so many contractions

DerbyBaby205 · January 2013

Thursday and Friday at work i was having a lot of contractions. by Friday afternoon they were very uncomfortable. I wouldn't call them painful, but definitely enough to cause my train of thought to stop and focus on the tightening in my stomach. I decided to go home and lay down, drink lots of water and see what happens. A few hours of laying down and no change. So I called my OB and she asked me to go in to L&D to get checked. After 2 hours on the monitor and two checks, I learned that I was having very consistent contractions about 2 1/2 minutes apart. The contractions were also lasting 50-70 seconds, so there wasnt a lot of time between them - but no change in dilation. So lots of contractions, but no production.

They sent me home and told me to rest on Saturday. I was a great patient, and I rested. But no change. So many contractions. Today, I decided that if rest and activity had the same result then I was going to get some stuff done. Made a trip to target and a few other errands, housework and dinner. I'm exhausted from all of the activity, but also from the fact that the contractions NEVER stopped. I'm not feeling every single one, but lots of them. Some are more painful then others, but definitely no measurable escalation.

So here is the question: any one been through this? Is this going to go one for the next several weeks? should i be resting? or walking and using my yoga ball? I will, of course, follow up with my OB tomorrow to what she says and I have an appointment scheduled with my Peri on Wed, so i can ask them questions as well. I'm just wondering what all of your experience says. Is my little man trying to make an early appearance?

ellephunt · January 2013

Since you are only 35w and baby isn't full term yet I would be in bed. Walking and yoga ball is going to encourage baby to come out. I wouldn't want to risk the NICU time.

JuliaBug · January 2013

I have heard of women who have contractions for weeks leading up to labor. I'm with PP though, since you are only 35 weeks, rest as much as possible so as not to encourage contractions.

kysmom0211 · January 2013

Same thing started with me about 35 weeks. I took it easy until I hit 37 and now I've been sowing all I can to encourage them but I've only dialated one more cm. Although I'll find out tomorrow at my 38 weeks appt if there's been anymore change. It hasn't mattered what I do, they just won't stop or progress.

tdmd09 · January 2013

I had a few episodes like this at 33 and 34 weeks including trips to L&D, shots to stop contractions (which only worked for a little while) and steroid shots to mature the baby's lungs. My OB wouldn't stop labor at 35 weeks, but that doesn't mean he would encourage it, either, because there is still lung development going on at that point. I know some people just contract consistently prior to labor, but I would still want to keep the baby in for as long as possible. If it's really labor, I don't think laying in bed would stop it anyhow (both my preterm labor episodes had stronger contractions when I was laying down).

I would definitely call your OB when they open and let them know you are still contracting and see what they say.