preterm labor question

Cullum13

I have been having very mild period like cramps since last night. They stop if I lay down but if I get up, they start up again. They are not painful at all, more like a mild cramp.They didn't really have a pattern to start with, but if I sit up for very long, they get to be more pressure every 3-7 minutes, otherwise it's a constant cramping like gas pain.

I know if they go away with rest it is not anything to worry about, but what if they come back if you get up? If I sit up for more than 15 minutes, they come back and if I walk around they come back almost immediately.

Like I said they aren't painful, so I feel kind of silly calling the OB. Is this what preterm labor feels like or is it more painful?

Sassystace

PTL for me was Braxton-Hicks contractions every 5-6 minutes for a couple of hours before I called the doctor.  They felt like a tightening or squeezing of the uterus at regular intervals.  It wasn't really painful per say but uncomfortable.  If they go away with rest and drinking lots of water, it is a good sign but I would suggest you call your dr just in case.  It is better safe than sorry.

Afton3

My advice is to never feel silly calling the OB.  That's the main reason I lost my first baby, because I felt silly calling or going to the ER because I was sure my symptoms weren't anything to really worry about.

I don't mean to freak you out by saying that, but it's always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to the birth of your baby.  Making sure you're getting the attention you need is so important and will help you to not have any regrets later.  If you have any questions or are uncertain, just call your OB or even go in and just ask them to check you.

With my two preemies I had no pain at all until I had hard painful contractions all of a sudden and by the time I reached the doctor I was in active labor and it couldn't be stopped.  With my third baby my stomach felt upset like I'd eaten something that didn't agree with me, and then my water broke and my hard contractions started about half an hour later.

I spent 4 months on bedrest with my 3rd pregnancy and when I sat up or stood up I often had uncomfortable, but not painful, braxton hicks.  I had to lay down as much as possible.

If you're having pain then I would call your doctor.  At the very least you can get some advice, see how you feel about that advice, and either stop worrying about it or take action.

Good luck to you!

michele75

Let me start by saying my first one was born at 34w6d and was perfectly healthy!  However, I should have called the dr the week prior b/c I was having contractions and thought they were "normal" BH.  I was definitely wrong!  I didn't want to bother my dr with a silly question and then my water broke at 34w6d and I had a baby 7 hours later.  If I had called when I was having contractions they could have stopped them and I would have been able to carry him a little longer.  The end result for me worked out just fine, but this time I have been much more careful and listening to my body.  My dr told me to call with anything!!! 

nat6102006

definitely call.  I felt silly too - I had some mild back pain, and some mild spotting (which I previously hadn't had before) at 30 1/2 weeks.  Both of those could just be normal pg symptoms, but they are also preterm labor symptoms, too. So I did call, and they told me to come in to get checked out - and it's a good thing I did.  I figured they would just monitor me and everything would be ok, and better safe than sorry.  But, it turns out I was 2.5 cm dilated already and had a very short cervix - 15 mm, where it should normally be between 30-55 mm.  Never had any contractions- incompetent cervix, they suspect. Now I will be on bedrest & monitored for the remainder of my pregnancy - which is better than not knowing and then going into full swing labor too soon.