re: Incompetent Cervix Support Group

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Felly!:</b>" Are there symptoms? I'm 18wks and have been experiencing constant painful pain down around my vagina ... [snip!] ... now. I also coughed/ gagged hard and it almost felt like something was gonna pop out. Im really scared because im out of town."</blockquote>



There are no definite signs...a lot of the stuff that women feel from ic is the same symptoms regular pregnancies have but alittle stronger (like pressure or heaviness) so all you can do is asked to be checked via u/s for shortening.

<blockquote><b>Quoting ~Mel Belz and Peyton~:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mama Felly!:</b>" Are there symptoms? I'm 18wks and have been ... [snip!] ... have but alittle stronger (like pressure or heaviness) so all you can do is asked to be checked via u/s for shortening."</blockquote>




Ok thank you

Uggh...I posted outside this thread, but after reading some of your stories, I figured I'd post here too..
20wks - diagnosed w/ a short cervix during my anatomy scan. It was measuring 2.1. My OB is mystified b/c my 1st pg (DS is 4 now) was totally normal in that regard.
22wks - 've been on the progesterone suppositories for about 2 weeks now. At my last appointment, I'd only been on it for 4 days and my cervix shortened from 2.1 to 1.8 (1.6 with pressure). At my appointment last night it showed no change; the doctor said it looked stable. It was decided not to go with the cerclage because since I'm looking stable, the risks of the stitch bringing on pre-term labor due to irritaion seem greater than just letting the progesterone do its job.
My OB still hasn't demanded bedrest, but she is concerned about my job & commute (NYC trains + a little walking). I'm an EA so I'm sitting all day, no lifting. It's a very new awesome job - 3mths & the insurance just kicked in to pay for all of this wonderful prenatal care so possibly going on bedrest would wreak havoc. So now, I'm just trying to hold tight till 28wks, going as easy as I can... hoping to make it way further, of course
On a positive note, my little girl is healthy and quite active. She turned herself feet down last week and I cussed (my son was breech), but the OB said that maybe she did me a favor - the head puts way more pressure on the cervix than the feet do....huh

After reading the posts here, I'm feeling a bit concerned b/c everyone else seems to have been diagnosed earlier, with time for a cerclage and is on bedrest. I"ve never questioned my OB's care but 22wks with a 1.8 measurement sounds way more serious here than the vibe I'm getting from my care providers.... 

Many of us have been diagnosed earlier.....but it was due to 2nd trimester losses or previous surgical history that requires surveillance. The doc knew what to look for in the next pregnancy.

It is good that your doc is doing the Progesterone but that is mainly for pre-term labor/contractions....not for short/weak cervix. The Progesterone keeps the uterus relaxed and helps prevent it from contracting. My concern would be that after just 4 days on the Progesterone your cervix did in fact still shorten and funneling since it goes to 1.6cm with pressure! So I wouldn't call it stable. It may change once the baby gains more weight or if she turns again....which is a big possibility. Gravity is a bitch with IC.

IMO I'd put myself on bedrest if your doc isn't going too. Many will say that bedrest doesn't work and what happens will happen.....but you will find that on here many will say bedrest works! And many times your cervix will gain some length if you are on bedrest. I got my cerclage this time at 23w5d my length was 3.4cm.....at 28 weeks I had pre-term labor and got put on bedrest....at 30 weeks my cervix was 3.9cm...which is AWESOME. I too started out this pregnancy with just Progesterone as per my doc. I WANTED a cerclage early. I was good until my new doctor found to be effaced at 50%. With my first pregnancy my cervix was 1.5-2.0cm and I had the cerclage placed the next day and was on bedrest for 22 weeks.

I'm not trying to scare you. However, 1.6/1.8cm at 22 weeks with no bedrest is scary. No matter how awesome the job is---I'd be doing bedrest. Whats your docs plan? Is she doing weekly transvaginal ultrasounds to keep an eye on the length? How long does she plan to let you go before putting you on bedrest or even hospitalization (if it gets too short). Furthermore---is she experienced with cerclages? Has she done many? And I'd also ask for a consult to Perinatal/high-risk doctors to evaluate the situation too-in the best interest of the baby. Ask what level NICU your hospital has. You need a Level III at this point up to about 32 weeks. Many hospitals are not prepared to accomodate micropremies (mine only takes 27+ weekers) and have to fly them out to a more advanced hospital. Know where you need to go if something happens in the next few months.

