know anything about a short cervix? come in

[CloudBee]

I have low BP becaues of my heart, and tachycardia (fast heart) as is.

I have been on mag before, though, ongoing monthly infusions for a year after one of my heart surgeries. So I guess that is safe, if it's magnesium sulfate.

[carolinagirl831]

uhh, praying all is well!

[MamaMaui24]

Jan 3, 2013 16:29:55 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Some positives:

-we finished the nursrey over the weekend, early, but I was sick the past 10 days or so and at home so I finished sewing, etc.

-i even packed my hospital bag and tossed it into the corner of the bedroom so i could start setting aside things like my spare camera/charter, etc. so if i spend the nightmy husband can grab my stuff (some yoga pants and toiletries, omg i can't believe i packed those already, what a fluke)

I was going to say - we've been giving you a hard time about planning ahead. Glad you are prepared.

I'll be thinking about you and BabyBee. Good luck.

[Kore]

You are awesome for being so proactive & organized. Stay in there, little boy!

[kittycatlove]

I have a shortened cervix and was monitored/measured every two weeks through my 28th week. I had one week where my measurement dropped significantly, but the next time didn't move (don't remember the numbers). Once I got to 28 weeks they were pretty confident I would be fine and not go into PTL. But I was measured from the beginning, so I think they had a better feel for what my cervix was doing.

I was on modified bed rest for those first 28 weeks and pretty much kept it that way afterwards just to be on the safe side even though the doctor didn't say to.

Because they weren't measuring you consistently this may just be precautionary. Good luck and fingers crossed for you.

[savannah11]

I had something similar happen with #2. I went in for a growth ultrasound and my cervix measured 2.5. I was sent L&D for contraction monitoring and went home on strict bed rest. I saw an MFM for a weekly ultrasound for the next few weeks. In that time my cervix grew from 2.5 back to 3.5. I was eventually released from bed rest and went on to deliver just 1 hour before my due date.

I honestly think it was one of those fluke things that I never would have known about without the extra u/s and monitoring. I don't think I was ever really in danger of early delivery though I understand why the doctors treated me as aggressively as they did.

[w2w]

I sent you some more PMs. Sorry. I forgot a few things I wanted to tell you.

[HoneySpider]

Hope everything is ok, will be thinking about you!

[elocrates]

Thinking good thoughts for you.

Yes, unfortunately I have a lot of experience with short cervix/ IC.

Short version: On bedrest twice (11w the first time, 8w the second time, 3 weeks hospitalized the first time, 1 week hospitalized the second time) for PTL and IC. Steroids, mag, nifedipine, terbutaline, and indomethacin. DS2 born at 36w5d. DS3 born at 37w. Feel free to PM me if you want more specific information.

I know it is SCARY. Lots of what-ifs. It is great that you already see a perinatologist. Also, 28 weeks is a GREAT milestone (even though I know it doesn't feel that way right now).

I found comfort in knowledge, so below is some bullet-point style info if you are the same. (If you don't find comfort in knowledge, stop reading here.):
-Bed rest sucks but it does end at some point. If you end up on bedrest, you will get through it.
-Steroids help develop baby's lungs.
-Magnesium helps stop contractions but also is neuro-protective for the baby. You feel like shit on it.
-Terbutaline makes you jittery and your heart race. It stops contractions.
-Nifedipine makes you sluggish and dizzy. It stops contractions.
-The "protein" test (FFN) is pretty accurate for predicting that you won't go in to labor in the next 2 weeks (a negative test), but is a pretty crappy test if it is positive (doesn't accurately predict labor very well).
-Your perinatologist will probably let you know that there is not good evidence that bedrest improves outcomes for IC.
-I'd be happy to send information about survival/ risks of health problems in preemies by age, if you think it would ease your mind.

Keep us updated. 2cm is short but still a respectable length for a cervix at 28 weeks, from an IC standpoint.

[Deleted]

I don't have experience with a short cervix, but I just wanted to sign in and give you some hugs.

I, too, nested early with DS and was put on bed rest for hypertension at 33 weeks. I was so glad that I had done everything early.

Fingers crossed for you. Magnesium SUCKS.

[karinothing]

Jan 3, 2013 16:21:45 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

I am contracting.

They are putting a line in to get me really hydrated to see if that helps. They said again I can't have the standard meds because of my freaking heart.

I'm waiting for the doctor to come by and tell me what they are going to do.

Oh cloudbee. I hope everything is okay. I think a lot of folks have contractions for a long time before labor (that they just never feel) and then they get discovered if there is some other problem. I hope that is all it is with you.

Good luck. I hope everything is okay.

[CloudBee]

Okay, so I am being pumped with a fast drip of fluids right now. They are going to see if that helps.

Contractions, most of which I did not feel, have been 3 minutes apart. I am in such shock.

Waiting to find out what's next.

[sewpinkgal]

Oh CB, I'm thinking good thoughts for you and the little one! Please keep us posted. Big huge hugs.

[h]

I am so sorry. I hope baby stays put!

I have a friend who started bleeding heavily and having contractions 3 minutes apart at 23 weeks. When she got to the hospital, her cervix was less than 1.5 cm. She is now 33 weeks pregnant, so she has gone on to stay pregnant for another 10 weeks, and they are now hopeful she will make it to 36 weeks.

[dancingirl21]

Thinking positive thoughts for you! Hoping everything turns out alright.

[curbsideprophet]

I hope the fluids help and stop the contractions.

[heygrey]

thinking of you CloudBee! hoping baby stays put for a good long time.

[tardyfortheparty]

After going to L&D because I was having cramping and contractions, I was diagnosed with a shortened cervix and tested positive on the Ffn test. I was diagnosed with PTL when I was 31w and was put on modified bedrest until I was 37w. I took it real easy (despite having a very active 2.5 yr old at home...DH and my parents helped a lot with him) and DD ended up arriving 10 days late after all of that scary stuff! GL!

[SusanBAnthony]

Oh crap! At first I thought maybe the docs were just being overly cautious, but if you are contracting, that is not good . But the fluids may definitely help! I had tons of contras with dd if I got dehydrated, and was always fine if I drank a bunch.

My thoughts will be with you tonight.

[Redpoppy]

Thinking positive thoughts. Hope the fluids calm things down.

[Brie]

Thinking of you. Hang in there.

[KaraOrNot]

OMG, how scary. I hope everything is ok. I will be thinking of you and your little one!

[greekypie]

Keep us updated!! And stay put, BabyBee!

[jackpackage]

Hugs! My BFF just went through this with her pregnancy and I know how stressful it was for her. Thinking of you!

[cinco]

I had shortened cervix and contractions with my first two pregnancies. The first had me in the hospital with pre term labor, and then full bed rest and meds the entire pregnancy. The second I was able to do a modified bed rest since my ffn's were negative.
Both pregnancies I made to 38w on the dot.
Hang in there. Hoping you get a negative FFN!