New Here- On Bedrest for short cervix

Tigerlillies

Hi Ladies.  I went to my 20w u/s on Friday and got thrown a pretty big curveball.  The good news is: we're having a baby boy!  He's healthy and measuring on target.  Yay!

Bad news-My cervix is only 4 millimeters.  She said it's too short for a cerclage right now.  She said the good news is that the funnel for the rest of the cervix is pretty narrow, so it could lengthen.  I'm on 200 mg of vaginal prometrium and modified bedrest until further notice.

I just really wish I was a little further along right now.  My doc says the immediate goal is to get to 28 weeks.  I am desperate for this little guy to have a chance.  I'm seeing my OB tomorrow and will go weekly for an u/s to measure my cervix. 

I am taking this one day at a time, but bedrest is definitely a challenge.  I'd love to hear your stories- and hopefully some success stories from others with the same condition!  I'm trying to stay as positive as I can. 

 

miaomi

Hi and welcome to bedrest!  The not funnest place to be1 :-)  J/K!  The first week is the worst.  After that it gets much better as you fall into a routine.  You'll also find that this allows you the time to connect with your baby like you wouldn't be able to if you weren't on bedrest.  I've been on since 14wks.  And I'm 27wks tomorrow!  Every week is a milestone and you just keep the faith that through doing nothing you are doing everything for your baby.

We have a daily bedrest mama's checkin.  Anybody can start it up by coping and pasting from yesterdays and changing the question.  Somedays it gets skipped...to be expected when you have a bunch of preggo's with various medical problems!  This group is very helpful and supportive and you'll find other ladies there with cervix issues!  I know of ladies who've carried their LO's much longer than was expected with some really wimpy cervix's. So try not to think worse case senerio...remember that's what the doc's are giving you.  Keep thinking that your LO will be in for 34+ weeks! 

Some advice for bedrest--don't try and push yourself.  Follow your doc's orders and listen to your body!  Accept and ask for help.  Most of us have someone come in to clean our homes, cook meals and freeze them or do laundry.  There is no shame in this.  They can't do your important job now, so let them help where they can.  Let DH do his best and be thankful and let him know it.  He won't do things the way YOU would, but he's trying.  The way the laundry was done won't matter one bit when you have LO in your arms.  Make sure you have a good set-up.  A tv, get netflix, books, drinks and snacks all on hand.  The goal is to stay off your feet! 

Good Luck!!

Tigerlillies

Thanks for the advice!  I am definitely a control freak, and all of this is very overwhelming, but I agree that none of the little stuff will matter once I get to hold my baby. 

I can't believe you've been on since 14 weeks!  Congrats, mama! 

I'm looking forward to the check-ins and meeting everyone else!

Mouseygail

I'm sure you are scared right now!!  I'm only partial bedrest (after work and on weekends) for now and that is bad enough!  The girls here seem really great and I love lurking on their check-in to see what I might have in store (hope you girls don't mind!!)  I will keep you in my thoughts!! 

In the meantime, while you are bored, check out the sidelines.org post I put below..that site had some interesting articles about bedrest that I found as I dug around on it last night.  

Good luck!!!

Lomaxee

Hi there -

Hang in there. As miaomi said there are quite a few of us out here. I battled a shortened cervix the whole pregnancy and I will be 36 weeks tomorrow! My cervix did grow and shrink over time so there is hope - just follow the doctor's orders. I do have people come over and clean and if I have to go out I make my DH or mom take me and I am not ashamed to ride in the scooter or wheelchair! Making a daily to do list is helpful, play games, watch TV (despite being on bedrest I am 2 weeks behind on my shows!), and eat!

 

BeccaLandes

Hi,

I am on bedrest for the same reason as you.  At 20 weeks my cervix was measuring 3.1 and at 24 weeks it went down to about 1.2, although it would shorten and lengthen over the course of the ultrasound.  Since I am carrying multiples, my OB said it was dangerous to do a cerclage at that point.

I have been on modified bedrest at home since 22w.  I also do 100 mg of vaginal progesterone 2 x a day.  My cervix has been holding steady for the past 4 weeks, so I really think that if you keep up the progesterone and the bedrest, all will be well. 

I know how scary it is to be where you are now, where everything is so healthy with the baby and all you want is for him to stay in there and keep cooking, and there are still 4 or so weeks til viability.  I think you'll do it, thank goodness you found out now when there is the chance for you to do bedrest and keep the baby in.

Oh, and I had a round of steroid shots at exactly 24 weeks in the event that I do deliver prematurely.

 Good luck, I'm on here everyday so feel free to PM me!

MrsKLS

Hi, welcome...I am a relative newbie to bedrest as well. I just got put on last week. THough mine is for a low-lying placenta and then they saw a small bleed in the placenta. I'll tell you this 1st week has been incredibly difficult on me..I am also a control freak and very independant so it's been hard relying on people for everything. I also have the added factor of a 2 yr old daughter..she is not adjusting well to this either

Anyway....I've beenlucky that my job enables me to work from home..so at least that keeps me a little busy. But lots of movies (NEtflix is great), DVR, my kindle are all my new best friends!!!!

Good luck....feel free to page me if you need someone to commiserate with!!!

JGirl2005

You can do it, just lie down as much as possible.  Here is my blog.  I had a cerclage, but maybe some info on here can help you.

Bedrest does work despite some drs not believieng in it.

https://moresunshineafterrain.blogspot.com/