UPDATE** To cerclage or not to cerclage - prayers and advice needed!

[missym]

No worries! The perinatologist measured my cervix at 3.2 cm today, right in the normal range. He said the transvaginal u/s is the best way to measure cervical length, and that is not how they did it in my OB's office. He confirmed that I have pelvic separation, which is painful but shouldn't have an impact on my pregnancy. I'm free! A day and a half of bedrest about did me in; anyone who's done it for an extended period has my heartfelt admiration.

Thank you all for your support, advice and prayers!

------------------------------------

My head is spinning. Our regular OB appt was today, and I mentioned that I've been having pretty bad pelvic pain for weeks now, and lots of BH. My OB checked my cervix and said it felt fine, but since the U/S tech was there today, she had him check for length. I knew it wasn't good when he wanted her to come look. I think he said 2cm, my DH says he thinks he heard 2.5 at one point. Still, not good.

My OB asked if I wanted to consider a cerclage, and my immediate reaction was no, based on some really negative things I remembered reading. She said she wasn't very comfortable with the idea either.

However, what I'm reading now doesn't sound too promising about a cervical length of 2.5cm at 23 weeks, let alone 2cm. I'd love to hear of others' experiences in addition to the research I'll be doing. I go back next week to have it checked again. If I decide to do the cerclage, I'll definitely ask for a referral to a high-risk OB.

On a more personal note, I would greatly appreciate any prayers and positive energy you can send our way. I'm completely in love with this baby girl, and I can't bear the thought of losing her. I'm terrified.

Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03... and #2 due Sept 05!

[psophia17]

I haven't got any advice for you - but my thoughts and prayers are with you.

FWIW, I have a cousin born at 23 weeks, and while it was touch and go for a while, she's now 15 years old and on the track and soccer teams at her HS.

[heidis2girls]

No advice other than my sister-in-laws sister had a cerclage and everything was fine. She now has a beautiful 4 year old little girl! I wish I had other details for you, but I'm afraid I don't.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby girl!

[Rachels]

Just wanted to offer you some prayers and hugs. I know you must be very frightened. The recent research on cerclages doesn't show them to be particularly helpful, but I don't know what I'd do. I don't think there's a right answer. Try to take it easy and remember that what you read may not have much bearing on your particular situation. I'll be thinking of you.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
New baby coming in October!


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya Angelou
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

[jbowman]

Big hugs, Gwen! I will definitely keep you and your baby girl in my prayers.

[trumansmom]

I am sending you all kinds of prayers and positive thoughts your way. You must be terrified.

I would ask for a referral to a high risk OB. Like Rachel said, recent studies aren't showing cerclages to be a particularly effective procedure. Someone who specializes in difficult pregnancies will be able to give you more info. If nothing else, it should give you a little peace of mind.

Here is a link to the ACOG site that lists articles when I searched cerclage. http://www.acog.com/publicsearch/s97is.dll

Please take care of yourself and keep us posted.

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04
Independent Consultant, Do-Re-Me & You!

[amp]

I know nothing about this stuff, but will pray that everything works out well and that little miss stays put and stays healthy. Hugs to you Missy!

[JulieL]

OH Missy that is so upsetting! I don't have any words for help but I will pray for your little girl and so hope everything is okay. Please keep us updated!!!

[alkagift]

I wish I had an answer for you, but I certainly would go to a OB who deals in high risk if yours does not. Not that you don't trust your current OB, of course, but because you want to go over ALL your options with someone who is keeping current on them.

All the best to you--and we'll be thinking about you and hoping that your pumpkin stays where she's supposed to be!

Allison
Mommy to Matthew Clayton, who is TWO!

[lmintzer]

Missy,
I have no concrete advice (I don't know a ton about cerclage), but I am thinking of you and sending good sticky vibes. Try to hang in there--your little one can stay in a long time with you at 2.5. Definitely get a 2nd opinion if you feel unsure. Do you have a major acaedmic medical center nearby? You want to make sure you get seen by someone with a lot of experience. Probably a high-risk referral is not a bad idea.

Best,

[daniele_ut]

I admit that I haven't read any recent research, but I personally know 5 women from my pregnancy and infant loss support groups who lost their first babies to incompetent cervix and went on to deliver subsequent healthy babies with a cerclage. I would definitely see the high risk ob now and get a second opinion.

