Procardia and threatened pre-term labor at 24weeks

Hello,

I have had quite a weekend in and out of the hospital. On Thursday, I was admitted overnight for "threatened pre-term labor." My cervix is still long and closed and FFN test was negative. However, they had a hard time getting contrax to stop. I guess I have a few questions...first, I am 24w 6d pregnant with twin girls. I am concerned to have started this pre-term labor stuff so early. Can anyone give me some encouragement?

Also, the dr's put me on Procardia to stop the contractions. The info I read on Procardia and pregnancy is not all that great. My high-risk dr. assures me that this is routinely given during preg. It does seem to be working--which is a good thing. Anyone else have experience with this drug?

Needless to say, I am on bedrest for the rest of the preg. I'll be posting lots Thanks!

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of bedrest. There are plenty of women on here with similar experiences that can really help. They have helped me stay sane during my experience!
I went into the hospital at 22 1/2 weeks for preterm labor and my cervix was funneling. I was given indocin to stop the contractions then they switched to procardia. Apparently it is very common to stop contrax during preterm labor. I also did some internet research on the drug that was not encouraging, but many women on message boards I frequent are on it or were on it to prevent contrax. I was given steroid shots at 24 weeks to help with lung development.
I was in the hospital for 5 weeks and came home on Valentine's Day. I will be 30 weeks on Wednesday so I have made it 7 1/2 weeks after preterm labor.
I am on strict bedrest now until 32 weeks (at which point they won't prevent me from having the babies). Good luck and be sure to follow the directions for bedrest. If you ever need to talk, feel free to PM me.

Traci

 

This bedrest business is tough stuff! I feel for you ladies who are doing so much to try and keep those babies cooking. Like Traci said...there are lots and lots of success stories right here on this board of women who've struggled with PTL and other issues who carried the babies to a very safe date. Keep positive and we'll be sending you good vibes!

Reyna

 

HI - CAN'T OFFER any specifics on the procardia other than repeat what the pp's have said. Bedrest sucks, no two ways about it. But - it's better than the alternative. Try not to dwell in the fear, but to see what you can do to create a positive, nurturing cocoon for your two little ones. Sounds like you're getting good care, which is important.

AND - one of the things that i've learned is to not just accept help, but to ask for it; it's amazing how much people really WANT to help, so - get in practice of that! A friend called yesterday and asked what i needed and my answer was "a couple of meals for my DH so he doesn't have to cook every day on top of everything else" I think it's good practice to get into (this from someone who has NEVER liked accepting, much less requesting, help!

hang in there, and hang out here w/all of us - sending good vibes!

 

I was put on procardia at 28 weeks for one week, and again at 33 weeks for 1 week. Although it made me feel shaky, other then that it did it's job.

I'm 36 weeks and still going strong!

Hang in there!

 

I went in for PTL at 26 weeks and was put on rest for 2 weeks at home with no meds. I then went back to work and made it for a couple more weeks. At 31 weeks I was hospitalized again for PTL for 3 days and was put on Mag for 24 hours and started Terbutaline. Both were not so good experiences. At 33 weeks, I broke through the Terb and was switched to Procardia. I like it so much better than the other 2. I have done a lot of research on the three, and they all have side effects/ risks. However, procardia seems to have the least amount of risk associated with it, and it also helps with risk of pre-e because it is a blood pressure medication. I like it because it does not make me shakey like the terbutaline did. I am now almost 36 weeks and the only reason I have made it this long is because of these different drugs. The alternative is having an early baby and possible long stay in NICU. There is a lot of info on the web though, and I suggest looking into it to help make your decision...

 

Did they actually say you were in PTL? I thought the contractions had to be causing changes in order for it to be considered PTL? The fact that you are long and closed means even though you are contracting they are not causing changes which is fantastic. I was on Niphedipine which is a pill form similar to Procardia and don't believe I had any side effects. I don't think anyone can prove if the meds really worked but they certainly did not hurt. I took the meds for 6 weeks and was able to carry until 36 1/2 weeks and no NICU.

We will do our best to keep you company!!

 

Thanks for all the encouragement. Jordari, I think you are exactly right...I need to just accept these changes and surround myself with positive thoughts and prayers.

Dianne, you are correct it wasn't actually PTL...they called it "threatened" PTL. In any case I just want it to STOP!! Thanks for your insight

 

I think if you follow docs orders you and babies will be just fine! My girls tried to come at 29.5 weeks. I was contracting every 2 minutes and my cervix was 4 cm dilated and 75% effaced! My docs told me there was no way I was going home still pregnant, but I did! I was on strict bed rest and procardia for exactly 4 weeks with zero change to my cervix. They came at 34 weeks exactly with only a week NICU time. Hang in there and don't worry too much! Just come to TS to take your mind off of things!

 

I am sorry to hear that you are having to deal with this so early. I too was put on bedrest (and Procardia) at 24 weeks. I will be honest and say that the experience was not easy, but it certainly was doable. The hardest part was the worry, not knowing if I was going to deliver early. The bedrest part was not as bad. I read a lot, and got Netflix to watch every chick flick I had always wanted to see. I settled into a routine and that helped.

Over time, I did have a couple hospital stays, and took lots more meds other than Procardia. BUT, with that said, I delivered two very healthy babies at 34 weeks. So we are a success story; one of many here on this board.

Hang in there and visit TS often. It will most likely be your biggest sanity saver while you are housebound!

 

I had PTL starting at 16 weeks and it did affect my cervix. I was on Indocin at first, then put on Procardia at 22 weeks. I stayed on it until delivery at 31 weeks and my girls and I are perfectly healthy. It did work quite well, in the end my baby A PROM'd which is why I delivered early.

Make sure you drink a ton of fluids, as much as you can possibly tolerate.