5th c section, irritable uterus this pregnancy since 20 wks

[mamatrujillo]

hello ladies. I have yet to post anything in any forum since i found out I was pregnant. I will be 21 weeks tomrw. but since last weekend I started having horrible cramps, pain and contractions. I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with an Irritable Uterus. But other than being put on bed rest they didnt tell me anything to expect. Here is a bit of history of my prior pregnancies:

#1 emergency C section due to placenta previa
#2 stroke at 20 weeks, and again day 2 after she was born, c section, preterm
#3 emergency c section, preterm delivery stroke 3 hours after and 1 day after delivery
# 4 preterm labor at 30 weeks, was able to keep her in until 35 weeks, emergency c section.

Other surgeries I have had on my poor uterus is 2 laparoscopies for endometriosis and 1 for an ectopic pregnancy in march 2012. had a total of 3 mc before this baby stuck. Assisted conception with estrogen pills and Clomid.

I also fought cervical cancer for a little over a year. So, has anyone been diagnosed with anything similar? anyone had Irritable Uterus and still made it to 36 weeks? I am on progesterone shots but they still havent helped w contractions. Its really difficult to be on bed rest w 4 children at home ages 2,4,5,8. How do i mentally prepare myself for the possibility of a really early delivery? And how much does this diagnosis increase my chances of an early delivery when i have a history of preterm labor and delivery with 3 out of 4 of my last? will this baby come even earlier now?? help! my dh and i are concerned. weve been through so much already and the dr wont stop my contractions

 

[Rafferty]

Wow, your history at a glance looks overwhelming. I'm sorry I have no experience or advice. Why won't your doctor try to stop your contractions? You are so close to viability! I'll be praying for you and this little baby boy to stay put.

I hope this isn't rude, but I have complete placenta previa, and was told no chance of it moving. And I see that it is in your history...any advice, what happened in your situation?

 

[mamatrujillo]

Wow, your history at a glance looks overwhelming. I'm sorry I have no experience or advice. Why won't your doctor try to stop your contractions? You are so close to viability! I'll be praying for you and this little baby boy to stay put.

I hope this isn't rude, but I have complete placenta previa, and was told no chance of it moving. And I see that it is in your history...any advice, what happened in your situation?

my dr said that they would consider it a miscarriage at less than 22 weeks or something like that. so they wont stop the contractions etc with medication until i make it past that point. it is quite frustrating. the only thing is ive been on progesterone since 18weeks but that hasnt helped at all with this pregnancy.

with my first pregnancy i had total placenta previa, and my dr missed it my entire pregnancy until i started to dilate and she went to strip my membraines and i started bleeding terribly. i had to have an emergency c section. but i made it to 38 weeks in that pregnancy and thats the longest ive made it in any of them. ive had placenta issues in one other pregnancy, my 2nd one, but it wasnt related to placenta previa at all. i know technology has become more advanced since my experience in 04. you just have to be more cautious of your body,sex,etc. luckily in your case you found out early in order to prevent causing any damage. I wish i would have known!! good luck to ya hun you will be just fine

 

[justhoping]

Wow, your history at a glance looks overwhelming. I'm sorry I have no experience or advice. Why won't your doctor try to stop your contractions? You are so close to viability! I'll be praying for you and this little baby boy to stay put.

I hope this isn't rude, but I have complete placenta previa, and was told no chance of it moving. And I see that it is in your history...any advice, what happened in your situation?

my dr said that they would consider it a miscarriage at less than 22 weeks or something like that. so they wont stop the contractions etc with medication until i make it past that point. it is quite frustrating. the only thing is ive been on progesterone since 18weeks but that hasnt helped at all with this pregnancy.

with my first pregnancy i had total placenta previa, and my dr missed it my entire pregnancy until i started to dilate and she went to strip my membraines and i started bleeding terribly. i had to have an emergency c section. but i made it to 38 weeks in that pregnancy and thats the longest ive made it in any of them. ive had placenta issues in one other pregnancy, my 2nd one, but it wasnt related to placenta previa at all. i know technology has become more advanced since my experience in 04. you just have to be more cautious of your body,sex,etc. luckily in your case you found out early in order to prevent causing any damage. I wish i would have known!! good luck to ya hun you will be just fine

progesterone is working if your numbers are up and have not gone down....it helps by keeping your numbers elevated so you dont m/c and that is usually early on though you could use it past just to make sure....if you get irritable uterus best thing for the little one is to be in bed and keep your fluid intake as high as possible....at this point it really is all you can do and since its the best thing for the baby you need to find a way to do it even with all your kids...i did....i planted myself on my couch made my house childproof , older kids helped as best they could and once in while i had help.......

