PTL at 27 1/2 weeks :(

Lets start out the easy way. Bye explaining my doctors vist last week just before I turned 27 weeks. I had really bad groin pain and bad hip pain. So bad I almost couldnt walk. I was also having very slight cramping in my lower abdomin. So I gave my doctor a call and he had me come in. he didnt think I was having contractions because I have been doing so well and I didnt seem to think the cramping was coming and going.

So he did a urine sample and I found out I had a UTI. GREAT! Just what I need. So my doctor gave me a prescription to help with that. So he told me if I continue to have the same symptoms to go to OB to be monitored. By friday the symptoms had subsided and lasted until about Mid sunday then they began again.

Monday I was in the same amount of pain and I was thinking that maybe my antibiotic was not working. So I called my doctor and he told me just to go in to OB to be monitored to make sure I was not having contractions.

So I go there and they made sure I still did not have my UTI and then hooked me up to the monitors to see if I was contracting and sure enough I was. Go Figure. But every time they told me I was I really didnt know it.

I had been feeling the same thing for quite some time and apparently they had been contractions all along. They were not strong enough to change my cervix at all but enough to keep me at the hospital for 7 hours. They ended up giving me two 10mg tablets of Procardia to stop the contractions which then in turn actually made them worse they were anywhere from One to three minutes apart. The doctor checked my cervix to make sure I was not dialating. I was not everything was good. Usually when they do that it worstens the contractions and it ended up stopping them. They monitored me for a while after and then my contractions slowed down so they finally sent me home.

They put me on modified berest. I can still go to work because all I do all day is sit in a cubicle and answer a phone all day. I am not allowed to lift things over 10 pounds, I have to take frequent rests and no intercourse. Oh well.

So the doctor sent me home on a prescription of Procardia to take once every 4 hours. well Now that I know what they are I get very irritated when I cant really do anything about it my self. The procardia works for about 2 hours then it starts all over again.

I am just so frustrated but I really dont want to have to go back to OB because my doctor told me if it doesnt work then I would have to be put on something else and that means I would have to stay there until I had my Babies.


Sorry this is so long I just needed to vent a little.

 

I know it is frustrating!!! I would just take it as asy as possible and stay off you feet as much as you can. Drink lots of water. Bed rest really does help. I know that it's hard now, but you made it this far with no issues which is great. Try to focus on the positives and think positive thoughts to keep those babies baking!!

 

I know it is frustrating. I had preterm labor at about the same time (27 weeks and 5 days) and have been on bedrest ever since. At first I really hated it because I am so active, but I realized it was for the best. I wanted to have big healthy babies and keep them in as long as possible. It really has worked (made it to 35 weeks so far). I was dilated about 2 cm, and I haven't dilated any more since being on bedrest. I still get BH contractions but nothing that thins the cervix.

It is great that they contractions aren't causing dilation. Take it easy, drink lots of water, and if you are worried, I wouldn't hesitate to call or go back to the OB.

 

Sorry you are feeling bummed out. It's so hard to feel like there's nothing you can do about it. But there is something you can do, and that's to stay off your feet, take your meds, and drink lots of water. All those things really do help. Even sitting upright (like you do at work) can cause contractions, so if you feel they are not stopping, tell your OB, and be prepared to stop working and just lie down at home.

It's great that the contrax are not changing your cervix, and as long as it stays that way, you're in good shape. I spent the night in the hospital at 29 weeks for the exact same situation, and was told to stop work and go on modified bedrest (and terbutaline every 4 hours). I made it to 37 weeks and a scheduled c-section. It was very very boring, but much better than giving birth too early. Hang in there. :hug99:

 

(((HUGS))) I have no experience with PTL, so I don't know what you are going through - but I wanted to send you some good vibes and hugs and hopes that this will pass and the babies will be healthy and happy in the end.

 

Hi,
I hope things get better each day. Like the pp said, drink water....Also, I had heard that the protein shakes helped the babies grow, so I drank those for a while during my first/second trimesters. I actually like the way they taste and maybe I had too many....now I'm huge. ;-)
You are on your way to the end, so keep up the great work ...especially by working closely w/ your ob...
Take care of yourself and keep us posted on how you are doing!
~Erin

 

I'm sorry about the modified bedrest, but I'm surprised they let you return to work with being on modified bedrest.

The good news is the contractions are not changing your cervix and hopefully you will be monitored a little more closely now.

 

:hug99: I'm sorry you're having a rough time. Just keep following your doc's suggestions and please look at baby blogs to remind yourself how it is all worth every minute, I promise! :hug99:

 

I also had the exact same situation happen around the same time. This is not a coincidence.
It is around this time that the babies are growing their fastest and the uterus starts to get a little "freaked out" by the abnormal growth rate. With twins you get bigger faster than normal, and so sometimes the body isn't sure how to handle it and PTL or early contractions are a result.
I have read that it is not true PTL unless your cervix dilates, so if that is true, keep that in mind
I also had the same job you do, sitting in a cubical all day - and when I had my 8 hours in the hospital like you did - that was IT, no more work. Plus full bed rest and lots of water until there were no more contractions. It instantly helped! A few days of good solid rest in the bed did me good - no more contractions. Then after a while I was moved to modified bed rest. In the end I made it to 38 1/2 weeks, they were threatening to induce me! lol
So, I agree with the others who say look into stopping work - or at least taking a week off with full bed rest just to test it out and see if that helps - I bet you anything it will!
Best of luck and keep us updated!
- Laura

 

I had the same situation happen last week. They gave me an IV which seem to slow them down and after 6 hours they let me go. They didn't suggest bedrest or anything to me. I think as long as your not dilating it not a huge issue, more like regular braxton hicks. My OB did say that she recommend that all her patients having twins to stop work at 25 weeks. I stopped at 14 weeks cause I was so sick so that's not really an issue with me. I think if you did get some more rest the BH would calm down. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.