Contractions

I was put on bedrest 4 weeks ago (at 23 weeks), and told I had an irritable uterus. To call and go back for monitored when/if things got worse. Since then I've been back for increased frequency and length.

At my OB appointment yesterday I told them the intensity had also been steadily increasing. Not ALL of them are of the more intense variety, but maybe half, and it's usually in a cluster (so a group of more intense ones, and then just mild ones for awhile). It's not that I contract EVERY hour of every day, but most. And mostly 6 or so times an hour.

Well, instead of checking my cervix at the appointment, he sent me right over to L&D to get monitored and checked. But since the monitor didn't show anything (one contraction), they said it was really just Braxton-Hicks and not to worry about it. Said I could come back in this weekend for another NST if it would make me feel better, and then I'm on my own for the next 3 weeks, unless things get worse and I want to be seen again.

Last night things changed again, and I started getting pain in my back with each contraction, and they fell into a pattern of every 8-9 minutes. After an hour and a half, the pattern broke, so I didn't bother to call. Knowing they'd tell me that if the pattern broke, it's just BH and I'm fine.

Today it's mild again, a LOT of contractions, but mostly mild ones.

I'm not sure if I should bother with the NST this weekend - because they're just going to tell me it's BH, again, and to take it easier at home and get more fluids. (I drink more than enough - and have confirmed that with them - and only get up to go to the bathroom. 95% of the time I AM lying down, and the rest I'm eating or going to the bathroom.)

I'm not really sure if I'm being too sensitive to the contractions and just need to sort of ride it out until it fits their definition of PTL (sustained pattern - although they never do say how LONG it needs to be sustained for before I call, getting progressively worse and not letting up, leaking fluid, etc) .... or if they're being too passive about it. I know I AM going to contract, and that it will get worse over time, but at 27 weeks .. how much is TOO much?

So, any similar situations? Would your dr be concerned? Would YOU be concerned?

Thanks!

 

I've just talked to my doctor about this. She said anything over 4 in a hour I need to let them know about them. I would talk to your doctor about it.

hugs
Jen

 

I personally would call if I were you. When I left the hospital after my cerclage at 24w, they told me I was not having contractions, even though I still felt them. Then Emilie popped out at home, so I obviously was having contractions. My OB's did miss some of my PTL the week before she was born, I think they kind of blew it off and thought it was nothing because I was so early and had no history of PTL, but looking back it had to be contractions. It never hurts to call.

 

Hi - I've been lurking on here since the beginning of my pregnancy. I just wanted to chime in here because I've found myself in a similar situation. I'm 25 weeks pregnant with twin boys and spent most of the last week in the hospital for early contractions. They gave me magnesium sulfate by IV and terb shots twice to stop the contractions, but they haven't completely stopped. I'm at home now on Procardia but am still having contractions on average of 1 an hour. At times closer together and at times further apart but overall pretty regularly.

I don't have any advice for you because I too am confused about when to call and when to ride it out. Before releasing me the doctor said 6 in an hour or 10 in two hours was cause for concern, but at the same time he looked a my monitor and saw 7 in a previous hour and still discharged me.

I like you would be interested in hearing from others who have been through this. How many contractions are too many and how many are normal. I realize it's different for everyone, but it's still nice to hear others' experiences.

Thanks,
Elara

 

Anytime you are in doubt, call or go to L/D. That is what they are there for. They knew me at L/D by the time I had my babies because of all of the trips! Most of the trips my intuition was right and I needed some intervention with either meds, antibiotics, fluids, or a combination of the 3. So my answer is yes, I would be concerned if I were you. :hug99:

 

I am now 30 weeks and I've been having BH contractions for about 4 weeks now. When they checked my cervix there was no dilation. The BH contractions started out as every 2 mins for 5-6 mins long and we called and went to L & D. A couple of days later it was nearly a constant contracting uterus (no back pain). I was diagnosed with an irritable uterus and no further meds except I could take tylenol with codeine. I have heard of others having BH contractions and given lots of meds but they didn't work. I've tried drinking lots and taking it easy not sure if it helps much but I do find lots of activity will set it off stronger like going grocery shopping for too long. At night it can seem worse -- and I will take the tylenol with codiene the odd time to help me and my uterus relax and sleep. I personally think that every woman does know her own body and should listen to it. If something feels wrong talk to your doctor.

Heather

 

I am the type that tries not to over-react, that guesses at what the nurses will tell me if I call, and 95% of the time I am correct. Id STILL call and run this by them if I were you - the status of your cervix can change lightning quick, and its ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry.

sounds like you are doing everything you should be - let the boards know how you are doing!!

 

Thanks ladies!

Turns out that my NORMAL doctor is concerned enough to keep closer eye on things, but his counterpart in the practice thinks it's basically too early to worry (huh???) and keeps sending me home. The problem is, of course, that if I see him in the office, she's the one that would be in L&D if I get sent for monitoring ... but the 3rd OB in the practice is coming back from some sort of leave soon and that will hopefully make things more consistent.

In any case, I went for a NST on Saturday. My normal OB doesn't like the frequency and increased intensity, but so far my cervix hasn't changed, and he ran an ffn test and it came back negative. He'd rather not put me on any drugs unless I need them to function (which is a concept I agree with). He has me scheduled for weekly NSTs starting this week (just shy of 28 weeks), and it seems he only wants me to do them the days that he's the one on-call, at least for the first few. (The other OB doesn't think regular NSTs should be started until 32 weeks. She did, however, freak out when I wasn't going to have an u/s between weeks 18 and 24 because "things can change so quickly and we can't know what's happening without taking a look.")

I feel like a lot of my problem is the inconsistency between the doctors. Hopefully having JUST him be the one to review the NSTs will help, and I already refuse to see her in the office.