 

[chocolatecat]

Sorry to hear about all the drama. But congrats on your beautiful children.

Did they check your cervix? One of the biggest causes of ptl is incompetant cervix, if you've had surgery on yours it's fairly likely I'm afraid. It can be treated with a stitch with moderate success. A lot of women have contractions, and some funneling, but the stitch holds the baby in for a lot longer. There's a whole thread full of advice, but first thing to do is find out your cervical length. if it's short, you should be offered a stitch if before 20 (ish weeks) 12-14 weeks is the best time for one.
good luck

 

[mamatrujillo]

Wow, your history at a glance looks overwhelming. I'm sorry I have no experience or advice. Why won't your doctor try to stop your contractions? You are so close to viability! I'll be praying for you and this little baby boy to stay put.

I hope this isn't rude, but I have complete placenta previa, and was told no chance of it moving. And I see that it is in your history...any advice, what happened in your situation?

my dr said that they would consider it a miscarriage at less than 22 weeks or something like that. so they wont stop the contractions etc with medication until i make it past that point. it is quite frustrating. the only thing is ive been on progesterone since 18weeks but that hasnt helped at all with this pregnancy.

with my first pregnancy i had total placenta previa, and my dr missed it my entire pregnancy until i started to dilate and she went to strip my membraines and i started bleeding terribly. i had to have an emergency c section. but i made it to 38 weeks in that pregnancy and thats the longest ive made it in any of them. ive had placenta issues in one other pregnancy, my 2nd one, but it wasnt related to placenta previa at all. i know technology has become more advanced since my experience in 04. you just have to be more cautious of your body,sex,etc. luckily in your case you found out early in order to prevent causing any damage. I wish i would have known!! good luck to ya hun you will be just fine

progesterone is working if your numbers are up and have not gone down....it helps by keeping your numbers elevated so you dont m/c and that is usually early on though you could use it past just to make sure....if you get irritable uterus best thing for the little one is to be in bed and keep your fluid intake as high as possible....at this point it really is all you can do and since its the best thing for the baby you need to find a way to do it even with all your kids...i did....i planted myself on my couch made my house childproof , older kids helped as best they could and once in while i had help.......

my numbers are fine. they always have been. the baby looks great, its just my uterus itself is not holding up. but if you go into active labor before 22 weeks they wont stop it which is frustrating for me. i just have to hold on for one more week. they already diagnosed me w irritable uterus. i was on progesterone w my last pregnancy as well because of preterm labor issues.
my oldest is 8, and she helps out where she can. i dont have family or friends close by which would make it a little less stressful. but i also dont want to put too much on other ppl.

 

[mamatrujillo]

Sorry to hear about all the drama. But congrats on your beautiful children.

Did they check your cervix? One of the biggest causes of ptl is incompetant cervix, if you've had surgery on yours it's fairly likely I'm afraid. It can be treated with a stitch with moderate success. A lot of women have contractions, and some funneling, but the stitch holds the baby in for a lot longer. There's a whole thread full of advice, but first thing to do is find out your cervical length. if it's short, you should be offered a stitch if before 20 (ish weeks) 12-14 weeks is the best time for one.
good luck

thank you. they actually didnt check my cervix. at all. they didnt even do an ultrasound when i was in the hopsital .they just monitored the babies heart rate and my contractions. they said he is doing great so unless my water breaks or i bleed or my contractions become consistent they said to stay home. my cervix itself has never dilated past a 3 with any of my pregancies but i also know that every pregnancy is different. my water has never broken either. i will see my dr feb 6th so just a little over a week. crossin my fingers for good news. im taking another progesterone shot today. i can usually tell when its time for a shot because i cramp horribly.

im 21 weeks so i guess its too late for a stitch? I will keep you posted after my next appointment. hopefully theres good news. im trying to keep my anxiety down etc i know that doesnt help

 

[justhoping]

Wow, your history at a glance looks overwhelming. I'm sorry I have no experience or advice. Why won't your doctor try to stop your contractions? You are so close to viability! I'll be praying for you and this little baby boy to stay put.

