my cervix is funneling... :(

kthappy76

And I'm terrified...  I had my anatomy scan today and the babies look absolutely perfect, but unfortunately my cervix is funneling (opening up in a "V" on the inside).  It is still closed, but soft, borderline short (2.5cm), though only closed to ~1cm.  At first they thought maybe it could be "dynamic" (funneling and unfunneling), but it didn't turn out to be that way.

My OB said there isn't much they can do for me this early, though if it opens slightly, I could potentially get a stitch.  She said she's seen things go either way, so all we can do is wait and see.  I'm trying to be as positive and zen as I possibly can about the fact that if my body is going to fail me (yet again) there isn't much we can do, but I'm going to fight like hell to get these babies to viability.

I'm on modified bedrest until further notice to help relieve pressure (baby boy's head is sitting on it), so any superwoman cervix vibes you can spare would be very much appreciated.

Does anyone have any experience w/this happening?  I'm ready to hear the good and bad, so please share.  Thanks.

matt'sbride

Sending super strong cervix vibes your way...!

Bread09

Oh, KThappy, I'm so sorry to hear this.  I am sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way to keep those babies in there.  Hopefully lots of rest will help.  When do you go back to the OB?

07may07

No experience, but just wanted to send you super strong cervix vibes (and hugs)

MrsVo

Tons of good STAY CLOSED!!! T&Ps coming your way.  I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.  

mikeandangie

Oh, man, I am so sorry. I was getting cervical checks until 24 weeks because I had a prior LEEP. I remember asking the MFM why, and he said if there were problems they could put a cerclage in before 24 weeks, but not after. 

Can you see a peri for another opinion? Or is your OB an MFM? Even so, I would get a second opinion. So sorry you are dealing with this stress. Huge (((hugs))).

ladychicago

oh hon... NOT what I want to hear.     I am hoping bedrest does the trick... you take it easy and take VERY good care of yourself!    Sending "cervix of steel" thoughts your way!

kthappy76

Bread09:

When do you go back to the OB?

Thanks hon.  How are you doing?  Any updates?  I go back in two weeks, unless I notice a change or increased pressure...

MrsRich0226

Oh no!  Sending cervix vibes your way!

Take it easy and hope everything turns out ok!

may2806

Oh no. Why can't they give you a stitch now? Are you seeing an MFM? I don't know much about it but am sending you strong cervix vibes!

NicoleeBonsai

oh goodness, i am so sorry you are dealing with this. sending you lots of strong cervix-stay-closed vibes.

i agree with PP - i would get a second opinion on whether a cerclage could help.

Bread09

kthappy76:

Bread09:

When do you go back to the OB?

Thanks hon.  How are you doing?  Any updates?  I go back in two weeks, unless I notice a change or increased pressure...

I was actually put on modified bedrest yesterday for PTL.  All tests were negative, but I was having constant minor contractions so they want me to rest for a week and then go back in to re-evaluate.  Babies looked good yesterday, which is what's important. Thanks for asking!

Bread09

kthappy76:

Bread09:

When do you go back to the OB?

Thanks hon.  How are you doing?  Any updates?  I go back in two weeks, unless I notice a change or increased pressure...

I was actually put on modified bedrest yesterday for PTL.  All tests were negative, but I was having constant minor contractions so they want me to rest for a week and then go back in to re-evaluate.  Babies looked good yesterday, which is what's important. Thanks for asking!

kthappy76

Bread09:

kthappy76:

Bread09:

When do you go back to the OB?

Thanks hon.  How are you doing?  Any updates?  I go back in two weeks, unless I notice a change or increased pressure...

I was actually put on modified bedrest yesterday for PTL.  All tests were negative, but I was having constant minor contractions so they want me to rest for a week and then go back in to re-evaluate.  Babies looked good yesterday, which is what's important. Thanks for asking!

Sorry to hear about the PTL and bed rest, but glad the babies look good.  I hope they sit tight in there for as long as possible.  Hang in there hon.

kthappy76

mikeandangie:

Oh, man, I am so sorry. I was getting cervical checks until 24 weeks because I had a prior LEEP. I remember asking the MFM why, and he said if there were problems they could put a cerclage in before 24 weeks, but not after. 

Can you see a peri for another opinion? Or is your OB an MFM? Even so, I would get a second opinion. So sorry you are dealing with this stress. Huge (((hugs))).

