Preterm contractions- how to deal?

curlylocks3 · April 2014

Just wondering if others have been through this and if they had any good coping tips.

I was inpatient from 29-29.6 for steroids, Procardia and monitoring due to preterm contractions but never dilated, just 80% effaced. I also had a negative FFN at 29.6. By the time I was discharged they had settled down to every 3-4 minutes and are still about the same. For the most part they are tolerable pain wise, although I get runs of painful ones that wake me up several times overnight. After nearly two weeks of this, I'm just exhausted. The only thing that I've found that seems to help is floating in the pool at the Y- because while I am still contracting in there I don't feel it. Otherwise I've done baths, showers, hot packs, back rubs and deep breathing. Guided imagery seems to just annoy me.

So...any other tips besides "just suck it up, it won't last forever"?

Eta for those that are mobile: am 30.5 weeks, di di twins. Also no one can give me an explanation for contractions beyond "you're having twins". Babies have always looked wonderful on monitor and totally oblivious to all the contractions.

whitehousem · April 2014

Your story sounds similar to mine. I was admitted at 32+2 (def a little less worriesome than 29) with contractions 2 min apart. The procardia slowed them to about 5 min apart. I had the steroids are everything. My Ffn was also negative. I wasn't dilating in the hospital but was discharged on Thurs and was dilated to 3cm and 80% effaced by Monday, which was almost a week ago. So, I've been contracting for almost two weeks now. Last night they were 3:30min apart. Mine aren't painful, per se, mostly lots of pressure. I have them all day every day. I will say that staying busy distracts me from them (not sure if you are on bed rest or limited activity?). I really notice them more when I'm sitting still, although walking is sometimes difficult when I get an intense one. I wish I could tell you how to deal better, but I really can't. I thought for sure my babies would be here by now, but we are still hanging out.

Hang in there, mamma!!!!

curlylocks3 · April 2014

Thanks @whitehousem! I'm sorry you are dealing with this too! I am on bedrest for 20 hours/day until 34 weeks last I heard. My contraction pattern is pretty steady when I'm lying down but when I am sitting up it increases and getting up and moving just feels like one giant never ending contraction.
I'm trying to stay as mentally busy as I can- reading, doing continuing education modules online, little projects like getting more stuff uploaded onto my iPod, cutting out circles for the mobiles I'm making them- while lying down. Otherwise I just supervise what everyone else is doing in the nursery

Hang in there too and good luck to you!

megs2011 · April 2014

Curls, I was wondering how you were doing. Sorry, I have no advice since I never experienced contractions. I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you all the time and am keeping my fingers crossed that mumble and hugsy stay put a while longer. Please keep us updated.

legaleagles · April 2014

I was admitted at 19 weeks for contractions. Minor cervical shortening, but no dilating. On meds for a while and then taken off. I've had contractions every day since. I'm 35+5 with di/di boys. I get as much rest as I can, stay as hydrated as I can (while keeping my bladder empty) and honestly just dealing. I have been on some modified/limited activities, but no bed rest b/c my cervix has not shortened much. I'm dilated now, but at 35+5 all restrictions are lifted. Hang in there. It makes for a long road, but rest as much as you can to keep those babes baking for as long as you can. 30.5 is already a huge milestone! You've got this, mama.

MrsP419 · April 2014

I just had my first false alarm trip to L&D last night because I thought I was having contractions (painless ones, but my labor with DS started with hours of what I thought were Braxton Hicks). Turns out I just had an irritated uterus from being on my feet more than an hour at a time earlier in the day. My OB said that I will probably be back with false alarms again, and this is just par for the course at this point. I am so sorry you are having *real* and painful contractions and had to be admitted. That stinks :-( I guess this is life now until they come!!

Pittpanther · April 2014

I had 10+ contractions per hour every day from 31 weeks until I delivered at 35 w 5 d. I guess I had an irritable uterus because the contractions never affected my cervix much. My drs were in the anti bed rest camp so I worked my desk job up until I delivered. I wasn't doing too much else tho. Lol.

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