Possible preterm labor

[mandm77]

Hi everyone.  I have been having frequent Braxton Hicks since 20 weeks (every 8-10 minutes or so) but recently they increased to every 2-3 minutes.  I was hospitalized for almost 48 hours, given IV fluids, 2 rounds of steroids to mature baby's lungs, an injection of terbutaline.  No cervical change.  I also tested positive for fetal fibronectin.  The contractions slowed significantly and I was discharged on modified bed rest.  

Two days later, the contractions were back and I returned to the hospital for 2 more terbutaline injections which slowed contractions successfully again. No cervical change.  I was discharged after 4 hours.  

I do not want to take an around-the-clock dose of terbutaline or ANY medication for that matter, as this appears to be the largely recommended course prescribed by docs.  I realize that the benefits of medications, even with their short and long-term risks, probably outweigh the problems associated with a premature baby.  However, until I have a more accurate assessment of my risk, I am hesitant.  Tomorrow, I see a high-risk obstetric group to retest for fibronectin and also do a cervical length ultrasound.  

I would like to hear from any of you who have had a similar situation.  Because my contractions never produce cervical change, I'm hesitant to intervene with more medications.  Have any of you had persistent Braxton Hicks (many, many in an hour like mine) that ended up going full-term with or without pharmaceutical intervention?  Any of your stories that I could hear about your cervical length, fetal fibronection, etc and how it all played out for you would be so helpful!

Thanks, ladies!

[chantal21]

My second pregnancy I had pre-term labor around 27 weeks. I had an infection and I think that's what caused it.  I was hospitalized around week 30 or week 32 (can't remember) and was at 4cm dilated and my son was at -1 station. I was so scared. I was given the steroid injections and 2 shots of terbutaline. My contractions were every 2-3 min at one point then they backed off to every 5-15 min. Was sent home on strict bedrest. I did go on some medication to try to get rid of contractions, but they made me so flush and made my heart race and to top it off, they didn't even work. I hope I never have to go through that again. Around 34-35 weeks I was 5cm and 100% effaced. He stayed put until 36w 4d. Normal size baby!  

[30something13]

I had 4 babies premature at 36,35,30 and 23 weeks, the last did not live long. I bled, was on bed rest Breathine and also had steriod shots. I found that to little movment as much as to much would cause contractions and the meds did nto help and only made my mental state worse with the bed rest! Oh the magnisium I got in the hospital was the worst!! They said I was always dehydrated but I drank more then 2 gallons a day!

I found out though I had low progesterone! I was told that pre term labor is that only which changes your cervix!! BH can last the whole pregnancy and get stronger with each one actually from what I have seen! My fifth and first full term baby was born 5 months ago. I had progesterone shots which helped me not go into labor! I would ask about those or progesterone cream! I used that too and it takes BH away right away in 10 min or so. Reasearch it on March of Dimes Web site and type in Progesterone in the search engine. It has been shown to help woman who have funneling of the cervix, and incopitent cerivx and hx of pre term labor and or babies! That calms the uterus and does not have side effects from what I knew of. I did throw up alot when I had to take it to get pregnant but when I got pregnant it dod not effect me. It can make you sleepy though. But even if you do not have low progesterone that is what I would take first befoer anything else!!!!!!! There are lots of false FBN tests actually! I would not worry to much about that. I had BH for two weeks before having my last one every 2-8 min!!! They got to were I thought I could go into labor actually and they watched me close cuz I was 3 hours from the hospital. But after all was said and done my water broke and my uterus gave out becasue of his position and I had a c-section, I never went into hard labor, what I call hard labor!

Best of luck and remember that progesterone can NOT hurt anything so it does nto hurt to try it!!!!! Tell your OB that and of the studies off the web site I mentioned

[alaysha]

At 32 weeks I had to get the steroid injections and tested positive on the fetal fibronectin and was dilated 2 cm 60% effaced and at a -1 one station. I refused the meds to stop contractions was put on severe bedrest to the point I wasn't allowed to get up unless I was using the restroom. I didnt have really consistant contractions all the time though. Just every once in a while theyd be really consistent and then go away. I got taken off bed rest at 36 weeks and despite trying everything to induce labor delivered at exactly 39 weeks.

[HeatherLF16]

***I meant to say you never know it could happen quick at the end of the first paragraph

[HeatherLF16]

At 29 weeks pregnant with my son I had braxton hicks and felt like I pulled a stomach mucsle.  Went to get it checked out I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes and dialated to a one.  I was given the treb shot like you, steroid shots for the baby and discharged with modified bedrest.  I was put on Nifedipine every 6 hours (the side effects were mild compared to trebualine ask your doc about it)  to slow contractions.  But, I would still go into having contractions 2-3 minutes apart once a week and have to go in for a treb shot.  This continued until I was 36 weeks pregnant then meds were stopped and I was able to go off bedrest.  When I was 38 weeks my water broke (at that point I was dialted to a 3-4 so I did have cervical change, but it happend very slow some people it happens quickly so you never never).  

So, I had constant issues but was still able to carry my baby full term.  I ended up having to have a csection because even though I dialated fully he was too big to come out on his own.  His was born perfect 8lbs 3 ozs and everyone was amazed I had made it that far with him.  He is now 4 months old =)

[smjmekg]

I had BH that were 5 min a part at 25 weeks. I was given the tributelene shot and they stopped. I had them constantly throughout the day until I had my son by scheduled c-section at 38 weeks 5 days (he was breech). I went to the hospital multiple times with the BH being no more than ten minutes apart, but they seemed to go away on their own most of the time. I'm pregnant now with number two and like with my son have been having BH since around 18 weeks. So far with this pregnancy, I haven't had as much trouble with the BH, and even now at 36 weeks 4 days I would do what I could to keep her in there as long as possible.

My cousin ended up taking a pill every day to stop contractions with her three children. None of her kids were affected in any way.

It all depends on you of course, but I personally would have taken a shot every day over my son being born too early. Even at 38 weeks 5 days he was in the nursery on oxygen and ivs for the first 24 hours.