Contractions 20 weeks or earlier - how far have you made it?

For those of you who experienced contractions/uterine irritability before 20 weeks and had to be hospitalized and/or medicated, how long were you able to keep those babies inside. Were you on bed rest for the rest of your pregnancy or were you able to resume some activity at some point? I'd love some positive stories to help me get through this. I'm very worried about not making it to 24 weeks or making to 24 weeks and then having a long NICU stay for my babies.

I've been waiting all morning for ultrasound to come tell me if my cervix has changed since yesterday. This is so nerve wracking.

 

I just wanted to send you some well-wishes--I haven't BTDT, but I know you must be so worried. There are LOTS of things they can do to stop preterm contractions--most of them probably won't be fun or comfortable, but think of what you've already been through to bring these babies into the world--a few more meds and some time with your feet up may be all you need.

:hug99:

 

I asked what my other options are if these meds don't do the trick and they said there aren't any others for this point in the pregnancy. Right now I am on Indocin and Nifedipine. Hopefully I'll know more if they are working when ultrasound gets here.

 

QUOTE(Beth*J @ Oct 5 2007, 10:35 AM) [snapback]437028[/snapback]
I asked what my other options are if these meds don't do the trick and they said there aren't any others for this point in the pregnancy. Right now I am on Indocin and Nifedipine. Hopefully I'll know more if they are working when ultrasound gets here.



Hi Beth...I feel your pain I was hospitalized during my 20th week with contractions...3 trips to the L & D to be exact.....I am taking Terbutaline on a prn basis.....I can take it up to every 2 hours. Now so far...I don't have any cervical changes. That is always subject to change....(although I hope not) I went through this will my past two pregnancies also. Feel free to PM at any time. I was able to carry my first son up to his due date! and I was dialated a couple of centimeters for a very long time with him! You can do this...just listen to your dr's ....STAY OFF OF YOUR FEET....and lay down as much as possible.....I only get up to go to the bathroom, and that is it...I have been on bed rest for 17 weeks now. I know that sounds crazy...but I had horrible bleeding problems at the beginning of my pregnancy. If you have any questions or anything relating to this...or anything else...just ask!

Hugs to you and prayers for your little ones!

Missy

:love0028:

 

:love0028: I'm sorry you are in this postiiton; it's scary.

I had ctx on and off through my whole pregnancy starting at 14wks, but nothing that laying down and drinking water didn't take care of. I was on hospital b/r with DD for several wks and that was NO fun!

There is a special BR sub-forum here, and I know there are lots of "troopers" with great success stories to champion you along.

Please keep us posted and hang in there!

 

I haven't BTDT, but wanted to send you positive thoughts and prayers.

hugs
Jen

 

Beth, I am sorry you are dealing with this. My contractions didn't start until 24w, but I think you know my story.

But I wanted to reassure you about babies being born early these days. My two were born pretty early, see siggy, and were only in the NICU for 8 weeks, they came home when I would have been 35w pregnant with them, so 1 month before their due date. And they had a very easy NICU ride. I know we were very fortunate and still are that they have absolutely no lingering affects of being preemies. They have no issues at all.

Has your Dr. said anything about the steroid shots??? I would ask for them. I got them a truly believe they really helped my two. Please ask for them.

Hang in there sweetie. :hug99:

 

I have been contracting since 13 weeks. :huh: At 25 weeks, I was hospitalized for contractions, short cervix and funneling. I was given Ibuprofen (600 mg every 6 hours), IV hydration and had to stay in bed. After 24 hours, I was still contracting, though not as hard and my cervix looked better. I was sent home with the Ibuprofen.

The Ibuprofen did a number on my intestines and I had to stop it after a week. I was admitted again, and though I was still contracting, my cervix was still long and closed so I was let out on modified bed rest (read: couch potato) and no more Ibuprofen.

I'm 29 weeks today and still going! I had no idea things could even turn around like that, so I am thankful I'm not still in the hospital -- I hope the same for you!

:hug99:

 

I was just wondering how things are going?

I was also hospitalized at 20 weeks for contractions and a short cervix (1.5). I was put on 600mg of Ibuprofen every six hours and after an emergency cerclage when my cervix continued to shrink (down to .5) I spent three more weeks in the hospital. I am now at home on complete bedrest and am almost 27 weeks along. I just get up to go to the bathroom and take a shower every couple of days. I don't even eat sitting up because I don't want to put the extra pressure on my cervix. So far all has been much better. My contractions are much more under control. Ibuprofen was a life saver for me and I know it's definitely working because if I'm more than 15 mins late taking it I start getting really crampy and contracting more. It is hard on your stomach but thank goodness it's been ok for me.

