Another BH contraction question

I have been having occasional BH contractions for about 3 weeks now - probably 10-15 a day. Today, starting around 9 a.m., I have been having what I think are BH contractions about every 8 to 10 minutes lasting from only 15-30 seconds, which has been the typical length but more frequent. Not really any pain beyond an uncomfortable, sometimes gassy feel. Since about 2:30 pm or so they have seemed to increase to about every 5-6 minutes and are lasting more like 45 secs to 1 minute. They are more achy feeling now - like a tummy ache gas pain - which is a first. My entire tummy is hardening every time. I'm guessing it is nothing but it is different enough that I would really like some opinions. I wasn't going to call my doctor, but does anyone think I should just to be sure? I did have visiting family in yesterday along with a baby shower so maybe I overdid it? I also have a sense of overconfidence that nothing will happen anytime soon because my cervix was still holding strong at my OB friday at 4.5 cm and she said everything has been going well so she would expect I will be going the distance. But can that just change overnight? I am having increased vaginal pain when I get up and down or try to turn over - but nothing extreme. I have drank like 8 glasses of water since 10 am and have been laying down all day. Sorry for the long post - anyone have any advice on what to look for over the next few hours and whether I should wait to call the doctor? This is really hard never experiencing this before.

 

When my BH became really frequent when I was active, I got put on "modified" bedrest- taken off of work and told not to do anything I didn't have to do. I couldn't fit behind the steering wheel very well by then anyway, so I was pretty inactive after that. But- when I did go into full blown labor, it felt VERY different- instead of the painless BHs, my back was sore and I could feel the contractions moving from front to bac.

I'd call your OB or his/her advice nurse and see what they think. Never hurts to check in... and might help avoid some problems for you.

 

I'd call the dr, just to be on the safe side. I had a ton of b/h contractions, but they never stayed consistent.Everyone says to drink water and lie down.But if you're still getting them, its better to be safe then sorry.

 

Definitely call worthy! I always say better safe than sorry! Keep us posted. :hug:

 

I agree that you should call your Dr! Good Luck! :hug:

 

So I will have to page and after hours emergency number for an oncall physician. Shoot - do you think I still should? They open at 8 in the morning. I guess it is worth the call even though it is not technically an emergency. This has really hit me out of the blue.

 

QUOTE(5280babies @ Jan 19 2009, 06:15 PM) [snapback]1153651[/snapback]
They are more achy feeling now - like a tummy ache gas pain - which is a first.


Yes, I would definitely call. Did you? :hug:

 

Personally I probably wouldn't call after hours, you probably overdid it yesterday, I have terrible bh if I do too much the day of or day before. I would try a warm bath if you can and see how they are doing, I see you've had a lot to drink and have been resting, that's great.

BUT I have been having pretty regular bh contractions for at least a month and my ob isn't worried because my cervix is like fort knox! :lol:

If you are concerned by all means call your ob, it really can't hurt to have them paged that's what you are paying them for!! :hug:

 

Thank you for your responses. I talked briefly to a nurse through my insurance company and she suggested to continue to stay in bed and unless there is increased pain, call my doctor in the morning to discuss. I hope I can go into the office to ease my mind. I took a warm shower and was able to sleep for a couple hours. I am still having the contractions but they have not grown in pain and are a little more inconsistent. I will have three within 15 minutes and then 10 or 15 mins might go by before I have another one. I wish I would have called when my OB's office was open but I hate to pester. I will be needing to get better at that I think!

Thanks again

 

Remember: 6 contractions in an hour means call your doctor!!!!! (My Dr said to call if there's 4 in an hour but I've been having problems since wk 13). I'd call...

 

Did you call this am? What did they say? please update when you can. GL!

 

I JUST got home from the doctor. Well, I am definitely contracting a LOT and my cervix is starting to thin but is still just over 3 (it was 4.5 on Friday). I was there over 2 hours on the NST machine and it is very hard to keep their heartbeats on the monitor consistently so we were having a lot of problems. We could never get consistent readings - I felt bad because the doctor kept coming in to help the tech. Anyway, they took a test - I cannot think of what it is called - they swab the cervix and I will find out today if it is positive or negative. If it is negative then there is a 96% chance I would NOT deliver in the next two weeks. If it is positive then although it is a possibility and I will have to be watched closely, it is not a guarantee - better just to get a negative reading and be done with it! One indication of what may have caused this activity is they are moving a lot - in fact, huge bummer, Baby A switched from vertex to breech - she looked SO locked in on Friday! UGH! Anyway, that is the update - my doctor said to continue to take it easy and to call right away if anything progresses, but she believes, even though they are frequent, they are BH contractions - having 6-8 an hour but very inconsistent in length. One thing I learned my lesson on though - she said I definitely should have called yesterday. Oops! She said don't be afraid of bothering her - this is the time to do it! Thanks to all of you for your quick response - it kept me from thinking I was crazy and imagining things. These babes must stay in a few weeks still!

 

QUOTE(5280babies @ Jan 20 2009, 02:07 PM) [snapback]1154693[/snapback]
She said don't be afraid of bothering her -


I am glad that she reassured you of that!! Definitely call if you are unsure, no matter what time or what the issue is!

Glad to hear everything is ok. The test you had is called the FFN, or Fetal Fibronectin Test. You can read about it here.

:hug: