Re: Anyone not having cerclage or cervical scans?

[Guest guest]

Clare,

I am 31 weeks with twins and a UU. I have not had a cerclage but I

have had cervical scans starting around week 12. There is no need to

worry about having your cervix scanned since the probe does not

actually touch the cervix. My cervix started to shorten and I have

been on bed rest since week 19. I had felt that the cerclage would

have provided me with some peace of mind and a better quality of life

but some doctors feel bed rest is just as effective.

The best advice I can offer is to ask for a FFN test. You can get a

FFN test done at 22 weeks. FFN is short for a Fetal Fibronectin test,

which predicts preterm labor. It is very similar to a pap smear just

with out the lubricant. They take a sampling of the cervix secretions

and the test results are back within hours. The FFN test is 99%

reliable with a negative result, but less accurate with a positive

result. With a negative outcome they can be fairly certain that labor

will not take place within the next 2 weeks. But anything after 2

weeks is less certain.

I hope that helps.

UU 31w

-------- Original Message --------

==>

==> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 10:12:10 -0000

Anyone not having cerclage or cervical scans?

I am starting to get a bit worried I am not being proactive enough in

this pregnancy. I am currently about 5 ½ weeks pregnant. I went

into PTL with my last pregnancy at 26 weeks and have since had a

laparoscopy to diagnose a UD with double cervix. My cervix is from

what I understood fused on the left and unless you looked closely you

would think it was one. The consultant thought it would be almost

impossible to do two smears. My uterus are apparently possibly a

fraction smaller than a normal uterus and the view the consultant

took was that if a normal uterus can carry twins then I should not

have any problems. He says even though I had PTL before it was not

necessarily because of the UD & #8211; it could have been something

else. I

do accept it could have been something else but my mind still focuses

on the fact I have UD.

I have my first u/s at just over 7 weeks and he will scan me every 4

weeks & #8211; more if I want for reassurance.

I live in the UK and things seem to be very different here. I have

seen 2 specialists now & #8211; both in different hospitals and they

have

both treated me without regard to how much it will cost the NHS so I

don't think it has to do with money but both said they have not done

cerclage for about 5 years and then the ones they had done were on

people who had previously had them. They are not convinced by them at

all and say that they have never been proven to help. They also

mentioned about cervical scanning but said they would not suggest it

& #8211;

I might ask again why not. One of them said he didn't think they

could on mine. Is there any danger having scans of the cervix? I am

worried a bit about them messing about with my cervix and causing

more problems.

Is there anyone who has lost a baby due to PTL and then not had a

cerclage or scans the next time? Should I be more demanding?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Clare 25 UD EDD 10/25/04 1 angel Toby at 26 weeks

[Guest guest]

Clare,

Although I have not experience PTL before- it is definitely a

concern of mine. I was wanting to be more proactive like you too.

,

Thanks for the info on the FFN. I'm going to ask my doc about this

next week when I'm there. Have you heard of any risks associated

with it?

Thanks,

Amy C./25/SU

20w6d

> Clare,

>

> I am 31 weeks with twins and a UU. I have not had a cerclage but I

> have had cervical scans starting around week 12. There is no need

to

> worry about having your cervix scanned since the probe does not

> actually touch the cervix. My cervix started to shorten and I have

> been on bed rest since week 19. I had felt that the cerclage would

> have provided me with some peace of mind and a better quality of

life

> but some doctors feel bed rest is just as effective.

>

> The best advice I can offer is to ask for a FFN test. You can get

a

> FFN test done at 22 weeks. FFN is short for a Fetal Fibronectin

test,

> which predicts preterm labor. It is very similar to a pap smear

just

> with out the lubricant. They take a sampling of the cervix

secretions

> and the test results are back within hours. The FFN test is 99%

> reliable with a negative result, but less accurate with a positive

> result. With a negative outcome they can be fairly certain that

labor

> will not take place within the next 2 weeks. But anything after 2

> weeks is less certain.

