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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

24 weeks and at risk of preterm labour: "funneling cervix"

44 replies

wishwales · 20/04/2011 13:09

I found out yesterday at my 24 week growth scan that my cervix is funneling and I could go into preterm labour at any point. I am on bedrest and absolutely terrified. They are doing a re-check next week and I am having steroid injections to get baby's lungs developed in preparation. I was given the option to be admitted but I think I prefer being at home and the hospital is very close. The doctor said it could stay this way to full term or it could be an issue right away. Anyone had experience with this? I am so scared and have been given very little information. TIA

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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AKMD · 20/04/2011 13:23

I don't have experience but I do hope that everything goes well for you. If your health professionals aren't giving you enough information, you could try contacting Bliss to talk things through with them.

sum04 · 20/04/2011 13:39

Can you not request a cervical suture, which is a stich they place inside to close your cervix?
I've got one in at the moment, and have reached 35 weeks so far, also had one with my son which was successful.
They remove the stich at 37 weeks gestation.x

Mmmmcheese · 20/04/2011 14:39

I had this happen and ended up on hospital bedrest at 25 weeks as was 3cm dilated. DS was born 9 weeks premature but he's fine now. It is scary but I found bedrest helped loads - I literally spent all my time lying down and didn't even sit up in bed so as not to put any pressure on the cervix. I would only get up to go to the toilet and have a shower. It is very boring and stressful but try to stay positive and keep yourself busy - get loads of dvds and books that you like and stuff like that. I also ate as much as I could so that DS would be nice and big if he did arrive early and he was 4lbs 9 weeks prem which is good!

I was given the option of a stitch but in my case it was very risky as the membranes were bulging already and it could have broken my waters so I decided not to have it done.

It is very hard but try not to worry and to stay positive. Hope all goes well xxx

2BoysTooLoud · 20/04/2011 14:46

Would it be easier to rest in hospital?
Very best wishes to you.

Original poster

wishwales · 20/04/2011 20:53

Thank you for the responses so far.....

sum04 regarding the stitch, since they only found it yesterday at 24+4, they said it is too late in the pregnancy to suture :(

mmmmcheese Wow, it must have been traumatic to deliver at 31 weeks. I am trying to be really good at bed rest at home and delay the hospital bit. My DH brought me some coloring books, crayons and his Mom's DS today. I like your idea about eating alot!! Although, I am still 4 pounds less than I was at booking in! I better catch up, huh?

2BoysTooLoud It is so far pretty easy to bed rest at home - I don't have kids and my DH is home all day and willingly takes up all chores and takes complete care of me. I could see the hospital being more comfortable for sitting up, but I am trying to delay it. Being in a room with other patients is something I find VERY stressful.

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PrincessScrumpy · 20/04/2011 21:37

I went into pre term labour with dd1 at 32 weeks but they gave me pethidine and something else to slow it all down as they wanted to get steroids in me. They even shoed dh and I the cot that was made up in SCBU for dd. The drugs actually surprised everyone by stopping it all and dd ended up being 2 days early.

You just have to take each day as it comes and each day gives your baby a better chance, but at this stage you are almost 25w so look at the positives. Also, you'll be well looked after now they know there's an issues. Good luck x

ParisPreMom · 20/04/2011 22:41

Hi WishWales, I'm on bed rest as well, for very frequent contractions at 29 weeks (like, every time I move). My cervix is closed, but I've been told I have to slow down these contractions to keep it that way.

The posts above are reassuring, and the fact that you are now resting will probably help so much, since there'll be a lot less pressure on your cervix with you lying down. I find the hardest part is when people tell me "stop worrying, it'll make it worse/it's not good for the baby"- it's such a vicious circle because it makes you worry more! I try to breathe well, and slowly, and just focus on that when my mind starts running wild. I try to picture my baby, full-term, as well, which relaxes me a bit.

Hang in there, and post more if you need to vent!

Original poster

wishwales · 23/04/2011 22:35

princess glad to hear about your success story and thanks for the positives as well

paris it is taking everything at the moment to keep it together and thanks for the advice about breathing

Unfortunately things have progressed down hill since my original post and I have been in hospital since Thursday. I have been 1 cm dilated since then and they have said if i go into labour, they will deliver her. We have had all the steroid injections now and they want to keep me here because if I go home and go into labour, it will jeapordise baby further. Just taking it hour by hour now and hoping things calm down. I am 25 + 1 now...

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Sparklies · 24/04/2011 11:38

So sorry to hear of your predicament. It is true that nowhere will do stitches after 24 weeks - I believe research shows the risks outweigh the benefits for whatever reason. Certainly for future pregnancies you'll probably be offered one at 11-14 weeks.

Bedrest can really help in many situations but in others delivery is inevitable. I'm so glad you had the steroid injections. On the plus side she is a girl and they tend to do better at an early gestation.

It sounds like they're doing all they can in the circumstances.

Hope you are able to hold on a little while longer - as I am sure you have been told, between 24-26 weeks in particular, the benefits are huge with each passing day.

