Short Cervix... Mixed information.

ShaiCie11

I have a shortened cervix 3 weeks ago it was at 2.2, 1 week ago it was at 2.7. I'm worried about what precautions to take to ensure my LO's safety. I've been told so much from people NOT going through this, I'd like to hear from people who DO deal with this.. It makes me super nervous to do anything. I feel like I'm going to do something wrong.... Coughing, sneezing, sitting on the couch, standing up, lifting more then 10 pounds, and straining to use the restroom.. These are all things I've been told to avoid.. Is this people scaring me or am I on the right track. I'd like to be taking care of this before bed rest or hospitalization, or a cerclage.. (I think I'm misspelling that.) 

hopefuldad

First off, I'm sorry you are dealing with this. And you spelled cerclage right :-)

So, as far as advice/what to do/what not to do...it is so hard to say. 2.2 at 19w is a lot scarier than 2.7 at 22w, so that's really good news that you are basically stable. If you had any funneling (where the top of your cervix begins to open) that is a more serious issue than just having a short cervix.

That said, as far to what degree your activity should be restricted, it's an incredibly subjective topic. Bedrest has not really been proven to help, but many patients and some doctors believe in it. My wife has IC and a rescue cerclage placed at 18w. She's 36w now and having it removed next Tuesday. She was only on strict bedrest for a short time after the cerclage came out, and otherwise was just told to be a couch potato up until 34w when she was taken off any restrictions. She basically just tried to spend most of the day sitting or lying down, usually just came downstairs in the AM and went back up at night, and up until about 26 weeks we didn't really leave the house other than for medical appointments. Once we got to 26-28w she started being a little more active as well.

As far as you getting a cerclage, they are almost never done past 24 weeks, so if you don't have one now, you probably aren't going to get one since you're already close to that mark...the risk of rupturing the membranes is just too high any later.

What I think is you should just take it as easy as you reasonably can tolerate until a time where a doctor gives you any more specific instructions either way. Also, complete pelvic rest. Hydrate a lot but don't let your bladder stay too full (both of these help reduce contractions). If you aren't being seen every week or every other week for cervical length checks via transvaginal ultrasound, definitely push for that at least up until 28 weeks. Also consider asking about doing regular fetal fibronectin (FFN) testing which is a way to help see if you have any risk of pre-term labor in the next 2 weeks. Might help the doctors decide how aggressive to be with any treatment plan they have for you. You may also want to ask about getting Progesterone (either 17P shots or suppositories) which can help reduce the chances of preterm uterine contractions. 

I also want to say, if you do end up on doctor prescribed bed rest or hospital bed rest at some point, there is basically nothing you could have done to change that. I wouldn't suggest you push for a cerclage with 2.7w at 22w, and other than that all you can do is really take it easy. This just isn't something that you can really control all that much.

Good luck with everything. 2.7 at 22w is definitely borderline for cervical issues, so it's really entirely possible that you might be just fine and carry to term no matter what you do. But taking it easy and trying to avoid putting any extra stress on your cervix makes so much sense since you really can't do much else.

kbetzner

I had an emergent cerclage put in at 20 weeks, my cervix was .5, last week at 27 weeks my cervix measured 2.5 my OB said that was excellent.  I was on full bed rest for 2 weeks and now am on modified bed rest. I can stand for an hour and then I have to lay down for a half an hour. I can not lift more than ten pounds. I still cross my legs when I sneeze, or cough because it still scares me that something is going to happen. I am also limited in my outings, I can go one place a day, I had to quit my job because I was standing up for 8 or more hours at a time. I go every two weeks to a high risk OB for a cervix check. If I were you until they decided what they were going to do I would lay down as much as possible to take the weight off of your cervix.  I am so excited for you that they found your cervix before something awful happened.  

AnonnAni

With my son I did progestrone suppositories and limited activity, not to many stairs no lifting etc.

With this baby I am doing P17 shots and I don't even bother limited my activity. *shrugs* BUT I will also say my not limiting activity this time around is b/c I have havent had an cervical changes nor funneling. With my son I was on limited activity b/c I was 2.5 at 19 weeks. 

ALSO, keep in mind that the measurements are based on "dots on fuzz" so you have to take into account not every tech will measure the same. 

At a minimum I would ask for the suppositories and limit your activity if cervix issues arent in your history P17 may be to much and you may not even be eligible. But with a shortened cervix your absolutely eligible for the suppositories.

chicky1231

I was 2.5 at 23 weeks and 1.6 at 27 weeks....my Dr didn't get strick until I went below 2.  Before then he said not to walk around to much, no heavy lifting and no sex.  Once it went below two I was taken off of work and put on bedrest, I was only able to get up to get a quick meal, pee and take a very quick shower.  I was also on progesterone shots weekly and once I got below 1.6 and he saw that I dialated he put me on prometrium to stop any contractions I was having.

Good luck, just make sure the keep a close eye on it and I would take it easy and not to to much walking or lifting