SS: I've got an irritable uterus.

AMcLaws

On Thursday morning, I started having really bad period type cramps. They progressively got worse, and I started timing them. I ended up in L&D on monitors. Was having contractions, but they were random and only lasting about 30 seconds (so not really long enough or strong enough to progress me). The doctor told me I have an irritable uterus. Told me to hydrate well, relax, and see my doctor ASAP (I have an appointment on Monday).

Two days later, I'm still in pain. Still having contractions. Can't get comfortable. Anyone dealt with this issue?? If so, did you find a way to ease the CX and/or get comfortable? Did you have to do bedrest? (A possibility, I guess. If my cervix is dilating at all.)

mrscurlygurl

I'm not having it constantly. I had really bad period-like cramping one night and on and off one day, but it seems to have slowed down. Around the same time, I really tried to up my water in-take too and maybe that helped? 

One of my friends said she had that type of thing happen for several weeks before her second was born...and he was two weeks late! 

Sorry I don't really have more advice. Maybe a bath? And trying to rest (easier said than done when you have a toddler, I know). 

AMcLaws

I have the toddler, plus 4 more weeks of work! I work on my feet, 6 hour days right now. My RCS is scheduled for 7/22, just over 4 weeks away.

I'm curious to see what my doc says. Maybe I'll need to reduce my hours even more. I took Tylenol before bed last night...didn't do much for me.

AMcLaws

@BPaws‌ I think I'd be afraid to take them too. Pain meds typically make me kinda loopy.

abchittam

About the only relief I get is in a warm bath. Sometimes it calms them and sometimes it's only a temporary relief. You may could ask for a terbutaline Rx. It's not used as commonly in pill form anymore, but my doctor said it would be better than nothing if I needed it.

Cass533

I was told at 28 weeks that I have an irritable uterus. I was put on bed rest since then and told to stay hydrated. I can't tell you the amount of times I have been back to L&D because of contractions that were 1 1/2 to 2 min apart, lasting for hours and hours. No matter how much water I drank, it seemed I couldn't get rid of them. Bed rest helped a lot. It also helped me to drink Gatorade when they started up. It seemed to help keep me hydrated better than water did. Strangely enough, , I have not have any close contractions once I reached 35 weeks. How many weeks are you right now?  

jcartz

Same here, since 16 weeks! So annoying and frustrating. Just loads of water & lying down get them to stop for me. I've been at l&d twice and once to the ob for an NST but I've stopped calling. Just waiting for the real thing at this point. Baths have helped a little too, but usually I just have to go to sleep and things calm down by the time I wake up.

jcartz

I hear you! I felt dumb too-- like I was wasting their time. They were always nice but.... I just felt stupid, like I should know better esp as a STM. Oh well! Hopefully I can tell when it's the real deal!

Nichole8787

Same thing going on here since 32 weeks. Staying hydrated, keepIng my bladder empty and warm baths help

AMcLaws

Cass533 said:

I was told at 28 weeks that I have an irritable uterus. I was put on bed rest since then and told to stay hydrated. I can't tell you the amount of times I have been back to L&D because of contractions that were 1 1/2 to 2 min apart, lasting for hours and hours. No matter how much water I drank, it seemed I couldn't get rid of them. Bed rest helped a lot. It also helped me to drink Gatorade when they started up. It seemed to help keep me hydrated better than water did. Strangely enough, , I have not have any close contractions once I reached 35 weeks. How many weeks are you right now?  

@Cass533‌ I'm 34+4. I've been having period like cramping for about 12 weeks now. He told me to take ibuprofen, which actually helped. BUT he said no more of that after 34 weeks (since it thins the blood). And the cramping has got much worse than what I was dealing with before.

kd0309

I don't have any personal experience with this, but just wanted to say that I'm sorry for all of you that are dealing with it. I can't imagine having non-stop pain on top of all the other late pregnancy discomforts. Hang in there mommas - the end is in sight!

INmommy871278

I was told Tuesday I have an irritable uterus, but wasn't given any special instructions other than we are trying to make it one more week before induction is necessary due to high BP not the irritable uterus. The only thing I've found that even partially helps is adjusting how I'm sitting or standing at the time.

AMcLaws

So far, the only thing that helps is laying down. and even that doesn't help 100% of the time. I've missed 3 days of work because of the pain I'm in.

alwyssmilin

I was on bed rest my first pregnancy, around 33 weeks. The whole best rest thing in general for issues like this doesn't have convincing evidence either way, but it did slow down the crazy contractions (I ended up being a week late!) For the first time moms, it's hard to believe, but even when the BH were consistent like labor patterning and were uncomfortable, real labor was different. Kiddo was flipped around, so the back labor was insane, but the front also felt more like waves, with a top to bottom firming, instead of a side to side, if that makes sense. At least that was my experience. They are not enjoyable at all, but it doesn't mean you have to suffer next pregnancy. I've still had some crazy BH this time around, but only when I overdo it.

reils500

I had this with DS. A warm bath with a warm wash cloth on my belly or pouring warm water over my belly helped to calm things down a bit.

Hilee18

Diagnosed with irritable uterus at 26 weeks, usually bath, rest at least helps a bit. I went in at 29 weeks with intense long lasting ones ended up being 1 cm dilated, shortened and soft cervix. If I continue to progress we'll discuss bed rest, but until then, no restrictions besides no sex. 

alyss0nl

I just came back from the hospital after an overnight stay with zero progression. I've been having contractions and cramping on and off this week, but yesterday they would not subside. I was having them every 2-4 mins. Turns out I was very dehydrated which was causing the cramping. So I'm currently 5cm dilated and am trying to stay busy/somewhat active but also resting and chug a lugging that water. Living in Arizona I know to drink tons of it, but the nurses said it can sneak up on you. Anywho, bottom line, water is my BFF until this child decides he wants to come out. Fx for you, and the only advice I have is water.

mamakiss

Got diagnosed with an IU at 33 weeks. Cervix was softening but no real progress, they didn't have to put me on bed rest. Every few days I'll have a couple hours of painful contractions and they told me to call if they become more regular and if I can't get them to stop on my own. So if I start getting them, I wait an hour first. Then if they're still going, I'll go on a walk, take a bath, eat something, drink, pee, etc. I'm especially not concerned on a day that I finish doing something active and they come, I know they're likely from that and not actual contractions. I'm assuming I'll know when they're real as they're painful but mostly uncomfortable, I figure they'll hurt like hell when they're serious.

