Now with update....Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

If so, please respond.

Update: Well last night was pure hell. The pain continued without letting up til 4 am when I was finally able to fall asleep. Nothing helped...I tried walking, lying down, sitting, drinking a bunch of water, etc. The pain refused to let up. I woke up at 6 am and felt a little better but overall just felt crappy. I tried drinking water and resting. Between 10 and 11 am I had 7 contractions and the doctor said if I have more than 5 in an hour, to head to the hospital/call my doctor. The doctor's office sent me right to l & d. The on-call doctor says what I'm describing from last night does sound like pre-term labor, but my contractions at the hospital were about every 20 minutes, so that's good. They monitored me for almost 4 hours but luckily, I was able to come home. I'm now home and just really tired. Thanks for all of your support everyone!

Message edited 8/3/2011 6:43:10 PM.

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

I'm up, but no experience...Hope everyhing is ok!

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

I am...what's up?

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

35 weeks today. Went to my perinatologist on Friday and she confirmed I am having full on contractions but they are irregular. The baby is in position, head down and laying very low. Tonight I have insanely painful menstrual like cramps (mainly on my right lower belly, just above my pelvis). The pain won't let up but my contractions are still irregular. I also have a lot of pressure. Any advice?

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

How many per hour? Keep timing them.

Try drinking water, laying on your left side or walking around ... if they're real contractions they won't let up. If youre not in real labor, one of those things may help.

Feel better!

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

I agree with smurfy...time them, drink some water and try to lay down. If you have done all of this already start to consider calling the on call doc. If the cramps are enough you can't talk, walk, or write through them then you should go in. When was the last time you pooped? Do you have your appendix? I know it's mor ethen likely preterm labor, but just throwing out 2 other possible issues! Either way I would call the OB 1st thing in the morning.

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Thanks for the replies. Not to be gross but for the past five days, no matter what I eat, I'm in the bathroom. It's now across my lower belly on both sides but I haven't had any contractions in the past 45 minutes. I'm just trying to get comfortable and ill call the doctor in the morning. That's my plan anyway lol

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Not tmi, honey at this point NOTHING is TMI anymore

Just try to relax, take some tylenol if you feel comfortable doing so and maybe drink some warm tea or milk. What kind of pain is it across your belly? Like a dull achy feeling or sharp pains?

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Somehow it's both....like menstrual cramps on steroids!

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Thanks for your help

Re: Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Thanks for your help

Re: Now with update....Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

bump for update

Re: Now with update....Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

I'm so glad you got checked out and you're doing better! I was thinking about you today. At least now you know if it happens again to go in and get checked.

Re: Now with update....Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Posted by medic6809

I'm so glad you got checked out and you're doing better! I was thinking about you today. At least now you know if it happens again to go in and get checked.

Re: Now with update....Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Happy you are doing better today!!!!

Re: Now with update....Anybody up and familiar with preterm labor?

Glad you're home and doing better!

FYI... my peri-natologist was always concerned with me getting past the 34 week mark and then was okay with the baby being born, if need be. Before 35 weeks is when they would give the steroids for the lungs. You're now past all of that, so that hopefully makes you feel a little better.

I had what I thought might be contractions 2 Friday nights ago, so I know what you were going through. It passed and I haven't had a night like that since. I'm now approaching 38 weeks.

I wish you the best! Feel better!