I need your advice ladies

Paradisemoon · December 2013

I'll give a quick run down.
28 weeks 4 days Cervix is at 2.4 cm 30% effaced and I'm 2 cm dilated
yesterday I was having several small contractions that were being picked up on the monitor.
I requested a FFN test and it came back positive. I know that isn't really reliable.
My last 3 deliveries were very quick 4 hours and less.

My doctor has left it up to me to decide whether or not to go ahead and get the steroid shots or not.
I don't know what to do! He said it only lasts two weeks and it's not something they can keep giving me. I'm scared and confused and walking blind here. I just need some advice or experiences good or bad, please.
FWIW I want to get the shots but I don't want to jump the gun and get it too early.

pinkmickey24 · December 2013

My advice may not be the best because I haven't been in your situation, but I would listen to your gut. Does your doctor have you coming back for another appointment any time soon to check for further dilation? Are the contractions becoming more consistent? I think if they were, I would go ahead and get it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your babies.

carrotcake06 · December 2013

Please pardon my ignorance: your cervix is 2.4cm in length but also 2cm dilated?

As far as steroid shots, I got them at 32w and was told they'd be good until 34w at which point they are no longer given. My water ended up breaking right at 34w and my boys needed no breathing assistance and were mostly feeders/growers, so I'm glad I got them.

I thought you were able to get boosters at least once? If you can only get them until 34w and they last two weeks, I guess I'm not 100% on how long they're effective, work backwards to see the latest you can get them.

Also fwiw, I was 1.5cm dilated, 70% effaced at 32w and lasted until 34w w no bed rest. I know though, everyone is different.

I hope those babies stay cooking for many more weeks!

Paradisemoon · December 2013

carrotcake06 said:

Please pardon my ignorance: your cervix is 2.4cm in length but also 2cm dilated? As far as steroid shots, I got them at 32w and was told they'd be good until 34w at which point they are no longer given. My water ended up breaking right at 34w and my boys needed no breathing assistance and were mostly feeders/growers, so I'm glad I got them. I thought you were able to get boosters at least once? If you can only get them until 34w and they last two weeks, I guess I'm not 100% on how long they're effective, work backwards to see the latest you can get them. Also fwiw, I was 1.5cm dilated, 70% effaced at 32w and lasted until 34w w no bed rest. I know though, everyone is different. I hope those babies stay cooking for many more weeks!

Yes, that it what he said. and he also said " Your cervix is like butter, I stopped when I bumped into baby A's head" I was like WTF does that mean??

caden · December 2013

I would get them. In a few weeks your babies won't need them as much as they would now. But I have also heard you could get a booster. I got the shots at 28w and delivered at 35w.

jocie2581 · December 2013

I would get them. I got the shots (2 in 24 hours) due to shortened cervix and contractions at 27 weeks. I delivered at 33w2d. The boys needed 24hrs of breathing assistance. Good luck keeping them cooking!

TheDairyQueenx3 · December 2013

I would get them. I had mine at 26.6 and 27.0 days and a booster at 32 weeks. I too deliver very quickly and I'm one of the lucky ones who doesn't feel pain with contractions/ delivery just a mild pressure so I opted for mine when I was in the same position you are in currently. I delivered 34 weeks exact and they only needed a small amount of help. My IUGR baby needed more than the bigger twin.

Felicity86 · December 2013

I'd get it. I got them twice, although I don't remember exactly when...maybe 28ish weeks and 32ish weeks? Are you seeing an MFM in addition to your OB? I'd definitely recommend that as well. Good luck!

Paradisemoon · December 2013

Thanks, I did end up getting the shot. I'm going back at 6:30am tomorrow, before my older kids wake up for my 2nd. I'm also getting another NST while I'm there. Thankfully I live close by so they let me go home.
Hope everyone has a great holiday!

Missa_g · December 2013

Are you on bed rest? If you're 2cm dilated at 28w you need to be on bedrest and get the steroid shots. I'm worried your doctor is being so lax about this. I was 3cm dilated at 28w1d and delivered ten days later after being on strict bedrest. The steroid shots made a huge difference in the lung development of both of my boys.

Mrs. Alice · December 2013

Get them. I you don't deliver, there's really no harm done. I wouldn't want to deliver at 28 weeks without them since lung development is still very premature at that age. Yes you can get a round of booster shots if needed, but in a few weeks their lungs will be maturing more naturally and making their own surfactant so it's not as critical as in the earlier gestational ages.

