Preterm Contractions

Has anyone else experienced preterm contractions?

Monday night I called my Dr since I had been feeling a tightening/cramping and some lower back pain steadily for 2 days. They sent me to L&D to be safe and monitored the babys movements.

They told me it was definitely contractions, and did the FFN test (which predicts if your going into labor in the next 2 weeks) and thankfully it was negative which was reassuring.They also did an internal and said everything looked great (long cervix, no dialating).

They couldn't pinpoint why I was having contractions and told me that some women get them from dehydration, or a stomach bug, or not eating enough, etc. Some people just get them for no reason at all, which is so scary to me!

I'll be 26 weeks this weekend and hate having to worry about LO every time I feel cramps for the next 14 weeks.

Re: Preterm Contractions

My cousin had these around her 31st week... she went to the hospital to be monitored and they did confirm that she was having minor contractions. They gave her something to stop them (sorry, don't remember what it was called) and sent her home. They totally stopped after that! So weird, but I guess it's not all that uncommon. I wouldn't worry too much unless you are getting them very regularly or your dr sees other signs of preterm labor.

Re: Preterm Contractions

I started having Braxton Hicks at about 15 weeks... didnt know that was early till I went to the hospital at 22 weeks from cramping all night... I had them frequently too sometimes 3 an hour... my doc said it could be normal for me but watched it and told me and that some people just have a irritable uterus and if I have 4 or more in an hour to call... It was annoying tracking them all the time... once i hit around 30 weeks I stopped stressing so much about them... I dont know that 26 weeks is that early to start having B&H.. as long as there is no pattern of 4 or more in an hour and getting closer together and stronger you should be fine... mine were very sporadic.. i sometimes would have 5 in an hour and then none for hours..

What does your doctor tell you... how often do you get them??

Good luck

Re: Preterm Contractions

I had these around 29 weeks or so. I wasn't aware I was having the contractions though. They put me on procardia, which helps to stop contractions and told me to drink a gallon of water a day

The nurse at L&D said that not drinking enough water is one of the main causes of preterm contractions.

Re: Preterm Contractions

the last 2 days i've been getting these wierd cramps in my belly... not really period cramps, kind of like the cramps you get after you chug water and run

just went to the OB yesterday & he said it is 100% due to my water intake... i know i've been slacking the last couple of days... so i really need to get on top of drinking more water

he also said the only time to be concerned about cramping/BH is when they start to become regular and have a pattern to them

Re: Preterm Contractions

From what the nurse at North Shore told me, contractions are different than Braxton Hicks, since BH cramps are irregular.

Mine felt like period cramps and were steadily on and off all day for 2 days. Once they gave me the IV, they got a little better so that made me think it might have something to do with water, however I usually drink at least a gallon a day so that confused me. I might've slacked a little since we got a Brita instead of bottled water, since I think it tastes a little different- so Im going back to bottled for now.

I woke up yesterday with minor cramping and went to the doctor for a followup and they told me not to worry about the contractions since im not dialated at all and the FFN was negative.

Just stinks having to worry about this every time i feel a cramp.

Re: Preterm Contractions

I had preterm contractions at 31 weeks. I went to the hospital to be monitored. They gave me some shots to stop them and told me to take it easy the next couple weeks and drink a lot of water