Contractions already, damnit

JoJoMama730

With my first child, I started having contractions (preterm labor) at about 23 weeks and spent the rest of my pregnancy on modified bedrest, in and out of the hospital for treatment, and worrying worrying worrying.  I carried her to 38 weeks and she arrived safely.  I have hoped for a problem-free pregnancy this time, and yesterday, at 20 weeks, I started having contractions that were frequent and continued the entire day.  They don't hurt, but are uncomfortable. My OB had me come in, and my cervix is closed up “nice and tight” right now, so there isn’t anything to do.  The plan is to take it one day at a time and see what happens.  I’m having contractions again today, and I have no idea what the future will bring.  I wish there was some middle ground for me, emotionally, but I went from calm and collected to insanely worried in the matter of one day.  The second I let my mind fathom any scenario where I lose this baby, I just about lose my sanity.  And I have 20 more weeks to go.   I'm helpless - there's nothing I can do except BE. 

 

The last thing I want to do is sound preachy here, but rather, just offer a little perspective.  It doesn’t matter what gifts you register for, what your MIL has to say, or what the best stroller is.  Keep your eye on the prize - the safety of your child - and the love you have for it.  All the other stuff is just details.

ellaxo1

Praying for you and your little one!

Leah6120

I've had them as well starting at about 19 weeks. Some days are worse than others. A few are uncomfortable but none are painful yet. I was also checked and cervix is showing no signs of opening so just was told to hydrate and take it very easy. My focus is, like you, on getting her to viability and well beyond healthy and happy.. the rest is just a bonus. We'll get there. Good luck mama!

designer303

I am in a similar situation. I started with full labor at 30 weeks with our son. And with this pregnancy I was having regular contractions starting at 18 weeks. I went on strict bed rest for two weeks and they have stopped. I don't know if it was the magic ticket or what, but I guess I'm trying to say it could turn around. I am amazed that my cervix measured really long at our anatomy scan and seriously questioned if I was dreaming. I am still counting the weeks to viability but I'm hopeful.
I will be praying for you and your little one. Hang in there and maybe try to take it easy for a little bit if you can, I know it's hard.

ellaxo1

Praying for you and your little one!

ariasbabyblog

Early contractions suck. I had three months with my first and I've also started having them sporadically with this pregnancy. I am seriously annoyed by them as I was hoping to avoid any such things this time around. Mine were non-progressive contractions, so I ended up on 2 weeks modified bed rest and spent the rest of the pregnancy going to the hospital for weekly stress testing. We'll see what my OB has to say (I see her next week). I choose to be annoyed by it instead of worried. As long as these babies stay put, all is well. And even if they don't, you can have early babies that grow and thrive and become fantastic children. Hang in there.

meganleakraus

Sending good vibes your way...

MrsB915

I'm in a similar boat as you. I had my son at 32+2 but was admitted at 6 cm at 31+5. I'd only had typical bh contractions prior to that.

This time around I started having bh around 19 weeks and actually just got back from seeing ob because of them. They had gotten worse over the long weekend and even when it wasn't a full contraction my lower abdomen was tight. She said that my cervix is tightly closed and the baby's heart rate is perfect. So we're taking it day by day. She told me to get extra rest and drink a lot. She also had me do a urinalysis to check for a uti, as those can sometimes cause iritation to the uterus.

I am also taking weekly progestin injections and my ob said to keep track of the contractions and see what my normal pattern is and it the contractions are worse right before my next injection.

I'll be thinking of you.

mesamyt

My heart goes out to you so much! I'm in the same situation. I have an irritable uterus, which basically means I'm contracting all the time. The bigger I get the more painful and frequent the contractions will become. I went to physical therapy for my hip flexor yesterday and she suspects that I have PGP with how severe my entire pelvic girdle hurts and grinds when I walk. I'm not excited to go to the doctor next week. I know bed rest is coming for me. It always happens no matter how great of a start I have.

I can only hope and pray that all of the Jan 16 ladies continue to have worry free, healthy pregnancies. They don't know how lucky they are.

JoJoMama730

Thanks so much for chiming in, ladies. I'm working on getting past my little pity party and trying to stay in a hopeful place. As much as I wish none of us were dealing with this, I'm also taking comfort from knowing I'm not alone. Thank you for that.

jencook25

Thinking of all you ladies!
I do have a question though, what is the difference between a sporadic 'true' contraction and a bh? Ive been getting BH for weeks (though generally only about 5-10 a day at the worst, they tend to come in bouts. My sister had bed rest with all three pregnancies, with one she was in hospital from about week 20(!). All of them arrived very prem. Makes me nervous that I will end up in the same boat. Definately feeling for all you ladies, i cant imagine how tough/nerve wracking it is after seeing my sister go through it!

Blueyedsky

I also would love to know what makes it a real contraction. I have been getting Braxton hicks for a couple weeks now, but the past two weeks they have hurt so bad! Mostly only when I'm too tired/hungry/stressed. Is that a bad sign? I'll be talking to my doc too at my appointment next Tuesday.

thebeefamily

I'm sending you prayers! I have a family history of preterm labor and necessary cerclages so I too am trying to get to viability.