Were you diagnosed with IC?

shandris · 11-14-2005, 03:52 PM

How did your physician diagnose you? Before, after or during your pregnancy? I am asking because I think I have an IC and not sure if my doc will agree with me. I have my last follow up appt on wednesday, I will be asking him about the possibility of having a cerclage placed next pregnancy. I think he may fight me a little on this. Any suggestions?

TACM · 11-14-2005, 04:36 PM

Child Mentioned
I am so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately the only way to diagnose IC is after you have multiple 2nd trimester losses. I lost my twin daughters at 21 weeks due to suspected IC. Before I tried to get pregnant again I met with a high risk OB, because I blamed my normal OB for not catching the IC before it was too late. I had lots of warning symptoms, but he just blew them off. The high risk OB agreed to do a cerclage when I got pregnant again. When I finally did become pregnant, with a singleton I had a cerclage placed at 13 weeks. I saw the high risk OB my entire pregnancy. My cervix began to shorten around 25 weeks, and I was put on modified bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was induced at 36 weeks due to gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. My son was born perfectly healthy. Without the cerclage, I don't think my son would be here. I would definitely demand a cerclage with your next pregnancy.

Phoenix Rising ^^^ · 11-14-2005, 04:51 PM

Hi Shandris,
Mine was diagnosed after two 2nd trimester losses. After lots of unnecessary testing by my regular OB (everything came back normal), I saw a Perinatalogist. The Peri diagnosed me right away.
I would discuss cerclage with my Dr. and think hard about changing Dr's if necessary. Maybe, you should consult with a Peri just to get his or her take on what may have happened with you.

Keep us posted!

shandris · 11-14-2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix Rising ^^^

Hi Shandris,
Maybe, you should consult with a Peri just to get his or her take on what may have happened with you.

Keep us posted!

Can you do this if you are not currently pregnant? My social worker said that he would help me to get a consultation with a high risk OB (he has a lot of pull in the OB department). I am hoping that my regular OB will not put up a fuss, but honestly I have lost a lot of faith in him. He may place the cerclage, but not monitor me like I feel he should, should I become preggo again. I think I will get more attention in high risk, but as stated above by TACM, most testing and cerclages are not placed until after 2 losses...this is just unacceptable to me. I don't want to be blown off by a doc. I don't think I could take that and keep a cool head about it these days.
What exactly does a peri do?

JuliannePCOS · 11-14-2005, 05:16 PM

I was told that IC can only be diagnosed while your body is in a pregnant state.

Phoenix Rising ^^^ · 11-14-2005, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliannePCOS

I was told that IC can only be diagnosed while your body is in a pregnant state.

My Peri looked over all my medical records, and asked extensive questions about the symptoms I had during my pregnancies. She told me I had many of the symptoms, and that in her opinion,it was an incompetent cervix. She told me that I should be monitored by ultrasound biweekly (have my cervical length measured) and have a cerclage with my next pregnancy.
So, maybe it can only be confirmed during pregnancy. The Peri did tell me that the cervix can change very quickly, so, when I went to my Dr. with my symptoms it may have been so early in the game that my cervix hadn't shown signs yet, but that after I left the office things could have progressed very quickly. I saw my Dr. after just a few pains and a bit of mucous discharge. I was told that everyting was fine and to call back if I had more than 6 pains with an hour. I continued to feel very random pains with no bleeding at all. Another 24 hours passed and the following day the pain stopped for about 2 hours and then I had the worst pain, and my water broke. I went to the hospital by ambo and I had dialated one cm. My baby was delivered in just a couple of hours after that.
Shandris,
A Perinatologist is a high risk specialist. I looked up the term and some also call this Dr an MFM Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. Anyway a Peri or MFM cares for pregnant women who had medical conditions prior to their pregnancies, or who develop medical or surgical problems during pregnancy; or who carry a fetus with a problem.

HTH

shandris · 11-14-2005, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix Rising ^^^

Shandris,
A Perinatologist is a high risk specialist. I looked up the term and some also call this Dr an MFM Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist. Anyway a Peri or MFM cares for pregnant women who had medical conditions prior to their pregnancies, or who develop medical or surgical problems during pregnancy; or who carry a fetus with a problem.

HTH

Thanks...here they are called MFM...that clears it up for me. I will try to have a consult with one of the docs and see what they say. I really hope I don't face any resistance on this matter.
Thanks Phoenix...it did help.

SheriKCMO · 11-14-2005, 06:30 PM

like a lot of gals here, i have what the docs would call ic but not a typical case. my eyes are rolling, by the way. whatever the he__ you want to call it, we have our babies WAY too early, often with zero warning. they can call it chicken pox if the want, as long as they will give us proper treatment!!! a specialist with a lot of experience with this problem might immediately diagnose you or might have other ideas about your individual case. it is certainly worth doctor-shopping, because your next pg will be stressfull enough with the world's best doctor living at your house and monitoring you daily... but much worse with someone you don't trust 100%. you deserve some solid answers if they are available. ((hugs)) you are brave to be thinking about this.

shandris · 11-14-2005, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheriKCMO

. ((hugs)) you are brave to be thinking about this.

You know...I am not feeling very brave. I feel like if I can find the answer then there is still hope that I will get pregnant again. And maybe, just maybe next time I will get it right. But truthfully I am terrified that I won't get that chance. And even more terrified that docs will want me to wait until I have had a second loss to actually do what I want them to do. I have been doing research, reading medical books and research papers on both GBS and IC..making notes..etc...like a mad woman. DH thinks I have lost it, books are in the living room, home office, dining room and bathroom. But he also realizes I need to do this. It keeps me hopeful and busy at the same time. This way I can think about my son in a way that won't make me cry all the time. I feel a little obsessive over all this, but at least I am feeling something. Other times I just feel numb.
thanks

VivC · 11-15-2005, 01:01 AM

((Shandris)). After I lost Rivi, I obsessively read everything I could about IC. It can be a good coping technique and a good way of handling your fears. There's no such thing as TMI when it comes to your babies!