LucyRicardo3 · December 2013

glad you got them! it definitely helped my singleton!
hope you stay pregnant for a lot longer!

Paradisemoon · December 2013

Thank you ladies. I get my 4th and final shot tomorrow at 6:30 A.M.
Two of the labor and delivery nurses sat with me tonight while I cried my eyes out and answered many of the questions I had. I feel much better, and definitely more confident about my decision to go ahead and get the shots, after talking with them.
I am also very grateful that they took the extra time to spend with me during their busy schedules because they really didn't have to.

24karat · December 2013

Sounds like you have super nice nurses.

FWIW, I landed on bed rest by 26wks with contractions, 3cm dilated, 50% effaced. My progression completely stopped and I had a negative FFN so we didn't get the steroids. If either of those had been different, we would have gone ahead with them for sure. We ended up making it to 37wks with close monitoring and bed rest. I hope you can keep those babies inside a good bit longer. Will you get to be at home or will they admit you?

LittleLady77 · December 2013

I would get them.

Paradisemoon · December 2013

kjkarats03 said:

Sounds like you have super nice nurses. FWIW, I landed on bed rest by 26wks with contractions, 3cm dilated, 50% effaced. My progression completely stopped and I had a negative FFN so we didn't get the steroids. If either of those had been different, we would have gone ahead with them for sure. We ended up making it to 37wks with close monitoring and bed rest. I hope you can keep those babies inside a good bit longer. Will you get to be at home or will they admit you?

Thank you for your story! I know there is still hope and I'm trying to be positive.
My husband and I are trying to make a smooth transition to him doing mostly everything and me dictating from the couch or bed. It hasn't been pretty haha. Mostly me I have to admit. Being a SAHM to 3 kids is not an easy job and it is hard to watch someone else get a crash course. Did you go through this weird transition? Any advice?
Thankfully I'm home and will remain home unless there are major changes. We live 5 minutes from the hospital my high risk doctors work at and they have been in constant contact with a MFM doctor that specializes in multiples but he is hours away on a good day. Which brings up a whole slew of logistical matters. Crazy New England weather and helicopter rides. But I wont bore you with those details!

Edit to add: Sorry for that whole Dear Diary letter!

24karat · December 2013

Whoa wait...you're in New England @Paradisemoon? I'm in Western MA so I totally understand about the whole crazy hard to get to MFMs and NICUs. I live 12 minutes from my primary hospital, but would've delivered at my MFM's (and the closest NICU) 1.5hrs away if I had gone into labor before 35wks. If you're anywhere near me and want some help, I'd be happy to do what I can.

I work part time so am technically not a SAHM. DD was 19 months when I got the bed rest orders and it was tough. It was a hard to let DH (who by the way, is awesome at household stuff and says I just like it my way instead of letting him help when he can...it's true) and others do my housework their way etc. For the first 2 months on BR my church, family, and local friends organized a "go help Kara" sign up. They took turns 2 or 3 out of the 5 days DH works to spend a few hours entertaining DD and bring meals to share. Sometimes they helped with housework, most times it was just keeping me company so I stayed sane. After the first 2 months my mom flew out and stayed with us till the boys were about a month old. There were days when I really struggled with things and DH would remind me that I had the hardest job, that giving our babies their best shot was more important than anything else. I ended up seeing that so long as DD was fed, reasonably clean, and safe, I could let everything else go. If it got done, it got done. If not, no biggie. It's definitely a hard transition to make.

LottaLattes · December 2013

It was super hard for me to give up control but you just gotta do it. My husband was in the middle of shipping at work and was working 60 hours a week on top of it all. Best thing I started doing was to have a notebook and write things down as it came to me, so I could give him a list of things that needed to be done instead of making him nuts every three minutes as I thought of something. Try to find something enjoyable to do to pass the time, you won't get much time to rest soon enough! I was on hospital bed rest at 29 weeks and at home until 34 weeks when my doc was ok delivering...and was then induced at 38. Take it seriously and do your best!

raraavis28 · December 2013

I've been off TB for a few days, but I just wanted to say you and your babies are in my prayers!

24karat · December 2013

Hey @Paradisemoon...you guys have been in my thoughts and prayers a lot. Hopefully you're doing well! ::hugs::

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