Preterm Labor 28 Weeks
Rachie_B
member
*LONG POST*
Last Tuesday, April 5th (27 weeks) I had worked a long 12 hour shift. I
picked up dinner for my husband and myself. When I got home I went to
change clothes. After going to the bathroom I noticed some bleeding.
It was not a lot and it was dark. I had not been having an cramps,
contractions, or discomfort. I went out to talk to my husband and we
debated weather or not to go see the doctor. I had some spotting
earlier in the pregnancy that they said was likely just from
intercourse. I called the OB office and was told to go to the hospital
and get checked at the OB triage clinic. Jeff and I again debated about
it. We figured they would check us and send us home. We already had
an OB appointment scheduled for the next morning, so we really did
debate back and forth. We ultimately decided to be safe and go get
checked.
When we got there they asked lots of questions and said
that I would be observed overnight for any contractions and make sure
the baby's heart beat was good all night. The nurse did an internal
exam and determined that I was 1cm dilated. The doctor ordered a
cervical length scan. The scan showed I only had 0.7cm left of my
cervix. This changed me from just being observed overnight to being a
full patient. I was immediately given an IV with fluids, antibiotics,
and magnesium (to stop contractions). Talk about scary!! I went from
thinking I would be checked and sent home to being told I could deliver
at any moment! They also began the steroid shots to help develop the
baby's lungs. I was absolutely overwhelmed!!!! I was definitely not
prepared for all of this!!
They kept me in the labor and
delivery area overnight. I was then moved to the preterm labor side.
The doctor gave us the goal of 28 weeks!! We checked the cervix again 2
days later and it had gotten a little better it was up to 1.1cm. This
made me very optimistic!! Unfortunately when they checked again it was
unmeasurable! There was no functional length. I was so disappointed.
It just broke my heart. The doctor made it sound as if we would be
extremely lucky if we made it to the 28 week mark at that point.
The
Neonatolgoist from NICU came up and spoke with us. They explained that
babies born after 28 weeks have an extremely high survival rate. He
explained that 28 weekers usually only have to be on a ventilator for
1-2 days. He said every week after that just increases the odds of
having a healthy baby!! I know the technologies have changed and have
made it so much better for those precious NICU babies!! I guess I just
never thought I'd be in that situation. 32 weeks would be amazing, but
every day she stays in the womb is one more day stronger!!
They
did an ultrasound to check her size on Friday. Sophia was 2lbs, 10oz
(give or take 6oz). She was still measuring about a week ahead, which
was great news. Every oz makes a big difference!!!!
I feel
very BLESSED to have parents who are both Nurses. My mother is the
Director of the Children's Hospital at the hospital I am currently at.
Her floor is one floor below mine, so she is able to check on me
throughout the day. My father is a nurse anesthetist at the other
hospital. Its really helpful to have people who are so medically
knowledgeable to help me. They are extremely helpful when it comes to
the interactions with the doctors. Sometimes they are able to think of
additional questions to ask!!
We celebrated 28 weeks
yesterday!! The doctors were thrilled we made it to the 28 week mark!!
I've been in the hospital on strict bed rest for one week as of
yesterday.
The monitoring has only shown a few minor
contractions, nothing that they are really concerned about. It also
shows a lot of irritability. They said that things like dehydration and
having to urinate can cause the irritability of the uterus. I have been
having a lot of mucus-like discharge. Some of it bloody (mostly dark).
They aren't really concerned about it, but it worries me!
I was
able to see the nephrologist on Monday. He rechecked my kidney function
and everything is looking good. My blood work actually looked better at
28 weeks then it did at 8 weeks. That really surprised me. He said I was
still spilling Protein in the urine, but he said that was quite normal
during pregnancy and he wants us to check six to eight weeks after
delivery to make sure it is coming back to normal.
The OB ordered
another cervical length scan. They performed it Monday morning. It
again showed there was no functional cervical length. There was nothing
to measure.
I also saw the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician on
Monday. He looked over all the scans, monitoring feeds, and labs. He
said that he thought that everything my OB was doing was right no track.
