Shortened Cervix

Hi all - I just found this site today, looks like a great resource. My wife is 22 weeks pregnant with boy/girl twins.

The doctors just told us this week that her cervix has shortened to 2.0, down from 3.7 only 3 weeks ago. Did anyone have this issue? Obviously we're very nervous since if she were to go into labor now the twins couldn't make it. Any infomration would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mike

 

Hi all - I just found this site today, looks like a great resource. My wife is 22 weeks pregnant with boy/girl twins.

The doctors just told us this week that her cervix has shortened to 2.0, down from 3.7 only 3 weeks ago. Did anyone have this issue? Obviously we're very nervous since if she were to go into labor now the twins couldn't make it. Any infomration would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mike

 

Hi Mike, Welcome to TS. I moved your post to the Expecting forum. I'm sure someone will offer you some insight.

 

WELCOME and CONGRATS!!

My cervix started shortening at 20-24 weeks - by 24 weeks they put me on bed rest at home - I see my OB weekly and some weeks in lengthens and some weeks it shortens - the lowest we've gone is 2.6 once and 2.9 once - my doc says anything at or lower than 2.5 he'd put me in the hospital

We're 31 weeks right now and doc said he'd be happy if we make it to 34 weeks and even happier if we make 37 weeks - so we're on a week to week check!

GOOD LUCK!! Tell her to take it easy!!!

 

Hi Mike! Welcome. My cervix started to measure on the short side around 24 weeks (2.9cm). I was hospitalized and monitored for a week to see what was going on. Conclusion--lots of contractions. So with the right meds, and strict bedrest, things stabilized more or less. At 28 weeks, after a positive fFN test, I was rehospitalized, and my cervix was under 2 cm. With even more meds, my cervix continued to shorten, although it was a slow process. I was sent home at 32 weeks with home uterine monitoring devices and a nurse (2x/week). I delivered two very healthy babies at 34 weeks.

This is a very scary time, I am sure. What measures has your wife's doctor taken? What meds is she taking, if any? Is she on bedrest? Have they talked about getting a cerclage? There are several options and I am sure she is being monitored like a hawk. Hang in there. There are just so many success stories here, that I am sure your wife (and you) will be given some hope.

 

Hi Mike! Welcome to TS. I started having a shortening cervix around 18-22 weeks when it went from 4.5 to 3.8 and then at 24 weeks when it went to 2.8...I was on modified bedrest and the shorter it got the more limitations I had. When I was at 28 weeks it was measuring between 1.6 to 2.6 depending on what I was doing and I was put on magnesium to stop the contractions (PTL started for me at 24 weeks with contractions as well) and got steriod injections for the boys lungs. I was in the hospital for four days, sent home on strict bedrest with nephedipine pills - after four days and many contractions the pills did not work and I was sent to the hospital for bedrest since my cervix had shortened to .9. Unfortunately my body had other ideas and I delived my twins at 29 weeks 3 days. However, I have heard that bedrest/medication works for many many people and for me, it help me off for five weeks - for that I will be eternally greatful!

I think the most important thing for your wife to do, if her cervix has a tendency to shorten is to put herself on some type of modified bedrest, even if the doctor hasn't. Your cervix can lengthen again and go back up if you stop putting pressure on it (mine did several times after bedrest, before shortening again). Definately continue to be monitored, which I am sure she is being - and follow the doctors instructions. I know that our peri.'s policy was hospital bedrest if your cervix was between 1.5 and 2.0.

 

Hi there,

I don't have any personal experience with this, but PLEASE make sure your OB is taking this seriously, and your wife is getting the proper medical attention she deserves! In my nonmedical opinion, she needs to be on STRICT bedrest, and also needs to discuss getting a cerclage with her OB or peri ASAP. Medical technology is amazing these days, so make sure she is taking advantage of it. I truly beleive some doctors are way better than others, so make sure you feel her doctor is the right on for you. Best of luck! Glad to see involved daddies on here!

Jennifer

 

Your cervix can actually shorten AND lengthen. Make sure your wife stays off her feet as much as possible. It really can help. You may eat hamburger helper every night and live in a pigsty, but it will be worth it.

 

She should have been put on bedrest and at least had a discussion about a cerclage. Are they going to measure it again soon (in a week or less from the last measurement)?

My cervix length was basically gone at my first check at 16 weeks (0.2cm). I was admitted for an emergency cerclage and spent the next 15 weeks on bedrest, 4 of them in the hospital. I delivered at 31 weeks after baby A PROM'd. But 31 weeks, in my situation, was good as they were sure I was going to deliver at 24 weeks.

