Am I The Only One?

dnewby

My Background: I delivered a healthy full term baby in 1995. In 2005 I had some bleeding at 20 weeks. When I got to the hospital I had already dialated 3cm. I had an emergency cerclage. A few days later my water broke and that resulted in a stillbirth for my daughter. My ob said I was high risk with an incompetent cervix and would need a cerclage on any future pregnancies.

This is my first pregnancy since then. I am 6w 1d. Had my first ob visit today. Saw and heard heartbeat. My cervix looks good and closed. However, my ob insists another cerclage (I agree). That happens at around 14 weeks. My job is physically demanding. After 14 weeks I will be restricted from working. He is thinking about taking me off from work as early as now. Has anyone else had to abstain from working this early in their pregnancy?

orthomom

No. I have a physically demanding job too. I often lift things in excess of 100 lbs. I stand nearly all day. I am on bedrest now but that occurred at 32 weeks. HOWEVER, I don't have an incompetent cervix. Though I agree with your doctor about the cerclage, I wonder what the rationale is for stopping work now.  Even at 14 weeks the baby weighs less than a pound. To my knowledge there has never been any evidence that a strenuous job puts any 1st trimester pregnancy at risk.  In fact, I read an article in an obstetrics journal today that said that physically active women, even those with strenuous jobs were LESS likely to have preterm labor.

I would suggest that you obtain the advice of a high risk specialist...aka perinatalogist or maternal-fetal specialist.  Though you may have to stop working at 14 weeks after the cerclage I would think you could work until then. Good luck and no matter what your doctor says...I hope that you have a healthy pregnancy this time.

Holanchi

That does seem really early.   They were going to do a regular preventative cerlarge on me, but weren't able to reach my cervix when they checked at 10 weeks.  My MFM doctor said it would be likely that I would end up on bedrest at some point even if they had been able to do it. But he never said anything about taking me out quite that early. My dr office told me they are most concerned with cervical measurments after 16 weeks.

 Since they couldn't do it, I had abdominal surgery and they placed a permanent cerclage that way.

I have a desk job, though, so maybe that's the difference?  I would prefer that they be overly cautious and not lose another baby, though. 

miaomi

I didn't have a cervix issue but did go off work and on bed rest very early...it was before I hit 14wks.  I'm now 37wks today and wanted to let you know it's a long and tough road, but it can be done and it is soooo worth it!  If you have to go off work this early, see about long or short term disabiltiy through the state, work, or insurance.  You may have more options than you think.  Also be prepared to ask for and get help from family and friends if you aren't supposed to do any lifting, housework, ect.

 Good Luck and stay strong.  You can do it, Mama!!

dnewby

Thanks everyone for the information. I am going to do whatever it takes to protect my pregnancy. I have a lot to think about and plan for. I will definitely be going out after he does the cerclage at 14 weeks. I'm unsure about what to do until that time. Again, thanks for your advice and GOD BLESS.

chocolatechip06

most women with a preventative/emergent transvaginal cerclage end up on bedrest post cerclage.  With my emergency cerclage at 16.5 weeks I was on strict bedrest until I delivered at 24 weeks.

I have a permanent transabdominal cerclage placed (before pregnancy) this time.  I'm 26 weeks pregnant and still working (I now only work part time, and don't do any heavy lifting etc.)

 You can get a permanent cerclage placed during pregnancy (12-14 weeks) but it neccessitates a c-section for delivery (the cerclage cannot be removed).  I had a c-section with my first pregnancy so future c-sections did not bother me.

if you want more information on permanent cerclages go to www.abbyloopers.org

mrstarawalsh

I've been on and off modified bedrest since like 9wks along. If it weren't for the fact I do NOTHING at my job I would have had to take leave. I had a miscarriage with my daughter at 16wks in 02 preterm labor with my son at 22wks (was able to carry him to term) then 3 miscarriages back to back in 08. I wasn't supposed to be able to get pregnant again and was going to have a hysterectomy in December due to something simmilar to endometriosis. Then surprise! Due to complications from my disease and past history as I said I've been on bedrest on and off. I work in a group home 3rd shift. I'm basically just a warm body there now because its hard to find someone qualified to fill my shift. But if I were daystaff, I would have been on disability months ago.