Constant frequent contractions without labor

I had BH contractions (and from time to time a real one) 6-12 min apart at 27 weeks and went to L&D. they gave me fluids by IV but teh contractins became more frequent and stronger. they ultimately stopped the contractions with 10 mg of nifedipine, a drug used to lower blood pressure that also works to stop contractions. they sent me home because was cervix was completely closed, even if soft.

since then, I went another time to L&D, but then the contractions slowed down just by laying down and my cervix was still closed.

the problem is I am having all day long contractions without the preterm labor, so they said there is nothing to do right now, and told me to pay attention to any change in frequency, intensity or other signs (discharge etc.). but my belly is now so big (at 27 weeks I had a 40 weeks belly) and tense most of the time and I have a high tolerance for pain and discomfort, so I'm just getting used to the contractions. especially when they are mild, I can't differentiate them from a tense belly, but I know from the graphs at L&D that they are in fact quite intense. and it gets worse when I am active.

so my questions are: when to worry? how do I know I'm overdoing it? they told me I could still go to work because I'm sitting most of the time and they don't really believe in bedrest (at least in my situation). but at the end of the day or as soon as I am just a little bit more active I do feel the strain. are there other people with constant BH? how are you dealing with it or how long did it last for those of you who went through this?

 

I always get BH contractions in the evening. Sometimes I will have quite a few an hour, but as long as they feel the same as they always do I don't worry. My ob said this is a very normal time to get BH contractions because your body is tired from the day. She also said that almost anything at this point can cause me to get them (walking around, getting up, the babies movign alot, ect). Some days I will have them off and on all day long, other days I don't notice any. I really just try to use my best judgement.....and so far so good. Your situation seems a little different, so if you are feeling alot of them or they are hurting or concerning you then call your ob, that is he/she is there for!

 

I havent been having any contractions only a few BH every once and a while-but like you I have a pretty high tolerence for pain...With my dd I labored at home all night thinking it wasnt a big deal and was dialated to a 10 when I got to the hospital-So I too am a little scared that I just wont know when enough is enough. I guess that is why the doctors want to see us once a week toward the end so they can keep a close eye on things.
If you have doubts in your judgement just call and ask-I bet the nurses are used to lots of questions.
Good luck and I hope you get a break soon from BH contractions!

 

when mine slowly got closer together I knew I was it was labor...

My water breaking was the real sign though!!!

 

I'm in the same boat and it's really scary. Anytime I'm up and around my belly tenses rock hard especially if I'm grocery shopping or shelping my other 2 around. I ended up in L&D last week because one of my kids brought home a lovely GI bug from preschool that gave me massive rectal spasms which resulted in abdominal ones. The hospital here in Norfolk, VA is pathetic. They couldn't find one of the heartbeats on one visit and then when my peri had me go back they stuck me in a triage room and I never saw anyone (doctor, nurse, janitor) for 6 hours (unless I went to the nurses station and asked when I would be seen). Overall, I think it's one of those things were we use our best judgment. In your case maybe your doctor could write you a note so that you could take the afternoons off where you could get in a horizontal position. Taking weight off my cervix in the afternoon has been key in helping me mentally get through till my next doctor's appointment.

Best of luck,
Fiona--wishing i was back in northern VA

 

I had constant bh with the twins. I mean- CONSTANT. Nothing could stop them- not terb pills, not the pump, not Mag Sulfate. Some of us contract more. I will say that my specialist gave me a Home Monitoring System (it's a strap that monitors your contractions- then you send off the info- a nurse reads it & tells you how they look) was the BEST thing ever. It was complete peace of mind for me.
Good luck to you!

 

Hi,

thank you all for your answers. To rest at work, I bought a camping bed last WE so I can lay down in the afternoon in our breakroom. I think the worst is that at work I tend to forget drinking water, so I'll try to make an effort on that. But anyway, I guess I'll be one of those who have constant contractions, I see that some of you share similar symptoms. Good luck to you too! I think it's just that our bellies get so big!

And Fiona, I'm so sorry you are in such a bad hospital! you shouldn't have to wait that long when you go there. that's something you could mention to your OB/gyn.

 

You sound just like me for all of my pgs... I have tons and tons of ctx which at times are painful and take my breath away. But my cervix is made of steel in spite of all the ctx always long and closed. I was only 2cm dilated at 35 weeks with my twins and still made it to almost 38 weeks for their c/s. In fact having tons of ctx is sooo much my norm that I'm actually relieved that they are finally picking up in this pg. It's almost like I think I need an imaginary quota filled before my body will go into "real" labor. I'm getting close to 39 weeks here with this little one and still zilch going on with my cervix...so those ctx make me feel a little more positive about going into labor sometime in the next two weeks! LOL!.

All I can say is if you have a gut instinct that something is different then call your doctor and get checked. The good thing with a twin pg is that usually they are checking your cervix semi-regularly in the third trimester anyway...so they shouldn't miss something happening. And the NSTs should pick up ctx too, so your doc can see what is happening. Not sure if you labored with your first child...but almost always once it turns into the real thing you'll know for sure... you'll be in a lot more pain...your system will probably flush itself out and you'll wonder if you have an intestinal bug. You'll probably have more back pain. Those are things I'd look for....bloody show...etc... Obviously there are women who go into spontaneous labor feeling nothing, but if I were I'd actually be reassured that you've been feeling tons of ctx with no progress.. I think that's a good sign that you will hold out for quite a while. And in the meantime, obviously try to do what you can to alleviate them.