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!!!

Good luck.

Quoting CML's Mommy:" Many of us have been diagnosed earlier.....but it was due to 2nd trimester losses or previous surgical ... [snip!] ... where you need to go if something happens in the next few months. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!!! Good luck."

This!!! Lyns was not put on bed rest right away and had an office job but ended up having her water bulge once they did put her on it because it was late. Bed rest imo makes a huge diff!

Quoting Jaidnoire:" Uggh...I posted outside this thread, but after reading some of your stories, I figured I'd post here ... [snip!] ... OB's care but 22wks with a 1.8 measurement sounds way more serious here than the vibe I'm getting from my care providers.... "

i would say bed rest ,it sucks but hey we do what we have to for our babies .i have lost 2 at 22 and 23 weeks so stay off those feet momma .good luck !!

Heading out the door but I really just wanted to say really quick that I hope that my feelings about bedrest arent being thought of as being stubborn or selfish. Please try to understand that I'm coming off of months of unemployment and got this dream job (been applying to company for YEARS) the same weekend I got my BFP. Elated - the final addition to our family AND the job to provide us with the my portion of the funds needed to maintain the mortgage and child we already have (plus the benefits providing me the the care I'm getting now). Just ending my probation here and not yet eligible for sick time or disability.
I constantly stress about what damage working is doing to the pg and what the pg is doing for my job and what loss of either will do to me.
I'm just praying for a way to make it all work.

Quoting Jaidnoire:" Heading out the door but I really just wanted to say really quick that I hope that my feelings about ... [snip!] ... pg and what the pg is doing for my job and what loss of either will do to me. I'm just praying for a way to make it all work."

You can take a leave of absence under the family leave act....it's is under law with legitimate reason that they grant it to you without you losing your job from what I understand.

Quoting ~Mel Belz and Peyton~:" You can take a leave of absence under the family leave act....it's is under law with legitimate reason that they grant it to you without you losing your job from what I understand."

true, but under FMLA they only have to hold your position for 12 weeks......after that they determine if they need to fill your position or not....

Quoting Christina/Chrissy:" true, but under FMLA they only have to hold your position for 12 weeks......after that they determine if they need to fill your position or not...."

Gotcha! The only thing I know about it is how long it gave me for school.

Quoting ~Mel Belz and Peyton~:" Gotcha! The only thing I know about it is how long it gave me for school."

yeah, I was cutting it pretty close with Lillianna, which was scary.....

and when we get pregnant again I hope I dont need to utilize bedrest too long that way I can possibly have a normal delivery and baby coming home type of deal and utilize the FMLA for a nice maternity leave....(I have a new job so it makes me nervous)

Quoting Christina/Chrissy:" yeah, I was cutting it pretty close with Lillianna, which was scary..... and when we get pregnant ... [snip!] ... and baby coming home type of deal and utilize the FMLA for a nice maternity leave....(I have a new job so it makes me nervous)"

One thing about IC is labor for some is more predictable! I knew Peyton would be here quick after my stitch was out so as soon as I finished my last class (which was right before stitch removal) I had leave schedules for the day my stitch came out.

Quoting ~Mel Belz and Peyton~:" One thing about IC is labor for some is more predictable! I knew Peyton would be here quick after my ... [snip!] ... soon as I finished my last class (which was right before stitch removal) I had leave schedules for the day my stitch came out."

yeah and I know I will have another csection so thats one thing I can plan for I guess....

Quoting Christina/Chrissy:" yeah and I know I will have another csection so thats one thing I can plan for I guess...."

Yup! I am so ready to get pregnant again it's not even funny...I miscalculated my period...well my first phone app did. I thought I was suppose to start a few days ago but according to my last cycle I am suppose to start today or tomorrow. My boobs have been sensitive for like a week and I am always hungry which is a sign of both pregnancy and my period for me so damnit bring it on whatever it may be!!! lol

Quoting ~Mel Belz and Peyton~:" Yup! I am so ready to get pregnant again it's not even funny...I miscalculated my period...well my first ... [snip!] ... and I am always hungry which is a sign of both pregnancy and my period for me so damnit bring it on whatever it may be!!! lol"

well, crossing my fingers for your BFP!!