Time frame Q for Incompetent Cervix

thecuddleeffect

So one way I heal is by getting as much information as possible.

I am just curious if you also had an incompetent cervix what the OB/RE/MFM said about TTC time frame, the one MFM (who we HATED and spoke with before our angels were born) told me 2 years before we should even start the IVF process again. Not that we want to jump right into it, we need to heal emotionally and physically first. But 2 years feels like a SUPER long time. What did your OB say?

 

Also, what will they do to ensure that this wont occur again? is there anything I can do before we TTC to help my cervix? 

fluttergirlmoonchild79

I didn't have an IC so I can't really attest to that but 2 years seems like a really long time to me.  Everyone's doctors will say something different and if there's physical things involved there may also be different answers.  We were told we could start right away but personally chose to wait a year. 

With regards to what can be done in the future, a lot of IC ladies I know have a cerclage put in during pregnancy.

lolee465

My loss was due to IC. My OB first told me to wait 6 months to a year, when I questioned why she said it was to give us time to heal emotionally. Physically she said we could try after 3 months, and my MFM agreed.

2 years seems like a crazy long time to wait, I would definitely get a second opinion. From what I hear 3-6 months is the typical wait for IC with an uncomplicated birth. Everyone says to listen to your doctor- and they're right, but in your case I would get a second opinion.

In future pregnancies I will get a cerclage at 13 weeks, and be on bedrest (moderate to strict) from 13 weeks on.. I don't think there is anything you can do to help your cervix.

ILoveRedVino

I didn't have an incompetent cervix, but I was given different timeframes by different doctors.  I was eventually told that the longer timeframes (a year) were based on emotional things, not physical.  While you're situation is different physically than mine, I'd guess that 2-year thing is based on mental healing, not necessarily physical.  That being said, you did go through labor -- so your body did have hormonal changes that probably need to even-out before getting pregnant again.

thecuddleeffect

Thank you all for your responses

We wouldnt try IVF again until July/August of next year, so 10ish months. I just wasnt sure if that seemed to be a poor decision. Of course we need to talk to various doctors, but its nice to know we arent off base

mdluv21

I had a TAC done it was the only way I felt comfortable trying again - I had to know I did everything possible to prevent the same outcome.

 We waited 9 months after my TAC surgery to do our first FET which was right at the year mark of our loss.  Physically I probably didn't need that long but I did to be as emotionally healed as possible before entering ino another high risk pregnancy.

 

hugs to you as you start to hel and make the decisions for moving forward. 

ehlersm

I lost twins due to IC/PTL at 22 weeks. We were told to wait 6 months, I got pregnant again after about 8. We had discussed a cerclage this time but since I am only carrying one baby this time,  we are sticking with weekly cervical checks. A cerclage will be done only if my cervix shortens.

2 years seems a bit long, I would certainly get another opinion. And I totally get what you said about getting as much information as possible as a way to heal. I did, and continue to do, the exact same thing.

Jennifer271012

ehlersm:

I lost twins due to IC/PTL at 22 weeks. We were told to wait 6 months, I got pregnant again after about 8. We had discussed a cerclage this time but since I am only carrying one baby this time,  we are sticking with weekly cervical checks. A cerclage will be done only if my cervix shortens.

2 years seems a bit long, I would certainly get another opinion. And I totally get what you said about getting as much information as possible as a way to heal. I did, and continue to do, the exact same thing.

This!!

My docs have mentioned this to me a few times.. 

cannolioh

I understand completely about needing as much information as possible as I was/am the same way. 

I told my OB that I wanted try again right away. He was completely supportive and said there was no medical reason I couldn't try. I knew that the longer I had to wait to get pregnant the harder it was going to be on me emotionally and he understood that. That said the first couple months I wasn't pregnant afterwards were devastating, but a few months later I was beginning to become more fearful than hopeful about becoming pregnant. I got pregnant on clomid (I also have PCOS), but I had decided we were going to stop treatments if I hadn't gotten pregnant the cycle we did and take a break for a while. 

As for treatment my OB was very proactive in treating me. I took prometrium from positive test until 36 weeks, and I had a McDonald cerclage placed at 14 weeks. I was on bedrest for 2 weeks after my cerclage and another week around 20 weeks for some mild bleeding. My OB's restrictions were no sex or exercise, but I worked 2 jobs while taking classes. However I was very careful not to lift anything heavy, and I tried to really listen to my body if I thought I was doing too much. I also saw my doctor every other week from 5-14 weeks, and every week from 14-38 weeks when I delivered. I would have gone to the normal schedule at 28 weeks, but I had other complications come up unrelated to cervical incompetence. 

To my knowledge there is nothing you can do to strengthen your cervix pre-pregnancy. However, if I were you I would look into having an abdominal cerclage placed prior to pregnancy since you will be doing IVF and have a greater chance of twins. 

Sorry for the book, let me know if you have any other questions!