It Was Too Early, I Was Only 20 Weeks Along :: A Story of Hope

Told by Amanda
My pregnancy went well, minus horrible all day sickness until 20 weeks. Then at 20 weeks 5 days along I went in for a regularly scheduled appointment to discover that I was 3 centimeters dilated with bulging membranes! To back up a little I have to say that in hindsight I did show many signs of Pre-term labor. (backache, menstrual cramps, increased discharge) Instead of calling my doctor though I just asked some ladies online and was reassured that this was normal. Now, back to 3 cm dilated.

I knew from the ultra sound techs face that something was really, really wrong. When my perinatologist came in and told me I was losing the pregnancy, I went into shock. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around those words. I felt so good, I could feel my babies kicking, how could this be happening? I told him no, no way, there must be something we can do. I didn’t even know I was contracting at that point. He left the room and came back about 5 minutes later. He said to me “You are not a candidate for a cerclage, but if you’re willing to try it, I’m willing to place it.” (A cerclage is a surgical procedure where they sew your cervix shut during pregnancy.  It is usually done around week 12 to treat incompetent cervix which has allowed for a past late term loss.) He went on to explain how a cerclage worked and why I wasn’t a candidate: active labor, bulging membranes, too far dilated and the very slim chance that this would work. I vividly remember him saying that he might be able to buy me a couple days, but he didn’t see how he could get me to viability. I jumped at having a couple more days with my babies. I would have done anything for just another hour with my precious babies.

Some Tips on Surviving Bed Rest

Once you find out you are having twins (or more) it probably won’t be long before someone (your doctor, your mother, your sister, or a complete stranger) tells you that you might have to go on bed rest.  It is NOT inevitable; there are many women who get through a multiple pregnancy without the need for any bed rest.  However, there are many who don’t.  Should you find yourself (or someone you know/love) on bed rest, here are some tips for surviving it!

It can’t hurt to hope for the best but you may want to plan for the worst.  If it doesn’t come to be, you can breathe a big sigh of relief.

You may want to take care of some things early.

1.  Take your hospital tour and whatever classes you plan to take, birthing class, breastfeeding etc. before 24 weeks.

2.  Go ahead and get the babies room(s) ready.

3.  Make a backup plan at work for if/when you go on bed rest and present it to your supervisor no later than 20 weeks.