ok, now I'm scared about cervix shortening...

The perinatologist measured it transvaginally today at 2.37cm. I wasn't too worried at first but as I gather more info I'm starting to get scared. His feeling on cercalge is that it's not too useful but it's better to be safe than sorry. He would have done it ASAP but we chose to wait until our next u/s in 2 weeks. This was the first time it was measured so I don't have anything to compare it with but he said normal is 3-3.5cm. Am I going to lose these babies? Can I do anything to help? He didn't say anything about bedrest or taking it easy. What do you all mean by taking it easy anyway?

 

I had a rapidly shortening cervix during my preg - starting at 24 weeks I was 2.9 - I had been around 3.5 - 4 just three days before...I was too far along to have a cerclage so I don't have any knowledge to offer about it.

The best remedy for a shortening cervix is bedrest of some sort - your cervix can actually relengthen. Infact a couple of times mine went from 2.6 back up to 3.0, it went down again, but lying down helped immensely and is what I credit keeping the boys in another five weeks.

What my doctor told me - was that if I got to 2.5, I would be on bedrest - and if it shortened to 1.5 - 2.0 he would put me in the hospital for the duration of my pregnancy... these were just his guidelines that he told me ahead of time. I was already on modified bedrest due to bleeding when all this started happening.

Every person is different - and every starting length is different - so w/this being the first time it was measured - it's hard to know if it is shortening or if that's where you started.

In terms of taking it easy - spend as much time as you can lying down, don't run errands, stand up for long periods of time, go walking...basically don't do anything that you don't have to do...this is the time to start enlisting some help - and to take sometime and relax

I know it's hard not to worry - but that's the best thing for you and the babies!

 

also remember that sitting up is just as bad as standing and puts just as much pressure on your cervix...so always lay down or recline when restingand drink tonz of water like 100-120 ounces of water everyday. it helped my cervix relegthen and gave my babies much more time in the womb.

 

My friend with twins had the same situation as you and at 16 weeks, she was hovering around 2. They did a cerclage the next day, and she had her babies via c-section at 37 weeks! It was the right thing to do for her. I would recommend one. That being said, the advice you have gotten is great, and if you want to wait until the next appt. I would be taking it as easy as you can in the mean time. And yes, standing and sitting are the same when it comes to pressure on the cervix, so lying on your side is the best. Please ask us if you have more concerns or questions. You can do it!

 

Based on what I have learned here, and based on my own experiences (almost identical to Evanly's post), a cerclage sounds like the most logical next step. Many women have had them, and carried their twin pregnancies full term. I am glad to hear that you are seeing a perinatologist, as they are more adept at handling a higher risk pregnancy such as twins.

I am not clear on why he believes a cerclage is not too useful. I would limit activity as much as possible, do my research, and be ready to discuss your options thoroughly. My cervix was 2.9 at 24 weeks and I was put on hospital bedrest for a week. When it went down to 1.9 at 28 weeks, I was put back in the hospital. I am not sharing that to scare you. I am just sharing the proactive approach my doctors took. They would have done a cerclage but I was too far along.

 

I also heard that early on it's sometimes more difficult to get an accurate reading of cervical length - so maybe that's part of it? For me, i have a tipped (retroverted) uterus and it was hard for them to see the start and stop points and I was given a big range of what it might be at 18 weeks. At 26 weeks it was solidly over 4cm though because now they can get a better view.

I hope that might be part of it for you too - maybe he wasn't firm on that measurement and that's why they wanted to wait but I would call and ask just for your peace of mind!

--Krista

 

Under 2.5cm at 16 weeks is pretty short. I'd opt for the cerclage sooner than later as the earlier you get it the more potential for success.

And you should definitely be put on bedrest if you are going to wait 2 more weeks on the cerclage. Laying down, as sitting puts just as much pressure on your cervix as standing does.

I had an emergency cerclage at 16w5d because my cervix was non-existant (0.2cm). It lengthened my cervix back to 3.5cm, but I was on bedrest from that point on due to how short it was so early. It shortened back down again due to contractions around the 22 week mark. I was put on very strict home bedrest with no stairs unless absolutely necessary. I spent weeks 24-28 on hospital bedrest, remained stable, and was sent home at 28 weeks, still on very strict bedrest.

I delivered at 31 weeks, not because my cerclage was failing, but because baby A PROM'd and was in danger of prolapsing her cord. My cerclage is truly the only thing that held my babies in there from 16 weeks on and it did a very good job.

GL!

 

First, try and take a few deep breaths. Of course you're scared, but panic will not help. From my limited knowledge, it does seem pretty short at your gestational age, and i'm surprised that your peri didn't mention bedrest if you're going to wait another two weeks.

Also - does s/he not do manual exams? As all pp's have said, sitting is as bad as standing, because all that weight is on your cervix: what you need is to be reclining, getting up as little as possible (basically, just enough to pee), having someone else bring you food, etc..

I would talk to the peri about WHY they didn't recommend bedrest at this point; don't be shy, call them and don't settle until you ask all the questions you need to and get the straight answers.

I don't know what your work situation is, but if you need to be on bedrest, your doc should provide documentation for your workplace.

Good luck!

 

For me, especially lately, taking it easy means that my normal day of excercise is now shortened to short walks to the bathroom (10feet away, 3 if i am at my computer), and my daily short walk to the mailbox. the rest of the time i sit or lay down. my OB actually suggested using a recliner to recline in for my longer restful periods mainly because of my pelvis popping and me having so many problems with getting in and out of bed. anything that involves picking up or going after it i don't push lifting more than 5 lbs at any time and leave that to my husband for when he gets home. the phone is now part of my clothing--lol, and my new laptop is my bed toy--hehe. i am on here most of the time reading posts. but until our house is completely remodeled i have a couch and bed to relax in and my 3 year old is in daycare from 8am to 6pm so that i don't have to run all over for her. i hate that she is in there that long but she is learning soooo much! they are planting flowers this week. so i get a nice new flower to add to our newly remodeled windows--lol

Good luck!
lots of love!
meshell

 

if you're worried, i would call back and ask questions

 

Hello,

I recently experienced a similar situation. At 22 weeks my cervix was measureing at just 2.3cm and my perinatologist put me on strict bedrest until my cerclage appointment which was scheduled a week later. A week after the cerclage, I was re-measured and my cervix had lengthened. This may have been due to the bedrest or cerclage or both, but either way so far so good and I am really glad I got the cerclage for a little more piece of mind. It is a very quick procedure and in my point of view, worthwhile. Definitely take it easy until you are remeasured.