Thanks hon.  I also had a LEEP (yrs ago) and heard that can potentially weaken the cervix.  My OB is high-risk and in a practice of 8, where a MFM reviews my file.  I'll have to look into seeing someone else.  How often do you see your MFM?

kthappy76

may2806:

Why can't they give you a stitch now? Are you seeing an MFM?

Thanks hon.  They said they can't stitch me now because my cervix is still closed, and that at this point it would increase my risk of infection.  I see a high-risk OB and the practice MFM reviews my file.

JennPierog

matt'sbride:

Sending super strong cervix vibes your way...!

DITTO (big hugs)

illinigal

Tons of hugs and T&P heading your way Kate. I hope your cervix stays closed and those babies keep on cooking as long as possible. Rest up and don't do a damn thing aroung the house... Make Dh pamper you and your little ones.

jcath

I'm sorry.  I hope the bed rest helps.  I would at the very least ask to see the MFM instead of just reviewing your file.  My OBs practice has some special high risk certification and says you don't need to go to an MFM but I insisted and well...it's like the difference between going to an OB and an RE for IF- alot.

mikeandangie

kthappy76:

mikeandangie:

Oh, man, I am so sorry. I was getting cervical checks until 24 weeks because I had a prior LEEP. I remember asking the MFM why, and he said if there were problems they could put a cerclage in before 24 weeks, but not after. 

Can you see a peri for another opinion? Or is your OB an MFM? Even so, I would get a second opinion. So sorry you are dealing with this stress. Huge (((hugs))).

Thanks hon.  I also had a LEEP (yrs ago) and heard that can potentially weaken the cervix.  My OB is high-risk and in a practice of 8, where a MFM reviews my file.  I'll have to look into seeing someone else.  How often do you see your MFM?

I saw him every two weeks for cervix checks until 24 weeks, and since I've been holding steady, they are only checking it abdominally when I go in. Now I go in biweekly for heart dopplers (because of my autoimmune antibodies, which can cause heartblock).

What did they say about strict bedrest? 

etoyama

(((HUGS))) I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I know it's not the same thing because I was further along, but my cervix was funneling from 33 weeks on and as you can see it held our for quite a while! Will they consider putting you in strict bed rest? Keeping you and your LOs in my T&Ps, hon.

SunMoon&Stars

No experience here either, just good cervix wishes coming your way.....

Ann679

Popping over from IF, to send you some T&P!  Huge hugs!!  Positive vibes heading your way

kthappy76

mikeandangie:

kthappy76:

mikeandangie:

Oh, man, I am so sorry. I was getting cervical checks until 24 weeks because I had a prior LEEP. I remember asking the MFM why, and he said if there were problems they could put a cerclage in before 24 weeks, but not after. 

Can you see a peri for another opinion? Or is your OB an MFM? Even so, I would get a second opinion. So sorry you are dealing with this stress. Huge (((hugs))).

Thanks hon.  I also had a LEEP (yrs ago) and heard that can potentially weaken the cervix.  My OB is high-risk and in a practice of 8, where a MFM reviews my file.  I'll have to look into seeing someone else.  How often do you see your MFM?

I saw him every two weeks for cervix checks until 24 weeks, and since I've been holding steady, they are only checking it abdominally when I go in. Now I go in biweekly for heart dopplers (because of my autoimmune antibodies, which can cause heartblock).

What did they say about strict bedrest? 

She didn't think strict bedrest was necessary, but I'm not planning on getting up anytime soon...  I don't think they had even measured my cervix before today, just checks, and it has always been fine.  Were you just getting extra monitoring because of your LEEP?  It seems like if I was going to get a prophylactic cerclage, it needed to have been done earlier, as now it would have to be an emergent one if it opens and is higher risk.

Melicakes

Sending you infinite amounts of cervix lockdown vibes!! So sorry you have to go through this, HUGS!!!

MegannJay

No no no!!  I'm so sorry to hear that:(  I'll be sending  tons of stay closed cervix vibes your way!  I hope the bedrest helps and maybe you can get the stitch anyway?  Is there any harm in doing it just in case?

mikeandangie

kthappy76:

She didn't think strict bedrest was necessary, but I'm not planning on getting up anytime soon...  I don't think they had even measured my cervix before today, just checks, and it has always been fine.  Were you just getting extra monitoring because of your LEEP?  It seems like if I was going to get a cerclage, it needed to have been done earlier, as now it would have to be an emergent one and is higher risk.