There have been a few instances where I've taken a Tylenol and tried to sleep... I figure if the contractions mean anything they'll surely wake me up. I haven't woken up from them yet!

AMcLaws

alysson.lawless said:

I just came back from the hospital after an overnight stay with zero progression. I've been having contractions and cramping on and off this week, but yesterday they would not subside. I was having them every 2-4 mins. Turns out I was very dehydrated which was causing the cramping. So I'm currently 5cm dilated and am trying to stay busy/somewhat active but also resting and chug a lugging that water. Living in Arizona I know to drink tons of it, but the nurses said it can sneak up on you. Anywho, bottom line, water is my BFF until this child decides he wants to come out. Fx for you, and the only advice I have is water.

@alysson.lawless‌ I'm in Arizona too!!! And it did really sneak up on me!! They thought it was dehydration also. But it seems like no matter how much I drink, I keep having them. Boo!

bewilderingstar

My gal pal has an IU and has been on bed rest since 29wks. She has had to really take it easy and hates it. She's had to go in a couple times to L&D to get contractions to stop. Since then though she has been good and staying relaxed and chill. In a few days she'll be hitting 36wks so the docs told her she is free to be off bed rest. 

AMcLaws

I don't think I'm dilating at all, because I haven't lost my mucus plug (that I'm aware of.) so I'm "afraid" he's going to tell me to suck it up and deal. The pain is really hard to push through. Idk if I can push my body another 4 weeks at work. Especially since I'm on my feet ALL THE TIME. All I can do is talk to him and see what he feels is best.

marsalisails

I think I have this - went to L&D Monday thinking I was having contractions. They stopped, and no dilation, but over the past couple of days I've been really crampy. I've been super active though, and probably not keeping up with my water like i should, so that's probably why.

I keep waking up crampy at night...boo

I'm just trying to drink more water. I go to the OB Wednesday, so hopefully I can get checked again then...

Cass533

AMcLaws said:

So far, the only thing that helps is laying down. and even that doesn't help 100% of the time. I've missed 3 days of work because of the pain I'm in.

If I were you I'd talk to my doctor about bed rest, at least for the next couple weeks. I"m sorry your dealing with this! Keep us updated!

Mrs.DeRuysscher

I feel for you as I have been going through this as well all though I have been having some contractions that are regular and strong enough to have dilated me to 2 cm and almost fully thinned out. I just spent friday night in l&d after going in with contractions though these ones were a tad painful. Since they were regular I was admitted to be monitored over night. I was hooked up to an iv bag of liquids just sugars salts electrolytes ect. Those helped the contractions die down. By morning they weren't as strong or regular so the said it was now a irritable uterus from last nights contractions.

The advice they gave me to help calm thr uterus was basically drink lots of water or Gatorade as it has electrolytes in it, take a tylenol when needed, warm baths help and basically just lay down relax and not to do anything strenuous like painting a fence lol.

My advice to you though is listen to your gut if you feel the contractions are coming on and more than just 4-6 an hour call your l&d because they could cause you to dilate and thin out. They may have you come in for monitoring. I know its annoying going in all the time but its better to be early at the hospital then too late for them to stop it if it needs to be.


I wish you luck and hope you get some comfort your way soon.

alyss0nl

Woohoo @AMcLaws‌ !!! @kam3100‌ and I both live in Phoenix, where are you?

AMcLaws

@alysson.lawless‌

I'm in Mesa!!

Edit: tagging fail

tarynkim

I feel for you as well!! I had an irritable uterus with my first pregnancy and was treated with pill form albuterol until 37 weeks and then my son decided to come a week after my due date. I often wonder if this was because of the medication as there is speculation that it can cause a delay in spontaneous labor...who knows though. This pregnancy I'm experiencing the same thing, but trying to treat with modified bed rest, magnesium, and increased fluid intake. So far I'm only dilated to one at 35 weeks, but there have been a few times I've legitimately thought it was d day.

Definitely the most frustrating thing is not knowing when it's real. Good luck to all you ladies! It's nice to know we're not alone! I've tried to research IU as much as possible, but there's not much out there.

cakebatter27

I'm just reading through these now. I woke up at 3 am this morning to pee and had cramping so bad I had trouble peeing. Was able to fall back asleep. Woke up at 9 and just felt off. DH came home and I ran some errands super slow and rested all afternoon. Tonight I've had a few cramps that have made me stop and catch my breath. I think maybe I have an irritable uterus. I haven't had any leak, discharge, loss of plug, etc that makes me think labor is coming on soon. The baby has been low the entire time so I don't know if she dropped. I feel so very heavy all of a sudden and keep getting stabbing pains in my cervix. Tonight is DH's last midnight shift so I'm hoping to make it through the night then call in the morning to insist in getting checked. Everything I'm experiencing may be normal but it's not normal for me. I'll be 36 weeks Tuesday and no clue if baby is breech, if I'm dilated or anything. My office doesn't start internals until 37 weeks.

So thank you for this post. It helped me a bit to think this could be an IU and not necessarily early labor. Of course I won't know until I get checked but it'll help me sleep better!