High frequency Braxton Hicks...

iqwedding3

I just had 24 hours straight of Braxton Hicks contractions, 5 minutes apart, 30-60 seconds each.  My doctor's office had me come in and confirmed that it wasn't actual labor.  They stopped it for now, but it's unclear what caused it in the first place!  I'm kind of worried that with 12 weeks left, they may start up again!  Has anyone managed to function with that level of BH?

Xath

How did they determine that it wasn't actual labor?  Even if you're not dialating, contractions with that duration at those intervals are signs of PTL.  

Did they do a swab for culture to see if you have an infection?  Sometimes UTIs or yeast infections can irritate the uterus to contract like that.  

Did they do a Fetal Fibronectin test to see if you would go into active labor in the next 2 weeks?  

What did they give you to stop the contractions?  Terbutaline?  Procardia/Nifedipine?  Fluids?  

If they come back, or keep up, I'd go back and be stubborn about being seen and examined for all of the above.  Prolonged contractions of that frequency starting this early, especially if they continue for weeks, can weaken the uterus to the point of rupture (rare, but it happens, ask me how I know).  

Good luck, and FX that this was just a fluke and you have smooth sailing for the next 12 weeks.  

iqwedding3

Had an ultrasound, 4 hour NST, checked for infection, checked cervix, drew blood, swabbed for UTI and infection, and did some kind of test that would indicate active labour in the next 2 weeks...  All negative (or positive depending on how you look at it, everything was normal).  I started out drinking a lot of fluids, and then I got a liter of lactated ringers.  They concluded dehydration, but I wasn't dehydrated when it started, I was dehydrated after a night of contractions! 

So when people talk about having lots of BH in the last trimester, this length/frequency isn't normal?  *phew*

iqwedding3

Will have to discuss the risk of rupture with my OB, I'm already structurally unsound from previous surgery

Xath

No, not normal. My OB says anything regular with more than 5 in an hour isn't BH even if it isn't active labor. For me, I'm on Procardia and P17 and try to drink 3+ liters of water per day. That seems to be managing them well enough so far.

If this continues and you already have uteran scarring, definitely have them watch for rupture as you get into the 30s weeks marks. At 28, your uterus should still have enough flexibility to manage, but the bigger you get your uteran wall will start to really thin out around the scar tissue.

iqwedding3

Scary stuff.  I'm already on BP meds, so more would not be good.  Thanks for the info!