How do you deal with a lot of BH and knowing when to call the DR?

I'm 34+4 today and have been awake the majority of the night with contractions. Most of them aren't painful but they're strong enough (tightening) to wake me up and make me uncomfortable. This is the first time this has happened (waking up with them). I spent Friday night in L&D for contractions but I have no dilation and they finally slowed down on Sat. morning. SO I'm guessing they're just some nasty BH. Since I've come home I have felt so much worse. More back pain, pelvic pain, etc... It just hurts like heck to walk. How do you deal with the contractions coming so frequently (from 5am-6am I've had 7 contractions but only 2-3 that were really intense...the rest more tightening)? I'm just finding it frustrating because I don't want to just keep calling. I think I'd be doing that all day and night. I tried looking up info on the internet re: false vs. true labor and it said to look for regular pattern getting stronger and closer together; lasting more than 30 seconds and increasing in length and intensity; and continue regardless of activity or position. Do I follow this? My DR's office always told me to call with more than 4 in an hour (L&D told me 6 when I was discharged). I'm so confused and frustrated. I'm drinking tons of water to stay hydrated and resting plenty (shoot it hurts to stand because my feet are so swollen and everything just hurts...makes it easy to rest). I don't know what else to do to calm the contractions. They're not always this many an hour. I guess I'm just pretty sure they're BH because they are irregular. Some are 5 minutes apart and hurt like heck, then they'll go to 10-15 min and just be more tightening than pain. I'll probably call in and speak to a nurse once their office opens today and try to get an idea of when they want me to call but I sometimes get better answers from you guys. Any suggestions, tips, etc??

 

I wouldn't worry about calling too much...when mine started coming like that at 22 weeks (many strong ones in an hour for hours at a time but no changes to my cervix), I went to L&D twice (feeling like an idiot to be back again two days later)...they hooked me up to monitors and saw I was having strong contractions every three minutes so they had to give me two shots of terbutaline to stop them. After that, I had to take terb pills at home whenever they got bad. I'm not into taking unnecessary medicine, but it kept these two cooking until 37 weeks It helped me a little to drink a ton of water and pee a lot (if I held it at all the contractions would start up - sorry if tmi), lie on my left side, and to stay off my feet. I felt the same way about calling too much, but it was worth it. If you're scared, call. You're at a good point (almost 35 weeks), but why not try for 38? Keep those babies in there if you can and don't think twice about annoying your dr with too many calls. You'll be happy you did if it helps keep them in! GL!

 

Lisa,

I would definitely call. Especially since they told you to if you have more than 6 in an hour and you have had 7 in an hour this morning. Let us know how it goes!

 

I've been experiencing the exact same thing the past few nights and we are pretty much at the same place in our pregnancies. I also was told if more than 6 in an hour to call in... but at 3 in the morning its really the last thing you want to do. Mine haven't really increased in intensity over the course of an hour though. If that does happen I'll call in. I just sort of feel like maybe I'll just sense when its the real deal, you kwim? My DD is almost three though, so it hasn't been that long since the last time I did this. I feel like I should remember what its like. Of course that could totally be me being way too naive... Anyway, I think I've rambled enough. No real answers for you.. just know you're not alone! Good luck!

 

I am sorry that you are so uncomfortable. When you are having these contractions what does your stomach feel like? Is it getting hard as if you were pushing on your forehead or is it still softish? If its getting hard that is an actual contraction.

I agree that you should call. That is what they are there for. It is so much better to be safe than sorry. Good Luck!!

 

I'm right where you are! Call if you want to..it's what they're there for.

 

My belly definitely gets tight like my forehead. I can tell a major difference during the contractions and regular full belly tightness. Now of course they seem to have puttered off and I've only had like 1 or 2 an hour since 7am. I feel weird calling when nothing is going on but my DH thinks I should call and at least get clarification on what they want me to do.

 

I just called and spoke to a nurse. After looking at my chart she said that because of where I am (homestretch) that they wouldn't do anything aggressive to stop labor so she said to call at 6 contractions now. She also mentioned that maybe I had more during the night because I wasn't drinking anything (still had 64 oz of water plus juice yesterday). They're still very off and on. I just had 3 that were 6 minutes apart each but then they just stopped. SO confusing. Anyway she said not to ever feel bad calling even if it's 2am - that is why they have on-call Docs. I told her about my 7 this morning and how I felt bad and just waited to see if they would taper off (which they did) but she said to still call. I guess I'll just stick with that plan. Thanks for all the great responses and letting me know I'm not alone. :grouphug:

 

Good luck and stay positive - you are almost there!!!!!

 

Sounds like the nurse had a good idea.

I try not to worry tell they are close and very regular or if there is something else with them, bleeding, leaking, vomitting you know.... But sometimes I even go O'crap!

 

I could have typed this topic! Im in the same boat mama!!! I know what your going through. My DR gave me specific instructions, that my contractions needed to become MORE intence to call... If I was feeling the same type throught the night, chances are they where proabably NOT changing my cervix.

It sucks, being sooo uncomfortable, hurts to walk, everything aches, cant sleep.... grrrr! We are thinking of you! And hpoe you have some small relief soon. HUGS!!!!!!

 

I am a week behind you, but know what you are feeling! The sad thing is I am not sure if I remember what a real contraction feels like! I just wish my stomach could turn different colors during real contractions so I could tell the difference!

 

QUOTE(rebecca_lynn78 @ Nov 10 2008, 07:34 PM) [snapback]1065346[/snapback]
I am a week behind you, but know what you are feeling! The sad thing is I am not sure if I remember what a real contraction feels like! I just wish my stomach could turn different colors during real contractions so I could tell the difference!



That's a great idea! I love it!

 

QUOTE(hardinfamtwins @ Nov 10 2008, 09:08 PM) [snapback]1065072[/snapback]
I could have typed this topic! Im in the same boat mama!!! I know what your going through. My DR gave me specific instructions, that my contractions needed to become MORE intence to call... If I was feeling the same type throught the night, chances are they where proabably NOT changing my cervix.

It sucks, being sooo uncomfortable, hurts to walk, everything aches, cant sleep.... grrrr! We are thinking of you! And hpoe you have some small relief soon. HUGS!!!!!!


Thanks I do feel just awful. I am hitting that wall everyone talks about. Everything hurts SOOO bad. My feet are starting to get pitting edema, my back constantly hurts, my fingertips are constantly numb and my hand joints hurt. I just feel like crying. On one hand I'm happy all these contractions aren't doing much of anything (if at all) to my cervix for the babies sakes but I am just so ready to stop hurting. I know I'm going to be begging for a c-section date at my appointment on Friday.

 

QUOTE(rebecca_lynn78 @ Nov 10 2008, 11:34 PM) [snapback]1065346[/snapback]
I am a week behind you, but know what you are feeling! The sad thing is I am not sure if I remember what a real contraction feels like! I just wish my stomach could turn different colors during real contractions so I could tell the difference!


That would be wonderful!!! If someone could invent some type of tester for real/"fake" contractions they'd make billions!!