Shortening Cervix at 20 weeks

Has anyone experienced this. I am expecting my second son. My first pregnancy I had a 34 weeker, making him 6 weeks premature. It kind of just happened, no reasoning what so ever.

But this time around with a bit of knowledge we have been monitoring my cervix length I have been steady at 3.2cm give or take 0.1 cm. I had opted to do the progesterone shots. However, my last measurement was at 20 week (this past friday) and I dropped to 2.4cm, so now they are recommending a cerclage. Has anyone done this at 20 weeks or after. I know the risks are higher placing the cerclage after the first trimester...

I do have a follow up tomorrow to see if anything changed... but wondering what others experienced or can give advice on.

Thanks

Re: Shortening Cervix at 20 weeks

I had mine shorten at 26 weeks. Good sam (my hospital) won't do them past 26 and Winthrop won't do them past 28 weeks. My dr was confident that since mine went back to 3.4 within 3 days of bedrest and meds that it wasn't weak and was just from over doing it and because I'm carrying twins. They didn't want to risk breaking my water by doing it at 28 weeks when it wasn't 100% necessary. Mine went back down to 2.7 but is stable and I'm 32 weeks now. I still go back on meds over most weekends and I'm on modified bedrest. (work from home then back to bed, minimal outings and stairs, no housework)

I think 20/22 weeks is common to have a clercage done. Did they mention bedrest or meds first? My friend had a shortened cervix and they tried bedrest and meds first. It didn't correct it so they determined it was weak And stiched her. She was taken off bedrest and went pretty much full term.

Shortening Cervix at 20 weeks

My SIL had a cerclage with 3 out of 4 of her pregnancies. She made it to full term with each one, and she didn't need any bedrest with the stitches in. Good luck!

Shortening Cervix at 20 weeks

thanks...

I just got back now from the recheck appt. Apparently I scared myself so much by not doing anything these past 5 days.... it went back up a bit. So they are not really rushing to the cerclage at this point and to continue on modified bed rest as you mentioned... Also I have been taking the progesterone shots since the beginning, and they want me to continue with that as well. Good to know that some hospital have a cut off point. I will have to find that out too.

thanks again

Re: Shortening Cervix at 20 weeks

Re: Shortening Cervix at 20 weeks

I wish I would have had a cerclage for my 1st pregnancy but we did not know what we know now. Which is my cervix does not hold a pregnancy well at all. My water broke at 5 months 1 week and I actually held the pregnancy for just about a month more on bed rest in the hospital. Unfortunately I went into labor and my dd did not survive. When I got pregnant the 2nd time, we knew a lot more and I was treated as high risk with weekly check ups. Everything went well until week 21 when I went into labor. Took 3 days to stop it, once they did I had a cerclage placed and on perm bed rest for the next 5 months. If it was not for the cerclage I would not have my dd now. So, I am a huge fan of the cerclage for my own personal reasons. They will keep a close eye on ur measurements and determine if you need it. If I remember correctly they didnt want the cervix to measure below a 2.5.
Wishing you the best of luck!!
Try and rest with ur feet up as much as you can and drink lots of water!!

Shortening Cervix at 20 weeks

Susan thank you so much for you sharing your story. I am sorry for your lose of your first daughter. . But great to hear that the cerclage did the trick the second time around.
Yes, they had told me the same thing anything below 2.5 is where they start really talking about it. But guessing because my cervix increased with resting and staying off my feet and went above 2.5 they want to hold off. Just so hard to stay off my feet when I have a 3 year old to take care of as well. But I am doing my best to do minimal stuff. And yes the water I think is a big thing too and trying to get lots in.
Thanks again to you all for sharing.