I hope this isn't rude, but I have complete placenta previa, and was told no chance of it moving. And I see that it is in your history...any advice, what happened in your situation?

my dr said that they would consider it a miscarriage at less than 22 weeks or something like that. so they wont stop the contractions etc with medication until i make it past that point. it is quite frustrating. the only thing is ive been on progesterone since 18weeks but that hasnt helped at all with this pregnancy.

with my first pregnancy i had total placenta previa, and my dr missed it my entire pregnancy until i started to dilate and she went to strip my membraines and i started bleeding terribly. i had to have an emergency c section. but i made it to 38 weeks in that pregnancy and thats the longest ive made it in any of them. ive had placenta issues in one other pregnancy, my 2nd one, but it wasnt related to placenta previa at all. i know technology has become more advanced since my experience in 04. you just have to be more cautious of your body,sex,etc. luckily in your case you found out early in order to prevent causing any damage. I wish i would have known!! good luck to ya hun you will be just fine

progesterone is working if your numbers are up and have not gone down....it helps by keeping your numbers elevated so you dont m/c and that is usually early on though you could use it past just to make sure....if you get irritable uterus best thing for the little one is to be in bed and keep your fluid intake as high as possible....at this point it really is all you can do and since its the best thing for the baby you need to find a way to do it even with all your kids...i did....i planted myself on my couch made my house childproof , older kids helped as best they could and once in while i had help.......

my numbers are fine. they always have been. the baby looks great, its just my uterus itself is not holding up. but if you go into active labor before 22 weeks they wont stop it which is frustrating for me. i just have to hold on for one more week. they already diagnosed me w irritable uterus. i was on progesterone w my last pregnancy as well because of preterm labor issues.
my oldest is 8, and she helps out where she can. i dont have family or friends close by which would make it a little less stressful. but i also dont want to put too much on other ppl.

i have 4 kids and umteen failed pregnancies...they put you on progesterone to keep the numbers up so the lining doesnt shed making you lose a pregnancy.....if your numbers are up and your lining isnt shedding its working ....

irritable uterus is quit common,..but is not preterm labor which maybe the other reason there waiting....they dont want to give something where bed rest and upping fluid intake will help......plus the meds dont really work with irritable uterous as its not preterm labor.....i have irritable uterus with all my kids and yes preterm labor giving way to preterm babies but again.....i did my best with small kids and no help for the sake of my unborn baby....like i said i plopped myself on my couch or my childrens bed in there room...any place i could lay myself down i did......and i was going to float away with how much they made me drink...but it really does help irritable uterus

....that is the only real cure for irritable uterus .....and lots of people have this through the entire pregnancy...not comfy at all but best to listen to


what the midwife or gyn says....get creative

again irritable uterus IS NOT preterm labor and nobody should go on meds for something if they dont have it....i been on those drugs, i would do everything in my power and more to keep me and my baby off them as long as possible as there not the best either...

 

[mamatrujillo]

i guess with my history of mc and preterm labor with 3 of my other kids i am experiencing a lot of nerves w this one. i would rather have irritable uterus than go into active labor this early like i did w a couple of my other pregnancies. they are keeping me on the progesterone until 36 weeks if i make it that far.

Thank you for your motivating reply. it is nice to talk to someone who has had such similarities and complications. if irritable uterus ends up being the only complication i have with this one i will be very greatful. Ive talked w my kids about helping me out a little bit. but i dont want to ask too much of them. im stubborn, i rarely ask for help w my daily duties but for the sake of the baby etc I know I have to just suck it up and ask.

 

[justhoping]

i guess with my history of mc and preterm labor with 3 of my other kids i am experiencing a lot of nerves w this one. i would rather have irritable uterus than go into active labor this early like i did w a couple of my other pregnancies. they are keeping me on the progesterone until 36 weeks if i make it that far.

