Contractions/preterm labor. Advice needed?

[Leids]

Hi ladies,

I'm having a rough day. I started having what I thought were Braxton hicks last night around 6pm. They didn't go away despite trying numerous things and they started getting uncomfortable so at 12am I called the midwife on call. She wanted me at the hospital to get monitored so off I went.

When they hooked me up I was having consistent contractions but they were only 30-45 seconds long. Trace blood was found in my urine which was then sent off to the lab but I haven't heard back from that yet. Baby sounds good (was hooked up for 4 hours). She checked my cervix which was soft but high and not dilated.

I was sent home at 5am and was put on bed rest for the next 2-3 days. It's now 11am and I'm still having contractions. I'm having 6-7 contractions an hour, some are uncomfortable some aren't. There are no other symptoms. I'm really upset and confused as to why it's happening. Aside from a cervix check and a urine test nothing else was done.

I'm debating going back to the hospital and would like advice. Has anyone had anything like this happen before?

 

[Bunnikins]

I was once told by my MW that urine infection can cause braxton hicks type tightenings.. which would fit in with the blood in the urine??

 

[Leids]

I do think I may have a bladder infection of some sort but will know more when the results come in. The basic urinalysis didn't show infection just trace blood.

Thank you. Hopefully that's all it is.

 

[2Pups4Kids]

This happened to me a few days ago. They kept me in because we already knew my cervix was short, and on day 3, I was still having regular contractions (every 5-10 mins) but because the progesterone I was already on seemed to be working, I wasn't dilating, so they discharged me.

The OB said as long as I don't lose my waters or start having unbearable regular contractions that I should be okay.

I've also had trace blood in my urine during my pregnancy and apparently it's unrelated to infection or labour and is nothing much to worry about I remember being like WHAT?! Blood in my urine?! But as long as there's no infection detected, you're good. Weird eh.

I'm still keeping an eye on my contractions since I've been home. If anything changes though, definitely go back to L&D! You can never be too safe, especially if you're worried.

 

[laylas]

I had preterm labor with my first. I would definitely go back if they continue, you don't want any cervical changes starting. Plus they can give you steroid injections for babys lungs if he comes early and they can put you on a beta blocker to stop the contractions. Doesn't sound like they gave you any intervention other than bed rest which is not helping. I would go back. I'm sorry

And if you have any UTI symptoms such as burning with urination they can start you on an antibiotic without waiting days for results.

 

[Leids]

Thank you so much for the replies! It's gotten a little better. They called me back today to check on me and she told me if they get worse to come in immediately. She told me I just have an irritable uterus so they have to rule out possible causes why. Other than that there's really nothing I can do except cope and keep an eye on it. I'll definitely head back in if anything changes.

2pups4kids how scary. If my cervix had been short and/or dilated they would have kept me in. It is weird that trace blood can be nothing. Kind of frightening to hear that there's blood! Google actually reassured me a bit as this seems to happen a decent amount and the women who went through it had full term healthy babies! Our kiddos need to keep baking.

Laylas: Thank you for the advice! There hasn't been any burning otherwise I would have pushed that. If the midwife hadn't called I think I would have gone in earlier but I decided to sleep. It's been better since I woke up thank goodness!

I've had such a relaxed pregnancy so far and this hit me hard. I wasn't expecting it at all. It reminded me to be careful because of how quickly things can change.

 

[laylas]

Leids, I'm so glad its better. You're right, things change so quickly it can be frightening. Hang in there

 

[2Pups4Kids]

Thank you so much for the replies! It's gotten a little better. They called me back today to check on me and she told me if they get worse to come in immediately. She told me I just have an irritable uterus so they have to rule out possible causes why. Other than that there's really nothing I can do except cope and keep an eye on it. I'll definitely head back in if anything changes.

2pups4kids how scary. If my cervix had been short and/or dilated they would have kept me in. It is weird that trace blood can be nothing. Kind of frightening to hear that there's blood! Google actually reassured me a bit as this seems to happen a decent amount and the women who went through it had full term healthy babies! Our kiddos need to keep baking.

Laylas: Thank you for the advice! There hasn't been any burning otherwise I would have pushed that. If the midwife hadn't called I think I would have gone in earlier but I decided to sleep. It's been better since I woke up thank goodness!

I've had such a relaxed pregnancy so far and this hit me hard. I wasn't expecting it at all. It reminded me to be careful because of how quickly things can change.

I know what you mean about things changing in an instant! It's pretty scary. The only thing we can do is take the necessary precautions and stay positive! Glad everything's okay now though

 

[bumpin2012]

Leids I had this happen with my first baby. I had a contraction every 3 minutes, to the second, but no major changes in my cervix. This went on for 3 weeks before I finally flipped into "real" labour. All you can do is take it easy, and keep an eye on them. If they start becoming more painful, then absolutely head on in. Hope things are ok with you today