Shortened Cervix and PTL

[Frenchy]

Hey Everybody,

I have a friend who is 24 weeks pregnant with Twins and at her last appointment they told her her cervix was shortening and that could be a sign of pre term labor. They are taking her out of work this week.... I have no experience with this, but I think I remember some of you from TS having this. Does anyone have any info, or success stories they can share? I think that hearing that and then only twin pregnancy she knows about was mine, I think she is thinking the worst.

TIA!!!

[Bonkey]

Hey Liz!
I had a short cervix due to ctx's that I didn't know I was having. It started around 18 weeks and I had an emergency cerclage placed and was put on modified bedrest (basically recliner rest- I could get up to go to the bathroom, shower and make lunch).
I know other people have had a cerclage at 24 weeks, but I think it is less helpful at that point.
A few things she needs to do:
See a peri
put herself on BR
be put on something like procardia (for ctxs)
Her cervical length needs to be checked at the peri every 2 weeks
My peri seems to think BR really holds off ctx's and therefore helps the cervix stay long and closed.
PM me anytime if she has more ?'s!!!!

[Pop Tart]

I had a cerclage at 19 weeks for the same reason, but I think 24 weeks is too risky for the procedure. There are many success stories, though. Does she get online? Can you print off our stories and send them to her?

Does she need a phone call? :D

[WendyDixie]

I had a shortebned cervix early onand then it took about 2 mnths before my actual 1st pre term. I just took it easy, no sex, heavy lifting lay down as much as possible things like that.

I made it to 34 weeks 2 days, the girls weighed 4#9 and 4#15 and had NO NICU TIME. I was put on bed rest after the 1st bought with actaull pre-term but like i said that was 2 months after. Oh another thing i would do is If I would go tot he stores I would use a wheelchair, and that way I got the babies stuff bought.

Oh and I left the hospital on trebutalin for the cx's Did that make any sense? If she needs someone to talk to pm me I can give you my info and I would talk to her.

[Lola Starr]

I have an incompetent cervix & was on complete bedrest for 15 weeks. I had 2 cerclages done (one at 13 weeks & one at 20) At 24 weeks, though, I don't know if they'd even do one because the risks are greater the father along you are.

Please let me know if I can help. I've been there. I laid still for WEEKS in agony not thinking I was going to make it. :(

[Hash]

I had an incompetant cervix. I was put on partial bedrest, which meant I could take a shower and sit up for about an hour a day. I was closely monitored and had my babies at 34.6 weeks due to preeclampsia and not my cervix.

[Sarabela]

I had PTL with all of my pregnancies. I was taken out of work with the twins at 16 weeks as a precaution due to PTL with my 1st 2 single pregnancies and I started bedrest at 24 weeks or so. I was in the hospital twice for PTL with the twins and I came close to delivering them at 29 weeks but with medication and strict bedrest I managed to keep them in until 36 weeks. My singles I kept in until 38 and 39 weeks and with my DD singleton I was 1cm at 28 weeks and 2cm at 32 weeks! I really believe bedrest was what I needed because despite the problems I dialated less and later with the twins than I did with my singletons (I hope that makes sense). Good luck to your friend. I will be thinking about her. Tell her to come visit us here, TS kept me sane during my 3 months of bedrest.