Thank you for your motivating reply. it is nice to talk to someone who has had such similarities and complications. if irritable uterus ends up being the only complication i have with this one i will be very greatful. Ive talked w my kids about helping me out a little bit. but i dont want to ask too much of them. im stubborn, i rarely ask for help w my daily duties but for the sake of the baby etc I know I have to just suck it up and ask.

oh yea, hard time concieving, rritable uterous, preterm labor and babies....it all sucks..
then the heart breaking part. the NICU.... or the micro NICU.

my last pregnancy I made myself not be superwomen. I asked for the help I needed and got it where available...I would set up easy to do meals and snacks so that the kids could do it themselves or least the older ones would....
i lay on the couch or lounger in the living room....had my pitcher of water and bottle of water with me EVERYWHERE and sipped it all day long..though it made me want to puke and yea sometimes did (gross)..

sometimes i even lay in my kids rooms just so i new they where safe but hey I was laying down and that is what was best for the baby......

just figure out a knack and you will do great...it took me 3 kids and several m/c to learn ....you cant always be a super women...sometimes you need to bow to the situation....i still gave birth preterm but not so preterm....If i would have done what i did with my other three babies he would have been a still at 4 months, Im sure of it...:S but he is a healthy cheeky little boy of 5 now......btw beautiful kids!

 

[HappyLady]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

 

[justhoping]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

why would they give medication for an irritable uterus?? That goes away with fluid intake, less stress and bed rest.

 

[mamatrujillo]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

why would they give medication for an irritable uterus?? That goes away with fluid intake, less stress and bed rest.

my original diagnosis was preterm labor which i have a long history of having. i was informed at the hospital that because i was only 20 weeks that they wouldnt provide medication. i was informed that irritable uterus is a common cause of preterm labor so they go hand in hand in my case some cases. due to my history, they coincide

 

[mamatrujillo]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

thank you for your reply !! My hospital is Mckay dee. i dont live anywhere near any of the LDS hospitals. If i keep having complications once i reach 22 weeks my dr said there will be more options for me. i see him next week thankfully and will be just over 22 weeks when i see him. I have close friends that have had amazing experiences with LDS hospitals in SLC and I must say im envious! if i have too see a specialist, my husbands insurance covers one in SLC. for now im staying optomistic. !

 

[justhoping]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

why would they give medication for an irritable uterus?? That goes away with fluid intake, less stress and bed rest.

my original diagnosis was preterm labor which i have a long history of having. i was informed at the hospital that because i was only 20 weeks that they wouldnt provide medication. i was informed that irritable uterus is a common cause of preterm labor so they go hand in hand in my case some cases. due to my history, they coincide

right, it CAN cause but doesnt always cause and it well known what to do as you where already told that.....as staighted in your post...
if you where in actual preterm labor you would have had the baby by now if they didnt use meds to stop it.....

I just dont know why anyone would want medication that really isnt good for you or the baby without doing all the other stuff first and letting it calm down and also before it would hit actual preterm labor...
we both know once in real preterm labor if not stopped you have the baby....

 

[mamatrujillo]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

why would they give medication for an irritable uterus?? That goes away with fluid intake, less stress and bed rest.

my original diagnosis was preterm labor which i have a long history of having. i was informed at the hospital that because i was only 20 weeks that they wouldnt provide medication. i was informed that irritable uterus is a common cause of preterm labor so they go hand in hand in my case some cases. due to my history, they coincide

right, it CAN cause but doesnt always cause and it well known what to do as you where already told that.....as staighted in your post...
if you where in actual preterm labor you would have had the baby by now if they didnt use meds to stop it.....

I just dont know why anyone would want medication that really isnt good for you or the baby without doing all the other stuff first and letting it calm down and also before it would hit actual preterm labor...
we both know once in real preterm labor if not stopped you have the baby....