He did suggest the Fetal Fibronectin Test. Fetal fibronectin (fFN) is a
protein produced by fetal cells and a type of fibronectin. fFN is found
at the interface of the chorion and the decidua (between the fetal sack
and the uterine lining).
It can be thought of as an adhesive or
"biological glue" that binds the fetal sac to the uterine lining. The
test checks for Fetal fibronectin that has leaked into the vagina. If it
is negative it is unlikely that you will delivery in the next 1-2
weeks. If it's positive it does not necessarily mean that you will
deliver soon, but it is a marker that you are likely to deliver before
37 weeks. A negative test is more reliable than a positive test.
I
had the test performed yesterday morning. It came back positive. I will
remain on hospital bed rest until Sophia is born. I was finally given
the privileged of getting up to urinate in the bathroom (no more bedpan,
thank goodness) and shower!! I have not had a full shower in over a
week, it's amazing how nice it was to get up and get in the shower. I'm
limited to a 5 minute shower, which is difficult, but much better than
attempting to wash in the bed!!!!!
I guess I just never pictured
that this is how my 28th week of pregnancy would end up. I'm just
praying that my little girl stays in here as long as possible!! We are
really hoping to make it to 30 weeks, but the longer the better!!!!
Thank
you all for your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes!! It
really helps knowing that I have you all as a support system!!! Thank
You Again!!!!!!
Re: Preterm Labor 28 Weeks
What a scary situation! But, it sounds like you are in very good hands, and have a very positive attitude.
Bed rest is hard, especially hospital bed rest, so I feel for you!
I hope you have a very uneventful next few weeks, and that you make it to June!
Wow, it is bizarre that I could have written this exact post, although I had no spotting. At my 28 week appointment i mentioned to the doctor that i felt very "open" downtown. He thought that sounded off, so he did an exam and found the incompetant cervix. I was sent directly to the hospital, where i got the shot for the babys lungs, and pills to stop my contractions. She was a mere 2 pounds at that point. I failed the FFN test too, and was stuck on bed rest and abruptly off work. Although, i chose not to speak to NICU, i was too afraid to hear what they had to say. Every week I dialted more and....
Whitney was born at almost 35 weeks, 5 pounds. So, it can be done. Hang in there. Email me if you need to talk :-) stephanie11697 at yahoo
Sending T&P your way! I have read so many stories of women on this board in your similar situation that have been able to carry their babies a lot longer than originally planned.
I have been on BR for about 6 weeks for shortened cervix...I have been preparing myself mentally for the possibility of PTL...I can't imagine how you must feel with the whirlwind of emotions on just learning about your cervix at 28 weeks...but everyday you hold that baby inside you is a step closer to a healthier baby. GL and keep us posted on your progress.
hang in there!
My DS was born at 26 weeks + 2 days and is doing well now. Many T&P that baby can bake for several more weeks!!!
Wow I could have wrote your post as the same thing is currently happening to me!!
I was admitted into the hospital at 26 weeks with no measurable cervix and 2cm dialted. I was given magnesium through a IV and also the steriod shots. I only get up to use the bathroom and take my once a week quick shower. I started spotting a week ago at 27 weeks and it has continued daily. It comes and goes through out the day. My OB does not want to check me again unless I am in hard labor because of the fear of breaking my water or infection. I agree so I do not know if my cervix is dialted anymore and He also doesn't seem to be worried about my spotting. It has been hard being in the hospital but I know this is the best place for me and my baby! Good Luck to you!! If you wanna chat just pm me!!
Thoughts and prayers to you!!
You might make it further then you think, hang in there every day counts!
I too went through something very similar. At 30 weeks I was admitted to the hospital with spotting ang contractions. My Fetal "' test came back negative, though, and I wasnt dialated at all yet. I spent just a few hours in hospital, and once the contractions were under control, we went home. I was put on bedrest at home though, and continued spotting and bleeding until labour began at 33 wks 6 days. I was already 10 cm dialated when we arived at the hospital, and so little Iris was born 6 weeks early. We found out after that I was undergoing a placental abruption, this was causing the pre-term labour. Iris is now 12 weeks (6 weeks adjusted) and doing awesome! Best of luck, my thoughts are with you! Stay positive!