Is she seeing a peri? If not, I'd suggest seeing one ASAP. I know bedrest can make a huge difference and people make it much further than I did on bedrest alone. I battled PTL as well. I would insist on another measurement with a week of the last, and if it has gone down again ask the peri about a cerclage. My cerclage held my babies in there for a good long while.

Hang in there and wait on her hand and foot. She should be laying down as much as possible. Laying, not sitting. Sitting puts just as much pressure on the cervix as standing.

 

Thanks for your reply - we did get rechecked yesterday and they found her cervix to be even shorter at 1.1cm - this was after being on bedrest a few days prior. We are already seeing a Peri, they feel the cerclage isn't an good option for twins from studies they've found. The only thing they can offer is bedrest. She's in the hospital now until the next scan which will probably be Friday. This is an unbelievably scary time and we're hoping we can at least make it to 28 weeks although 6 weeks more seems like an impossibility.

Thanks so much for your information

 

I hope the bedrest works. I know there are a lot of ladies who made it a good long way on just bedrest with a shortened cervix. Hopefully more of them pipe in for you.

I, personally, am a huge believer in the power of the cerclage, but my cervix was very short very early.

Hang in there.

 

Thanks Susan - the peri feels that this late in the game, the cerclage may hurt more then help. The worst part is not being able to do anything. It's definitely taking a toll on us both. Thanks so much for replying to my post, its been good to hear from some people who were sort of in the same situation.

Mike

 

Hi Mike - Congrats on your twins. My cervix was 1.7 at my 20 week check-up. I was put on strict bedrest and brethine to stop my contractions (lots of BH) at that point. It worked and my cervix actually lenghtened by my next appointment. My OB and peri thought a cerclage was very risky at my gestation too, with the benefits being less than the risks.

My cervix hoovered around 2.5 - 3 until 26 weeks 4 days when I caught a stomach bug and my babies wanted out. They were unable to stop my labor so my girls were born early, but are about to be 1 and are perfect in every way. My OB definitely thinks it was the stomach bug, because the bedrest and meds really helped. Good Luck and hang in there. I know how scarey it can be. Please PM me anything with quesions.

Kimberly

 

Thanks Kimberly - your post give me hope. I'm going to relay this to my wife. They're going to keep her in the hospital until Friday and then repeat the ultrasound, hopefully her cervix will lengthen. This is crazy.

Thanks again!
Mike

 

Mine seemed to lengthen once I was on magnesium - it bought me another week, from 28 to 29 weeks. I would also suggest to try to keep her in the hospital on bedrest for as long as possible - they can keep you much more still than even at home bedrest - as hard as it is to be away from home! Hang in there - and feel free to PM with with any questions you might have.

 

I was also hospitlized for PTL. When I went in through L&D my cervix was at a 1cm. I felt a lot of pressure and baby A's head was at the opening of my cervix. The OB could feel his head on exam. I had to have the steroid shots and terbutaline injection to stop any contractions. I also had to sleep in trendelenburg position for several days. This position really took the pressure off my cervix and helped me a lot. My next u/s in the hospital showed my cervix at a 3.0 I attribute this to the trendelenburg position. It was like instant relief. I was 26 weeks at the time and I'm now home on modified bedrest at 28 weeks.The day I went into PTL I was working and I was on my feet all day and that is what caused it my OB said. I'm off work for the rest of my pregnancy now.I think she can make it to 30 plus weeks if she stays on bedrest. A lady I was in the hospital with went in at 15 weeks with a cervical length of 1.6 and she was 34 weeks when I left the hospital.She should be having her twins soon. Hang in there!
Melanie ( 28 weeks with b/g twins)

 

Thanks to everyone who posted to this - you have no idea what a big relief it is to hear people in similar stories - we've known a few couples who've had twins but had no complications and deliverd at 38 weeks. This is extremely stressful and the more you read on the internet, the more bleak things seem. We're trying to stay optimistic for the twins - i'm especially trying to stay strong for my wife. Thanks again.

Mike

 

I know I'm a little late on this but My cervix was 1.2 at 31 weeks due to lots of contractions. I was put on a terb pump and spent 5 weeks in the hospital before I delivered. I ended up dialating to 7cm but was still not 'in' labor so my doctor broke my water. Make sure she stays off her feet as much as possible. It's really hard but worth it!! Good luck I hope everything goes well!!