QuestionHi Brenda, I wrote to you a few weeks ago and have one more question-then I'll quit bugging you :) Since I last wrote, I had my cerclage removed and am now at 35 weeks. My question today related to my NST. I know I had talked with you about variable decelerations. Today as soon as they hooked me up I experienced a contraction, during this time, the baby's heart beat went up and down pretty significantly three times during the contraction and my OB said they were variable decels. I had just finished with an ultrasound showing normal fluid, no nuchal cord. The tech said the cord was pretty much laying on the baby's belly. He said he wanted to watch for awhile to see what happened and for the next 45 minutes, things were normal, there were no decelerations during the next contraction I had and she had many normal accels and a normal baseline. My doc said that the decels were either from the cord being compressed during the contraction or she rolled on the cord or something of the like. He said the "big picture" is what matters most and the variability, baseline and accels far outweigh the one instance of decels. I can't help but worry about this and that there is a cord compression or knot somewhere in the cord. I wonder why also on about half of my NST's, some time of decel shows up. :( We are sooo close to delivery and I am just scared of something bad happening at the end. Do you have any insight on this? Should I seek a second opinion?
Also in your experience, when patients have a cerclage removed-how long until labor begings?
Thanks Brenda! I can't thank you enough for taking the time to help me through these last few weeks as they have been rough for me!
Carrie
AnswerDear Carrie,
I am in complete and total agreement with the doctor's observations. One isolated episode of a variable deceleration is completely benign. It absolutely indicates a brief compression of the cord - either against the wall of the uterus, or baby rolled on it, or even squeezed it in it's little hand. If, other than that instance, there were accelerations and good variability - fantastic news! Everything sounds great to me.
As far as the cerclage removal, every woman and every cervix is different. It completely depends on the severity of the incompetence of the cervix, the proximity to the due date, the engagement of the baby into the pelvis/pressure on the cervix, etc,... There is just no way to tell you when labor may start. Except to say - It will happen when it is supposed to happen. :-) Be ready!
You are very welcome for the answers! I hope I've helped. I wish you well and a very Happy Easter!
Brenda
