24 wks, 2.3" cervix, not dilated

[Beth_Stack]

Hi, everyone. My doctor placed me on bedrest after an ultra showed my cervix had shortened to 2.3 cm at 24 wks. I wasn't dilated, but she felt pressure in my exam. My pregnancy is high-risk because I delivered my son at 30 wks & 5 days, after 2 1/2 wks of bedrest while 3 cm dilated. My cervix measured short throughout my last pregnancy, but was measuring fine this time until now. Has anyone had a similar experience, with the end result of a nice, long bedrest & a closer to term delivery? Hoping I can keep my girl in as long as possible, but so nervous that she'll come too soon!

[heavenbound]

I was placed on bedrest after I lost my mucus plug, had heavy bleeding and contractions for 3 days that shortened my cervix to 1-1.5 with funneling and dilated me to 1-2 cm. I'm still here at 36.2 and counting so it's totally doable.

What's helped me is staying in horizontal position as much as possible, staying super hydrated, taking my procardia and progesterone as directed and trying to maintain a positive attitude through all of the trials and difficulty, including 10 weeks away from my hubby and two kiddos being stuck in the hospital on bedrest before being released to home bedrest.

You can make this work momma!!

[Beth_Stack]

Thank you for sharing your experience & congrats on holding on for so long! Hospital bedrest for such a long stretch must be so hard, especially with kids at home. My toddler poses quite a challenge for me right now, but I'm glad to see his smiling face each day. Good luck to you and congrats on being able to head home to your family soon!

[heavenbound]

I've been thinking about you Beth. How're you doing today?

[Beth_Stack]

Well, I guess you found my other post... Can't believe I ended up in the hospital! I'm just trying to keep the faith. Thank you for thinking of me! I hope you are doing well. Your story is so encouraging! This forum is honestly the best thing I could have found right now!

[Jralex]

Hi Beth,

Sorry you're in the hospital now. I'm going through a similar situation. I was at 1.5cm at 22 weeks and then at .7 cm at 24 weeks. I'm expecting twins and they can't do much except very strict bed rest and procardia to slow contractions. My appointment yesterday at 25 weeks showed no change to my cervix for the first time. My doctor is really hopeful that this means bedrest is working great for me. Now I just have to keep it up. Bedrest sucks but if these babies can make it past 32 weeks, I will be so happy. Hang in there! Keep your feet up. I've read lots of good outcomes from bedrest on this forum.

[heavenbound]

Beth- I'm sorry you ended up in the hospital- I know it's not the more comfortable or enjoyable place to be. I tried to think about it in terms of being in the best possible place for my baby. Quick access to doctors and nurses if I had a question or was having a problem and people to keep me accountable with staying in bed...and not having to worry about cleaning or meals or taking meds on time.

You're going to get through this too!!

[Beth_Stack]

Hi heavenbound,

I agree that being in the hospital has its perks. I slept better there last night than I have since landing on bedrest at home...and those hospital beds are awful, lol! It really is so reassuring knowing that I'm exactly where I need to be if I have a problem. And yes, worrying about cleaning and meals is stressful. My hubby made sure the house was clean before I got home today, but my 2 yr old tornado has already touched down in every room, and it's driving me nuts! I'm obsessive with straightening up, but hubby totally is not! I've opted to give up the couch and hole up in the bedroom where I can't see the mess!

No matter what, I'm sticking to these strict bedrest orders! I know I can make this work! And thank u for the added vote of confidence! I'm going to see a MFM specialist tomorrow for a consult & ultrasound. I'm hoping for good, or at least unchanged, news!

[heavenbound]

Beth- how'd your ultrasound and appointment turn out today? Hoping you have good news to share!!

I stay back in my room too...it gets mess out in the living room with the kiddos, my mom and hubby. I'm looking forward to Saturday and being able to give it a good cleaning!!

[Beth_Stack]

Hi! Ultra went really well! My baby girl looked perfect & my cervix actually measured .5 cm longer! Unfortunately, the doc was a jerk. He was so cold and uncaring, didn't fully answer my questions, and rushed me out. And best of all (dripping with sarcasm, here), he said he doesn't recommend bedrest because (get ready for this)..."it can actually contribute to premature birth." Really??!! Hard to stay calm & avoid stress after a visit like that! I saw my regular OB afterwards for my weekly progesterone. She was surprised & disappointed (and had to calm me down!), but confirmed that nothing about my care plan is changing - bedrest works!

[heavenbound]

Beth- I'm so glad to hear your cervix lengthened and baby girl is doing brilliantly. Both those things proves bedrest IS working so try not to get worked up about the MFM specialist. I had bad experiences with the MFM specialist as well and have come to the conclusion they are trained to see all the worse outcomes so they're prepared just in case. Mine also said bedrest didn't work and yet, he wrote strict instructions to my team of doctors to force me to stay on bedrest in a hospital setting. I wanted to scream "but you said it didn't work!!!!" Ugh! So sorry you had to deal with that!

Just know you're doing the very best thing- proof is in your results from this week's appointment and ultrasound! You go momma!

[jensine449]

Beth and Shannon--what knuckleheads! How do we stay sane w all these mixed messages?! I'm glad you both have docs w a clear vision and a plan. Bed rest works, we know it...I get so sick of hearing people say it doesn't. I wanna say, "show me the studies." As a former science teacher (once a science teacher, always..." I know my way around the research and have yet to see the proof that it doesn't work! Ugh, people!!!!