Warning Signs for Incompetent Cervix and Pre Term Labor - Page 4

Lubby23 · 08-13-2006, 11:09 PM

Thanks Laura, I have made it a new post on both pg and mommie board. I will call my doc tomorrow but I dont really want to call the emergency number on a sunday. I have been in bed all day taking it easy. Also I cant reach my cx as of this morning, its too far, I can bearly touch the cervix itself, but cant get to the opening. I have a retroverted uterus so I am wondering if it flipped to the correct position yesterday. I know its suppose to flip before the end of the 1st trimester, so confused.

Lubby23 · 08-15-2006, 01:30 AM

Hello
well I went to the doc today and besides the kind of condesending attitude of "And you felt your own cervix and think this is going on" How do you know it was your cervix? Well i have Infertility issues so I am fully aware of what is normal. But after we got thru that the doc did an u/s and we saw the beautiful little baby with a head and limbs, its was great, also the sac has grown so much bigger. He couldnt see much on the u/s about my cx, but from what he could tell it looked fine, then on the internal exam he said it looked fine and that sex can dilate it a little, although it was open without having sex for 2 weeks, yes I told him that but he told me to use a condom when we BD. Besides that this doc was awesome, I loved him. I have never had a guy OB before, oddly this is the same guy who delivered me and all my siblings, so we talked about my mom for a bit. But yeah the u/s looked great, i could see the hb on the gray scale flickering away. He said everything was fine. I kept my appt on fri since we already took the day off.

VivC · 08-31-2006, 03:59 PM

Marilyn, just to be safe, can you ask for a cervical U/S and measurement around 13 weeks? They have to use the wand that goes into your vagina (transvaginal U/S). That would still leave plenty of time for a preventative cerclage if something looks wrong.

Lubby23 · 09-01-2006, 01:14 AM

Thanks, I will be 13 weeks at my next appt I will ask then. My Cx is in a different postion then its ever been in and its sooo soft, but I heard the progesterone softens it a lot too. Thanks for your help

teachergal · 09-06-2006, 04:11 PM

I have a question! I am so freaked out about IC because I have had a LEEP in the past. I had a doctors appt. yesterday, but he was called out at the last minute. I saw the midwife instead, and told her how worried I am about IC. She felt my cervix, and said it was firm and closed, but felt a little short. She looked at my 8 week ultrasound and said my cervix then was about 3 1/2, which was short. She told me not to worry, and to talk to my doc next week at my new appt. Should I be worrying? I know I'm still early for IC, but should I ask for the stitch to be put in at my next appt.? I am a first grade teacher and am constantly running around on my feet all day, so I'm worried about what could happen in the next few weeks...

Thanks for any input!

VivC · 09-07-2006, 12:32 PM

Teachergal, I'd make an appointment for a cervical U/S ASAP. If your cervix is any lower than before, demand a cerclage. IMO, you should have one put in, just in case - a preventative is MUCH easier than a rescue later!

At the very least, have cervical U/S every other week. If there are any changes at any point, get a cerclage. That LEEP does put you at higher risk, even though a lot of docs would say it doesn't.

teachergal · 09-07-2006, 04:09 PM

Thank you so much! I have an appointment next Tuesday... do you think that's soon enough?

Exactly how short was 3 1/2? I can't find numbers that tell what's normal anywhere- she just said I had a short cervix.

Thanks so much!

VivC · 09-07-2006, 10:03 PM

Anything over 3 is considered normal. So, for now, you're okay. But, with a history of a LEEP, you're definitely in a risk category. It doesn't mean it WILL happen, just that it's more likely to.

At the very least, regular cervical U/S would catch a slow shortening/opening cervix. Sometimes, though, they can open so fast nothing can be done.

Afoster1127 · 09-12-2006, 08:04 PM

Hi Ladies:

First of all, thank you for such an informative, caring thread. I am so happy to have found it. Second, we have had two losses on the Jan 2007 mommies, due to IC and pre-term labor, and it has me a bit paranoid (who am I kidding...I am paranoid about everything!)....I called my peri to ask what my cervical measurement was...and she said it was 3.9...at 20 weeks..which was excellent...should i be worried and have them check in future visits? Does the worry ever end? Thanks in advance!

Anna

teachergal · 09-14-2006, 01:09 AM

Hi Girls,

I asked this question on the general board and didn't really get a response yet, so I thought I would repost it here!
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I know a lot of you have experience with all of this, so I would love to know what you would do/what direction you would take.

