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3rd Trimester
amber&patrick
member
Drugs to stop contractions? Need Input
amber&patrick
member
I think there's some kind of prescription they can put you on to decrease the frequency of contractions (rather than a one-time stop in L&D), right? If so, does anyone have any research about how safe they are, possible side effects, how long you should be on them, etc? I have an appointment this afternoon and that is one possible outcome and I haven't had time yet to look anything up.
So I've been having a lot of contractions since my LO dropped last week (at 28 weeks). Last night I had an episode of pretty strong, frequent contractions for about 3 hours. I didn't call the dr or go to L&D because they were not consistently increasing in frequency and severity. Instead, they were all over the place -- a few strong ones 2-3 minutes apart and then nothing for 8 minutes or so. Plus, I had a test last week (ffen, I think?) that said I'm not going to go into labor w/in the next 2 weeks. So, I dealt with them at home and they eventually stopped.
Just to be safe, I called the nurse this morning to talk through it and get her thoughts. She very stongly told me that I have to come in so they can check for a missed infection and do some other tests. So I'm wondering if they're going to put me on anything to prevent or stop future episodes like that. And I just want to have a little information going into the appointment so that I know which questions to ask. Has anyone looked into these drugs? Thanks!!!
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Re: Drugs to stop contractions? Need Input
I have been on them for this pregnancy on and off. in my opinion, the risks of the drugs are minimal compared to the risks of having a baby as early as you are. You will feel like your heart is racing and kind of shaky when taking them, but trust me, it is better than the alternative.
Good Luck today!
A week and a half ago I was put on Nifedipene, as I started having contractions spaced 5 minutes apart, lasting 45-60 seconds at 34 weeks. It lasted from Saturday night through Monday morning, when I went on the meds. They told me Nifedipene is a blood pressure medication, and it will lower blood pressure, so they said to watch for dizziness or headaches that would mean my blood pressure was getting too low. So far, I've had no problems, and they've got me on it for another 6 days or so, just to get me past the 36 week mark.
Good luck - if you explain and discuss what's been going on with your dr., they should be able to suggest something to you.
I take nifedipine every 4 hours. I've been on it since 32 weeks and will take it until 36 weeks (this Friday!). I honestly didn't research it much, because truly there isn't a different option for me (either take the pills or likely have a premature baby). I also really trust my doctor, and know that what I'm on is very common. A lot of gals are on procardia which I believe is close to the same as nifedipine. Some people have a terb pump at home (that is the shot they give you at the hospital). Honestly, the nifedipine has some side effects (quick heartrate, tingly scalp) but NOTHING you can't handle in order to keep the baby baking longer. A warning to you...I was also put on bed rest once they discovered the contractions were creating progress to the cervix.
Good luck to you.
BTW - I love your Longhorn badge. I'm from Austin and both my husband and I are huge Horns fans. I am already trying to figure out how to go to the national championship with a new baby....ha.
Ha! Thanks! My husband already warned me (with a smile, of course) that the baby had better not come anywhere close to the championship game, just in case we're in it.
Thanks all. I'll write down these drug names and side effects and discuss them with my doctor. I agree that there aren't really any other options for me since he has to stay in there for a while longer. It sounds like the side effects aren't bad and that there's not any real risk to the baby from the drugs. Thanks again for the help.
Here are a few websites to help you with your research on the meds:
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/484260
https://health.yahoo.com/pregnancy-complication/nifedipine-for-preterm-labor/healthwise--hw221970.html
https://www.marchofdimes.com/13454_13467.asp
When I was pregnant with DD I went into preterm labor at 36 weeks and my OB/GYN put me on Procardia. I didn't research it before I started using it, but I wish I had. I was on it for 10 days (at 10 days I ended up stopping taking it on the advice of another OB/GYN) and the whole time I was on it I had horrible side effects. Not to mention DD started having difficulties as well. I had a bio-physical profile ultrasound done after being on Procardia for just 5 days and her lung function was very poor (before it had been fine) and she wasn't moving as much at all. They repeated the ultrasound at 10 days and her lung function was even worse. At that time the other OB/GYN recommended I stop using Procardia. By the next week I ended up going in to be induced because DD was no longer thriving and they felt it was better to deliver her than see if she improved. Before Procardia she had been fine- was moving around a LOT, had no problems with lung function. She ended up being okay after she was born, but had some lung-function issues for the first 2 months.
That was just my experience with Procardia. I am not saying it happens to everyone, but make sure you discuss the possible side-effects before you go on anything. It will give you peace of mind later.
Good luck!
Thanks! Glad to hear your DD is better, but that's really scary. These are the kinds of things I want to know about before I start taking anything.
I am a little late to this post but I am on the terbutaline pump at home. The first few days I was very shaky and had hot flashes and night sweats. Now it is a little better but I definitely think the benefits outweigh the risks. When you are on this medicine you are closely monitored to make sure it isn't causing your heartrate to get to high etc.
I also have a home monitor to go on twice a day so that helps. If I am having a lot of contractions they give me an extra dose of meds in my pump. Good luck!
Update -- Just got back from my appointment. My cervix is still closed, but softer from the contractions. LO's heartbeat sounded good, and my vitals all checked out fine. So the doctor doesn't think any medication is necessary yet. She thinks my commute is just too much for me (45 mins - 1 hour on public transportation), since that's when this episode was triggered. I'm taking over a week off soon to use some of my vacation time, so we'll see how I do then. If I'm better then, no need for medication and I'll have to scale back my work schedule -- maybe telecommute or something.
Thanks for all of the info. I am going to keep all of this just in case I keep having contractions even while at home at medication becomes necessary.