Had another ultrasound today, as well as a midwife appointment. The ultrasound showed that despite the daily, strong and often PAINFUL contractions that my cervix is staying closed!!! This is *very good news*, however I am still on bedrest given how frequent and bothersome the contractions are, and due to the potential for them to start to make changes to my cervix, and I am still considered at risk of preterm labour.
The plan is we are going to continue to monitor my cervix to ensure that it is not dilating (ultrasound every week to 2 weeks -- I elected for every 2 weeks, do people think that sounds good??? or should I go for every week???) and I am going to continue with the magnesium supplements and baths. We are also considering corticosteroid shots as a preventative measure, even without me actually being in 'active preterm labour'. And of course if my symptoms worsen I'm to head to Labour and Delivery.
I am still waiting to hear back for my referral to the OB. The midwife faxed the referral letter last week and I'm starting to think I'm going to phone the office myself to make the appointment. Frustrating when you are as worried as we have been.
A few things did not sit with me well, however, and I'm not convinced it's the 'fault' of the midwife per se, and I'm looking for some feedback, ladies.
- One, she said that premature labour cannot be stopped, that if it happens it happens, and that even as a healthcare provider she feels helpless when trying to deal with this/it. I am not so sure about this as I have read of a growing movement of doctors and women who say that preterm labour signs and symptoms CAN be treated and SHOULD be treated aggressively. This website has a good take on it: http://irritable-uterus.com/self_imposedBedrest.asp and this is a great article which explains treatment options and assessment of preterm labour risk: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/260998-overview
- Two, she said that the risk of medications they used to give women outweigh the benefits. I'm wondering if this is accurate as I have recently read articles that suggest safer forms of medication to combat contractions, including nifedipine, progesterone supplementation and protaglandin inhibitors. They most certainly assert that the benefit to the baby LIVING outweighs the risks of the medication.
Its interesting because my family doctor has been ADAMANT about bedrest and although the midwife has also recommended that I rest when I get them (which is pretty much all day, every day) my midwife also says there is no real evidence that it works. All I know is I completely trust my family doctor and do not want to take any extra risks when it comes to our baby -- my husband and I are VERY CLEAR on this.