Intro "my name's Erica and I have IC"

PerkyErky · October 2013

Hi Ladies. I have been lurking on the board for awhile. I lost my daughter in March at 20w4d due to IC. I am now pregnant again and due March 8th with a baby boy. I am currently 17w5d and have been having regular cervix checks since week 14. My initial check, my cervix measured 4cm, last week it measured 3.4cm (16w6d), and today it measured 3.1cm. I go for my anatomy scan and cervix check next Thursday and then I will most likely schedule my cerclage. On the plus side my cervix is tightly closed and not funneling.

The hope originally was to not need a cerclage however my cervix seems to have other ideas. I know cerclages have a high success rate, but I am just so worried and scared. I am worried about losing this baby.

kneenah1231 · October 2013

Welcome and sorry about your loss. I loss my son last yr 21wks due to IC. Congrats on your pregnancy.

I honestly think your Dr should have taken the preventive cerclage approach for you. Proof is in the pudding those measurements that your cervix is indeed IC. I highly suggest you try to get that cerclage as soon as possible its more successful when done early. Here is my pregnancy treatment this time around.

14wks cerclage
16wks started 17p shots
16wks vaginal cervical cks bi-wkly.

I am currently 33wks, been on bedrest since 21wks cervix hold closed at 1.8cm. I have 3 more 17p injections left and had last cervical ck at 32wks. I get off bedrest at 36 wks and ceragr removed at 36-37wks.

My cervix started to shorten at 21wks from 4.2-3.5cm since then every week it's gotten shorten been stable at 1.8cm for 7wks.

Best of luck and good luck on your anatomy scan :-)

dandywarhol · October 2013

I'm surprised your OB didn't do a preventive cerclage earlier. I would ask about having one placed, if possible. I believe some OBs can be reluctant to place one after a certain gestation because of the associated risk.

I've had 2 losses from undiagnosed IC so for my last pregnancy I had a cerclage placed at 11w. At 18w I went on bed rest because my cervix had shortened to around 2.5cm. At 19w it was down to 1.5cm and I went on HBR. At 20w it was pretty much gone. I ended up having a placental abruption at 23w6d and had an emergency c-section, but as my OB likes to point out my cerclage held!

PerkyErky · October 2013

We did discuss me getting a preventive cerclage or waiting and having regular checks. I ultimately chose to do the checks as we weren't positive my loss was due to IC, it was the best "guess" for why I lost my daughter. Since my cervix is shortening now I will be getting a cerclage. It is all so scary, but I am way ahead of where I was last pregnancy and being monitored very closely.

kneenah1231 · October 2013

PerkyErky- This time around for me has been very difficult. I was scared everyday. I am very close to carrying my little girl and I am still scared. I haven't officially announced my pregnancy and I am 33wks. My treatment this time around has really saved my little girls life. Although I didn't get to enjoy my summer and do all the wonderful normal pregnant things but at the end of it all i know my little girl is safe in me and I wont have to experience such pain like i did when i loss my son.

I wish you nothing but the best and being scared is totally normal BUT making it to term and walking home with a baby is so possible..Please keep me posted!!!

lijah · October 2013

I had an emergency cerclage at 20 weeks and have been on bed rest since then. I'm now 31 weeks so I really recommend the cerclage!

kafunder · October 2013

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I had IC with my twins (who are now 3 years old), and with bedrest, I made it to 36w4d when I delivered due to rising blood pressure. For my singleton (who's 4 months old), my OB and MFM decided to just due cervical checks before deciding if I'd needed a cerclage. At 16w, my cervix was 4+. At 20w, my cervix was 2.2, so I got a cerclage a few days later. It was scary, but with strict bedrest, I made it to 37w6d. I had my cerclage out at 36w, and thought for sure I'd deliver within days. When I did deliver at 37w6d (due to a reported lack of fetal movement and some complications unrelated to my cervix), my cervix was still long and closed.

The entire journey was scary and long, with 16w of bedrest, but so worth it in the end. I hope you have a good experience too and wish you the best of luck.

T+Schultz4 · October 2013

Cerclages have a high success rate, relax and don't worry. Make sure you are also on the P17 shots ASAP. I have had 2 successful pregnancies with cerclages placed - one was an emergency at 23w and the other was preventative. I was also on bedrest for both. I went full term with both - delivering at 39w and 40w. Get your cerclage in ASAP. The longer you wait the higher risk there is to losing baby. Call your doctor tomorrow and try to get it placed this week. Best of luck!

Dollymarie · October 2013

Wow I was just reading all the post and it didn't realize that there were so many other ladies like me. This is my second time having a cerclage . With my other pregnancy with my daughter who is 4 yrs old I had one and also the p 17 shots and I made it to 35 weeks , I am not 22 weeks with another girl , I had a cerclage placed at 16 weeks n get p 17 shots every weeks. I stay off my feet for the most part. I truly believe that with the cerclage n p17 shots is the reason I have my 4 ur old . Good luck n keep ur head up. I pray everyday n thank god everyday that my baby is in my belly .

Mcsweets · October 2013

@PerkyErky - hey there, obviously we're already on the March 14 board together. I knew your cervical issues in the past, but thought everything was going well for you now. I'm sorry it's getting shorter, but I'm happy they're watching it. That is what is keeping me "sane" as well. Better to be on top of this than to find out when it's too late. My cervix just measured at 2.1 yesterday - going back the specialist. My doctors can't seem to agree on what my actual measurement is!!!

GL with everything - keep me posted!

ktrntrry · October 2013

Hi Ladies! I'm new to the board. I had an emergency cerclage this weekend at 20 weeks. Went to my a/s scan and the doctor notice that my cervix was short (1 cm) and I'm funneling. After reading the previous posts I'm glad they caught it. I'm on temporary BR for the rest of the week, but I know I will be placed on BR for the duration of my pregnancy. This is my 3rd pregnancy and I cared my babies to full term. This whole thing is so scary.