Magnesium

[pookie1121]

I have started having some contractions - which I thoght were Braxton-Hicks contractions.  I got BH contractions for the last 1/3 of my singleton pregnancy and figured that that is what these were.  My mom is a Doula and she said that I am having them too often for them to be just BH ones.  

At last appt (two weeks ago), my cervix is still closed and long and everything there was good, but my doctor has told me to take Magnesium as a precaution.  Apparently proper levels of magnesium during pregnancy can help keep the uterus from contracting until last month - Dropping levels may start labor contractions.

Did anyone else take Magnesium or taking it?  Just curious if you took it and if it worked?

[Heather3418]

Hi Pookie,

My daughter was on the IV Magnesium Sulfate.  I didn't know that there was an oral medication you could take for contractions.  I do know that the MS is like a massive muscle relaxant.  The IV Mag Sulfate can make you hot, flushed and sometimes nauseated.  I don't know about the oral medication.  Maybe you can fill me in on that one.

They also give Mag Sulfate to mother's in the hospital that are being treated for pre-eclampsia.  Like it relaxes the muscles of the uterus, it apparently relaxes the blood vessels to the circulatory system.  If it is given right up until birth, it can also make the baby a little sluggish when he/she is born.

It really is a good drug 'Pook' and I have seen it do wonders for all three of my daughters premature labors.  Since she needed the Mag with all three babies, she finally saw that she should probably not risk having another baby.  She was hospitalized with all three babies in the last weeks of her pregnancy's to prevent premature labor.  So yes, the stuff really does work.

One piece of advice, this grandma can also give you, is to rest when you can with your feet up and stretched out and stay hydrated as much as possible.  Even when you don't feel like taking yet another sip of water.  

Thank God we live in a day and time where medicine is so far advanced.  Not premies are surviving as young as 24 gestation.  Isn't it a miracle?

Rest up dearheart and keep that water nearby at all times....even if it means alot of trips to the potty.  You're helping keep that precious ones in there just a little bit longer until the time is just right.  Good luck to you and congrads on your upcoming babies.

All the Best,
Heather

[pookie1121]

Hey 35Mom,

Everything has been going pretty good.  I had a few BH over the past few weeks but then on Monday, the day before we flew back from the US to Germany, I started having a lot of contractions - felt just like BH just more often.  I guess it was from being on my feet so long and doing all the packing, etc.  Since we got back, I have been pretty relaxed and have been laying down a lot and I have had them seldom again...therefore I do think they are BH... but will take the Magnesium anyway to be on safe side! I googled it and it appears it is good for preventing contractions.

[cure65roses]

Pookie!!  Take it easy and rest yourself, hun.

Sorry I don't have any magnesium stories, but you might try to google it.

There's all kinds of ways to treat pre-term labor.  (My dr. has me taking weekly progesterone injections, but these must be started before week 20 in order for them to work effectively.)

Just make sure you listen to your body and call your dr. asap if you have ANY concerns.  This pregnancy will not be exactly like your last one of course, and you are at a higher risk of PTL with twins in there.

Belly rubs from my girls to yours!!  =)

Take care~