Just to clarify, I have been on minimal duty since I got pregnant because of my history with preterm labor and mc. I was put on weekly shots to help prevent that. When i went to the hospital I was contracting but because my pregnancy was only 20 wks they would only monitor. they didnt even do an ultrasound to check my cervix or the baby. they said they couldnt stop it if it progressed and sent me home on bed rest to follow up w my dr. since then I have been on bed rest as much as possible, stayed hydrated and kept up with my shots. Which has most certainly helped. I have spoken with many women going through the same where labor stopped on its own as in my case and they did not deliver. i am nearly at the point in pregnancy where my dr said if i start having contractions again like last time that they will be able to intervene if the bed rest etc does not work. My uterus just may not be handling the pregnancy very well. Which we knew could happen. I am on here for support. Which is always welcome. But your previous comment seemed more like judgement rather than support. That may not have been your intentions, but that is certainly how it came across. I welcome support always and advice, just please dont presume things as if i am neglecting myself or my baby

 

[justhoping]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

why would they give medication for an irritable uterus?? That goes away with fluid intake, less stress and bed rest.

my original diagnosis was preterm labor which i have a long history of having. i was informed at the hospital that because i was only 20 weeks that they wouldnt provide medication. i was informed that irritable uterus is a common cause of preterm labor so they go hand in hand in my case some cases. due to my history, they coincide

right, it CAN cause but doesnt always cause and it well known what to do as you where already told that.....as staighted in your post...
if you where in actual preterm labor you would have had the baby by now if they didnt use meds to stop it.....

I just dont know why anyone would want medication that really isnt good for you or the baby without doing all the other stuff first and letting it calm down and also before it would hit actual preterm labor...
we both know once in real preterm labor if not stopped you have the baby....

Just to clarify, I have been on minimal duty since I got pregnant because of my history with preterm labor and mc. I was put on weekly shots to help prevent that. When i went to the hospital I was contracting but because my pregnancy was only 20 wks they would only monitor. they didnt even do an ultrasound to check my cervix or the baby. they said they couldnt stop it if it progressed and sent me home on bed rest to follow up w my dr. since then I have been on bed rest as much as possible, stayed hydrated and kept up with my shots. Which has most certainly helped. I have spoken with many women going through the same where labor stopped on its own as in my case and they did not deliver. i am nearly at the point in pregnancy where my dr said if i start having contractions again like last time that they will be able to intervene if the bed rest etc does not work. My uterus just may not be handling the pregnancy very well. Which we knew could happen. I am on here for support. Which is always welcome. But your previous comment seemed more like judgement rather than support. That may not have been your intentions, but that is certainly how it came across. I welcome support always and advice, just please dont presume things as if i am neglecting myself or my baby

didnt you say in several posts that your where diagnosed with irritalil uterous this time around ??

Yes I understand last time you had perterm labor, I am aware it needs help to be stopped or you have the baby as I been in it many times as well.....

never heard of it stopping on its own....if that actually happened please send it my way if god forbid that ever happens to me again rather that then anything else ....



again I dont understand why someone would want to go on those drugs as they can cause so many bad things to happen unless they where actually in preterm labor and also if nothing else helped stop the labor first...

these drugs can cause health effects on you and the baby and can even cause demise...that is just me though....JMO


for people who are not aware, irritable uterus does show as contractions on a monitor but its not exactly contractions, its more like a irritated muscle that is annoyed and it keeps tensing up....that is why they say BED REST usually strict....tons of fluids and try and remove the stress out of your life....these things calm down an irritable uterus ....i never ever got medication for it even if sometimes it goes into preterm labor.....as there two seperate things and normally if following doctor irritable uterus calms down

I been forced onto that med because of preterm labor and it brings your heart to tacky and the babies and its just a really scary medication....

good luck with everything.....

 

[mamatrujillo]

Just a suggestion. I know that you are located in Utah mamatrujillo. I don't know what hospital you are going to. But.....When I was having several problems with my pregnancy I went up to LDS hospital, and they were wonderful. They did every single test to try and find out what was wrong. Also there are several good doctors in Utah who would try and stop the contractions. I don't know where you are located exactly in Utah. Good luck with everything

why would they give medication for an irritable uterus?? That goes away with fluid intake, less stress and bed rest.

my original diagnosis was preterm labor which i have a long history of having. i was informed at the hospital that because i was only 20 weeks that they wouldnt provide medication. i was informed that irritable uterus is a common cause of preterm labor so they go hand in hand in my case some cases. due to my history, they coincide

right, it CAN cause but doesnt always cause and it well known what to do as you where already told that.....as staighted in your post...
if you where in actual preterm labor you would have had the baby by now if they didnt use meds to stop it.....