I hope that you are doing ok and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your little ones. I know how scarry it is.

Also, just like Summerfun said babies born very early still have great chances with everything they can do now a days. My son was born at 24 weeks and although the NICU experience is a crazy one he is now a healthy three year old with no problems.

:hug99:

 

I'm doing better. Thanks for asking. I was emotionally a mess after being released from the hospital because I could never get answers to my questions there. No one would tell me what my cervix exact measurement was. I kept getting answers to my questions that were "because you are only 19 weeks" which makes it seem like my babies are less important because they aren't viable yet. Anyway, I was sent home on Indocin and bed rest and told to see my dr. in a week. That seemed a long time to me, so I called the doctor (he's watching me while my regular OB is out of the country until Nov.) and he agreed to check me on Tues. He spent a lot of time answering my questions and told me that my cervix measured 1.5 at the hospital and was 2.0 on Tuesday. All I needed was for someone to talk to me and give me information. I still have a few contractions, but they are much fewer than they were before the Indocin.I'm feeling so much better emotionally which I think is helping me physically too. I had a regular OB appointment yesterday. They didn't check my cervix because they said it's better not to keep poking at it all the time. The babies heart beats are good and they are going to check me again in two weeks unless I start having more contractions again or feel like something has changed.

I'm glad to hear the ibuprofen is working for you too (that's basically what Indocin is). Keep in touch.

 

I have to say I was glad to find this thread! I was admited to the ER on Friday, at 18w2d, for contractions. The kept me all weekend on IV fluids, in bed. The u/s showed that me cervix was 4cm and closed, so thats good, but I'm still having contarctions. Not as often as on the weekend, but when I'm on my back or standing up. I saw OB on Tuesday and he put me on another week of bedrest, only allowed up for 1.5 hours in am and pm. Both babies are doing well, good heartbeats and growth, lots of movement. I don't think they like being squished from the contrations lol! I'm worried though that I may end up on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy. I'm not going to argue with the Dr, that would be silly, but I'm such a go-getter and a workaholic that it will be hard to not get things done. I have yet to plan for the babies. We don't have any cribs bought yet, car seats etc. I'm supposed to go to my prenatal classes on Nov 10, now I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to make that. I guess I just have to take it one day at a time, so I don't get overwhelmed.

 

QUOTE(snowmom @ Oct 24 2007, 12:04 PM) [snapback]465281[/snapback]
I have to say I was glad to find this thread! I was admited to the ER on Friday, at 18w2d, for contractions. The kept me all weekend on IV fluids, in bed. The u/s showed that me cervix was 4cm and closed, so thats good, but I'm still having contarctions. Not as often as on the weekend, but when I'm on my back or standing up. I saw OB on Tuesday and he put me on another week of bedrest, only allowed up for 1.5 hours in am and pm. Both babies are doing well, good heartbeats and growth, lots of movement. I don't think they like being squished from the contrations lol! I'm worried though that I may end up on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy. I'm not going to argue with the Dr, that would be silly, but I'm such a go-getter and a workaholic that it will be hard to not get things done. I have yet to plan for the babies. We don't have any cribs bought yet, car seats etc. I'm supposed to go to my prenatal classes on Nov 10, now I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to make that. I guess I just have to take it one day at a time, so I don't get overwhelmed.



I'm on hospital bedrest for a short cervix/cerclage, but I understand feeling a little overwhelmed. When I came in at 22wks, we had started to get clothes, but really nothing else. I've learned that bedrest is really one day at a time. Take each day as a little victory. Also, I did a lot of baby prep online. I orderd our cribs online, along with some of the bedding. I've gotten lots of clothes from eBay and various other dept. websites. I even had a baby shower in the hospital!

I think one of the keys to staying sane on bedrest is taking things slowly and one day at a time. You can do this! Also, my doctors and nurses strongly suggest blogging/diary keeping of some sort because it helps with all the various emotions involved. I do it every day and it really does seem to help. The past 8wks have flown by for me and I'm now looking at the downhill side of things. Just stay positive.

