Preterm Labor/Bed Rest Discussion

LadyBear10 · June 2016

I know normally I am just a lurker, but I had a very interesting weekend.

On Friday I went to my routine OB appointment and mentioned a tiny bit of mucus discharge. When I say the tiniest bit of mucus I mean it was probably the amount of a pencil eraser. My OB checked me just to be safe, but there was no blood or any other alarming symptoms. I ended up being 1 cm dilated, soft, and 70% effaced at 29 weeks. I had the pleasure of spending the whole weekend in L&D receiving magnesium to stop/slow contractions which I couldn't feel and did not know I was having. I am now on modified bed rest for the week until my next appointment then was told we could discuss the next week then. I am a FTM so everything is so new and unknown.

Is there anybody else who has been put on bed rest? What have you been doing to stay sane?

I keep reading into everything that my body does and it may drive me nuts. Along with basically only being able to walk around the apartment to eat and pee.

Stephanie7693 · June 2016

I was on bedrest with my first kid somewhere around 32 weeks. It was boring, but I tried to keep busy sewing and stuff. And although it's scary they had to stop your labor, it's still very possible your baby will not come early. I know a few friends who had to have labor stopped around 7 months, and then went on to have them overdue! With both my kids I was dilated long before they were born. At 36 weeks with my second I was dilated to 3... he still didn't come for almost 2 more weeks! Try not to worry too much, sounds like your doctor is on top of it.

ballofmeat · June 2016

So glad your contractions stopped and baby is staying put. It definitely can be a scary feeling. I am a FTM too and the unknown can be overwhelming.

I am supposed to be on bed rest yesterday and today for light contractions that quit yesterday all on their own. I think I was probably dehydrated and overdid it for the holiday weekend. Luckily my cervix is locked down.

Today I managed a seated shower and went to get a pedicure with my mom a mile down the road because I can't sit in the house all day. The most I had to walk was from the door to the car.

Just in case they start back up and I get put on a longer bed rest, DH and I signed up for Hulu. I'm currently watching a mini series called lost in Austen (based on pride and prejudice)

When I get bored with that, I plan on starting to crochet a baby blanket or read a new book my mom picked up for me.

Crossing my fingers that you are cleared from bed rest in a week!

SkiChic626 · June 2016

midwestbaby How did I miss this?? Did you post about it on another thread? Glad everything seems to be behaving itself now!

ballofmeat · June 2016

@SkiChic626 I just briefly mentioned it in the randoms thread. I'm hoping that everything stays put so that I don't have to go on any type of long term or moderate bed rest. I really think it was a fluke. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself.

LadyBear10 · June 2016

@Stephanie7693 It's good to know that others have still gone full term. It is scary hearing all the lingo and actually being in L&D way before you are expecting it.

@midwestbaby a pedicure sounds amazing... I wonder if I can get somebody to take me. I definitely should look in Austen. I hope we both can end up moving and walking around again.

jacmkelley · June 2016

@LadyBear10 So glad to hear things have slown down.
With DD I walked around at 35 weeks dilated at a 4 until I gave birth to her at 36w6d I was effaced but can't remember what it was. And had Braxton hicks contractions constantly. I had DD "early"(preemie) but only by a day and she was almost 8 pounds - totally fine and healthy.

This pregnancy (currently 31w2d) I went to an appt at 29 weeks for some pain and discomfort. They realized my cervix was shortened and I was dilated to 1.5. They gave me shots for baby and his lungs, they had me start Procardia and progesterone shots. I'm being monitored weekly for any changes. And bed rest. I am working from home so I'm not too bored. But I am definitely adjusting to the thought of this being my life until baby boy makes his appearance. The hope is to get to at least 34 weeks. If he doesn't come on his own we will induce at 37 weeks.

I went to Dr today and my cervix has actually gotten longer, I guess it can fluctuate. So! Bed rest is helping. And, that's a plus considering I am praying that this baby won't have to be in NICU.

Hang in there, drink tons of fluids they help with everything! And keep us posted. Sending positive vibes your way!

SkiChic626 · June 2016

LadyBear10 I was 3cm and 70% effaced around 36w, probably even before that because I had constant BH with her from 25w on but obviously they don't check you until you're late in the game, but DD was still way up at -3 station. I was even in L&D at 30w with an 'irritable uterus,' it felt like I was having period cramps and I wasn't feeling baby move for a while. I was on rest, not bedrest but I wasn't allowed to go to work, for 3 days, and then I felt fine again. I ended up being induce and that didn't even work - I only got to 5cm and 80% effaced, she was still up at -3 station, and I ended up with a C-section! So just because you're dilated and effaced doesn't necessarily mean anything. Try not to worry!

LadyBear10 · June 2016

Well looks like I will probably be on bed rest until at least 34 weeks... my cervix shortened another cm and baby was at zero station. I am sure I will have some more bed rest buddies eventually. Looks like it's time to start crafting! Maybe my wedding scrapbook will actually get done now...

jacmkelley · June 2016

LadyBear10 said:

Well looks like I will probably be on bed rest until at least 34 weeks... my cervix shortened another cm and baby was at zero station. I am sure I will have some more bed rest buddies eventually. Looks like it's time to start crafting! Maybe my wedding scrapbook will actually get done now...

I'm glad they are putting you on bed rest! Let that baby cook! Hopefully it will help. Keep us posted! And if you discover any crafts that are a must let me know lol

ballofmeat · June 2016

@LadyBear10 take it easy mama bear. Keep us updated!

kiwico14 · June 2016

LadyBear10 said:

Well looks like I will probably be on bed rest until at least 34 weeks... my cervix shortened another cm and baby was at zero station. I am sure I will have some more bed rest buddies eventually. Looks like it's time to start crafting! Maybe my wedding scrapbook will actually get done now...

I was put on bedrest at about 30 weeks for a shortened/funneled cervix. A coworker who had also been on bedrest told me that her doctor strung her along for a few weeks, but she found that everyone she talked to who'd had a similar experience was on bedrest until 36 weeks. I'm glad she said something because I mentally prepared for that. Sure enough, I was allowed moderate activity at 36 weeks. Just a heads-up in case the same is true for you.

Hang in there!

LadyBear10 · June 2016

@skelly70 Thanks for the heads up! I am not going to lie that I was pretty upset on Friday when finding out I would be missing another week of work, and I felt like things only got worse. I go to a group of OBs so I had a check in with a different OB this week, and she was definitely more straight forward than the one I saw in the hospital. I appreciated her realness of "you probably aren't doing anything until 34/35 weeks" rather than the "well we will see what it looks like next week" conversation.

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