I just dont know why anyone would want medication that really isnt good for you or the baby without doing all the other stuff first and letting it calm down and also before it would hit actual preterm labor...
we both know once in real preterm labor if not stopped you have the baby....

Just to clarify, I have been on minimal duty since I got pregnant because of my history with preterm labor and mc. I was put on weekly shots to help prevent that. When i went to the hospital I was contracting but because my pregnancy was only 20 wks they would only monitor. they didnt even do an ultrasound to check my cervix or the baby. they said they couldnt stop it if it progressed and sent me home on bed rest to follow up w my dr. since then I have been on bed rest as much as possible, stayed hydrated and kept up with my shots. Which has most certainly helped. I have spoken with many women going through the same where labor stopped on its own as in my case and they did not deliver. i am nearly at the point in pregnancy where my dr said if i start having contractions again like last time that they will be able to intervene if the bed rest etc does not work. My uterus just may not be handling the pregnancy very well. Which we knew could happen. I am on here for support. Which is always welcome. But your previous comment seemed more like judgement rather than support. That may not have been your intentions, but that is certainly how it came across. I welcome support always and advice, just please dont presume things as if i am neglecting myself or my baby

didnt you say in several posts that your where diagnosed with irritalil uterous this time around ??

Yes I understand last time you had perterm labor, I am aware it needs help to be stopped or you have the baby as I been in it many times as well.....

never heard of it stopping on its own....if that actually happened please send it my way if god forbid that ever happens to me again rather that then anything else ....



again I dont understand why someone would want to go on those drugs as they can cause so many bad things to happen unless they where actually in preterm labor and also if nothing else helped stop the labor first...

these drugs can cause health effects on you and the baby and can even cause demise...that is just me though....JMO


for people who are not aware, irritable uterus does show as contractions on a monitor but its not exactly contractions, its more like a irritated muscle that is annoyed and it keeps tensing up....that is why they say BED REST usually strict....tons of fluids and try and remove the stress out of your life....these things calm down an irritable uterus ....i never ever got medication for it even if sometimes it goes into preterm labor.....as there two seperate things and normally if following doctor irritable uterus calms down

I been forced onto that med because of preterm labor and it brings your heart to tacky and the babies and its just a really scary medication....

good luck with everything.....

I hope to get more clarifiation on my situation when I see my dr next week. I think i am more frustrated w the fact that theygave me confusing statements and sent me home w preterm labor paperwork. i just feel helpless.

I was not aware that there were side effects to medications given to stop preterm labor. I had to have those medications with 3 out of 4 of my prior pregnancies.

I did speak with one mother who had irritable uterus, went into preterm labor at 22 weeks and was first medicated, then sent home, then went into labor again at 27 weeks. they kept sending her home. then her water broke at 29 weeks and she delivered before an infection occured. i am praying that I can make it past 30 weeks with this pregnancy. My last pregnancy I was in and out of the hospital at 30 weeks til i delivered at 35 weeks because the meds wouldnt work and my uterus started tearing from the stress.

I guess because of my prior pregnancies, and how high risk I am, and the fact that even my dr told me that they knew preterm labor would be an issue, I am terrified. I felt even more helpless when the hospital didnt even check me or give me fluids or anything. they monitored my contractions for bout 2 hours then sent me home telling me there was nothing they could do.

I cant give up hope that maybe this pregnancy will be different.

 

[justhoping]

I guess because of my prior pregnancies, and how high risk I am, and the fact that even my dr told me that they knew preterm labor would be an issue, I am terrified. I felt even more helpless when the hospital didnt even check me or give me fluids or anything. they monitored my contractions for bout 2 hours then sent me home telling me there was nothing they could do.

I cant give up hope that maybe this pregnancy will be different.

you stated that you have irritable uterous...and they sent you home with intake fluids and bed rest.

