Cervix shorter still -- any advice?

[acy]

Hi all. Here's my basic info: I am 25w4d with b/b fraternal twins.

My cervix was at 2.4 cm with funneling last Thursday. Then last night I started getting sharp pains down low when one of the babies moved, presumably from the one whose head has been right down by my cervix for the last few ultrasounds. I had an appointment for this Friday but called the doc and he said come in ASAP.

So I had another ultrasound. Now my cervix is at 1.8 cm, still funneling. And the baby down low has moved into breech position, so I guess he's just decided to kick my cervix open. I've been put on progesterone shots and Procardia, even though I haven't felt any contractions (maybe just a preventive measure?). And I've been on bed rest for a month, strict bed rest since last Thursday.

Since this problem had seemed to get better with bed rest after it was discovered at 21 weeks (went from 2.8 to 3.2 in just two weeks), my doc decided not to do the cerclage. Now he says I'm not a candidate for it. I don't know why. I know he's told me they don't like to do them past 24 weeks and I'm now 25w4d. But he seemed to imply today that I wasn't a candidate for it for some other reason.

The doc has told us that his goal is to keep the babies in until 31-32 weeks, but realistically they could come at 27-29 weeks. Yes, as in two to four weeks from now.

Sooooooo here are my questions. Any success stories with babies being born this early? I am desperate and worried they will be blind or have CP, which I've read are the biggest risks before 32 weeks.

Also, does anyone know about getting steroid shots to help their lungs develop? I've heard of this being done but don't know how early they can/will do it.

And finally, any opinions about the rate at which my cervix is disappearing. If I've lost .6 cm in less than a week, won't it be gone soon?

[azmouse]

Acy.....so sorry to hear about your situation!!!!!!!!!
hopefully your dr.(peri or ob ?)has a good plan to keep them in there longer!!
what did he/she say ewhen you went in???any plan??
I wished i had answers for you......have you posted on the cervical issue forum??they have lots of positive stories and could lend you lots of advice and peace of mind..
best of luck...please keep us posted.
I follow you onthe donor board also.

[acy]

Thanks for replying AZmouse. My doc (peri) is very tight-lipped, doesn't really give me much to go on. Just told me to stay on strict bed rest and take the meds. But I plan to drill him on Friday. Just hoping for some advice to tide me over 'til then
I think I will post on the IC boards, too.

[bebe]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, I had a similar one with my twins. PTL at 27 weeks 1 day with a cervix of 1.8. I was given the steroids shots immediately(they can be given anytime after 24 weeks), put on Mag for 48 hours and then on Procardia for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was on very strict bedrest, laying on my left side 23 hour a day and I still had 3 more episodes of PTL that sent me to the hospital(30 w, 31 w and 33 w). At 33 w my cervix was down to 0. My twins were born at 33 w 5 d. They are perfect 2 3/4 year olds and only spent 12 days in NICU to feed and grow.

I would recommend you get the steroid shots IMMEDIATELY (2 shots, 24 hours apart)! Stay laying on your left side. Drink a ton of water but keep your bladder empty. And go to the hospital right away if you have any contractions.

Keep us posted. You may want to post this on the high risk board or on the bedrest board too.

Please PM me with any questions.

bebe

[maceyb]

Just saw your post and had to pop in. I am currently 14 weeks with b/b twins and on complete bedrest due to IC issues with my DD. She was born at 23weeks 5 days (yes, you read that right) after my IC was discovered at 23w2d. I had enough time for the steroid shots and that is the biggest factor she is alive today (and a healthy, typical three year old!).

My first advice would be to demand steroid shots, especially if there is even the slightest change to your cervix or if you experience any sort of cramping or bleeding. Studies show that the shots are most effective in the two weeks after they are given. And if your twins come in the next two weeks, that is still a critical time as far as lung development.

Second, you still have cervix left. It's not over yet! Stay off your feet as much as possible. Drink tons and tons of water. I would even insist on hospital bedrest if it makes you feel more comfortable! Also, the cervix is a dynamic muscle. It can lengthen or shorten throughout any given day. I don't think that you can count on it decreasing at a steady rate at this point, especially with the meds to ward off contractions.

Success stories? YES...My daughter being one of them. We have connected with hundrends of other moms of preemies and micropreemies in the past few years. Some of the babies have complications from their preterm birth, but so so many of them DO NOT! Yes, preterm birth is scary and no one can predict the outcome. The stats they give you are very real, but you have to remember that the docs are giving you the worst case scenario. They told us my DD had less than a 20% chance to even live, and if she did she would likely be blind, have CP, chronic lung issues, etc etc etc. You would never know any of that by looking (and talking to her) today.

Hang in there and keep us updated!

Hi all. Here's my basic info: I am 25w4d with b/b fraternal twins.

My cervix was at 2.4 cm with funneling last Thursday. Then last night I started getting sharp pains down low when one of the babies moved, presumably from the one whose head has been right down by my cervix for the last few ultrasounds. I had an appointment for this Friday but called the doc and he said come in ASAP.

So I had another ultrasound. Now my cervix is at 1.8 cm, still funneling. And the baby down low has moved into breech position, so I guess he's just decided to kick my cervix open. I've been put on progesterone shots and Procardia, even though I haven't felt any contractions (maybe just a preventive measure?). And I've been on bed rest for a month, strict bed rest since last Thursday.

Since this problem had seemed to get better with bed rest after it was discovered at 21 weeks (went from 2.8 to 3.2 in just two weeks), my doc decided not to do the cerclage. Now he says I'm not a candidate for it. I don't know why. I know he's told me they don't like to do them past 24 weeks and I'm now 25w4d. But he seemed to imply today that I wasn't a candidate for it for some other reason.

The doc has told us that his goal is to keep the babies in until 31-32 weeks, but realistically they could come at 27-29 weeks. Yes, as in two to four weeks from now.

Sooooooo here are my questions. Any success stories with babies being born this early? I am desperate and worried they will be blind or have CP, which I've read are the biggest risks before 32 weeks.

Also, does anyone know about getting steroid shots to help their lungs develop? I've heard of this being done but don't know how early they can/will do it.

And finally, any opinions about the rate at which my cervix is disappearing. If I've lost .6 cm in less than a week, won't it be gone soon?

[acy]

Macey, thanks so much for sharing. That's definitely the kind of thing I need to be hearing right now Congrats on your little miracle. It is really amazing.

We worked so hard to make these little guys (IVF - donor eggs) that it seems so unfair to keep having to fight so hard for them. I feel so drained sometimes. But I just keep telling myself that they will be so loved and appreciated once they are here and safe. I love all of their little things -- clothes, bottles, diapers, stroller, blankets. It helps me to look at their things and just visualize them being here.

And good luck with your twins. Growing them is hard work, especially with IC, but just imagine the joy at the end of the journey! Sometimes I daydream about their birth, holding them for the first time, and I can't stop the happy tears!

I am off to the doctor just now and will definitely press the steroid shots.

Thanks again! I really needed that!