Helping mothers rediscover natural birth

Dr. Vijaya,
Thank you very much for your advice! I'm 32 weeks now, my babies are healthy; my cervix has remained 1.8-1.9 and still no symptoms. the fetal fibronectin test is still negative; the last test will be done this friday and then I'll just have to wait. My doctor says I have good chances to make it to 35 wks but I know nature has its own course as well as my body.
Thank you again,
Lina

Hello,

I’m 28 weeks pregnant with twins(fraternal) and this is my first pregnancy as a result of an IVF. I’m 32 years old, healthy, and my pregnancy has been perfect until now. When I was 24 weeks my cervical length was 2.8, a couple of weeks later it shortened to 2.5, then to 2.3 and in another week to 1.8. I did my fetal fibronectin test today and It was negative; I’m not having contractions or any other symptoms of preterm labor and I’ve been told that my cervix is thick, closed, and no funneling. Can I still have good chances of delivering at least at 35 weeks? I’m worried about my cervix shortening too much every week ? I’m in bed rest right now and walking a little bit at home; they’re monitoring me every week and my next fibronectin test is going to be next week. Thank you for any advice or opinion.

Dear Lina,

The good news is that you are not having any contractions or other sings of preterm labor. Also, your cervix is thick ad closed. Yes, there is some amount of shortening, but I think that with reasonable bed rest (showers, rest room privileges, 5 min reclined sitting every 2 hours, walking for 5 mins 1-2 times per day) you should be able to prolong your pregnancy.

Ffn - the only reason for repeated testing in absence of symptoms of preterm labor, would be to administer steroid shots to mature your babies' lungs, in case the test comes positive.

I wish I could say for sure that you will go past 35 weeks - truth is no one can predict. But, the best you can do right now, is meditate, relax, talk to your babies, listen to good music and not stress.

Feel free to write in if you have any more queries-

Best-
Dr.Vijaya

Hello Dr. Vijaya,

Hope you remember me
Nice to see your new blog it has lots of information for us
i am in 32 weeks of pregnancy now my dr. has suggested me to take betamethasone injection 3amp i just need to ensure that i have a full term pregnancy & a healthy baby

Thanks /Poonam