cerclage??

Momof2babyangelboys - I have been exactly where you are today... about a year ago to the date actually. My twin boys were born on 11/18/08 (Rafe was stillborn) and Solomon passed away on 12/22/08 from NEC. I was watched biweekly and my cervix was measured at each appointment from week 16 on. At the first reading, we noticed funneling, which continued to worsen. My cervix was shrinking realtively slowly though compared to others. My OB told me when we first noticed the funneling that it happens with twin pregnancies and that they would watch it as it would sometimes correct itself. My cervix did not dialate until the middle of week 22. It has been debated as to whether or not I should have gotten an emergency cerclage at my week 22 appointment when my cervix was measuring 2.9 but funneling worse. I had a Peri who does not believe in emergency cerclages though, and he has science behind him. I however, would have loved to have been given the option. That's something that I have had to learn to live with, and it has not been easy.

In answer to your question, IC is usually diagnosed after mutliple pregnancy losses (2 or more). I have friends that had to suffer that many losses before they could get a cerclage. Fortunately for me, my RE peformed a hysteroscopy on me to see if I had scar tissue from the infection that my boys's placenta had. During the procedure, he noticed that my cervix was not maintaining its proper shape even when I was not pregnant and diagnosed me with IC on the spot.

We were fortunate enough to get pregnant again about 11 months after our the birth of our angels, and I had a cerclage put in at 12 weeks. I am only 15 weeks now, but am praying for a positive outcome this time.

Nothing really heals you from the pain of losing your babies. You simply get to a point where you have more good days than bad.

Finally, I would recommend grief counseling for you and your partner (if applicable). We didn't think we needed it, but we found that it did help us sort through our feelings and emotions in those early stages of grief and help us develop a road map for living without our boys. My thoughts and prayers are with you!!!!

I am so sorry for the loss of your babies. It is something that I cannot understand how you are feeling, but my thoughts are with you.

I do have IC and I have never had a loss, but I've had 2 successful cerclages and working on my 3rd success story with one. My oldest was born at 32 weeks. I had funneling starting at 29 weeks and really nothing changed. No bedrest, just told to take it easy. 2 weeks later my cervix measured just fine and there was no funneling at all...phew. Except that I arrived home and a few hours later my water broke and I was in preterm labor. Her birth was deemed a fluke by my old and new doctor. However, in my second pregnancy I started having spotting around 12 weeks. By 14 weeks I knew something was very wrong and luckily my OB agreed and did an u/s. I was funneling at 14 weeks and had a cerclage placed that afternoon. I was on bedrest for 6 months and delivered a healthy 37 week baby boy. I had a preventative cerclage done at 13 weeks with my thrid pregnancy. I was never on bedrest, but did have to have some terb at 33 weeks to stop contractions.

Having IC has been a difficult road for too many women, but please know there are success stories. I would recommend finding a different doctor that is willing to work with you. I wish you all of the best. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss. I hope what I shared with you will give you some hope for the future.

Regards,
Kristyn