I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to be diagnosed when my cervix opened with Rivi. I think this happened because I was far enough along to try to save him (if I'd been earlier in the pregnancy, they might just have delivered him and asked questions too late). When I got to the hospital, I was only having very minor contractions - I couldn't even feel them. Because they were so mild, it led to the IC diagnosis.

PREGNANCY MENTIONED: I had a cerclage placed last Tuesday to keep Smoochie in. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it's worth it for the slight peace of mind it will give me. PREGNANCY MENTIONED OVER.

I think you should see an MFM or peri. They have more specialized training and can give your records a good review. My OB missed the fact that I was funneling a WEEK before my cervix opened up - something I'll never forgive him for. Always go with the doc with better training for medical opinions!

Viv

Reebekah · 11-15-2005, 01:18 AM

*pregnancy mentioned*
like TACM, i lost my twin daughters. in my case, it was unclear whether it was actually IC, PTL, or PPROM that occured. however, the OB that gave me a rescue cerclage (which failed) felt at the time it was IC (because i was a few cm dilated with bulging membranes when my problem was discovered). the hospital where i delivered felt it was probably PTL or PPROM (i had also felt trickling and possibly a few contractions before my problem was discovered). anyway, after the birth of my girls, i had a pre-pregnancy consultation with several Peris (MFM docs). they all agreed that although they dont know exactly what happened, it was "probably" IC and that it was totally reasonable to get a preventative cerclage in future pregnancies. out of the Peris that i met with, i chose the one that i liked the best. i worked with an RE to conceive again, and once i got pregnant again (with singleton) i scheduled an appt with the Peri who scheduled me to get a cerclage at 11w3d. the cerclage is holding well and i'm now 33 weeks pregnant. my doc has given me "extra special care/attention"...perhaps even more than his other cerclage patients...and i REALLY needed and appreciate it. for example, he has given me extra ultrasounds upon request and saw me weekly during the scary late 2nd trimester. i hope you will find a doc that will give you what you need (both physically and mentally). i dont know FOR SURE how things would have turned out if i hadn't gotten a cerclage this time, but i highly doubt if things would have worked out. i just feel so much better knowing that i have that "safety net". the fact of the matter is that i had an unexplained 2nd trimester delivery and i wanted to do everything possible to try to prevent it again....how can any doc deny me (or you) that? you will find that all doctor opinions vary, so dont hesitate to meet with more than one if you feel you need to. also, it is COMPLETELY normal to do tons of research on topics related to your loss. knowledge is power. it is normal to need to understand what happened to you and how to prevent it in the future! i probably spent 3-5 hours per day for a YEAR doing research....tell me THAT'S not obsessive ;o) good luck to you, and let me know if you have any questions.

LaurAnnHere · 11-15-2005, 01:21 AM

I was dignosed while pregnant by a fluke. I just happened to go to the doctor and discovered I was dilated with bulging membranes. Luckily I had a successful rescue cerclage and Jamie is fine. If I ever get pregnant again I will have a preventative cerclage place. Please read my thread about what to do if you have IC. I couldn't find the thread I made here, perhaps it's gone, but here's the one on my message board that goes with my website. You don't have to join to view it.

http://www.mypcosbaby.proboards2.com...8509668&page=1
or you can visit my webpage at www.mypcosbaby.com and read my birthstory then access in through there.

LaurAnnHere · 11-15-2005, 01:24 AM

Nevermind, I just found the one I made here. Here is the link...

IC Information (long)

camarofanatic90 · 11-15-2005, 01:38 AM

I was told I had IC after I went in to labor with my son at 27 weeks

shandris · 11-15-2005, 08:34 PM

Thanks LauraAnnHere for the link...printed it out to read at home later. I think I am also going to call and see if I can't get a consultation with a MFM physician. I am determined to get all of the attention I need next time....now, if I can just get pregnant again.

Reebekah.. I did not feel any contractions until after my water broke. I had a feeling of extreme pressure, then I felt the trickling. I thought my bladder was weak, but it was my membranes. Then went home, contractions started w/n 30 minutes after that. Does that rule out PTL?

I wondered and still do, if the GBS made it to my uterus because of IC, which allowed the infection to spread...well never mind. I think I just answered my own question. It had to get into my uterus somehow. I had a couple of vaginal U/S's...first was to confirm pregnancy (EDD...and all), second was b/c I thought I had a yeast infection, after physician did pelvic, she say some bleeding...did a vaginal U/S to make sure baby was ok. I wonder if the GBS made it to my cervix from being manipulated during the exams? My OB said it take around 6 wks for GBS to infect...I lost Tyler @ 17 weeks, that puts it around 11 weeks (first signs of pain) I had my first visit to OB and he did a pelvic exam. Hummm...ok, just me thinking out loud.

I also read that IC can be a result of cervical manipulation, cervical cryosurgery (which I had @ age 17), cervical cone surgery, or exposure to DES in utero. I think that sex can weaken the cervix, if certain anatomical parts are out of proportion to one another. I think my scenario went like this: GBS+, weak and possible incompetent cervix agitated by pelvic exams and sex, cervix opened enough to allow GBS into uterus..possibly with the help of sex and/or pelvic exams, GBS infection occurs, bulging membranes rupture(<-- due to IC, I remember the pressure dissappearing when lying down), GBS infection becomes sepsis (in blood steam now), m/c follows 12 hours after PROM.

I know I am babbling...