I was never diagnosed with IC, but am terrified of losing this baby. I know, unfortunately, many of you cysters have had 1st hand experience and have done lots of research.
My water broke at 32w5d, I was having no contractions. About 24 hours later, my contractions started and my cervix was checked for the 1st time (since my u/s at 19w) and I was 5cm dilated.
I know 33w is not the norm for IC. My concern was that I was halfway dilated with no contractions, and maybe I was dilating already weeks before. I am going to ask my OB in a few weeks if this **could** even be a possiblity, however I have a feeling he'll just say no since I was so far along.
If you IC experts think I am losing my mind, just say so, I'd be happy not to think I could have this.
BTW: I also had an abrupted placenta, which may have factored into my water breaking too, I just want to rule-out all possibilites.
Hey, if you're worried about IC, tell your Dr. They can do manual cervical checks, and can also do transvaginal ultrasounds to measure the cervix. Most likely, tho, your water broke because of the placental problem.
My OB has me getting u/s every 2 weeks to check the cervix until 26 weeks. I guess after that, IC isn't an issue?
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Daniel Benjamin born/died October 4, 2004. Ari Lev born/died May 21, 2005.
You know sometimes i kick myself for being so 'detailed' about my experience cuz i know when i first lost my babies every little thing mentioned by another cyster i thought to myself... did i have that too??!! (I cant help it though i'm windy...it just spews out of my mind into my fingers, yet i learned alot by reading details of other cysters too...) So my advice is to 'try' keep that in mind when youre thinking of things...on the other hand...
IC is a diagnosis by history...thats what i was told...yet my history showed signs and they still wouldnt treat me until finally i threw a hissy fit and insisted...but when youre on your first pregnancy there is no history to point to it and doctors 'might' pooh pooh your concerns. After three pregnancies I was finally diagnosed as a 'mixed bag'
i just wrote my whole experience on the ic poll thread so you could check that out...
i'm not going to say dont worry about it cuz i know myself i have all these fears i never did before just from reading about the experiences of others...its hard to keep it balanced. Just try to take preventive measures wherever you can...
__________________ Kim 40 PCOS/IR/IC/PIH/PTL
DS6yrs-preemie-30w)Twins-Met,Prometrium, Puregon Injectibles DS3YRS
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TTC#4 w/Injectibles-IVF conversion/CERCLAGE/6.2mo bedrest/emerg c-sec at 38wks
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Kim,
This question plays right into the hand of the narrow definition of IC. My own personal definition of IC is that the cervix doesn't secure the pregnancy to 37 weeks. Doesn't that sound simple enough?? There are women here who delivered as early as 15 weeks whom I believe had IC and were missed because that doesn't "count" and women whose micro preemies could have been helped dramatically if their doctors would have opened their minds to checking out concerns ahead of time... also under my definition of IC. Most dilated without significant pain or signs. Many had water break because the bag didn't have any cervix under it to keep things intact. Many had placental detachment/abruption (in my opinion, of course) because the pregnancy was leaving the body. Instead of treating the woman, the doctors stand around shaking their damn heads because this doesn't fall under their definition. Since the wonderful cyster posting above me delivered her first at 30 weeks and her second at 21, I think you should consider your fears warrented and get checked. If it means changing doctors, do so. There are several women here who wish they had done so!!! You should get the care that makes you feel certain that things are going well. There is absolutely no reason--- repeat --- there is absolutely no reason to tolerate care that you believe in your gut to be inadequate. There is enough to worry about besides opening up like that.
One option for you to consider is bedrest after 20 or so weeks. It has proven to substantially decrease cervical shortening/opening with or without a cerclage, and your doctor doesn't have control over this treatment. Lying on your side is best, horizontal, with the belly weight hanging away from your pelvis. Some women only do a few hours a day in addition to their full night of sleep, and it can help. Some need 24 hours.
Best of luck to you!
