Thursday, July 16, 2009

My Cervix heard YOU!

I am overwhelmed by your support, Readers. I was moved to tears more than once, and laughed out loud often when I read your commands and musings to my cervix. Yes, I am referring to it as "my cervix" again since it is shaping up and doing a better job. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support. How do I know this? Glad you asked...

Yesterday afternoon I had more contractions than normal and pretty soon also had tremendous rectal/vaginal pressure which reminded me of labor with my daughter and freaked me out. I called my MFM and they told me to go to Labor and Delivery since their office was closing. My mom, the saint she is, came right over and took care of our daughter while we raced out. Dr. G, a wonderful man who I've spoken with on the phone before would meet me there. The ride there was long due to rush hour, and I was shaking with anxiety. What would they find when I got there? Would my cervix be shorter with all of the contractions? I tried not to panic, but inside, I was terrified.

When we got there, I was met by Dr. G and he did a scan of my cervix, showing it at 3 cm +!! I was quite relieved, but it had still gone from 4 to 3 or lower in a week. I asked him about cerclage and he said, "I love cerclage. I use it ALL the time and think it is an amazing tool for some women. You, however, do not have an incompetent cervix, you have preterm labor contractions, and your cervix is trying to hold strong, but it cannot hold on if you continue having contractions that affect it. The bottom line: we need to treat your contractions and cramping, not your cervix."

What a relief to me! Pre-term labor is real and scary, but much easier to treat than a cervix that cannot hang on at all. When he explained it that way, I was still nervous about the contractions, but much less so than with a renegade cervix. It looks like my one day of resting had already improved its length. Which leads me to... my treatment plan.

1. More resting. He feels "half time" bed rest is not enough. I need to be resting almost all of the time with my feet up.

2. Antibiotics. Apparently, any time he sees preterm contractions, he prescribes two strong antibiotics to ensure there is no infection or bacteria in the vagina or cervix. Either of these issues could weaken the cervix and irritate the uterus, causing contractions.

3. Nifedipine. This is a blood pressure medicine that is commonly used to reduce contractions. It can cause dizziness, fainting and headache. I already feel the headache. Dr. G feels this will be the "mainstay of my therapy" and we can increase the dosage. If this isn't effective, we are on to Terbutaline with all its ugly side effects.

4. Continue Ibuprofen. Also relaxes smooth muscles (like the uterus) and can control contractions. I am supposed to stagger this with the Nifedipine for the best effect.

5. More Folic Acid. The March of Dimes did a huge study last year that shows 4 mg of Folic Acid (I was taking 3) reduce preterm labor by 70%. You cannot OD on it, so whatever your body doesn't need, it doesn't absorb.

6. Magical Pills. This is a sleeping pill that has the effect of, you guessed it, relaxing the smooth muscles while you sleep. It made me sleep like a DREAM last night, and before I passed out, I laughed hysterically about some not-that-funny game my mom and I were playing. My husband Googled it to see what its side effects were, and "reduces anxiety" was one. Perfect!

Overall, I felt great about my treatment. It really feels like we have a lot more options to treat the contractions than to treat the cervix. Of course, it could continue to shorten, but we hope it does not. It is awesome to not have to think about cerclage yet (and hopefully not at all) since my cervix does seem to be responding to a contracting uterus. If we can get that under control, we hope the cervix will hang in there, long and strong for at least 9 more weeks.

Again, thank you so much for all the words of support, encouragement and humor. I particularly like Miss MVK's Billy Joel song dedicated to my cervix! All of your experience and kind words are appreciated beyond measure.

20 comments:

  1. That's wonderful news!! I'm glad the treatment is a weight off your mind. It's so comforting to know that there is something you can do.

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  2. That is great news. I totally inserted you and your cervix into my prayers last night! I hope all is well. Take care & sweet dreams!

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  3. Yay, thats great news!! So pleased, well done cervix!!

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  4. FanTASTIC!!! So, so happy to hear this. Hmmm, I think I'd like one of those magic pills myself. ;) You're doing great, hang in there mamma!

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  5. YAY!!! That's great news!!! Keep it up cervix!!

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  6. Yay!! That is so awesome! I'm so happy for this great news!

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  7. Dr. G was our main doctor at MFM. He was a great doctor. Funny too. When I was on hospital bedrest, he would always run into the room with some sort of energy drink. He really cares about his patients.

    For what it's worth, we did the same set of things and we made it all the way to 31 weeks after PTL starting at 14. We had a scary week right around 20 weeks that my cervix went to under 2 cm but then it held pretty stable despite a LOT of contractions until my water broke.

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  8. WOOT!!! Carrie we are a combined TWO FOR TWO today!!! Oh I have many more songs up my sleeve should Mr. Cervix (or is is Ms?) start acting up again. If you had had a bad measurement today (perish the thought) I would've had to pull out some Green Day or Dandy Warhols.

    I am so relieved and happy for you, I have tears in my eyes. Today was a good day.

    xoxo

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  9. Yay cervix! Boo uterus! It sounds like you are doing much better. I am so relieved for you.

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  10. Good job cervix! Way to listen! And yah for magic pills!

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  11. I really like those recommendations. I was never told to take Ibuprofen or the folic acid. I will remember that for next time. I want to know more about these "magic pills." And, can I use them if I'm not pregnant! Lately my magic pills are xanex.
    I liked the Billy Joel song too! :)
    Hang in there! Or should I say, Hang tight!

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  12. It sounds like you have an incredible medical team taking care of you and your boys! I am so glad that you have a ray of light for the future now... and that your rebellious cervix and uterus are coming under control. Sending prayers, as always!

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  13. great news about the cervix. i think your team of docs is stellar. rest!!! hang in there, mama!

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  14. Woo Hoo Cervix! That's they way to cooperate!

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  15. Wonderful news!

    I'm so glad that your docs are taking care of you and the boys.

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  16. clicked on your blog from Lani's & wanted to say hello!! I don't have triplets nor have I ever been pregnant but I am a triplet :) Congratulations!!

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  17. Good to hear!!! I'm currently on nifedapine and it works wonders! I haven't had any contractions in a long time!!! It took a day or two for my body to get used to it to regulate my blood pressure again, but now I've been pretty stable and it HELPS!! Good luck!!!

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  18. Such good news, Carrie!! I have not been able to post on blogspot blogs for nearly a week, and I have so wanted to let you know I was praying for you and your cervix! You are doing such a great job. It is hard to remain so positive and upbeat for your little guys, but you doing great and obviously have tons of support. Keep up the good work. :)

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  19. YAY for Carrie's Cervix!!! (again, one sentence I would have never thought I'd say!) :)

    Your doing so good-keep it up!!

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