Wednesday, May 03, 2006

The indecisive cervix

Well, after our appointment today I am feeling much better than last week. It was one of the most difficult weeks so far. OK so I lied. It was THE most difficult so far. But we made it! And Saturday will mark 22 weeks. And Monday will mark (eeek!) 9 full weeks of bedrest, the start of my 10th week. It is hard to believe that I have been laying on my derriere for that long.... and have still only gained 5 pounds since pregnancy day 1. Are you impressed yet? I am, especially after the whopper meal I had today from Burger King. I swear I could eat their fries every day and be happy as a clam.

Ummmm, ok so the whole point of this post. My cervix apparently loves to change from week to week. Let me recap for you what the different measurements have been.

12.5 weeks(week before cerclage)-2.4 cm
15.5 weeks(2 weeks post-op)-3.2
16.5 weeks-2.9
17.5 weeks-3.5/2.5
18.5 weeks-yet again 3.5
19.5 weeks-3.0
20.5 weeks-2.2/2.6(also funneled/opened to the stitch)

Today I am 21.5 weeks and my cervix grew back up to 3.2/3.5 (they do 2 measurements every week, one resting and one with applied pressure to simulate a contraction). AND NO FUNNELING. As a matter of fact there was at least 1cm of beautiful (to my little eyes anyhow) cervix above the stitch! It seems to me that maybe the contraction meds I have been on for the past week have really made a difference not just in how I feel, but in how my cervix is being affected. So good news for this week. One step closer to the goal.

The countdown:
45 days until 28 weeks
129 days until 40 weeks

10 comments:

Melissa said...

That is good news! Hooray!

Anonymous said...

Dear Becci,

I know your journey all too well. I was on strict bedrest for many weeks. It is amazing how the cervix changes from visit to visit. I remember keeping my fingers crossed each week for "good cervical news."

You sound like you are keeping a positive attitude, which will be your source of fuel for the journey. I know lying in bed is difficult; however, the fear of the possibilites is even more overwhelming. Try and remember, throughout this journey, you are a mother who is showing unconditional love to her unborn baby.

If you have not found a good bedrest book, check out a new one on the market that has been written by a bedrest patient and marriage and family therapist, Pregnancy Bedrest: A Journey of Love. The lady who wrote the book also created a Pregnancy Bedrest Essentials set for bedrest mothers. A friend just bought the set and feels it is helping her a lot.

Many blessing to you and your family.

Jill

sarah said...

that's great news!!! There's nothing prettier than a long, closed cervix!!

And congrats on only gaining 5lbs so far! While obviously insignificant in relationship to the happy cervix news, it makes life easier to know that your metabolism isn't also incompetent!! LOL

Amy said...

That is great news. Those dynamic cervixi are perplexing. One day they are short, the next long. Great news that yours is in a long phase right now! And if it knows what is good for it, it will stay long and closed.

Well, that is, until you are past 36 weeks and ready for it just be over. Then it has to shorten and open on command!

Emmakirst said...

Oh so glad about your news! That's great.

5lbs, that's nothing! Take care. :)

Tonya said...

That is fantastic!!! You are doing great so hang in there.. eat as many fries as you want ;) Your not gaining hardly anything anyway..lol Im so happy for and you are going to carry to term.. i just know it!!!

KMW said...

So glad you had a good appointment. I am think you are going to do very well in this pregnancy!Isn't it weird how we all become experts on cervical length?

purple_kangaroo said...

That's great! I wonder if, like dilation, it can "measure" differently depending on who's doing the measuring that day and how they happen to get the angle?

purple_kangaroo said...

BTW, I think we have some free evenings next week . . . let's talk on the phone or e-mail about when would be a good time to get together.

Anonymous said...

Oh!! I am so happy and relieved for you! You're almost there!