Premature labor

I have two older boys that I had no preterm pregnancy issues with. This one is a whole different story. I started having contractions, real contractions, not braxton hicks a couple of weeks ago. Last thursday they go so frequent and intense I ended up going to labor and delivery. I had an appointment thursday morning, (before my trip to L&D). She checked me and said I was just a fingertip dilated which isn't uncommon for mothers that have other children. However she said if they continued to get worse to call and we would go from there. That is how I ended up going to the hospital. So anyway, I went and the contractions were strong and frequent. They thought maybe I had a UTI but I didn't. They ended up giving me fluid and then two procardia. The procardia helped lessen the contractions, but I have continued having them ever since. They started wearing off somewhat, but sometimes they come with a vengeance. I was told to stay off my feet, but I'm not on bedrest. I can't have sex or bend over or lift heavy things. My dr. prescribed procardia, but I haven't felt like I needed to take it yet.

Anyway, to the point. She told me as long as my cervix wasn't changing it was just basically preterm contractions, not preterm labor. She said if my discharge changed, like became watery or clear, or if I had any blood in it to call. Well as far as I know it hasn't changed. The only thing is that I am having horrible menstrual like cramping. I can't walk around for more than a couple minutes because it gets worse. It isn't contractions, its just extremely uncomfortable cramping. I'm worried that something is going on down there that I am unaware of.

How did your labor start with your babies? I don't have a dr app until next week and I don't want to keep calling the doctor if I am just overreacting. Like I said both of my older boys were term babies and I woke up in active labor, so I missed all of the beginning stuff.

I'm just confused and uncomfortable with the whole situation.

Quoting Mistilinn:“ I have two older boys that I had no preterm pregnancy issues with. This one is a whole different story. ... [snip!] ... up in active labor, so I missed all of the beginning stuff. I'm just confused and uncomfortable with the whole situation.”

My contractions with each of my children felt like painful cramps low in my cervix and felt that way all the way to the point of pushing. If it were me, I'd be going to the ER again. It's worth it. If nothing is wrong, wonderful, but you'd rather be safe than sorry. Being quick to act on what I was only so-so certain of is what saved my youngest's life. So, go to the hospital!

i went into premature labor at twenty eight weeks but my water broke....just be thankful u are so far along that if u were to happen to go into premature labor ur baby should be fine...the contractions i had werent that bad either i didnt even know i had them until they hooked me up to machines and told me....but when they came on stronger they felt like really bad menstrual cramps.....good luck

Quoting Alysa:“ i went into premature labor at twenty eight weeks but my water broke....just be thankful u are so far ... [snip!] ... hooked me up to machines and told me....but when they came on stronger they felt like really bad menstrual cramps.....good luck”

How long were you able to carry your baby after your water broke?

You should really get the scrip filled and take it. You may not feel like you need it but it could avoid the being to late for anything to help.

My first three were two weeks late and had to be induced,

My fourth was born two months early. It is not a fun having him in the hospital for 33 days after birth.

Good luck keeping this baby in longer.

1 day.....but she made it and she is a perfect healthy little baby...one of the smallest 4 month olds ive seen tho (10 pounds) but everything else is great

I had the same problem. I went into preterm labor thursday night but the contractions wore off on their own then friday night it hit me again and they didn't go away. So I went to L&D and they kept me over night trying to stop my contractions they gave me a shot of brethine and kept me on the pill every 4 hours. needless to say it stopped and I went home with the same restrictions as you. and ever since I have been having cramps ever since and I go back to the dr wednesday!

Quoting Alysa:“ 1 day.....but she made it and she is a perfect healthy little baby...one of the smallest 4 month olds ive seen tho (10 pounds) but everything else is great”

Wow...makes me feel even more blessed. My water borke at 20 weeks with Drake and beyond all odds I carried him all the way to 39 weeks.

My older kids weren't preemies and they were only about 10 lbs each at 4 months lol

Congrats on your little miracle!!!