Yep, because of the LEEP. To me it sounded like they were gonna do one if something started to look funky. Aren't cerclages for emergency situations? They can't all be preventative. I would get a second opinion outside the practice. It also sounds to me like they are cautious, but not overly worried. Was that the vibe you got?

kthappy76

mikeandangie:

It also sounds to me like they are cautious, but not overly worried. Was that the vibe you got?

Her position was there is no approved or even experimental (I asked) treatment for a funneling, but not yet open, cervix @ 20 wks.

orange1414

((hugs)) I'll be praying for you!

vanessagorc

It sounds like they "can" give u a cerclage now...it seems like they don't want too.

I've already been told i'd be getting a cerclage (at 14 wks), no matter what, bc of having a LEEP.  That's the way the drs, trained at Cornell, operate....it's not this way everywhere.

They think the risk of infection, is outweighed by the risk of preterm labor.

I agree with them, id get a 2nd opinion and a cerclage while you still can.

GL and huge hugs!

JenCW

Coming back over from SAIF to send CLOSED CERVIX vibes!!!  You and the LOs will be in my T&Ps.  Stay put, babies, and stay in bed, mama.

I have not had personal experience with this, but one of my very good friends (that also has triplets) had this same issue that presented around 20ish weeks.  She pushed for a cerclage and held those baby girls in until 32 weeks. 

cbubbles2

Huge hugs!! I so sorry. This must be incredibly scary. Sending strong cervix vibes to you and hoping and praying your babies stay put for much, much longer!

BeeBee08

Sending cervix-of-steel vibes!  Good Luck, I have you and your babies in my prayers! 

theworms

vanessagorc:

It sounds like they "can" give u a cerclage now...it seems like they don't want too.

They think the risk of infection, is outweighed by the risk of preterm labor.

I agree with them, id get a 2nd opinion and a cerclage while you still can.

GL and huge hugs!

i have to agree 100% with V. 

find a dr who will give you a cerclage asap.  in all honesty PTL is so much higher w/ multiples (as we've seen on our boards and with CDC #'s) and i think everyone carrying multiples should automatically get a cerclage.  with all the heartache and treatments and money we spend to get to this point it should just be automatic.

i'm sharing a blog from another IF'er who had similar experience and got a cerclage at 20 weeks (she was preg w/ triplets). her cervix started shortening at 18 weeks and she was able to keep babies inside until 25 weeks.  (all this happened around may 2009) i'm not trying to scare you but i just want to give you a story where this happened and cerclage made the difference.

https://threecheersforbabies.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-05-20T23%3A57%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=7

((HUGS)) and prayers coming your way. 

 

 

jillmatheny

Sending tons of "stay closed supercervix" vibes your way!!  Hope that bedrest does the trick.

sunshine610

at my anatomy scan at 20w5d, i was funneling and my cervical length was down to .8cm. with strict bed rest including 3 hospital stays for shortening cervix/ptl, i pprom'd at 30w4d and then made it to 31w3d before delivering. while it really stinks dealing with a nicu stay, i am so grateful that my babies are here and healthy and on track to be home some time next month if all continues to go well.

i got two rounds of steroid shots - once at 25w and again at 30w - and when i pprom'd they put me on mag for 12 hours to protect against brain bleeds. everything helped - my babies needed breathing assistance for less than 24 hours after birth, and no brain bleeds.

so, there is definitely hope! i know it's scary but it absolutely can be done. hang in there, sending you tons of positive vibes.

bbakersgirl75

Sending major superwoman cervix vibes your way hun!!!!! Praying you and LO's make it past this hurdle safely.

scooterq

Sending truckloads of stay closed/superwoman cervix vibes to you!!!!

Big ((hugs)) sweetie!!

MBfromBMC

TONS of vibes coming your way!  I don't have any advice, just lots of T&Ps to keep that cervix closed!

JM1977

I'm so sorry you are going through this.  I agree with some of the previous posters that it would probably be wise to talk to another practice just to see what other options there might be.  This sounds so scary - sending tons of thoughts and prayers your way.

Faith722

Sending you lots of stay strong cervix vibes!