32 weeks tomorrow and 60% effaced

brennafandrwi

I have been having contractions not bh  for the last 3 weeks .. Thursday at 31 weeks I went to my Dr who checked me and said my cervix was soft but closed and was not effaced yet. .  They gave me steroid shots to help babies lungs and put me on bed rest. Saturday we went to the hospital with contractions 2 mins apart. Luckily they got them to stop cervix was super soft but closed. Monday my Dr brought be back in did some monitoring and checked me again I'm 60% effaced and not dilated. He said he feels baby will be here soon.. he said to take it daily instead of weekly. I have a heart condition and can't take procadiaor any of the other meds that stop contractions. Has thishappened to anyone else? This is Baby number 3. My son was born at 34 weeks same thing happened

mlindzz

This happened to me as well with my last pregnancy, it’s not common, but you certainly aren’t alone. As difficult as it is not the stress, try to relax and listen very carefully to your body. The survival rate is over 97% after 29 weeks or so, and the fact that you’ve already caught this and had the steroid shot will be extremely helpful, IF the little bean decides to arrive early!  So you’re doing great mama! And the fact that you’re a third time mother (I applaud you, that’s amazing) and you’ve had a premie before, kinda makes you a superhero of sorts! 

I had a completely normal pregnancy until my roughly 30-31 week appointment, at which time I was informed that what I thought that normal Braxton Hicks were actually contractions and there was already progression with effacement and dilation. I attended triage and was informed that my contractions were also 3 minutes apart and Baby was likely to arrive late that day, but the contractions subsided and I was later sent home. The medical team anticipated I should arrive a few hours later when things started up again. However, this dance of attending triage every 10-14 days for the same thing continued for the next TEN weeks, and my healthy little guy wasn’t actually born until after his due date, despite me being dilated as early as 30 weeks. 

When the contractions started, I found that going home and laying on my left side would often help. Sometimes failing that a warm bath, but the key certainly seemed to be relaxing and getting off my feet (which I imagine would be much harder with two kids at home). But my advice would be to try to do the same, and trust your instincts. Sending positive vibes and prayers your way. I hope you’re able to keep us posted about how things unfold! 

wildtot

*lurking* sorry your going through that stress! I had a similar experience with my first. Started getting contractions around 30 wks and had to be out on bedrest/disability. I was given the steroid shots and nifedipine to minimize the contractions. I was monitored twice a week and ended up in L&D at least 3 times. I luckily made it to 39 wks. 
Keep checking in with your doctor and take it easy! Rest as much as you can a keep drinking lots of water. Hope your little one hangs tight a bit longer!