Bad Cramps

laurenlalap

Can't believe I'm asking medical questions on an online forum, but I am... : )

I've been to the hospital 2x times now for cramps. Every time I go, they're nice but I can tell they're annoyed I'm there. I'm hooked up to the monitor and I get a pelvic exam which shows everything is normal. 

I'm reminded that cramps are normal, and to rest if I get them. 

Well tonight they are BAD!! I was just at the hospital last week for cramps, but tonight it feels like the worst period of my life. I can't time anything, so I don't think they're contractions, and baby is still moving well.

Do I go for a THIRD time, after I was basically told to stop coming in? Or if you were me, would you wait and hope they pass in the next hour or so?

MrsMaryK2016

What did your doctor say? Have you tried calling to find out what he/she thinks?

laurenlalap

MrsMaryK2016 said:

What did your doctor say? Have you tried calling to find out what he/she thinks?

There is no after hours number. You have to show up at L&D if you have an issue after 5pm or on the weekends.

Last time I saw my doctor he told me I don't need to go in for cramps, and to take it easy. So far we're on 3 hours and they're not going away. I'm going to try and lie down at midnight, and if they're keeping me awake, I'm going to the hospital... again

jenesiso

I know this is 2 cent advice, but would a warm bath hold you over? Some tylenol?

sarahh781

If you feel like you need to go to the hospital go to the hospital. Mom knows best and it's never a bad thing to make sure your babys doing ok in there. 

hollowway

Do you need to poop? (Seriously)

anne11716

I would say, when in doubt go in. If they are annoyed oh well! Tell them what you have tried to make the pain go away and how this time feels more intense. Good luck to you! 

juliehollz13

I have that but because the baby is on my right kidney (which is happens to be pelvic) and is restricting the flow of urine to my bladder. Apparently it's very common in pregnancy. The Dr. prescribed me Tramadol because when it acts up I literally can't sleep and feel like I'm dying. It feels like severe cramps but the kind that don't go away for hours.

Next time you have a Dr's appointment ask about Pregnancy induced hydronephrosis. It's not harmful to the baby but can make you more prone to bladder infections and is very uncomfortable. They can do an Ultrasound of your kidneys to see if you have it. If you're in severe pain they can prescribe you something stronger than Tylenol. It has been a lifesaver for me because I didn't sleep for almost a week and the pain was so bad I was throwing up. 

Knottie1458416769

I second what @MaMaBear1323 said - I don't have any real contractions or cramps or at least can't tell, but whenever it hurts it gets better if I try to take a BM even if I don't feel the urgency 

laurenlalap

Thanks everyone. I went in last night after midnight, and I must have looked BAD because they saw me quickly, and were surprised I didn't come in earlier. 
They are real contractions, but they are gone for now. I am 2cm dilated, so I'm done work now and I'm on bed rest. Today was the first day I didn't go into work and I already feel a lot better. No more cramps. Here's hoping my little man stays put for at least another 5 weeks...

Muscatmommyof4

laurenlalap said:

That's everyone. I went in last night after midnight, and I must have looked BAD because they saw me quickly, and were surprised I didn't come in earlier. 
They are real contractions, but they are gone for now. I am 2cm dilated, so I'm done work now and I'm on bed rest. Today was the first day I didn't go into work and I already feel a lot better. No more cramps. Here's hoping my little man stays put for at least another 5 weeks...

Glad your feeling better! 

ZoeFer

@laurenlalap i m glad that you listened yourself and went to hospital . Happy to hear you are feeling better!

MollySm

I'm glad you are feeling better and that you went in when you needed to!  I had on and off cramps a few weeks ago, and my doc also said it was fine, just rest and drink lots of water.  I had one day of about 8 hours straight that made me very nervous, but in.the end they went away and haven'the been back since.  Hopefully yours won't come back either!

jenesiso

I had one last night on my lower right side that scared the crap out of me....like a really bad period cramp, level 5 on a 10 pain scale. Luckily I slept it off, but it wasn't cool at all. A bath would've helped but I had already taken one earlier...Anyway it's still there mildly, I'm guessing it's BH.

MrsBigTime

Thanks to this post I took my "cramps" seriously and it turns out: I'm in pre-term labor! I'm dilating and effacing (2 and 90% at my 0200 check) and was transferred to a hospital with a NICU that would take babies <35 weeks (I am 34 weeks as of midnight). 

I didn't ever imagine being in this position and it is scary, overwhelming and humbling. I am praying things slow down and I'll be eternally grateful for every hour she stays put!

anne11716

@MrsBigTime thinking of you!! I'm sure you are In good care and all will be just fine. Sending thoughts your way! 

jarethinafrock

For all of you FTMs out there, contractions basically feel like the worst period cramp you have ever had. I was surprised by this last time around and wished that someone had told me what to expect/how they felt. So yes, it is definitely worth getting checked out if you are feeling really uncomfortably crampy. 

MrsBigTime

jarethinafrock said:

For all of you FTMs out there, contractions basically feel like the worst period cramp you have ever had. I was surprised by this last time around and wished that someone had told me what to expect/how they felt. So yes, it is definitely worth getting checked out if you are feeling really uncomfortably crampy. 

Last time for me, there was definitely no questioning they were contractions, but for some reason this time all of my cramping was on the top of my belly and I couldn't find a position that made anything comfortable. I also wasn't experiencing any breaks in the pain, but a constant feeling of pain, with the intensity changing, but always being painful. 

I was thinking in the car (when I was dreading being sent away with instructions to go poop) that the only other time I had pain even close to this severe was with my last labor - I guess so!!

BmcD2016

jarethinafrock said:

For all of you FTMs out there, contractions basically feel like the worst period cramp you have ever had. I was surprised by this last time around and wished that someone had told me what to expect/how they felt. So yes, it is definitely worth getting checked out if you are feeling really uncomfortably crampy. 

I thought this during labor too! 

@MrsBigTime hope you're hanging in there ok. Good luck! 

laurenlalap

@MrsBigTime - hope you're doing OK!

The nurses at the hospital and even my own doctor would constantly tell me, "if they're not timbale, or if there's no rhythm to them, they're not the real thing." 

BULLSHIT. I'm proof that's not always correct. 

MrsBigTime

Thanks for everyone's well wishes! It was a very scary and eventful weekend, but my progress stopped on Saturday evening and after my second dose of steroids and an unchanged cervical exam Sunday morning, I was released. I'm so happy to still be pregnant with a healthy (and spunky!) little babe!

Muscatmommyof4

MrsBigTime said:

Thanks for everyone's well wishes! It was a very scary and eventful weekend, but my progress stopped on Saturday evening and after my second dose of steroids and an unchanged cervical exam Sunday morning, I was released. I'm so happy to still be pregnant with a healthy (and spunky!) little babe!

Happy to hear your doing better and able to go home!