Questions- contractions, etc

So last night I got about 5 braxton hicks contractions in an hour. I called triage, they had me lay down, drink water, etc. I did that and they slowed. I went to sleep and everytime I woke up I was having one. So at 1 I stayed awake to see and I had 5 or 6 in an hour. So I went in, the monitored me, yes I was having contractions. I am 1 cm dilated but my cervix is still long (determined by internal). They gave me a shot of terbutaline which helped, and I went home.

I put myself on bed rest, but have still been having contractions!! About 3 an hour. They are not painful or anything, but I'm getting worried. Should I be worried? My OB is also out of town right now :angry:

So, should I be concerned? I am going to call the other OB in the office on Monday, but right now I don't think there is any way of getting a hold of him.

 

I know what you mean. I was 27 weeks and 5 days when I went into preterm labor. I had dilated to 2 cm and had to be in the hospital for two days. When I got home, I was worried about every contraction. I am sure I called my doctor too much in the two weeks following that time. My doctor has told me that as long as they don't change in intensity and aren't regular not to worry about them. I have contractions all the time (sometimes several an hour), but they aren't regular, so I try to ride them out (lay on my side or change positions and drink water). This morning alone I had 20 contractions, but they eventually went away...

I think, though, if you are at all concerned, I would call and just make sure (and if really worried just go back to L&D). Always better to be safe than sorry.

Is there anyone that you can talk to (another on call physician) while your doctor is out of town?

 

I still say if you have 6 or more in an hour go in. I was having contractions every 2 mins and they send me home because i didnt progress past 2 cm and i was still at a -2 station (head wasnt dropping down). They told me not to come back in until the contractions were hurting.. But my contractions diodnt really hurt until about 5 cm.

I would still go in 6 or more an hour.. Do that until told not too. You could always try drinking about 16 oz of water and laying down for an hour before hand..

 

Thanks I drank a lot more water and they pretty much stopped. I don't think there is a doctor I could get a hold of - but possibly. I'll try calling if they get worse.

 

You definately need to drink enough water. If you are dehydrated that can be a cause of contractions also. I was told immediately when i was having contractions to drink a couple of cups of water.

 

Be sure to ask what the contractions limit per hour should be so you'll know exactly when to come in. I was having 6 an hour starting at 25 weeks, but then they'd mellow, then they'd come back, and my cervix was staying long so they weren't worried. Also my OB did FFNs every two weeks til I was 34 weeks, it's another measure of whether you're likely to go into labor in the next two weeks. Having contractions is scary, just be sure not to hesitate to call or go in when in doubt

 

At 28 weeks I had a similar situation and was put on bedrest. The doctor said as long as I didn't have more than 5 per hour, I was good. I did end up having to go on terb every four hours- but now, at 36 weeks, I usually only have 0-2 per hour. I just make sure to drink TONS of water!