Contractions at 30 weeks but not pre term labor

mattanda2011

Hi ladies!
Well I just got home from an eventful evening at L&D. I went in because I was having regular contractions every 10 minutes for over 2 hours. As soon as we got there and I got hooked up to the monitors I was contracting every 2-3 minutes and lasting 45 seconds or so.
Well I got some fluids (which didn't seem to do much) but after about 3-4 hours they slowed to every 6 minutes.
I was in the hospital for about 18 hours being monitored the whole time and after multiple cervix checks I had no change (I was consistently 1cm 20%.) and a negative FFN, my dr said it was not pre term labor, and I was sent home and told to take it easy (no bed rest).
I guess I am just a little worried about the whole thing and wondering what anyone else's experience has been. I go back next week to see my dr and will see how things are then. Thanks!

bluebird0521

I would say the fluids did help, because if your contractions were every 2-3 minutes and they spread out to 6 minutes that is a good difference. The uterus is the most irritable organ in the body, and when you are dehydrated you will contract. I would make sure you drinking enough fluids and don't stress your body out too much (lifting, exercising more than your usual, etc). Also, if they are lasting about 45 seconds they don't consider that a true labor contraction, its uterine irritability. The fact that it did not progress and actually slowed down after fluids is why the doctors sent you home and said it wasn't labor. True labor would not slow down with fluids, and your contractions would last longer.

I was admitted twice for pre-term labor already this pregnancy. The first time I started with contractions that were around 45 seconds but they quickly progressed into what they were calling true labor contractions (lasting over 60 seconds). Fluids did not stop my progression so I had to be given an injection of terbutaline to stop it. The doctor explained to me the difference between an irritable uterus and actual labor. Your situation sounds exactly like how my doctor described uterine irritability (which is caused by stress, dehydration, etc).

Hopefully, with some relaxation and some fluids you will be just fine! Good luck!

mattanda2011

Thanks so much for the help!
I think I was mostly confused because it seemed like the contractions really picked up when I got to the hospital - but your explanation really helps!
I have actually had a really stressful 2 weeks at work and with my 14 month old being sick and wanting to be held more...sounds like it turned into a perfect storm!
Thanks! And luckily we have family close that will help me with my DD when I am on my own.

bluebird0521

Yes, that definitely sounds like the perfect storm to me! I say you definitely deserve a few hours to relax this weekend after all the work stress and then baby stress you have been through!

Wally3

Take it really easy. Lie down and drink water if they start up again. If the get close and long go back to l&d. I had contractions starting at 32 wks with ds2. My cervix was closed. They gave me Iv fluids and then tributaline to stop them when they got really long an close together. The concern is that even though your cervix is closed and not changing contractions over a long period of time. Close together and long can eventually cause changes in your cervix and you start progressing. It is easier to stop the early they try. However they don't want to give meds if they stop on them with fluids and rest.

haziedaze

Based on my experiences with my 2 pregnancies it's basically impossible to know what will happen with a story like this. I'll illustrate with my 2 pregnancies:

DS1: Started with BHs at 19 weeks, could be as frequent as every 10 mins. Went to L&D for contractions every 4-5 mins for several hours at 27 weeks. Was long but 1cm dilated. Admitted for 2 nights after terbutaline and nifedipine spaced them some (never completely stopped). Had no cervical change in that time. Was on bedrest for 1 week, then MFM took me off because my FFN was negative said I was just "a contractor." Went back to work Monday, on Friday had a good day but contractions suddenly became more painful and were consistently 5 mins apart, then had a gush of blood. Went to L&D and cervix was long but 3cm dilated. Put on mag, but went into labor and gave birth at 29w4d. I did have an abruption, so there's some though that's what pushed me into true labor.

DS2: Currently pregnant. Started with BHs at 16 weeks, started 17P at 17 weeks given history with DS1. Went to L&D at 25 weeks with mild-mod intensity contractions every 2-3 mins. Seemed to intensify on the way there. Cervix was long, closed, posterior. Admitted and put on mag, contractions spaced to every 5mins, so got beta methasone. Admitted through my beta window (until 24 hours post last dose). At one point they stopped Mag and my contractions dramatically increased so nifedipine was started which I went home on. Decided with team to take nifed at home this time and go home on modified bedrest. I have been home since, I contract at least 2-3 times per hour but will have periods where they are timeable. At 33wks I was monitored for 5 hours and they were ever 2-3 mins but cervix again stayed long and closed. Now I'm off bedrest, off meds, contracting like crazy but still not in labor.

So yeah, go figure. The constant contractions are such a m!ndfuck, I used to be so scared of them! I drank water like a fish and peed every hour. I was scared to do even minimal activity. Now I'm doing all those things and honestly they are not that different. I'm thankful though!

Basically it's impossible to know how things will turn out. My best advice is listen to your body, work with the doctors and in the end make choices based on what will give you the least regrets (so many regrets about not being on meds and bedrest with DS1). Hang in there!

curlylocks3

I'm 30.6 weeks now and have been contracting every 3-4 minutes since 29 weeks...did not make cervical change during a nearly week long hospital stay and I've been told to expect to continue contracting until delivery. It sucks and is frustrating but it is what it is and I've found many cases of women contracting for weeks like this.

erikaleighh

I've had BH since pretty early on, like 15 wks (I am now at 31 wks). I am especially scared since I also have complete placenta previa. But so far, so good. They aren't constant, but happen just about every day. I just need to make it 7 more weeks so I'm hopeful everything continues smoothly. Best of luck to the rest of you having similar symptoms!