Stress relievers?

Mcsweets

Ever since I found out my cervix was shortening I keep reading stuff online and all that does is make me worry and start to "accept that I'm going to lose the babies".  I know I'm at the beginning of the road, and time will tell.  My stomach hurts - I'm assuming because I'm worrying too much - and I keep tearing up thinking about everything.

What techniques have helped you through all of this?  I know stress will make it worse \

kneenah1231

Sorry your going nuts over this but believe it or not cervix issues is very common and many many many woman go ahead and have happy healthy babies. 

First stay off Dr Google its only there to drive you crazy. What steps is your dr taking to help your shortening? How far along are you and how short is your cervix?

Mcsweets

@kneenah1231 - The Dr. hasn't told me to do anything yet, I see a specialist in a couple days.  My regular OB said nothing can be done, and just drink a lot of water.  I'm 17w2d - my cervix is 2.3cm  --- It scares me that it's so early to be short, and with twins I know the pressure will be even greater.

kneenah1231

Altho i am not carrying twins the protocol for short/weak cervix is sort of the same expect i have a cerclage. This is how they are treating my weak cervix. I started 17p injections every wk from 16wks-36wks. I am on bedrest with bathroom privileges and a quick run to the kitchen for a snack. I take a 5min shower 3times wk. I have a vaginal ultrasound every other week from 16wks-27wks then wkly till 32wks. I see my Dr every two weeks. I am currently 32wks tomorrow carrying a singleton with a cervix of 1.8cm for the past 6wks. My cervix started to shorten at 21wks so I have been on bedrest since. 

I suggest you expect bedrest and some sort of progesterone to help prevent preterm. Alot of the woman in the bedrest check in are carrying twins and were in your same shoes. With bedrest most of them are almost about to give birth. I know your nervous but carrying your babies to term or close to term is possible. Bedrest and extra monitoring will be your saving grace :0)

Mcsweets

This is probably a dumb question, but what positions are best for bed rest? I know to keep my legs up (some say above my head).  So I tried doing this last night with a few pillows and by 3am they were all on the floor at the end of the bed besides one.  I'm also sleeping elevated because my heartburn has gotten so bad - I was choking on it at night.  I'm going to ask the specialist if I should stop sleeping like that ...

kneenah1231

Its not a dumb question. I remember asking it. :0) Lay which ever makes you comfy. I am mostly on my sides but eventually your hips start to hurt. I bought maternity pillow snoogle. Its soooo comfy and helps alot. I also eat laying on my side. Some ppl would say keep your hips higher then your head but thats so uncomforttable and causes braxton hicks. Laying on the side is the best..lol...If the heart burn is killing you like it does to me i started off taking tums which eventually stopped working now i take pepcid 20mgs twice a day and it saved my life... 

Mcsweets

Tums don't work for me anymore either - Pepcid has been a life saver for me as well (the few times I have needed it since sleeping elevated).  I just wonder if sleeping elevated is putting "extra pressure" on my cervix.

Thank you!

aug262006bride

My suggestion is go on like a normal pregnancy. I was admitted to L&D at 21w for a funneling and shortening cervix (1.something). Sent home on bed rest and check ups every 2 weeks. I am currently 30w3d, dilated to 1, and 90% effaced. Dr. says this may just be how my body is! I carried my DD to 40w1d 11 years ago, she was 8lbs 12oz and breech. BUT since it was 12 years ago and a singleton I was NEVER checked beyond an u/s at 20 weeks for gender. Since this time I am having twins I have had so many appts. I don't think they could possibly miss anything! 

I was upset and worried when we first got told about my cervix and then 2 weeks after that being dilated and thinned out. They had NICU come in at 23 weeks when I was admitted for the 2nd time to talk to us and they were just hoping I would make it to 24 weeks and then it was a long shot for 26 weeks. Well like I said here I am 5 weeks later going strong. I will probably get some flack for this but I decided that I was better off at my home, doing my own thing. The MFM tried to admit me on 9/5 for monitoring and I refused. With no change in my cervix, my health, or the twins health there was no need, my OB agreed with me. 

Sorry so long, but just take it easy, hope for the best, prepare for the worst and realize that you can do it!

Mcsweets

@aug262006bride - thank you for your story!!! I will take any tips you have on bed rest, too!  Sleeping positions - food they told you to eat.

Good luck to you and your babies!!!

aug262006bride

That is the fun part...I never got any hard and fast rules or even good suggestions! 2 weeks ago at my last OB appt she pretty much banned me from my bed due to hip pain. I know spend my night in the recliner and when I wake up (lately between 6-8am) I move to my bed for a hour or so to get off of my bum. I also have listened to my body during my bed rest since they haven't said what "type" of bed rest I am on. I do go shopping and use a electric or push wheelchair, I don't drive, I will walk short distances (the length of my driveway). Every persons body is different and some ladies on here can't do much without the contractions kicking in for them. If they ever give me some decent advice I will try to pass it on! Good Luck!

10-4LilBuddy

Hang in there. Dr Google will drive you crazy. Remember - for every doom and gloom story I found, I also found an inspirational story.

I was just released from hospital bed rest today after 9 weeks. I am currently 33 weeks along with twins. I was admitted at 24 weeks with a 1.5 cm cervix. I was put on progesterone and Procardia (for contractions). At first, I also went on a magnesium drip and Indocin for contractions. My cervix measured .7 cm today. The cervix is a dynamic tissue made of collagen. It will grow and shrink. During my stay, it actually grew to 2.0, but slowly has stretched out as the babies gained weight and I start to run out of room.

As for positions, I was super paranoid about them. I usually lay on my sides with a pillow supporting my head and another between my knees to prevent my hips from hurting. My MFM said that I could sit up at a 45 degree angle if propped up. I was a bit too paranoid to do that until 28 weeks. If you do that, make sure your lower back is supported and you leave a space along your spine (vertically) so you don't compress your vena cava. However, I always ate sitting up at 45 degrees and for 15 minutes afterwards to prevent heartburn - plus I have been very nauseated all the time and I would gag if I didn't sit up.

My MFM explained my uterus as a balloon and the cervix as the knot on the end. As the balloon expands, the more the knot end gets thinner. With twins and exponential growth, it just happens faster than in a singleton pregnancy.

I have always had the ability to use the restroom and take reasonable (5 - 10 min) showers this entire time. I try to limit my restroom breaks to no more than once an hour, but a full bladder can set off contractions for me.

Listen to your doctors, but ask questions and for clarification as needed. My doctors would not do a cerclage as it is controversial in twins on if it has any benefit. You can ask about a pessary. My MFM considered doing one if my cervix went to a .5 cm.

It's hard to relax but celebrate every day. Set milestones - 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, etc. You can do it. Plenty of women (esp in twin pregnancies) make it very far. Good luck. This board is full of wonderfully supportive women with great advice. They have talked me down many times after I let my imagination and worries go too far.

Mcsweets

Thank you sooooooo much!!!  I truly appreciate the time you took to type all of that out.