Contractions

I am on bedrest for preterm labor. I had quite a scare around 28 weeks and dilated some, so I have been in bed ever since. Anyway, even though I don't do anything, I still get contractions. Most of them I think are still BH contractions (they don't really hurt and aren't regular, but I still feel them). In the evenings, though, (usually starting around 4 or 5) I seem to get them more regularly. Sometimes they are every 7-8 minutes and sometimes every 10-12 minutes. It happens about every single night. I went to L&D two days ago because I was worried about them. My doctor checked me and I hadn't dilated any more, and he also did a Fetal Fibronectin test that was negative (which was really reassuring). However, I guess I don't know if I will just have this problem for the rest of my pregnancy? I don't know when/if I should go in again if this happens? My doctor says that I should "wait it out" and lay on my side, which I do. They usually go away after 2-3 hours, but it bothers me that they are so regular. He says that with the negative FFN, he doesn't think they are dilating me even if they are regular. Does anyone else have this problem? Any advice? I hope this all makes sense...kind of rambling.

 

My doctors tell me it is normal to contract more at night. I always do. Now that I know it's a normal pattern for me, I don't worry as much. Mine are sometimes 5-7 minutes apart.

 

I contracted my whole twin pregnancy. No amount of meds could stop me! My OB said that any time I had more that 5 in one hour- I had to head on to L & D. I went 7 times & was admitted twice. Our trips to the hospital were always in the evening.
Drink water & rest- that's about all you have in your control.
Take care & good luck,

 

There have been several posts on this, you can look it up in the forum archives. I would not worry, it is pretty common, many of us in the forum are in this situation. I don't even worry about mine anymore!

Just pay attention to any change and if you are unsure, ask your doctor to tell you exactly which symptoms should have you call him or L&D. Then put your feet up (if possible) and try to not stress too much about it

Good luck!

 

Hi there, I am almost 36 weeks with b/g twins and I have been regularly contracting at night since about 28 weeks too. I asked my high risk ob about it and she explained that the hormone oxytocin peaks at night and that is why b/h contractions happen at night. Makes sense to me!

I have run over to L& D so many times now because of the contractions....up to 9 an hour some nights. But there is NO pattern, no other ptl symptoms other than the tightening and feeling reallllly uncomfortable through some of them. But it never goes anywhere and before you know it I am fast asleep.

Just remember, our uterus's are stretched beyond capacity and are pretty darn irritable. Hope this helps answer some of your questions.

xojillian

 

Ditto the last post - I have had them for weeks and weeks - went on bed rest at 29 weeks because of them. They come mostly at night now, can be pretty intense , and I've been back to L&D twice to make sure they weren't progressively opening my cervix, which they arent. Now I pretty much keep half an eye on them, but I dont panic as they come, and they don't become stronger or really closer together than 5 an hour - the bed rest REALLY helped with that.

HANG IN THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!