tips for surviving pre-term contractions

=Lee=B

How do you all manage? I am on day 14 of pre-term contractions. On modified bed-rest for 7 days.  I had the steroid shots in-case she comes early.  Seven days ago when I went in my contractions were every 3 min at rest and every 1 min when up walking. They noted very small cervical changes over the next 48 hours (hence the steriods) but since Saturday things seemed to have slowed and were not progressing towards labor so all seemed to be looking good.  All the bed rest had been slowing the contractions down and making them less intense (got them to every 9minutes at rest at times).

Yesterday I had ultrasounds and follow up at the hospital so was up for about 1.5 hours (mainly sitting though).  After the ultrasound the OB said things looked promising, so while no more work, and lots of bed rest I could try to get up from time to time and do light things as long as it was not aggravating the contractions.  I was sooooo excited I felt like I can finally be useful around house (folding laundry etc).

But, the hospital visit and spending10min in kitchen seemed to be too much so last night I paid for it with more contractions, and more pain.  I got some sleep but the contractions made it hard.  This morning the contractions are hurting more and are now every 5-7 minutes.  So I went back on pretty much full bed rest this morning (aside from bathroom visits and grabbing snacks).

I am only 32weeks5days.  I just don't see how you all last weeks and weeks with these contractions.  I can possibly get used to the bed rest confinement but I have like 1 pose I can be propped into that is somewhat bareable and doesn't intensify the contraction pain.

Any tips?  Encouragement?  I try warm baths throughout the day but still have contractions in the tub and it seems that while it eases the pain, the effort it takes to get back out of the tub and into rest mode undoes the benefit of the bath!!

 Ok...enough venting...feeling so worn down and whiny!

Ann003

Did your doctor offer you Procardia?  My doctors gave it to me to make me more comfortable.  It won't stop actual labor contractions, but it will reduce the intensity of the ones I've been having so I can get some relief.  

I find that if I overdo it, I pay for it that night.  Sounds like you've figured out that your body just doesn't want you vertical.  The only thing I can suggest is that you stay horizontal as much as possible for your comfort and for the good of your pregnancy.  As much as I want to help DH around the house, it's  just not worth it.  Perhaps you can tinker with your pillows to find another position that's comfortable for you.  I just reconfigured my "pillow fort", as DH calls it, and can now lay on my back (propped up on one side).  Having a variety of positions makes a big difference when you're in bed all day.  Also, if you're having a hard time getting in and out of the tub, you can try taking a warm shower while sitting on a shower chair.  I got one off Amazon for $30 and while it's weird at first, I can sit in the shower for a lot longer than I can stand in the shower.  

The good news is that you're pretty far along now, so you only have a few more weeks to go!  Also, you know that these contractions can slow down with rest.  Those are both very positive things and you can handle this for another few weeks! 

agerhart1207

Yeah, sounds like you need to try to stay horizontal as much as possible even though it can get super uncomfortable after a while.  I've been on strict bed rest for 5 months now and talk about cabin fever!!  They put me on bed rest when I was 13 weeks and I'm now 33 weeks, this is due to incompetent cervix since last time I was going into labor too soon.  They told me its not good to be vertical because the baby's weight puts too much pressure down there and could start contractions.  Haven't had any contractions this pregnancy so far with strict bed rest (only getting up to go to bathroom & take showers).  Yes it's extremely uncomfortable and I'm very bored to say the least but its all worth it to save my little one.  I'm hoping they lighten restrictions at tmrws appointment so I can get out of the house!  Good luck!

=Lee=B

Thanks for the tips ladies! I haven't been offered the meds to stop contractions and until yesterday would have tried to refuse them but man was that a long 36 hours!  Today around 12noon they eased down and the pain isn't taking my breath away as much.  I really wish I could know why some days are so much worse.  I had strong, breathtaking contractions every 5min for 36 hours, I woke up 3-4 times an hour all night with the worst contractions but deep breathing eased them away and I could drift back to sleep.

I am really just hoping to make it until Tuesday when I have an ultrasound and a whole series of appointments.  As of now the contractions are only every 6-7 min and not as painful so for that I am thankful!! Also thankful that when my husband gets home today I won't be a wreck and won't be so cranky with the poor man!  He did so well last night...will be nice to have a calmer evening with him!

The pressure of baby on the uterus makes sense...I will work with that theory and stay flat!!!