Well my appointment was not terrible, but not great either. So the news on the cervix... 2.2 cm with funneling almost to the stitch. Now I know the dr. was not thrilled with this development but he said he is not surprised either. He has not specified yet at what point he would consider hospitalization, only that it was "a bit early for that". Not that I was asking about that yet, but it is tempting. I no longer feel safe at home, and sometimes wish there was someone there to check on me more often.
My uterine cramping has been pretty consistent, which is concerning me. When I went to Labor and Delivery they hooked up the monitor and didn't find anything. But then when I talked to my dr. today he said that it most likely was contractions of some sort, and sometimes the monitor does not pick them up until 24 weeks or so because of the size of the uterus. So I got a prescription for Nifedipine, which is used for high blood pressure, but has been shown to help with contractions. I think it is a pretty low dose (10 mg every 6 hours). I am just going to have to watch for signs of low blood pressure because I tend to get low BP once in a while. He chose this one because unlike Terbetuline, it keeps working for an extended period of time, so since I am still pretty early he wants to try this first and if I need something stronger later he will try the Terb. I don't know if I should take it regularly like he says or just take it on my crampy days, as some days I don't really have any pain or contractions. I already took the first dose as today has been a pretty painful day and it seems to have helped quite a bit. Maybe that will be enough to lower my stress level a bit.
Meeting with the preterm birth prevention lady was good. I really liked her. She assured me that ANY time I feel something isn't right to call them and never feel dumb for going to the hospital to have them check me out because it is better to be safe than to have something happen and not get there soon enough. She said that the major mistake that a lot of people make is that they wait too long from when they recognize symptoms to when they go to the hospital. That made me feel better about going in. She gave me some handouts on things to look for and how to feel my uterus for contractions and how to survive bedrest.
In all, it was a very informative appointment, but I left feeling a bit discouraged at my now shrinking/funneling cervix. I am hoping maybe taking this medication will help my cervical length. One can always dream, right?
6 comments:
Oh, Becci--I know it must be scarey, but I really think you are going to be okay. I have heard of people making it through pregnancies with way less cervix, and funneled to the stitch weeks earlier. You said it when you said that is why the stitch is there. I was on nifedimine as well--my doc just said to take it every 6 hours, and hold off if you get too lightheaded. Hang in there...you're doing great!
You poor thing!! I'm sure you're scared out of your mind. I really hope the Nifedipine works for you. That Terbutaline (sp?) made me feel like a raving lunatic! I'll tell you a little secret {shhhh}...I use Nifedipine too...but I have to use it on my butt! Eeeep! LOL! I'll think of you next time I dip into the jar. :) Hope that made you smile a little.
I'm having flashbacks reading this post! I know exactly how that news feels.
Take heart--my cervix is 1.7cm, completely funnelled to the stitch and I am going to be 34w on Sunday. Just try to keep positive!
You're doing a great job!! :-)
Hang in there, Becci!! And remember, "dull women keep immaculate homes."
HA! I will remember that one, especially with a kid in the house.
That would be so scary but its great that you got some good information and the preterm birth prevention lady was nice. Hang in there and stay positive!!
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