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2nd Trimester
venustinkerballa
member
Shortened cervix
venustinkerballa
member
I'm 24 weeks pregnant and I had my MFM appointment yesterday for my bi-weekly cervix check (because I'm having twins) and found out yesterday that my cervical length decreased from 3.5 cm to 2.5 cm. The person who did my exam was pretty concerned and wants me to come next week for a re-evaluation. I know I shouldn't worry, but I can't help it. All my exams have been normal, but this one happened to be out of the ordinary. Has anyone had the same situation at 24 weeks (or near the end of their 2nd trimester) and what did your doctor advise you to do? I'm trying to prepare myself for the worse case scenario.
Re: Shortened cervix
The next week, we were back up to 3.2 and I was taken off of the bed rest. The following week, it was back down to 2.6 for 2 measurements and 3.2 on the third measurement. The tech could tell our girl was pushing on the cervix when it was shortened. This appt's doctor (we rotate so we know all 5 in the practice in case our doctor isn't on call during labor) said that he didn't think bed rest really does anything for something like this and that from now on, they'd manually check my cervix at every appt because the u/s won't get a good enough reading after a certain point. We go in Friday for our 28w appt, 2 weeks since our last appt so we shall see what they see/say then.
Do you know if they noticed any funneling? That's where they told me most of the concern comes from when it starts shortening. We were told worst case scenario was they'd give me steroid injections to help their lungs mature and continue monitoring me closer but that was if it dipped down to 2.
I know it's scary. I definitely had a panic afterwards and wanted to pack my go bag that night but we're still going strong and now I feel silly for worrying. I was also told that the length can change in an instant, which I saw in person at the last appt when it went from 2.6 to 3 within a few seconds, so keep that in mind.
I guess I just need to wait and see how next week's evaluation turns out. I've been doing some research and it appears I'm too late for a cerclage and may be put on bed rest and be given steroid shots. Ugh, I can't ever get a break with this twin pregnancy of mine...15 weeks of nausea & vomiting, 3 visits to the ER (2 for dehydration from vomiting and 1 because I fainted and was unconscious for 2 minutes), possible gestational diabetes, and now this!?!...sorry, now this is just me venting.
With twins, my doctors told me they don't have any studies in regards to the cervical length so they can only go by the singletons, which I think is ridiculous. Our bodies go through it differently than with a singleton and it stinks we don't have enough research to see if the cervical issues you and I are having, is more common with two bopping around in there.
The doctor at the MFM got really concerned and had me go to the labor & delivery unit at the hospital for observation to see if I was having contractions. Supposedly they found out that I was (and I didn't even feel anything when I did...I guess for some of the contractions, I must have mistaken them with baby kicks because there's two little girls inside of me who both move, punch, and kick like crazy). I was given 4 pills of nifedinpine along with a steroid shot while I was there, plus my OB doctor came to visit and told me that I need to be on modified bed rest and I need to go on early maternity leave at work ASAP. I have to tell my boss the bad news today and he's not going to be happy because he pretty much relies on me for everything because he's extremely swamped with his own work as it is and now I have to have him (or someone else he plans to delegate to) take a big load of work off my hands until my maternity leave is over. I have to go back to the hospital tonight to do this vaginal test to determine how long it would take for me to go into labor plus get another steroid shot.
Looks like my babies want to meet me and our family now, but they need to stay in me longer to survive (I'm only 25 weeks in). Hopefully with rest and no stress from work, these babies can make it probably up to week 32 and then I can feel a little comfortable on having them then. Ugh, it's just been really hard, but I got to stay strong and positive.
Expecting Saulie O 2.12.2016
@PaniaO, thank you for asking. I seem to be doing well, no further issues with my cervix have been found and we are going in every 2-3 weeks for appts at this point.
I never had any contractions or signs of early labor so my doctors were never overly concerned with me. They did, however put me on pelvic rest and no exercise. I suggest you also do pelvic rest as orgasming can cause contractions and semen can soften your cervix.
I know it seems daunting, I freaked out too, but I'm 29w2d now and everything seems to be moving in the right direction.
I wish I'd known about orgasms causing contractions because, along with some over-exertion and dehydration in general, I really suspect that was the culprit. The timing is just right on for that. It's crazy we aren't warned of that--rather are actually told sex/orgasms are fine "unless" on pelvic rest.
Anyway, my situation got really crazy since my first post here. After having a great check-up last Friday, my Monday cervical check was NOT good. It had funneled more than ever and I had to make the decision to get a cerclage put in. Luckily, the surgery went really well and I'm home (in bed) recovering now. I'm still not quite 24 weeks, so we're really banking on this cerclage holding well and avoiding any contractions for the next many weeks!
ETA @blessedwtwins
Expecting Saulie O 2.12.2016
I'm only 15 weeks and they saw that my cervix is 2.6