:hug99:

 

This thread has been so helpful to me! Thank you for sharing your stories.

As for me, I started getting BH contractions at 17 weeks, sometimes up to 2-3 an hour for long stretches of time. This week (22 weeks) I started getting contractions A LOT. When I went to L&D for monitoring, they found that I was contracting every 2-3 minutes! They don't know why I'm contracting (no infection and I am very well hydrated). The good news is that my FFN was negative and my cervix is closed, high, and felt firm upon a manual exam (I'm nervous that could change at any minute!). But I'm scared and I will have the bedrest discussion with my OB this week. My activities are restricted until I have the opportunity to see my OB. So....I might be joining you on bedrest rather soon. But, even if they don't put me on bedrest officially, I am going to restrict my activities on my own. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about working, though. Sigh.

 

Like you, I put myself on something close to bedrest this pg long before the Dr actually did based on my gut and my history. My contractions did eventually change my cervix requiring hospitalization, meds, then home to bedrest where I am now. I've always had an irritable uterus and experienced preterm labor with my first son. With my 2nd son, I had the same contractions, but did not have preterm labor (I was still on modified bedrest for much of my pregnancy) This time, I kind of expected it and I'm not too surprised, but it still scares me
Keep us updated! Take care and take it easy!

 

I have personally been contracting regularly since 21 weeks. I was in and out of the hospital for 6 weeks before finally being hospitalized for almost a month. The night I went into the hospital at 26w6d everyone (docs and nurses) thought the babies were coming that week. I'm now almost 33 weeks, at home modifying my bedrest. I had steroid shots when I was first admitted and have a history of preterm labor with my first son. If they were decided to override my terb pump and come tonight, it would be one of the happiest nights of my life!

Hang in there everyone. It will not last forever.

 

im happy i came across this post, im 22 wks and i went to l & d for spotting and contracing this past monday, my dr took me off work and put me on modified bedrest. my cervix at 19wks was 3.6cm which i guess is still good but seemed short for only being 19wks. they also said i am measuring at 33wks so thats another reason he put me on bedrest. im not on any meds but feel like things can change at any time. i dont want the babies to come to early but ive come to terms in they end up having nicu time. im going monday to see the weight of the babies and hopefully to see what my cervix length is again.

i have a quci k question for u ladies. the contractions u are having could any of u explain them? at night and sometimes during the day, i get sharp pains in my lower abdominal area and my belly is rock hard,i have a hard time breathing, then this will pass in about 1-3 mins. sometimes i have like 2-3 in an hour other times i just have one then no more. is this what a contraction feels like?? sorry 1st time mom!

i hope all of u are doing well, i would like to here updates all the time, i check this BR fourm more often now, since i am on moderate bedrest. good luck ladies!!

 

Hi Ladies,
So glad to have found this forum! I have been on bedrest since week 17. My cervix got down to almost 1cm and I had to have the cerclage stitch put it. Please, please insist your doctor checks your cervix length as they need a benchmark and can shorten within a matter of days. It is mind boggling to me that some doctors do not start cheking until 20 -22 weeks - that could be too late.

I have been in L&D a few times with bleeding (from the surgery) and early contractions. I am now taking terbutaline every 6 hours (makes your heart race and gives you the shakes!! but even. the symptoms are supposed to decrease) and 17 progesterone hydroxy once a week to ward off any pre-term labor. Anyone else taking these?


And yes, I too, am worried about keeping these babies in here as long as possible- but looks like a lot of amazing success stories!

I have become a contraction expert now. At first, could not distinguish those from round ligament pains or just the babies moving around. I am not supposed to have more then 4/hour and less than 60-90 seconds each time.

The bedrest is quite long and I am currently waiting to see if my insurance will cover getting PT to come into my home. How are the rest of you dealing with the back pain and aches?? Would love a warm bath- but have not been cleared for that yet.

Keep positive ladies, these boards are so helpful, aren't they! And soon, we will all be writing about our beautiful babies!

-Carrie
(20 weeks preg w/b/g twins- on bedrest since week 17)

 

My contractions started around 18 weeks and lasted up until delivery. I was admitted a few times for PTL but they stayed in for a little over 34 weeks. I too was worried but it worked out in the end. I heard that some people will just have contractions. As long as they aren't changing your cervix too much, I would not be too concerned. BTW I was never on bedrest either!