>

> I hope that helps.

>

>

> UU 31w

>

>

> -------- Original Message --------

>

> ==> From: " clareadele " <clare.woodland@t...>

> ==> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 10:12:10 -0000

>

> Anyone not having cerclage or cervical scans?

>

> I am starting to get a bit worried I am not being proactive enough

in

> this pregnancy. I am currently about 5 ½ weeks pregnant. I went

> into PTL with my last pregnancy at 26 weeks and have since had a

> laparoscopy to diagnose a UD with double cervix. My cervix is

from

> what I understood fused on the left and unless you looked closely

you

> would think it was one. The consultant thought it would be almost

> impossible to do two smears. My uterus are apparently possibly a

> fraction smaller than a normal uterus and the view the consultant

> took was that if a normal uterus can carry twins then I should not

> have any problems. He says even though I had PTL before it was

not

> necessarily because of the UD & #8211; it could have been something

> else. I

> do accept it could have been something else but my mind still

focuses

> on the fact I have UD.

>

> I have my first u/s at just over 7 weeks and he will scan me every

4

> weeks & #8211; more if I want for reassurance.

>

> I live in the UK and things seem to be very different here. I

have

> seen 2 specialists now & #8211; both in different hospitals and they

> have

> both treated me without regard to how much it will cost the NHS so

I

> don't think it has to do with money but both said they have not

done

> cerclage for about 5 years and then the ones they had done were on

> people who had previously had them. They are not convinced by them

at

> all and say that they have never been proven to help. They also

> mentioned about cervical scanning but said they would not suggest

it

> & #8211;

> I might ask again why not. One of them said he didn't think they

> could on mine. Is there any danger having scans of the cervix? I

am

> worried a bit about them messing about with my cervix and causing

> more problems.

>

> Is there anyone who has lost a baby due to PTL and then not had a

> cerclage or scans the next time? Should I be more demanding?

>

> Any advice would be appreciated.

>

> Clare 25 UD EDD 10/25/04 1 angel Toby at 26 weeks

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have not heard of any risk and can only imagine a risk if the

doctor takes the swap incorrectly. There is some information on the

web you may find useful. I know the test is used from 22 weeks to 34

weeks. If a negative result is received most doctors will not usually

do the test after week 29 or 30 since they can still be fairly

certain labor will not take place prior to week 34.

-------- Original Message --------

==>

==> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 19:52:36 -0000

Clare, Although I have not experience PTL before- it is definitely a

concern of mine. I was wanting to be more proactive like you too.

, Thanks for the info on the FFN. I'm going to ask my doc

about this next week when I'm there. Have you heard of any risks

associated with it?

Thanks, Amy C./25/SU 20w6d

> Clare, > > I am 31 weeks with twins and a UU.

I have not had a cerclage but I > have had cervical scans starting

around week 12. There is no need to > worry about having your cervix

scanned since the probe does not > actually touch the cervix. My

cervix started to shorten and I have > been on bed rest since week

19. I had felt that the cerclage would > have provided me with some

peace of mind and a better quality of life > but some doctors feel

bed rest is just as effective. > > The best advice I can offer is to

ask for a FFN test. You can get a > FFN test done at 22 weeks. FFN is

short for a Fetal Fibronectin test, > which predicts preterm labor.

It is very similar to a pap smear just > with out the lubricant. They

take a sampling of the cervix secretions > and the test results are

back within hours. The FFN test is 99% > reliable with a negative

result, but less accurate with a positive > result. With a negative

outcome they can be fairly certain that labor > will not take place

within the next 2 weeks. But anything after 2 > weeks is less

certain. > > I hope that helps. > > > UU 31w > > > --------

Original Message -------- > > ==> From: " clareadele "

<clare.woodland@t...> > ==> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 10:12:10 -0000 > >

