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Those who had contractions or preterm labor >24 weeks please come in!

adoruhbuladoruhbul member
in 2nd Trimester

I'm currently 21.6 weeks pregnant with my second child.  I started having contractions 2 weeks ago, however they usually stopped after an hour or so.  Starting 2 days ago, they came and haven't stopped since.  I went to L&D yesterday, and was sent home after they saw no cervical change, and didn't think they were real labor contractions.

Since then the contractions haven't stopped and I haven't been able to sleep as they are extremely painful and coming about every 5 or so minutes.  I've tried all the usual things to stop it that they recommend, bed rest, tons of water, laying on your left side.

I went back to the doctor today, to see if there was anything he could do to stop them, and so I can finally get some rest and to get some peace of mind that nothing has changed with my cervix since I left the hospital yesterday.

He did not check anything today and told me to go on bed rest and pray (verbatim).   He said he wont do anything before 24 weeks, even if they are true contractions that are making a cervical change.  He said at 24 weeks if they're still occuring he will see if my cervix has changed and then will consider meds, but only if they're true labor contractions.

I really wanted to get others advice who have been through the same situation and what was done for them, or if they had the same sort of response?  I'm lost on what to do now. I feel like I need to change doctors ASAP, but didn't want to jump to that conclusion until I hear what others have to say about their experience.

-adorUHbuL

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Re: Those who had contractions or preterm labor >24 weeks please come in!

  • GlitterMuffin914GlitterMuffin914 member
    It's a little odd that your doctor told you to pray. But you're probably going to find that most doctors can't or won't do a lot until about 24 weeks since that's the minimum age of viability for most babies. If your were dialed they could probably do a cerclage, but if you aren't, there may be nothing they can do. Frustrating, I know.

    I'd take his advice and rest. Keep your feet up, drink lots of water, relax and take care of yourself. If the pain still isn't letting up id keep them updated

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  • mc0113mc0113 member
    MissChristineMarie said:
    I have no personal experience with this seeing as I am a FTM and I am a smidgen under 15 weeks, BUT... my current doctor told me that when you're dehydrated after 20 weeks pregnant, you get contractions. She said that the first thing you need to do before even calling is down 32 oz of water, relax, and see if that helps. Not sure if this helps you any, but I just thought I would share this info with you. GL, love.

    ETA: This probably wasn't very helpful since you mentioned drinking a ton of water. Sorry! My thoughts are with you though... :D
    Yes to the bolded. This is what I have been told as well by my midwife. Drink tons of water and hydrate to see if they stop. 
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  • abbyfulabbyful member
    Sorry you are going through this. I have no personal experience, but I can say I would NOT be happy with your doctor's answer/approach. I would be getting a second opinion and a new doctor.
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  • soonfredsoonfred member
    theresat858 said:
    kyliedaniellexx said:
    I think you need a new doctor - not checking anything and telling you to pray is absolutely ridiculous. That's not a medical opinion. 


     I understand viability isn't until 24 weeks or so but if they are real contractions and not BH he could prescribe you something like nifedepine to stop them, or at least montior your cervical length to see if you need a cerclage - since most doctors won't even put a cerclage in past 24 weeks.

    Like PP's said, drink lots of water - I hope they subside and you feel better soon. 
    This.

    I had contractions at 22-23 weeks last time, and for me, they were non productive BH caused by a dying fibroid, but my doctor did not tell me to "pray".

    First he sent me to L&D for monitoring and confirming that the contractions were not productive.  The contractions did abate some for me after that visit, but I had strict instructions to return to L&D if I had more than 6 in an hour.  Staying hydrated AND keeping an empty bladder (aka peeing every 30 minutes) helped for me. 
    When I was back in the state (my issue arose on my babymoon), I went to my OBs office and he did a fetal fibronectin test to help determine the likelihood of preterm labor.

    I just want to second this and reiterate the peeing part. I was having 6+ contractions per hour around weeks 19-20, so I drank water like it was going out of style (32 ounces every 2 hours). The contrax kept on coming. I called and asked my doctor who confirmed you need to be peeing all the time because a full bladder also causes contractions. Once I started emptying my bladder more often, they stopped. Good luck to you and I hope everything turns out ok!
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