Those meds have HUGE side effects, I was even made to sign papers before they put me on them and this after I did everything said and ended up in preterm labor.

Im VERY surprised they never informed you of any side effects. Heck usually you get told what a Tylenol can do to you when your pregnant??

I hated being on breathine it sucked I even hated being on mag stuck in the hospital on my bed leaning upside down to keep the baby in.......

They dont check unless you really are in actual preterm labor as they dont want to start it, and they dont want to give you an infection as it cause do both so it last resort sort of thing....

even though I been preterm wth all my pregnancies not once did any of my doctors ever tell me what my pregnancy will be like, on fact when i ask should i expect this again and that again Im told sternly. Every pregnancy is different and you cannot look at this pregnancy and use the past, the only thing they do really is put you at high risk and keep an eye on you but i never ever heard any doc say you will be preterm....

If any doc told me that I would sue his ass! You can scare someone into preterm and that is a major law suit

 

[SuperKat]

hello ladies. I have yet to post anything in any forum since i found out I was pregnant. I will be 21 weeks tomrw. but since last weekend I started having horrible cramps, pain and contractions. I went to the hospital and was diagnosed with an Irritable Uterus. But other than being put on bed rest they didnt tell me anything to expect. Here is a bit of history of my prior pregnancies:

#1 emergency C section due to placenta previa
#2 stroke at 20 weeks, and again day 2 after she was born, c section, preterm
#3 emergency c section, preterm delivery stroke 3 hours after and 1 day after delivery
# 4 preterm labor at 30 weeks, was able to keep her in until 35 weeks, emergency c section.

Other surgeries I have had on my poor uterus is 2 laparoscopies for endometriosis and 1 for an ectopic pregnancy in march 2012. had a total of 3 mc before this baby stuck. Assisted conception with estrogen pills and Clomid.

I also fought cervical cancer for a little over a year. So, has anyone been diagnosed with anything similar? anyone had Irritable Uterus and still made it to 36 weeks? I am on progesterone shots but they still havent helped w contractions. Its really difficult to be on bed rest w 4 children at home ages 2,4,5,8. How do i mentally prepare myself for the possibility of a really early delivery? And how much does this diagnosis increase my chances of an early delivery when i have a history of preterm labor and delivery with 3 out of 4 of my last? will this baby come even earlier now?? help! my dh and i are concerned. weve been through so much already and the dr wont stop my contractions

I just caught the date this thread was started and am hoping you are hanging in there okay??? I will be having my 5th c-section in a few weeks. It sounds like you have been through soooo much to have your beautiful babies, you poor thing! I hope you were able to get some more answers from your doctor and that the baby is staying put! I wanted to add, that the preterm labor diagnoses seems to be a common thing to throw out there- I was having contractions a couple of weeks ago, they were NOT braxton hicks..anyway, the doctor agreed that they were real contractions, but the term preterm labor was mentioned, I've never heard of the irritable uterus diagnoses before! The doctors confused me with the preterm labor thing because in one hand they would mention that it sounded like preterm labor and advised me to come to the ER if/when my water broke (or hopefully before that)...so, after telling them that the contractions had stopped they didn't correct the preterm labor thing, they only repeated the advice....anyway, my point is, is that I've learned a lot from this thread, thank you! (Sorry, not sure if I am making sense- it's late and I'm tired). Anyway. Just wanted to offer some support- I'm sorry you are going through all of this and I hope you are well!

Oh- and a far as trying to follow the strict bedrest thing with other kids running around- I totally understand the challenge! My youngest is almost 1 1/2, and it would be impossible to follow a complete strict bedrest as my older two have school-but I am currently resting as must as possible because of some of the complications I am having and some of the things I do a lot with my kids is turning little things into games (they are young enough to where seeing how fast they can do this, or that is fun for them, lol), we watch movies camped out on the living room floor- my oldest loves the opportunity to cook- makes him feel so grown up, plus he get to learn new things, etc. Remember that while you don't want to put too much on them, it is great for families to work together- they want a healthy sibling, just like you want a healthy child, they may not understand what is going on right now, but I am betting it makes them feel good to have such an important job in helping their mommy out

Hang in there!!!