Preterm contractions at 26w

Loue0709 · July 2014

I was having constant contractions last night and finally called my doctor who told me to go to the ER. Contractions didn't hurt but they were 10-15 mins apart for 2 hours.

I was admitted, monitored for contractions and NST. I received IV fluid as well as a shot called terbutaline which I was told can stop contractions, which it did.

Anyone out there who received a shot of this and went on for another 2-3 months? I'm only 26w4d and although other tests came back negative for labor signs I'm still scared for my boys who definitely are not yet ready to come out. Please share your stories. Thanks ladies.

whitehousem · July 2014

I was admitted at 32 weeks with contractions 2min apart and given Procardia to stop /slow them and steroids. Sent home when they were 5min apart and I was not dilating. Continued to contract for five weeks and was dilated to 3cm for most of that time (4/5cm at the end). I had to be induced at 37 weeks. I was shocked they stayed in there! My FFN was neg at 32w. Hang in there! I hope they cook for a long time!

Loue0709 · July 2014

Thanks ladies!! So good to hear I have a chance to cook them longer

Were you on bed rest afterwards or any other restrictions? I'll know more when I see my OB tomorrow (luckily he was also on call yesterday so he's the one who prescribed all my meds at the hospital).

One thing good that did come out of all this was that I was able to confirm what a contraction really is. I went in because they were regular but until yesterday, I didn't think they were contractions (thought it was just the one of the babies curling up). I was strapped to the monitor and felt it, nurse asked 'did you feel that contraction?' I asked back 'was that one?'

Now that I think back, I did have diarrhea yesterday morning and it was a hot day. I was probably dehydrated and when I got to the hospital, I had a very minor (very very) fever. Nurse gave me some ice water to drink which she said should help me and that the babies will like it.

My cervix is opened up a little bit in the middle but closed where the boys' heads are which is a good. That hasn't changed in more than a month. FFN was negative too.

I was debating for more than an hour yesterday night whether I should call my doc or not -- didn't want to be the crazy pregnancy lady who goes to the ER for every single little issue but I'm glad I listened to my instinct that something didn't feel right. Hopefully at least 10 more weeks til I meet these little ones!

whitehousem · July 2014

I didn't realize I was having contractions at first either (and I had already had a baby). Thought the babies were just balling up. I went in for my first NST and that's where they were discovered. Went straight to L&D and within an hour they were getting more intense and I was getting nervous. The OB on call told me the babies were coming. When I was discharged I was not put on any restrictions and continued to be active ... There's a huge difference between 26 weeks and 32 though. My OBs basically said they would not stop labor after that stint in L&D since I had two rounds of steroids.

Loue0709 · July 2014

Looks like the shot didn't really stop my contractions. I'm still having them, although less than Saturday night before I went to the ER. Yesterday night was frequent but not enough to call the doc again since I'm seeing him (actually the nurse) today.

I don't know what will be next for me, I think he might prescribe progesterone which he said he might do. I'm super anxious now because my OB goes on vacation starting next week for 3 weeks. So if anything else happens, I'll be in the hands of other doctors in his practice whom I don't think has as much twin pregnancy experience as he does...

jennycam · July 2014

Hope it's not Magnesium! That shit sucks but at 30 weeks it stopped my labor with the twins! That stuff is tough!!!!!!

curlylocks3 · July 2014

I was put on modified bedrest (written out of work since I was on my feet all day) for contractions (every 10-15 minutes) at 26.5 weeks. Put on full bedrest after a week in the hospital at 29 weeks for contractions that started out every 2-3 minutes and eventually spaced to every 4-5. Continued to contract ~5 minutes or so until 33.6 when my water broke. Had a brief stint of every 1-2 minutes at 31.5 weeks that I think was due to dehydration. I delivered at 34 weeks exactly.

Hang in there- I hope whatever they give you calms things down. It's frustrating and scary to contract nonstop. As for feeling like the pregnant lady always going in, do your best to ignore that. After my L&D visit at 31 weeks my OB told me that she wouldn't be surprised if I was in L&D weekly for monitoring until it was the real deal and to not ignore stuff.

HeavenBlessedMom · July 2014

I was in l&d at 26 and went through the same things. Lung dev shots, mag, & something else. Prog too. Couldn't feel contractions though. Stayed 11 days, dilated to 2. Went back in routinely for a check up (thank goodness!) at 29w5d and was dilated to 6.5. Triplets were here that night. Best 3 wks to keep them in! All 3.50# & now 15# at 4 mo. Super healthy!

Loue0709 · July 2014

Thanks ladies. I was eventually prescribed vaginal progesterone capsules as well as nifedipine (10mg every 12 hours). I started on nifedipine (same as procardia) Monday night but yesterday was tough, contractions still at least every 10 minutes, some were 3-5 minutes apart. It slowed down today and I although I'm not on full bed rest, I plan to be in bed most of today to see if it helps. Yesterday I was walking around the house a lot because we had an electrician come in to fix some stuff around the house..

I'm seeing my OB again tomorrow so we'll see if he ups my dosage. Besides the fact that I want the babies to be in a lot longer, my OB goes on vacation for the next 3 weeks and I really want him to be the one to be delivering our boys. My initial goal is to get to 32 weeks and then take one week at a time from there.

jennycam I heard magnesium sucks! I really hope it doesn't come to that but again, whatever it takes to have healthy babies, I'll do!

curlylocks3 It's so scary to be feeling so many contractions but looks like you made it through a few weeks with 3-5 minutes intervals. I'm beginning to think this is going to be just normal for me and not to panic. Just hope my cervix holds up.

@HeavenBlessedMom So glad your triplets are healthy! You must have your hands full these days. Thanks for your story!

HeavenBlessedMom · July 2014

Don't be afraid of mag. Never felt effects.
Yes..busy! Esp with a 1 yr old too:)

Want a personalized experience?

Preterm contractions at 26w

Re: Preterm contractions at 26w

Choose Another Board

Search Boards