I would take the procardia, but the contactions aren't as frequent as when I went to the hospital. I think that has alot to do with the fact I'm not as active as I was a few days ago. It's not that I'm brushing it off, it is just that it has changed. The baby had already dropped, but now it is like he is really low. I can't sit with my legs even close to each other and walking around makes it feel like he is going to fall out. What scares me even more, is that I had a leep procedure so I don't have all of my cervix.

Quoting Alysa:“ 1 day.....but she made it and she is a perfect healthy little baby...one of the smallest 4 month olds ive seen tho (10 pounds) but everything else is great”

awwww. mi niece is 3 will b 4 in november an she weighs 26 pounds... she only weight 2lbs10oz when she was born but she is sooo damn cute.. i love tiny babies!

Quoting Mistilinn:“ I would take the procardia, but the contactions aren't as frequent as when I went to the hospital. I ... [snip!] ... feel like he is going to fall out. What scares me even more, is that I had a leep procedure so I don't have all of my cervix.”

Well just take it easy. I am sure that it is hard with the two older boys. I know that it was with three teens when they told me bed rest. Hopefully you can make it a bit longer with out the meds. My son was very healthy but I seen a lot of sick babies in the NICU that were still on a lot of assistance.

Good luck

Quoting Alysa:“ 1 day.....but she made it and she is a perfect healthy little baby...one of the smallest 4 month olds ive seen tho (10 pounds) but everything else is great”

ive seen one of those too. at 4 motnhs old my daughter weighted 10 pounds 7 onuces.. i love itty bitty babies.. how big was she when she was born.. since she was so early

Quoting Alysa:“ 1 day.....but she made it and she is a perfect healthy little baby...one of the smallest 4 month olds ive seen tho (10 pounds) but everything else is great”

We have a very similar story! My water just broke out of the blue one night when I was 27 weeks, 5 days pregnant. A little over 3 hours later I delivered my little girl. She is 3 months, 1 week old now and weighs 8 pounds.  

Quoting *Wicked Mama*:“ Wow...makes me feel even more blessed. My water borke at 20 weeks with Drake and beyond all odds I ... [snip!] ... My older kids weren't preemies and they were only about 10 lbs each at 4 months lol Congrats on your little miracle!!!”

 I heard of this happening - in the past when there was little or no medical intervention, women would carry babies after early rupture of membranes to full term. So did your water replenish itself or the mucus plug reform?  Or was the baby without fluid all that time?   I'm curious about preparing for a possible early rupture with the baby I'm carrying now. With my first I started leaking amniotic fluid at 33 weeks and delivered him at 34.

Quoting WinlawWomyn:“ I heard of this happening - in the past when there was little or no medical intervention, women would ... [snip!] ... rupture with the baby I'm carrying now. With my first I started leaking amniotic fluid at 33 weeks and delivered him at 34.”

It did the rare thing of replenishing in spite of the constant leak. The leak slowed down after two weeks, so it wasn't as big as it had been originally, but it was still there enough for me to notice it. I was given antibiotics for two weeks in the hospital and then they sent me home and said there was nothing else they could do. They fully expected I would deliver within the following two weeks. When I got to 36 weeks my doctor looked at me and shook her head and was just completely floored. She'd never seen it before, not with a rupture so early on, and was seriously amazed. She nows actually lets women know to not give up hope because there is a chance things will work out. She uses my story to encourage them. You take it day by day and hope and pray and beg God for the best.

He is my amazing little miracle and I really feel completely blessed to have him here.

Fortunately, though, early ruptures are extremely rare and you probably won't have it happen again. Only 1 to 3% of women rupture prematurely. It's a rare occurrence and that is why they have no idea what to do when it happens.

Oh and to tell ANYONE who may have this happen, DO NOT choose to induce your labor unless you have lost that baby. I was told I should terminate because his chance of survival was smal land carrying him and needing a special kind of c-section would severely ruin my chances to conceive again. I didn't care and went on, determined. So, do what you can. Let nature do what it will do...don't expell your child!