Braxton Hicks, preterm labor, contractions...

[mommyin10]

Hi. I'm 25 weeks pregnant with twins & I'm currently on modified bedrest. I was in the hospital for observation last Wed because my cervical length had shortened & had a follow up Fri. All looked well & I go back to measure cervical length tomorrow, but I have a question. My stomach has been tightening so that it feels hard to the touch. I thought it was a baby putting pressure on me, but then thought it might be contractions?? I don't know the difference between Braxton Hicks, preterm labor and/or contractions. I would appreciate any input :) I'm not in pain. It's just uncomfortable. The babies are very active :)

[mamaofonetrying42]

Great to hear!!

[mommyin10]

I'm home! Yay :) They released me last night. I had a fetal fibronectin test that came back negative, which is good news. Technically, it means I shouldn't be going into labor in the next 2 weeks :) I guess the cervix has two openings, the inner & outer os. The inner is tightly closed, which is great news, but the outer was thinning a bit. They say I'm not the usual pregnancy since I'm having twins, I have a T-shaped uterus, a shortening cervix, but my tests come back negative. So, we'll take it day by day.  I'm home on strict bedrest so we can keep the babies in as long as possible ;) I'll be 26 weeks Thursday & at 28 weeks, the odds start getting much better for the babies if they do come early.    

[mamaofonetrying42]

Any News??

[mommyin10]

Thanks :) I had already been on modified bedrest & had a follow up appt w/my high risk doc on Fri. They sent me back to the hospital where I still am now. Thank God for cell phones w/email & Internet :) It doesn't look like my contractions are worrisome, but my cervical length had shortened once again, which is why I was sent over to labor & delivery. It had gone from 3.8 cm 3 weeks ago, to 2.5 last week & then Friday it fluctuated between 2.5 & 1.5.  They injected me with steroids to help the babies' lungs & to avoid brain hemorrhaging in case they're born in the next few weeks... Scary! But I'm in good hands, so all's well! I'll have another fetal fibronectin test on Sunday & if it's negative & I haven't dilated, then I'll get to go home on strict bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy. If it's positive, I'll stay in the hospital longer. So, fibgers crossed that the little ones are staying put longer :)

[BradyAm]

most likely braxton hicks i have these daily (single pregnancy though) lately theyve been occuring like every hour or so.(i work) just your body getting your uterus ready for all the contractions and pushing later nothing to worry about unless your having more than 4 per hour. in that case you should deffinately call our doctor. drinking lots of fluids can help, but just your babies kicking can cause BH contractions. ive looked these up several times since i started having them at like 18 weeks so i know how annoying they can be.
real labor pains are actually painful(obviously) and are not random like BH are. they would be accompinied wit back pain as well. im assuming theres a really big difference. so if your not sure if its real labor or not then is most likely not. theres lots of websites to look at. googlegooglegoogle :) goodluck and dont forget to call your doctor if your still worried or have any questions.