Sheri
__________________ Metformin 1500mg, Yasmin, managing IR/pcos with lower carbs
First pregnancy ended at 23 weeks due to incompetent cervix.
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Second loss March 9, 2004 at five weeks
Third pregnancy, Cerclage at 13w
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Fourth pregnancy, Cerclage at 13w
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I was wondering if this was just one of those normal fears you get when you get to the 2nd trimester. However, I would hate to lose this baby over not worrying too.
I will ask my OB, and let him know my concerns, he may be willing to "pacify me" and at least watch me closer even though I don't technically have a history of IC.
Go with your instincts. I was so freaked out about IC during my pregnancy, and my doc pooh-poohed away my concerns. And IC stole Rivi from me. Everything in me was screaming that something was wrong, but the "professionals" wouldn't listen until it was too late. Renee mentioned manual cervical checks - these can help in some cases, but if you're funneling from the inside, it may not be caught (and, if IC takes weeks to fully open your cervix, you probably funneled).
Since you delivered past the "normal" IC window, I don't know whether a cerclage is necessary. Maybe you could just spend some time on bedrest. I would need the peace of mind of a cerclage, but talk to your doc about it. Cerclages can SLIGHTLY raise the risk of infection (worth it in most cases, but it's a real risk).
One thing I'm doing next time is having my progesterone checked regularly. If it comes back low, I'll start 17P shots. In my heart, I KNOW low progesterone can cause IC - researchers have just ignored the subject. Maybe you and your doc could agree on regular progesterone checks, then see how things go?
It sucks that we can't just enjoy being pregnant, huh?
__________________ Dominici was born May 2006!
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Miracle Baby Boy Rivelino, born too early to live on October 6, 2004 at 24 weeks and 6 days. Never to be forgotten, always to be remembered, forever my source of inspiration.
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Progesterone has been shown to reduce the risk of PTL. Since you had PTL in the past, you should be on it. I will be on Prometrium until 34w next pg "just in case."
Check www.marchofdimes.com for more info if you need "ammo" to convince your doc. I'm sure I saw an article about it there, since they funded the research.
__________________ Adrianne 31, DH 44 - married 6/01 - 2 DSDs (13 & 15)
Gabriel born 19w5d 11/15/04 due to IC. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Kim - I'm glad you asked this cause I wondered the same thing. In my case when I get pg we will have regular cervix checks via u/s starting at 12 weeks. I am going to insist on the progesterone too. My P4 was low with my first couple of betas but not low enough that the doc would rx progesterone (even when I asked).
The 17p is a different type isn't it? I need to do more research - but I do sometimes wonder if a rx in the first tri would have made a difference.
I'm hoping to convince my ob/gyn to give me a script for prometrium so that I can start it as early as 3dpo. Last time, my progesterone at 7 or 8 weeks (can't remember anymore) was only 17! My old ob wouldn't give me supplements. He said it's too late at that point, but I'll always wonder. My new OB said that next time, I will start in the first tri.
__________________ Adrianne 31, DH 44 - married 6/01 - 2 DSDs (13 & 15)
Gabriel born 19w5d 11/15/04 due to IC. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Adrianne, stop beating yourself up - progesterone in the first trimester prevents early M/C. You got far enough along that it's highly doubtful that could have helped. My progesterone was 5 at 6.5 weeks, I went on prometrium, and IC still popped up. I think that LATER progesterone problems might play a role in IC, which is why I'll insist on regular checks (and/or 17P).
Sun, 17P is a progesterone shot that's given weekly from week 16 to week 26. NIH has also discovered that vaginal progesterone gel helps prevent preterm labor. So I don't think the method matters as much as actually getting progesterone into your body. They're doing lots of studies on progesterone and PTL.
IC question 
did i have that too??!! (I cant help it though i'm windy...it just spews out of my mind into my fingers, yet i learned alot by reading details of other cysters too...) So my advice is to 'try' keep that in mind when youre thinking of things...on the other hand...
