during the 22 week anatomy scan, everything was going well with my wife. Then we found out that the cervical length went from 4 to 1 cm. She was sent home and put on bed rest (no cerclage). She is not dialated and is having no contractions. Tomorrow we go back and she will most likely be hospitalized for the remainder of the pregnancy.

What can we expect? We are terrified, as we have fought so hard to get where we are and we have fallen in love with our little trio. Any prayers, comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
thanks,
Justin, Angie + 3
God Bless

Tell you wife to stay lying down unless using the restroom. Drinking lots of water can keep the contractions away. Hospital bedrest is a great thing and they can monitor and medicate. Also taking care of your meals helps to keep her lying down.

Remember to ask for a visit from the nutritionist. They can order extra calories likes shakes, cheese, protein as she needs more to help grow those babies.

Set small goal like a week at a time. You are close to viability. As soon as you hit 24 weeks see about getting steroid shots to help with babies lungs in case of early delivery.

I will pray for your family.

Lisa T
bbg 30 weeks
5-8-10

Certainly praying for you and your family. You can expect the unexpected. It's a bit of a roller coaster ride. I was put on bedrest at home (no cerclage either) for ctx 8 min. apart at 22w3d. Ended up going back at 23w4d and being admitted when they figured out my cervix was under 2cm and I was contracting 4 min. apart. and over 50% effaced. (FYI, I didn't deliver for another 8w or so and that was due to Baby A breaking his sac.) Hang in there (almost literally). Take it day by day or hour by hour if you have to. The steroid shots the PP mentioned are known as betamethasone and they help to develop the lungs. We had the first the day I turned 24w and the next 24hrs later (they have to be staggered I think). None of my trio were on a ventilator or O2 despite being 8w premature. I credit those shots as being the reason. PP also right about gallons of water and lots of protein. Protein builds muscle (will help put weight on the babies) and water keeps it hydrated so less likely to contract even in her uterus' extended state. Keep us posted.

update
thanks for the prayers and comments...we are now in the hospital and a week later, there is no change (which the Dr. seemed positive about.) She just got her first shot today of the steroid. I will try to update as much as I can, but again, thank you for your prayers and support. Happy Thanksgiving, God Bless!
-Justin

Glad things are staying the same! I agree with others that posted. I was in the exact same place as you guys are at. my cervix got dramatically shorter at 22 weeks, they put me in the hospital and gave me steroid shots as soon as I made it to 24. Though my cervix quickly went below 1cm (and eventually was paper thin) it never gave out. I delivered at 33 weeks 3 days due to pre-eclampsia not because of my cervix. I was very strict about bedrest the whole time in the hospital. I stayed on my left side and drank lots of water. I also took procardia medication in case it was pre-term labor shortening the cervix(I was having mild contracting). Oh and I talked the doctor into giving me progesterone shots even though it wasn't proven to help with a multiple pregnancy. I told the doctor i wanted to try everything possible! It may not have helped but I felt better doing everything I could. At least in the hospital they can monitor you and potentially do something to stop labor if labor starts. I will be praying for your family!

Our stats given for your encouragement:

24 weeks cervical length 1 cm went on hospital bedrest.
25 weeks cervical length .7 cm "we won't be measuring that anymore."
29+4 BBB born @ 3+ pounds and HEALTHY!

Take it one day at a time and stay positive.

Aloha,
Kelli
BBB 6/4/06 @ 29wks 4 days
GG 4/30/09

My impression is that many women pg with triplets had a shortened cervix somewhere in the 20-25week range. Most go on hospital bedrest and make it past 30 weeks (not all... but I think most). I just say this to encourage you that you still have a very good chance of delivering at a healthy gestation.

I can't quite remember but I believe my cervix was maybe 1.8 at 25 weeks, with no contractions, at which point I was hospitalized. Being totally down (except for showering 1x/day and sitting up briefly to eat) seemed to help. I took procardia but that was it for meds. My three were born at 34 weeks 1 day, and have been completely healthy and developmentally normal kids. I'm glad your wife is in the hospital and I am optimistic for you that you will have a great outcome!

Good luck.

Mary (41) happily married to Case (45) since 7/2000

Stay-at-home mom to Madelyn Anne, born 10/31/04

and GBG triplets: Laura Catherine (4 lb 8 oz), Andrew William (4 lb 9 oz) and Elise Nicole (4 lb 7 oz) born 3/15/07 at 34w 1d

quick update...today is 24 weeks, we have been in hospital for bedrest for a week. We thank God for every day and for all of the support and prayers we have received. Thanks everyone!

This week is such a milestone. Congrats. I hope she settles in and gets several more weeks. I am keeping your family in my prayers.

Thanks for the update

Lisa T
bbg 30 weeks

Hi -
I'll keep your family in my prayers. I was put on bed rest for a shortening cervix at 22 weeks -- went from 1.2-1cm. We went in for weekly appts and I dropped to less than 0.5cm when they stopped measuring it. Never any dilation, but my darn cervix just kept shortening -- we were very worried. BUT I made it to 34 weeks (to the day) and had 3 healthy babies all over 4lbs! They will be 3 yrs old in a month and are all in the 80-99th percentile for height/weight!

Your wife needs bedrest -- only getting up to urinate. My husband set up a mini fridge which he stocked daily -- AND lots of water.
It's very had not to worry, but I wanted to share a positive story as I was on the message boards daily looking for hope also.
Wish you all the best.

Today we made it to 25 weeks! Still excited, still worried, still in the hospital on bedrest. The babies look good according to the nightly monitoring. We thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Glad I found this place...