question for those who are knowledgable about IC

smiles1123

I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks in march folllowed by a d&c. I read that if you have multiple d&c's or any cervical procedure you are at increased risk of having IC. My cervix was measuring 5.5 at my 13 week ultrasound and 5.3 at my 20 week ultrasound. (both were not transvaginal but just regular ultrasounds). I know that measurement is great and that I only had 1 d&c but I can't stop obsessing about IC/premature labor. I was feeling some pressure and swelling at my 16 week checkup and my ob did a pelvic exam. My cervix was long and closed. I am in that awful stage (21 weeks 3 days) where I am far along but if something awful were to happen like premature labor, it would obviously be too early for the baby to survive. This scares me to death and keeps me up at night. I know that my loss screwed me up and I am just feeling out of control. I just want to get to the point where the baby would have a chance outside of the womb and then maybe I will be able to relax.

Here is my question: Does anyone know what that point is? Also, with a measurement of 5.3 at 20 weeks, is there any reassuring info out there that can help me relax a little. Thanks for your input!

chelsanne

I would kill to have that kind of measurement at 20 weeks! From my non-medical background, you should have nothing to worry about.

ColieM

24 weeks is the earliest for survival outside the womb. Obviously the longer the baby is in there the better. I can see why you are worried, but at this point I think you are fine. But if you get very worried, you can always call your OB office, the nurses are generally great and very helpful. They will usually know when you need to come in or not.

Mrsmaybebaby

I'm an IC success story and I have to say....thats a AWESOME cervical length! At 18 weeks, mine was down to 1.5cm and funneling when I went in or an emergency cerclage. I believe you're fine, but like pp said, if you have concerns talk to you OB about it and ask to be monitored closely. I have learned through this whole ordeal that we are our bests advocates and we know our bodies best!!

I was told to:

1. make it through the surgery

2. get to 24 weeks (legally the drs and nurses aren't supposed to take any life saving measures to revive a baby if born before 24 weeks)

3. get to 28

4. get to 32

6. make it to 35

7. attempt for full term.

I did have a late preterm baby meaning he was born before 37 completed weeks (37w1d to be exact), no one expected him to stay put this long but he defied the odds!

I was on bedrest, gravity is a b!tch....if it makes you feel better take the next couple of weeks easy and be flat as much as possible!

nina&matt

Viabilty also varies by hospital. My hospital has a level 3 NICU, which means they will take life saving measures at 23w. Granted the odds are stacked against you, but a very good friend of mine delivered her son at 23w4d and he is now 9 1/2 months old and thriving. They had their scares, and he needed surgery for a heart repair but he managed to pull through. MOST hospitals do wait until 24w, but again it varies.

Temp984666312503071

I don't want to be insensitive because I have been through multiple losses and know how it can really increase anxiety in pregnancy.

That being said....  You really need to relax.  Your cervix is ABOVE average in length and I am assuming showing absolutely now signs of things going wrong.  You need to accept that as great news and focus your energies on being mentally healthy during your pregnancy.  As someone that has dealt with cervix issues that required injections and bed rest and in the case of my DD - a premature baby - it is a little frustrating to see this post.  It would be like a woman with awesome blood pressure coming on here and stressing about pre-e or HELLP. 

There are a zillion studies out there regarding cervical le ngth and prematurity.  Here is one big one: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199602293340904

Basically, if your cervical length is over 2.5cm at 25 weeks your chances of prematurity are extremely low (as low as it can be because PTL is caused by more than just cervical issues).  Yes, short cervixes are a predictor of PTL and prematurity.  But I'm not sure what you want because with a cervix over 5cm there is nothing you can gather from that other than you are extremely blessed in that dept.  You need to stop reading Dr. Google.

As for viability - GENERALLY, it is considered 24 weeks but many hospitals are pushing 23 and even 22 weeks.  But "viability" means they will ATTEMPT life saving measures.  At those gestational ages babies have an uphill battle with survival and are often left with severe disabilities.  When I was dealing with short cervix and truly worried about an extremely premature baby my high risk doctor said a good goal is 28 weeks.  At that point most babies not only survive, but survive with minimal long-term issues.  From miscarriage.about.com:

Length of Pregnancy	Likelihood of Survival
23 weeks	17%
24 weeks	39%
25 weeks	50%
26 weeks	80%
27 weeks	90%
28-31 weeks	90-95%
32-33 weeks	95%
34+ weeks	Almost as likely as a full-term baby

jojobean1977

I would try to relax about it if I were you as your length seems great. I had twins at 24 weeks 0 days and one survived the other did not. There were babies born  at 22 and 23 weeks while my daughter was in the NICU and unfortunately they did not survive even though the hospital tried everything to help them.

SPerry0376

chelsanne:

I would kill to have that kind of measurement at 20 weeks! From my non-medical background, you should have nothing to worry about.

This, mine was barely over 2cm at that point.