and the steroid shots at 24w. And it held for 10 days until my DD decided to pop out feet first at 25w3d, not sure how she broke through the cerclage but she did. Anyway, it all ended well, even though my twins were micro-preemies (see siggy for details), they have no lingering effects at all, you can see them in my avatar.


Not trying to scare you or anything and I'm definitely not the norm. But the drs. to this day still do not know why my twins came so early when I was a week late with my oldest DD. :unknw:

 

Mine was between 5 and 4 my whole pregnancy. My twins were born at 33 weeks, but because of pre-eclampsia and HELLP. I was nowhere near going into labor at 33 weeks, I was still at 4 cm cervix length.

 

Don't know if it helps but I have been on full bed rest since thirteen weeks, although I did come off it for two at 20 when they discovered my placenta abruption had resolved and the placenta had moved away from my cervix, only to go back on after a week in hosp with our daughter gave me fat ankles and high blood pressure. I started having contractions intermidetaly from 24.5 weeks and had a show at this time as well, or somewhere there abouts. Been on my back since and still here at 30 weeks! Horray! Contractions have settled and although I didn't get stiched, due to the previa and early bleeding, and my cervix is effaced and 2cm dialated but has been now for quite a few weeks, I am as stated before, still here. So although it is important to take precautions and do all you can to rest and do as the dr's say, things can go well even in the worst situations. we were given terrible odds and went home devastated, now we are smiling and feel that regardless of when our babies come now, they have come so far, they are strong and will do well.

I wish you all the best, look forward to hearing you have a long and uneventful pregnancy.

Tracy

 

I will offset the scary stories...mine thus far has been consistently at least 4. Just remember to listen to your body, and rest with your feet up when you can. Try not to stress out about all the scary stories out there, easier said than done I know Good luck with your pregnancy and welcome to twinstuff!!

 

My twins were my first, so I have no advice or experience to share, just wanted to say :wavey: and welcome to Twinstuff Cynthia!! Congratulations on your twins!! I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

 

I was induced for my first and I also worried about pre-term labor with my twins, but it never happened. I had to be induced with them as well. I don't remember what cervical measurements were, but they always said they were good.

 

Mine was good all along, and I walked every day. It made me feel good and healthy. I scaled back activities other than work at 30 weeks, and ended up very fit and having to induce at 39 weeks. Then again I didn't have older kids to chase around!

Caution is good, but go with your instinct. If you're worried, maybe there's a reason. Rest as much as possible. But if you feel good and your doctors are pleased, be as active as feels right.

It's hard not knowing why some twins come early. It's a complicated thing, and there are all sorts of causes, known and unknown. All you can do is try to listen to your body.

Here's some inspiring reading on going full term:
http://www.lookydaddy.com/weblog/2007/06/i_know_that_mos.html

 

Congratulations on your Twin Pregnancy and Welcome to TS!!

My cervix was long and closed with no indications of PTL until I hit 24 weeks and all of a sudden I was 2cm dilated, contracting, funneling with a positive fFN, and I spent the remainder of my pregnancy on strict hospital bedrest until my girls were born at 28weeks 1 day. It happened Really fast for me, but that is not to say the same will happen with you. There are a lot of women on here that have carried twins to term with no problems. Every pregnancy is different. I know it is hard, but please try not to stress about it. I honestly think the babies can sense when you are worried.

In the meantime, make sure you are drinking plenty of water, following your Dr's orders, and most importantly listening to your body. Best of Luck to you!!

 

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy! :yahoo:
I don't have any experience/advice regarding your situation, but wanted to :welcome: you to Twinstuff!!