No matter what you decide to do, you will be in my thoughts and prayers!

[C99]

There are several women on my post-preemie pregnancy support group who have had successful FT pregnancies after getting cerclages put in. I don't know much about it since I was never a candidate for a cerclage (my cervix was never incompetent, it would just start effacing early in the third trimester). Thinking good thoughts for you!

[jubilee]

I've never heard of a cerclage, but it sounds like lots of hugs and prayers are needed- and I can certainly send those for you and your little princess,

[missym]

Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers, ladies! Sorry, I should have clarified. Cerclage is a procedure where they put a stitch in your cervix to keep it closed until it's safe for the baby to be born. It used to be the standard treatment for incompetent cervix, but it's kind of controversial these days because it's not certain how effective it is, and there are risks to the procedure itself.

I'm going to try to get a referral to a high-risk OB today.

Thanks again for your support, everyone!

Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03... and #2 due Sept 05!

[kensjen]

Sending more thoughts and prayers your way! We're thinking of you and that sweet little girl.

[zuzu]

No advice or experience with the procedure here, but please know I'll be thinking about you Missy. Big hugs!

Melissa, mom to Sarah (5/03)

[lilycat88]

Good luck. I had a cerclage placed at 13 weeks. I had a large uterine septum removed and still had a double cervix that they "didn't trust" to make it though a pregnancy so they went ahead and placed it on the early side even though I wasn't showing any signs of major problems yet. Who knows what kind of difficulty I would have had if I hadn't had the cerclage but I had a cervical scan done every week or two from week 7 to week 30ish and while it did shorten a bit at about 25 weeks, the cerclage held and I delivered Susanna by C-section at 37 weeks. I think that because I was a little older (almost 35 when she was born), the fact that we got pregnant on a fluke after our RE said we would stand nearly no chance of getting pregnant without help (we had already had one failed cycle), and the fact that I already had a funky cervix...or two...that the risks of not doing it outweighed the risk of doing it.

Definitely go with a maternal fetal specialist or high risk OB.

Jamelin
Mom to Susanna born 6/29/2004

[missym]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Jamelin. It's good to hear success stories!

I'm scheduled to see a high risk OB tomorrow morning, and am on bedrest until then. I'll be interested to see what his opinion on the cerclage is, since I don't have other risk factors.

Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03... and #2 due Sept 05!

[c2lane]

Missy - No advice but tons of prayers and positive thoughts for you!!! Let us know how your appointment goes next week!

HUGS!
Carrie & Dillan Rose 01/02/04


Our 2nd blessing is due 10/6/05
http://lilypie.com/days/051006/0/6/0/-8/.png[/img][/url]

[starrynight]

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. I have no experience so no real advice, I just wish I had more to say then I'm thinking of you.

[jk3]

Sending lots of positive energy your way. If you feel like you are having any contractions or tightening, drink TONS of water. Thinking of you,

Jenn
DS 6/3/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

[drhnp]

Hi there! I almost had a similar situation. I was 23.5 weeks when they discovered that I had started funneling (An end labour stage). I did have some painful braxton hicks at that time but not a whole lot. A high risk OB did my cerclage at 23.5 weeks and then I was put in the hospital for next one month on magnesium drip(a very nasty medicine). I spent rest of my pregnancy at home on strict bed rest and tribuatline pump(not a good medicine either. But I delivered a full term beautiful, healthy boy. If you have any questions, you can mail me at [email protected].

[Mikesa3]

Yay! That's great news.I hope the pain and bh ease up.:-)
Nancy-Mom to 6 great kids

[Mikesa3]

Yay! That's great news.I hope the pain and bh ease up.:-)
Nancy-Mom to 6 great kids

[HannaAddict]

Wonderful news! Hope you get some relief from the BH, but so glad you had good news on the cervix front.

Kimberly
DS 3/18/04

[murpheyblue]

What a huge relief for you! That's wonderful!

[amp]

Missy - that is fantastic news! I've been thinking of you and am relieved to hear you don't have a problem! Yay!

[JulieL]

Missy I just found your update. I'm glad all seems ok and I hope your hips get some relief soon! Let us know how things continue to go!