Once you’ve had an “eventful” pregnancy that results in hospitalization and preterm labor, you look forward to and almost question “normal”. It’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop. My 2nd trimester has been fairly quite, just as I’d hoped for. This is an absolute blessing but is also mentally exhausting because every cramp, pain, twinge, anything sends my brain and nerves into overdrive.
Some additional insurance was put in place the first weekend in October at the 20 week and 1 day mark. This is when I started the P17 (Progesterone injections). Progesterone is the hormone that keeps your body from beginning labor during the baking stage of pregnancy. It typically occurs naturally and tapers off toward the end of the pregnancy in order to allow labor to occur when your full term. Sometimes, the body doesn’t produce enough hence, preterm contractions, dilation and delivery. With my history there is no 100% way of knowing whether I strictly had incompetent cervix (dilation occurs for no reason) or if it was incompetent cervix and preterm contractions. The cerclage takes care of the incompetent cervix and the progesterone should assist with the rest.
I receive the shot every 7 days. There is a window of a few days before or after where you are still “safe” to receive the injection. Any contractions including Braxton Hicks stay pretty mild to non existence until day 6 before the next shot. The consistency of the injections have helped keep everything fairly predictable. Until week 23, that is! My normal nurse was unavailable and the “substitute” nurse had to come two days early. No problem, still within the acceptable date range. Too bad my uterus didn’t agree, nor appreciate the 9 day lapse. Right on schedule day 6 I had some Braxton Hicks, nothing intolerable…day 7 a little stronger and more regular…day 8 increase…day 9…timeable, contractions every time I stood or walked. Oh and week 23 was when I went into the hospital on bed rest with Sofia, can we say heart attack?! Per doctors orders, I spent the entire weekend, Monday and Tuesday, on modified bed rest, complete with tons water and laying on my left side. Finally got it under control and avoided any hospital visits.
Now we are right on the brink of completely uncharted territory as I get closer to 26 weeks and 3rd trimester…I point I never reached with Sofia.
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| Left 24wks with Little #1 and Right 24wks with Little #2. Pretty noticeable difference! |
