Incompetent cervix, irritable uterus, PTL

• 06-03-2009 3:01 PM

  jen's8in08 Joined on 02-04-2007 Amelia Rae 9/17/09 Posts 68

  Incompetent cervix, irritable uterus, PTL Reply Contact Hi Ladies.  My name is Jen and I'm on modified bedrest and taking it easy for now.  I'm 20 wks and my OB put me on procardia and 17P (progesterone) injections for the PTL and irritable uterus.  She said she wasn't going to do a cerclage right now because I don't fit the profile?  I was too shocked to ask her to explain this to me in detail but she did say that my cervix is shortening but not opening.  It was 3.36 cm on May 5 and yesterday it was down to 2.9 cm.  I'm scared!  I've had two preterm births and my last pg in 2005 was in and out of hospital, meds, shots.  My son was born June 2, 1998 at 30 wks and he's now 11 and very healthy. I've not been told to go to bed yet, but I'm pretty much there because when I move around I start getting crampy.  Not nice to be here...but hoping to connect with you all! Jen

• 06-03-2009 3:28 PM

  In reply to

  Carmen2145605 Joined on 03-22-2009 Posts 105

  Re: Incompetent cervix, irritable uterus, PTL Reply Contact Hi Jen, my name is Carmen. To sum up my situation, I am 30 weeks prego and have been on bedrest for 11 weeks. I loss my pregnancy at 18 weeks 2 years ago at that time a rescue cerclage procedure failed me. This pregnancy I got an early cerclage at 14 weeks. At 19 weeks my cervix began to shorten 1.8cm and remained around that number for about 4 weeks then it went down to .7 cm at 24 weeks. I also had already start to funnel from the inside. Right now, my cervix is stable and closed. I have been getting the 17 P shots since 18 weeks and guess it is working for me. I really haven't had any uterine irritability that I know of. Obviously, I see the doctors peris/ob's pretty frequently getting u/s and measurements and checks. I am a nurse and from a medical perspective, I guess your doctor declined to do a cerclage because the risk may out way the benefits at this particular time...that could change though. Usually, they don't start to get concerned until it get below 2 cm. Puting a cerclage in later second trimester brings on risk like PTL, infection, PROM etc. However, if your cervix for some reason worsens...which it want...then they would put one in as a rescue cerclage. That was the big discussion when I had my loss. However, as many on this board can agree, every patient is different and every doctor is different on how to approach these types of situations. The only thing that I can say is to stay on bedrest and follow your instincts. Also, hopefully a peri (high risk md) is looking after you too and not just your reg OB. I cannot tell you how many times things are overlooked or mis diagnosed by reg obs. They are good and many are great, but let the high risk docs deal with the high risk patients. There are some great people here on the board that has had PTL with shortening cervix and no cerclage and their stories have been successful thus far. I am pretty sure that they will be checking in soon. I will definitely keep you in my prayers and we are here for you.Keep in touch. Carmen

• 06-03-2009 3:59 PM

  In reply to

  RAL3306858 Joined on 03-13-2009 NJ Posts 83

  Re: Incompetent cervix, irritable uterus, PTL Reply Contact Hi Jen,  my name is Ruth Ann and like Carmen, I have been hanging out ont his board for a while.  I have been on bed rest (modified at this point) since 21w.  I will be 35w tomorrow.  I too was diagnosed with IC, IU and PTL.  I do not have a cerclage.  At the time they found this my cervix was 2.4 and then went down to 1.6.  Thank goodness it has remained the same ever since!  For me, the peri's decided against a cerclage for a couple reasons.  One, they are not big fans of them and secondly as my cervix was shortening they were concerned about tearing.  I have been on Procardia and Progesterone Suppositores.  I stopped the progesterone about 2 weeks ago but still on the Procardia...and I still contract here and there.  As this is my first pregnancy, they cannot tell for sure if I have an Incompetent cervix or if this was an isolated incident.  I am sorry to hear you are going through this and understand how hard it can be!  There are days I thought I was going to loose it and felt like giving up.  The ladies on this site have gotten me through some tough days and it helps so much knowing you are not alone...although I would not wish bedrest on anyone.  As far as you not having a cerclage, a friend of mine had her first at 26w due to IC.  He is doing great and she went on to have another.  The high risk drs did not do a cerclage but went with the 17P shots.  She was induced at 40 weeks!  So, hang in there.  Check in here often for some sanity!

• 06-04-2009 5:42 PM

  In reply to

  angela~2DS Joined on 04-05-2005 VA Posts 1,794

  Re: Incompetent cervix, irritable uterus, PTL Reply Contact Hi Jen, sorry you are here but welcome! I've been on bedrest since 24 1/2 weeks due to preterm labor/contrations/irritable uterus. I have been on meds as well. But nothing like the three of you. I was on bedrest last time as well with the same things. Just know it can be done. Stressing about it doesn't help much. And keep down if you feel that's what you need to do! You're instincts are the best for you and your baby, exp if they are on the safe side. My name is Angela and I have two boys one's almost 4 and the other just turned 2 yesterday. I'm 25 and expecting a little girl and this is more than likely our last baby.

• 06-04-2009 10:39 PM

  In reply to

  jen's8in08 Joined on 02-04-2007 Amelia Rae 9/17/09 Posts 68

  Re: Incompetent cervix, irritable uterus, PTL Reply Contact Thank you for the welcomes, Ladies!  I just got a laptop today so I can actually post a bit from the sofa.  I discussed some things with my OB and Carmen she said that she didn't want to place the cerclage because I'm contracting and placing it might make the contrax worse.  I am seeing an MFM (maternal fetal medicine) specialist June 16th.  I'll be 21 1/2 wks then and I'm just hoping that things are staying where they should.   I'm also a nervous wreck because this baby is just so strong!  He/she is kicking and so active and alive.  We lost our last pg at 12.5 wks due to fetal demise (no real reasons) and it took us almost 3 yrs total to get to this point.  I've had issues from the start with this pg!   We have 6 kids all together, one angel.  Mine:  DD 16, DD 14, DS 11  His:  DS 12 DS 11 Ours:  DD 3 1/2, angel 5/20/2007, and I am due Oct 23.  At this point, I've set my sights on 24 wks and am hoping to do 4 wk goal intervals. Hugs and happy resting, Jen

• 06-06-2009 1:35 PM

  In reply to

  Carmen2145605 Joined on 03-22-2009 Posts 105	Re: Incompetent cervix, irritable uterus, PTL Reply Contact Well I hope everything subsides and remain stable over the next upcoming months. Stay down and stay positive! Yeah I figured there was a reason for her not wanting to do a cerclage. Carmen