Intro -- still early, but lurking

johnnys june

Hi ladies.  I mostly post on PgAL but I wanted to introduced myself since I just had my first doctor's appointment and now have a "high risk" plan in place.  

A little about myself:  I joined thebump in March 2010. DH and I were getting married in May and I went off the pill in March so we could start TTC right after the wedding.  Two weeks after the wedding, we found out were pregnant.  The pregnancy was "normal" until 25 weeks.  I went to L&D due to cramps.  They discovered I had IC and was in preterm labor.  I was put on hospital bed rest, mag drip, and tributaline (sp) pump.  Three days later, I went into full preterm labor and had an emergency c-section.  My baby boy, Logan, was born at 25 weeks 2 days, but only lived in the NICU for 11 days.

DH and I have been ttc again since January.  After a long, tortuous year, several rounds of Clomid, and finally a break I'm happy to say that we have a BFP.  I'm now 7 weeks.  My doctor has already set a plan up.  I will be paired with a high risk doctor, I will have my cervix checked biweekly starting at 12-13 weeks (discuss cerclage if needed), progesterone shots weekly 16-36 weeks, and a planned c-section for 37 weeks since I had a classical incision on my uterus with the last emergency c-section.  I'm nervous about this pregnancy, which is warranted, but my doctor is keeping an eye on things.  The shots and my cervix keep me on edge, but I have a few weeks before all that begins.

I look forward to lurking and posting as the months go by.  It's always nice to have others who completely understand what's going on when you have so much to think about and worry about while growing your baby. 

easjer05

Recognize you from Loss.  Consider getting a second opinion from an MFM or a peri regarding the cervix/cerclage. Here's why I say that.  Monitoring is all well and good, and avoiding unnecessary surgery is good.  But if you've already got reason to suspect IC, and know your cervix is likely to change, then it's better to have a preventative cerclage than a rescue cerclage.  The procedure has higher success rates and lower risks when done prophylactically, and will give you some more peace of mind, instead of one more thing to worry about.

I'm not classic IC at all (damage to my cervix at the internal os), and there is some questions about how much the damage contributed to precipitating labor and losing Gabriel, but neither my OB nor my peri hesitated for a second about the necessity and benefits of a cerclage.  

It's great you've got a plan in place either way (I start 17p next week), and hope things go smoothly this time for you.

dom922

Welcome and sorry to hear about your loss.  I too, loss my son at 16.5 weeks due to an IC.  Now I am 23 weeks pregnant and am high risk.  I didn't have the option, and cerclage was put in at 12 weeks (which I highly recommend).  Despite me having the cerclage, my cervix did shorten at 16 weeks (ironically) and have been on strict bed rest since with weekly doctor visits.  So, without the cerclage, I don't think I would have made it this far.  It's very scary and we are here for you.  The emotions will vary.  But keep the faith and take it one week at a time.  Let me know if you need any additional info.