Nervous about shortening cervix

AngieV84

I know quite a few ladies have been or is going through this situation, and was wondering if anyone had any advice or thoughts.

I am 20 weeks 5 days with di/di boys, and my cervix has been shortening over the last 4 weeks.

-At 16 weeks it was 3.2, and they said take it easy and come back in two weeks.

-18 weeks it was 2.1 and funneling, and they said basically light bed rest and we'll check it again in a week, and possibly discuss cerclage.

-19 weeks no change, still 2.1, so come back in a week and check.

-As of yesterday, it is now at 1.0. I was hooked up to make sure I wasn't having contractions, and I wasn't, so that's good. My perinatologist seems to be somewhat against cerclage, because of the fact that studies have shown for it to be not as successful for twins, so she's worried about the risks of complications, but wants us to think it over and decide what we should do. We also talked about hospital bed rest, and strict bed rest at home. I also saw some info about a pessary, but she didn't mention that, so I'd like to bring that up as an option.

I go back tomorrow morning for another check and to make a decision about what we're going to do. So my husband and I have to talk about it tonight and decide what's right for us.

What would you do, or have you done in a similar situation?
Thanks!

PinkinProvence

I'm sorry and it is scary. I don't have an answer for you but just make sure you ask all the questions and ask specifically about the risks of cerclage. Many times risks are worth the benefits.


Good luck.

AngieV84

Thank you for your response! We will definitely ask all the questions.

jezebel57

i don't have experience but i'm sorry you are going through this.  my MFM doesn't believe in cerclages helping either which i don't agree with.  how could it not?  but i would ask about supplementing with progesterone to see if that would help?  lots of luck to you! 

smscartozzi

I personally think the risks of a cerclage may outway the benefits. Like PP said, talk about this extensively with your doc! I had never heard of a pessary but after looking into it, it might be a good option! Bed rest worked very well for me, I was at 1.6 and held strong in the hospital and left at a 1.7!! Good luck!!

kellibelle0417

No personal advice, but a friend of mine went through this and was on strict bed rest until 24 weeks then hospital bed rest until her twins were born. They are 2 months now and doing great. She didn't get a cerclage. I'm sorry you are going through this. Wishing you luck and sending positive thoughts your way.

mismatched

I was put on hospital bedrest at 24 weeks for cervical length of 1.0.  Because of my contractions the doctors were convinced I would deliver within the week.  I was given the option of a cerclage but was advised that research shows it doesn't help with twins and was also told there was a 10% chance it would puncture the sac and trigger labor.  My husband and I agreed to opt out of the cerclage and hope for the best.

 

A few days after being checked in my cervical length was 0 and I was starting to dilate.  I put myself in trendelenburg, which is a drastic action that the doctors told me wouldn't help.  I ignored them and did it anyway because I was desperate to do anything that could help.  The doctors were shocked when I made it another 6.5 weeks.  I have two healthy girls that are now home and thriving.

Trust your instincts every step of the way.  There were 5 separate occasions where I disagreed with a doctor's advice and I always ended up being right.  I'm not saying don't take the medical advice you are given, but if something doesn't feel right be sure to ask a lot of questions and push them to explain every option. 

Good luck!

AngieV84

Thanks everyone! We will definitely be discussing the risks and options in detail with the doctor. I did forget to mention that I was put on progesterone suppositories two weeks ago when we saw that it dropped to 2.1.

She did say that if this was 5 years ago, then we definitely would have done the cerclage, but since then, there have been many studies to show that it hasn't been very successful with twins,so I think she's just concerned about the risks of causing contractions, infections, rupturing membranes etc.. So it is a very scary decision that my husband and I have to decide on.

10-4LilBuddy

I was put on home bedrest at 23 weeks, then went to the hospital at 24 weeks when my cervix measured 1.5. I was released this week with my cervix measuring .7 at 33 weeks. That was my last cervical measurement.

I used progesterone suppositories. My MFM's practice was against a cerclage as it has too many risks for multiples. One of my MFMs suggested a pessary if I dropped below .5. I did go into the Trendelenberg position(they just tip the hospital bed to have your feet higher than head - not a huge angle), but that was to help alleviate pain from having a really low lying baby in my pelvis.

Good luck.

Mcsweets

My cousin had twins and story is almost the same as yours - was at 1 @ 21 weeks - they put her on strict bedrest and she ended up carrying the twins full term.  They're adorable little girls now! 

I'm in the short-cervix scare with you as well - from what I've read, it's not uncommon - and although dangerous, good that they're monitoring you closely.

Edit: She did not have a cerclage.

MrsCaseyK

I had a cerclage at 21.6 when my cervix measured 1.68. I stayed on strict br with progesterone suppositories until the day before removal at 36.2. Had them at 36 and 3. When he took the cerclage out I immediately dilated to a 4 and was 90% effaced. The doctor said that we knew it was working!!! BUT there was a friend on here due the day after me and we went on br about the same time, similar measurements, twins, etc. she didn't have a stitch and carried a couple days longer than me. She was on hbr for a short time also. Best wishes to you!! You can do it.

My doc didn't want to do a pessary.

AngieV84

Thanks everyone for your advice!
We went into the appt Friday morning agreeing that we would most likely not do the the cerclage, but we got there and it was down to .5. So after discussing it in depth with the doctor, we decided that at this point, we would do the cerclage and hope for the best.

So we quickly got into the o.r. and I got the cerclage placed. So now on bed rest and just hoping my cervix will hold as long as possible. Still nervous, of course, but staying positive!

nuttycoconut

I would have done the cerclage if I was given the option during my first pregnancy. I'm glad you got it and it went well and I hope you have many many weeks with those babies in your belly!

Rest as much as you can! I'll keep you in my thoughts.