At my 81/2 week ultrasound, my cervix measured a little under 3 1/2. I have been worried about it, especially since I've had a LEEP in the past. I went to the doc yesterday, and he ordered an ultrasound at the hospital for tomorrow. He told me that if I end up needing a cerclage, I would be on bedrest no matter what for the rest of my pregnancy- that's his policy. I had thought you could work if the cerclage was preventative- has anyone else experienced this?

I just don't know what to do... if it has gotten shorter at this point (I will be 15 weeks) would you insist on the cerclage and suck up the bed rest? Or would you continue to be monitored every couple of weeks? I know a lot depends on what it measures out as tomorrow, but I want to have an idea of what I should do if it has shortened at all. Being so early, I worry that it will shorten more.

Any advice would be MUCH appreciated on your experiences or what you would do if you were me!

Thanks!

LaurAnnHere · 09-14-2006, 01:18 AM

If you are below 3cm demand a cerclage. Bedrest is not a bad idea, though it is hard. If you get a cerclage due to shortening, it is a rescue cerclage, not a preventative. Usually a preventative cerclage is place by 14 weeks, before shortening occurs (except for conginitally short cervix). I hope that helps.

teachergal · 09-14-2006, 01:23 AM

Thanks Laura!

YIKES! I thought a preventative meant that I hadn't actually started preterm labor- but I guess that is what shortening is!
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What are the odds of the cerclage working if you go below 3?

Also... my doc said there is a risk of miscarriage with a cerclage. Do you know how high it is?

Thanks so much!

moparchick42 · 09-14-2006, 04:17 AM

Hello! I just wanted to say thanks for having this thread. I had a feeling that something wasn't right over the weekend, and had read through all the links and warning signs. I had an apt. scheduled for Tuesday, and they checked my Cervical length. It measured at 17mm. (I'm not sure what that relates to excactly) I also had some funnelling starting. I was rushed to the best Dr.'s and had an emergency cerclage placed Wed. morning. Now, on strict bedrest as well. SC is great for making this sticky! I truely knew what to expect and questions to ask the Dr.

VivC · 09-14-2006, 04:25 AM

Anna, 24 weeks is viability - at that point, my doc stops checking for IC, even in cerclage patients! You're almost there! And, no, the worry never stops. Once you're past IC worry, you'll freak out about PTL...then about birth accidents...then, once the baby's here, you'll keep checking to make sure he's breathing! It's all worth it, though!

Erika, as long as your cervix hasn't actually opened, and there's enough left to stitch, the chances of a successful rescue cerclage are excellent! The bad results usually happen when the cervix has dilated before the cerclage has been performed - this allows infection to get in. I'd definitely suck up the bedrest if your doc thinks it's needed. And, even if everything looks great this time, keep getting those cervical U/S!

Tina, I am SO GLAD you followed your instincts! And so relieved your little ones are safely stitched in. Strict bedrest sucks, but it's worth it...you just need to find lots of stuff you can do in bed (I was the queen of lists). And Netflix is a lifesaver!

LaurAnnHere · 09-14-2006, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teachergal

Thanks Laura!

YIKES! I thought a preventative meant that I hadn't actually started preterm labor- but I guess that is what shortening is!
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What are the odds of the cerclage working if you go below 3?

Also... my doc said there is a risk of miscarriage with a cerclage. Do you know how high it is?

Thanks so much!

I don't know the percentages, I just know that the odds are much better if you have a cerclage placed before you begin to actually dilate. I dilated to 4 with bulging membranes and it worked for me. While I'm on the subject, for anyone who reads this thread, remember this

1. You CAN have a cerclage if you are 4cm or less dilated.

2. You CAN have a cerclage with bulging or protruding membranes as long as they have not ruptured.

3. Your cerclage does NOT have to be removed if your water breaks. You do need to be on IV antibiotics in the hospital if this happens, but you should not be forced to deliver unless there is an infection.

I see these 3 things too many times and it makes me sooooo mad. If your doctor does not agree with this find another FAST.

Mopar - Thank goodness!!! I'm sooooo happy you got your rescue cerclage. Please keep me updated on how everything goes. I would be really overjoyed if you shared your story on our IC message board at
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. There's a questionnaire I would love for you to fill out after the baby is born. I only say "after" because I would love to have the full details of the entire pregnancy.
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