26-week pregnant with twins--hospitalized for preterm contract.&shortening cervix

[inktomei]

Hi, I'm new to this board and I would just like to share my experience so far.

After 5 unsuccessful IVF attempts, I finally became pregnant with twins on our sixth try. My OB saw me regularly as well as my specialist, and everything went smoothly--until my 24th week checkup.

The perinatologist found that I my cervix was at 2.9cm with a 6cm funnel, a bit shorter than what they'd like but he wasn't all that concerned, and said that it is fairly common with twin pregnancies; I was sent home on bedrest and scheduled for a follow-up the next week.

At the follow-up my peri found my cervix at 2.6cm and funneled at 10cm at 25 weeks, but he still wasn't all that concerned about it! He basically told us we could either go home and continue on bedrest, or just go to the hospital--it was up to us. My hubby wasn't having any of it, so he went to my OB's office insisting to talk to her right away. I think he made quite a scene!

To make a long story short, my OB sent me to labor&delivery and had me on turbutaline and procardia, with contraction monitoring two to three times a day. I have another ultrasound to check my cervix next week, but it sounds like I'll be here to stay for awhile.

The NICU people came up and talk to us about our babies' stay if it were ever to come to that. They told us that we are in good hands, but we know that at 26 weeks (starts today) the chances of the babies developing long term problems can be pretty high--I'm scared to death--but my hubby and I remain hopeful!

[SC-blu_sky]

Being in the hospital is a good place. My ptl didn't start til 30w but I was able to hold on for 4 more weeks with the procardia.

We have a parenting preemies board here as well and there are quite a few ladies that have had 26+ babies so you can get good info there as well.

[inktomei]

Yes this forum seems to have a lot of helpful ladies around. I'm glad that I found it!

[crissiej]

I was on bedrest at 28 weeks with a partial placental abruption and contractions. I was put on magnesium sulphate then they just monitored me. After I stopped the meds I was still contracting 4 times per hour. I delivered via c section at 38 weeks but I could have gone longer. I was just paranoid and wanted to deliver early because I was afraid I would abrupt more with labor.

The good thing is they can give you the steroid shots to help. I was sent home after a week in the hospital but had to go in to see my doc once a week until I delivered.

[inktomei]

Ladies,

Just wanted to give a quick update.

Just had an U/S done today and my cervix is holding at 2.6cm and 9cm funneled. My OB wants me to stay in the hospital until at least the 28th week (I'm 26wk+4 now), just to be safe.

I'm still being monitored for contractions but at least they took the IV off this morning! Whew!

[handsandfeet]

I think you're doing great! My cervix was 1.9 with a big funnel at only 24 weeks, and I made it to 36 weeks on Procardia and Terbutaline before DS was born healthy (a little jaundice but no NICU time). I was in the hospital for the final 4 weeks, but by then my cervix was less than a cm long. You can do it! Hang in there -- your little ones will totally be worth it.