And much sympathies on being in the hospital even though it's the best place.. having spent some time myself in hospital for similar reasons a few times, I know how much "fun" it can be if you have some less than stellar people to share a ward with!!

ParisPreMom · 24/04/2011 17:05

Hi WishWales,
I can't imagine how stressed out you are right now. The good thing about being at the hosipital is that you're sure to get immediate care for whatever you and the baby need, right?
One day you'll tell your daughter all about this episode, and how she was worth all the hassle!!
Hang in there xo

Original poster

wishwales · 25/04/2011 11:57

Thanks Sparklies and Paris! It means alot that you take the time to respond and offer encouragment.

The pain has gone away and I am feeling generally better. We are hoping to go home today but still waiting for the Dr.

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TheVisitor · 25/04/2011 12:00

The very best of luck to you. Hope that little girl decides that she's nice and cosy where she is and wants to stay for longer.

Original poster

wishwales · 27/04/2011 15:33

Thanks again everyone. We were moved to a private room on the maternity ward on Saturday. Yesterday, we had another scan and were told that the condition will not improve or go away - I will deliver prematurely. So strict bed rest in hospital until then. Counting my blessings with each passing day...26 weeks on Friday.

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ParisPreMom · 27/04/2011 18:55

That's great that you have a private room now, which might make it feel a bit like home. While browsing other forums about bed rest, I noticed some ladies saying that being at the hospital was almost better because they had everything done for them and it was reassuring to know that help was always immediately at hand.
Just one more day to go before you finish your 26th week.
Keep in mind what Mmmmcheese and Princess Scrumpy said.
Sending you positive thoughts xo

Original poster

wishwales · 28/04/2011 20:54

Paris It is true, I would be too scared to leave the hospital any time soon. Case in point, I started having contractions last night and was rushed into a delivery suite!! They had all the preemie 'machinery' switched on and ready to go, the neonatal team was at the ready and they had a cot ready for her in NICU. Thankfully, the contractions subsided through the night and I was returned to the regular maternity ward this morning. I am happy to stay put - just dealing with the entire situation in the big challenge. Three more hours to go until 26 weeks!!!

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spilttheteaagain · 28/04/2011 22:00

wishwales just want to add my support. You are doing so well to get this far, every day counts. Much luck to you and your little girl x

HorseyGirl1 · 29/04/2011 07:47

Dear Paris and Wishwales
Please please take care of yourselves and don't do a single thing except with the doctors' say so. Aim for another 28 days. That gives you a goal. It will go quicker than you think. x

ParisPreMom · 29/04/2011 08:25

Thanks HorseyGirl1.
Wishwales, wow, what a night! Do you have a name picked out? If not, it's something you could work on to pass the time. Me and my husband have one we both like, but we're both so indecisive and I'm worried about making a mistake.
Another reassuring tid bit - my MIL told me that my father in law, a fraternal twin, was born at 7 months - over 60 years ago, so you can imagine the conditions - and was completely fine.
Can you watch the royal wedding today? I figure it's the highlight of bed rest so far, while everyone else is out working and commuting - ha!

ParisPreMom · 29/04/2011 08:25

(Not in UK, I guess, I forgot you guys have the day off)

Original poster

wishwales · 30/04/2011 14:55

paris Yes, we named her after the anomaly scan but we still need to choose a middle name. I have been hearing success stories re: preemies and they are hopeful. Thanks for that. I did watch the wedding on my lappie and I had about 8 staff in here. No tellies in this hospital!!!

spilt and horsey, thank you for the support!!

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spilttheteaagain · 02/05/2011 20:45

How are you doing wishwales?

Original poster

wishwales · 03/05/2011 08:34

Hi Spilt! Yea, we are still holding on in hospital. I am having a scan this morning and then meeting with the Dr. in the antenatal clinic who originally found the funneling. I am eager to get an update as to how things look. Will post later. Thanks for asking.

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ParisPreMom · 03/05/2011 13:07

Yay! Just checked in to see if you'd posted. Keep us posted if you can. That's super.

undermyskin · 03/05/2011 13:39

wishwales - I occasionally look at the pregnancy threads to see if there are any 'prem' ones just to pass on my very positive experience (I remember well the all consuming concern of what might happen).

My daughter turned 13 a week ago; she was born at 25 + 2 weighing just over 800 g (my waters broke at 24 weeks). She is perfect (to me anyway), now taller than her mum, doing well at school and absolutely no health problems. In fact the only reminder that she was prem is a bit of pinprick scarring on her hands and feet from all the blood samples she had taken. Yes, it was all very stressful and she did need to be ventilated (less likely after 28 weeks) and was in hospital up until near her due date. It is not how I would have liked to have given birth to her but is now very much in the past.

I hope all goes well for you and your baby. Each day in utero makes a difference, and good you have had steroids. (Did you know that prem girls do statistically better than boys?) Bliss are very good if you want advice.

spilttheteaagain · 03/05/2011 16:59

Great to hear she's still inside, you're 26 and a bit weeks now which is really good. Let us know what the scan shows x

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