Anyone not having cerclage or cervical scans? > > I am starting to

get a bit worried I am not being proactive enough in > this

pregnancy. I am currently about 5 ½ weeks pregnant. I went > into

PTL with my last pregnancy at 26 weeks and have since had a >

laparoscopy to diagnose a UD with double cervix. My cervix is from >

what I understood fused on the left and unless you looked closely you

> would think it was one. The consultant thought it would be almost

> impossible to do two smears. My uterus are apparently possibly a >

fraction smaller than a normal uterus and the view the consultant >

took was that if a normal uterus can carry twins then I should not >

have any problems. He says even though I had PTL before it was not >

necessarily because of the UD & #8211; it could have been something >

else. I > do accept it could have been something else but my mind

still focuses > on the fact I have UD. > > I have my first u/s at

just over 7 weeks and he will scan me every 4 > weeks & #8211; more if

I want for reassurance. > > I live in the UK and things seem to be

very different here. I have > seen 2 specialists now & #8211; both in

different hospitals and they > have > both treated me without regard

to how much it will cost the NHS so I > don't think it has to do with

money but both said they have not done > cerclage for about 5 years

and then the ones they had done were on > people who had previously

had them. They are not convinced by them at > all and say that they

have never been proven to help. They also > mentioned about cervical

scanning but said they would not suggest it > & #8211; > I might ask

again why not. One of them said he didn't think they > could on

mine. Is there any danger having scans of the cervix? I am > worried

a bit about them messing about with my cervix and causing > more

problems. > > Is there anyone who has lost a baby due to PTL and then

not had a > cerclage or scans the next time? Should I be more

demanding? > > Any advice would be appreciated. > > Clare 25 UD EDD

10/25/04 1 angel Toby at 26 weeks > > > > > >

-----------------------

-

[Guest guest]

Hi Clare,

I am getting cervical scans every two weeks (since week 14), but my

doctors were a little hesitant as well. Certainly they are VERY

reluctant to do a cerclage without a previous history of IC & loss,

although they did say they would seriously consider performing a

cerclage on me if a serious shortening of my cervix was observed

before 23 weeks (they definitely don't do the procedure later than

that). Like your doctors, mine are not totally convinced about the

overall benefits of a cerclage. At my most recent appointment my

doctor said that I can have the scan every two weeks as " it can't do

any harm and will likely put your mind at ease. " I'm in Canada. From

what I've read on this board, doctors in the UK, Australia and Canada

seem a little more reluctant to do the cerclage, even reluctant to do

septum resections without at least one or two miscarriages. Not sure

what accounts for the difference (I too doubt it is cost/public

health-care related), although I can understand both points of view -

do everything and anything possible to help vs. do no harm (i.e.

don't perform procedures/surgery unless there is a clear past

history).

There is something to be said for the psychological benefit to me of

having the scans every two weeks - for a few days after every scan I

stop worrying about my cervix. Then the days leading up to my next

scan I'm completely panicked and convinced I have an IC!

Good luck,

a

35

Complete SU, unresected

21 weeks pg

--

[Guest guest]

Thanks to you all that replied to my message.

you are doing brilliantly - 31 weeks with twins - well done.

I think I will ask about the FFN test but it was not something they

mentioned before. I wasn't expecting them to do a cerclage unless a

problem arose anyway but I will mention again about the cervical

scanning. I am hoping that as long as I take it really easy this

time and stay off my feet as much as possible the outcome will be

better anyway. Even if I have PTL again it is likely to be past 26

weeks (I hope).

a – strange about the differences between countries. Do you mean

your doctors were reluctant at first to do a cervical scan? I think I

am going to ask again. Even though they won't do a cerclage at least

I would know if bedrest or modified bedrest was required. My doctor

even seemed wary about bedrest due to the added increase of

Thrombosis. I don't know – I think I will just have to go armed with

questions. I thought I had sorted everything out before I got

pregnant with regards to what I wanted to do but now I am I just feel

a little different.

Good luck to you all and lets hope those babies stay where they are

supposed to be for as long as possible.

Clare

> Anyone not having cerclage or cervical scans?

>