preterm labor...

royalcrown1

I went into preterm labor at 22 weeks due to extra fluid in my belly.  Once they removed it, put me on magnesium and nifedipine, and did a cerclage, every thing calmed down.  I have continued to be on nifedipine.  Yesterday, during a non-stress test, I was having contractions every 3-5 minutes, but not feeling anything.  I spent the day in labor and delivery, they removed more fluid and after they messed with my uterus, I could feel the contractions.  5 hours later, my cervix was still closed, so they discharged me.  They said if they get worse, my water breaks, or I start bleeding that I should come right in.  The contractions are very irregular, but I am still having them.  Sometimes, they are every 5 minutes for a little while and other times they are every thirty - forty five minutes.  Not really painful, just noticeable if I am concentrating on.  I have another non-stress test tomorrow, but I was just wondering, can people stay like this for weeks?  I am going to talk the doctor tomorrow, but I am just curious, if they don't stop, are they going to get worse or is it possible for them to stay like this for weeks and weeks?

Any previous experiences would be great!  TIA!

srh08.05.06

I would think it's possible for them to stay like this for awhile.  I went into PTL at 31 weeks and didn't deliver for 5 more weeks.  During that time, I was only on nifedipine for 48 hours (to make sure I got the steroid shots) and then they took me off.  I would have contractions on and off - sometimes it would be several an hour, sometimes none an hour, or just a few.  I hated worrying about it and tracking them!  But if I had several an hour, I'd start writing down the times and then they would die down - they were very erratic.  So anyway, I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope you can make it many, many more weeks!

Kimmy08

I went into PTL at 22 weeks as well, but my cervix went to a 0.8 at that time. I was in the hospital for 10 weeks on IV magnesium sulfate and could only lay on my sides. I couldn't sit up or lay on my back, or the contractions would get worse. I delivered at 32 weeks, so I made it a really long time.

My biggest advice is to take it easy and listen to your body. Even if you think it is something little, call the doctor or go get checked out at the hospital. Are the contractions changing your cervix?

Good luck and I hope you can keep them cooking for many more weeks.

 

bkjcwedding

Hey there RC!

My water broke (Baby A) at 28 weeks and I've been on hospital bedrest having contractions on and off ever since. Sometimes I feel them (usually only when the monitoring straps are too tight) but most of the time I don't.  The Dr said as long as they aren't causing any cervical changes it's not a huge deal.  They just keep an eye one it. I'm still on nifedipine and still drinking a lot of water, which really helps.

 

ardilla

I too went into PTL at 22w.  I did not get a cerclage, but I was on mag sulfate for 5 weeks in combination with oral nifedipine and shots of terbutaline.  I got a pair of steroid shots at 24w.  I was then weaned off the mag and my terb was changed to oral.  I continued on the nifedipine and terb until I was taken off at 36w0d.  The same day I went into active enough labor that my OB went ahead and did my c-section (Baby A was breech and Baby B was transverse).  It was 14 weeks of bedrest (all on my left side -- otherwise I wound up with many more contrax and much more pain), but, my LOs didn't wind up needing any NICU time and were discharged with me.  We were very lucky.  Let us know what your doctor says tomorrow!  Best of luck!

janjag

i don't think i ever had cx every 3-5min, unless you count my irritable uterus... so just up and down, up and down (on the NST).  but bh did change my cervix, and went to 1.9cm at 23wks, and then to .5 at 28wks.  still held out till 33w4d. 

i'm assuming you are on bedrest!  take it easy and wishing you all the best to bake those babies as long as possible! 

only piece of advice is to space out your dr appts/nst appts so that you're not leaving the house often.  i was told to see my peri one week, then the ob the next week.  the day before i went into labor i had a really annoying/long NST u/s appt where they kept me upright a long time, and kept moving me around.  avoid those

pea-kay

Was it you whose twins are now momo? Are you going to be admitted for monitoring? It sounds like this might be a good plan if you're also going into PTL.

Qs2004

Even tho it's not fun, I agree you should probably be admitted too.  I went into PTL at 24 wks and my water broke 3 days before I delivered at 29wks.  You want those babies to be watched closely.  What is going on with your cervix?  Is it still long and closed:?  Make sure they watch it closely, that's when mine shortened very quickly and causing my water to break.

Keep us updated.