How safe is it to keep stopping preterm labor?

I have been having non-progressive contractions all night. It got me thinking about if this turned into another episode of preterm labor. I am a very small person, 4 ft 11, 98 lbs pre-pregnancy. I was told that my own body may not be able to handle the pregnancy til' full term. I started doing alot of research on alot of related things last night. Ever since the preterm labor was stopped the twins and I have been having heart issues, rapid heart, decelerations, etc. that we were not having before the medications. They sent me home with appts. to have it closely followed. In my reading I found that this can be a side effect of the medications they use to stop the labor. It started me thinking, exactly how safe is it to keep stopping labor, on both the twins and myself? I completely realize in is the best place for the for the longest ammt. of time possible. I am not disputing that. I just worry that if my body is going to keep trying to push them out, especially at 3 cm dilated already, and they keep stopping it, that it can have negative effects on us as well. Thanks to all and any who have any info. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

 

I really can't say, but I have researched those common meds they give you for halting contractions. I am not on any, and hopefully won't need to be. There are a LOT of side effects that can happen to some women, not all, but some and a lot have to do with cardiac issues. If yours continue, I would request to be checked by a cardiologist, just to ensure nothing serious is being caused by your medication. Not trying to scare you at all, I am just one who has heart palps naturally, so I am very aware of meds that increase your palps and disrupt the rhythm. And, it can be scary, for sure.

How far along are you? Which med are you on?

Molly
32 weeks and 5 days

 

That's a really good idea! Ty! By my official edd I am 29 weeks today. Though they have been toying with an edd that would put me at 27 weeks today. Basically they told me that they didn't know my edd any longer, at this time. They don't seem to know anything. They gave me tons of mag. treatments (I believe it was 8 iv bags over 48 hrs) and penicillin (incase it was an infection that caused my preterm labor). They gave me the steroid shots for the little ones and had me on these green pills for a few days. I forget the name now, I had to go hunting online to even find it. They didn't send me home on any meds. They basically just said when I go into preterm labor they want me to go back in, go through the same thing, keep me a few days and if all is well send me home, as many times as they have to til' it is safer. I guess what worries me is between the labor and the treatments to stop my kids are caught in the middle getting the brunt of it all. The whole process just seems so harsh for ones so tiny and fragile as it is.

I hope that you never need any of those meds. either xoxoxoxoxo

 

i have had 4 terbutaline shots in 3 weeks and it's side effects are rapid heart rate and jitteryness. they can only give me one shot at a time because it makes my heart jump into the 130s, so not good. i don't know what they are going to give me should i need to go back, they mentioned something about an IV, who knows.

 

Hi there,
I don't really have an answer for your question. I started having pre-term labor and cervix problems by 24 weeks. I was on procardia, p-17 shots, mag, terb, you name it. I was at home most of the time on strict BR. I went in and out of the hospital another 5 or 6 times. I also had gest diabetes and eventually high blood pressure. We held out until 36 weeks, and finally we all agreed my body had held out as long as possible. The twins always did well during their NST exams (good heart rate and blood flow). They ended up being in the NICU for a few weeks. Now they are 9 months and have no problems.
I think it's a complicated question. Do you have a MFM/perinatologist? I found it comforting that I had 2 doctors on my case (OB/Peri). Even though they disagreed sometimes, I think their input was invaluable. I would say hang in as long as you can!
take care, Beth

 

QUOTE(haleystar @ Jun 13 2009, 10:14 PM) [snapback]1353340[/snapback]
i have had 4 terbutaline shots in 3 weeks and it's side effects are rapid heart rate and jitteryness. they can only give me one shot at a time because it makes my heart jump into the 130s, so not good. i don't know what they are going to give me should i need to go back, they mentioned something about an IV, who knows.



I only found out the side effects by looking it up myself trying to figure out why we didnt have rapid heart until I was in the hospital. I thought it was originally anxiety from the stay because thats what they led me to believe. I kind of feel frustrated that no one even told me it could be a side effect of the medication. My heart was racing up to 140. According to them. Twin b had an average heart rate of 120s before and she jumped to 140s. Twin a had an average heart rate of 130s and he jumped to 150s-160s which I didn't think wwas good. I guess I just wish that my stay and drs were more informative. I always asks lists of questions and usually get generic answers for the mundane stuff and I don't know for the rather important stuff. Such a pain. I hope that things turn up better at my NSTs.

 

Im not sure the answer to your question either, sorry!
But Im petite too, 105 and 5'2". I was dilated 2.5 & 80% effaced at 29 weeks when I spent 4 days in the hospital having my labor stopped/monitored. We used terbutaline.
Then they sent me home on bedrest with niphedipine. I took one every 4-6 hours for contractions. At 32 weeks I went back in and had labor stopped again. Went back home on niphedipine and bedrest until 34 weeks. At 34 weeks my doctor let me off bedrest. I ended up getting induced at 37 weeks, 5cm & 100 effaced.

Anthing is possible. Perhaps disucss different medication options with your doctor and the way the current meds made you feel. Ask about taking something at home for contractions. Are you on bedrest?

 

QUOTE(betha @ Jun 13 2009, 11:25 PM) [snapback]1353450[/snapback]
Hi there,
I don't really have an answer for your question. I started having pre-term labor and cervix problems by 24 weeks. I was on procardia, p-17 shots, mag, terb, you name it. I was at home most of the time on strict BR. I went in and out of the hospital another 5 or 6 times. I also had gest diabetes and eventually high blood pressure. We held out until 36 weeks, and finally we all agreed my body had held out as long as possible. The twins always did well during their NST exams (good heart rate and blood flow). They ended up being in the NICU for a few weeks. Now they are 9 months and have no problems.
I think it's a complicated question. Do you have a MFM/perinatologist? I found it comforting that I had 2 doctors on my case (OB/Peri). Even though they disagreed sometimes, I think their input was invaluable. I would say hang in as long as you can!
take care, Beth


I have 3 Drs on my case now, with one that's kind of in charge. So if I call that is my go-to person. The thing is they never give me any information. They didn't even send me home on strict BR. Though I have been basically keeping myself on it with limited walking. They basically only told me that I should rest for a bit (like 15 mins) for every 45 mins of activity. Just no lifting or moving furniture. So I can still clean, work, wtc. That I could just be one of those people who is dilated to full term. I had preterm labor with my oldest and was in the hospital 3 months with a total of 54 hspital/er visits/stays. So I worry alot based on that experience with just one I guess. It just seems like so much more stress on two little twins in my eyes I guess. And with no answers or confirmation on anything I feel like I am living in the land of the lost. Which is never reassuring for a mom as I am sure you know. Thanks for the info. though. It helps! I am glad everything turned out so well for you and yours xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo