Just have a "feeling"

[New_Wife]

I am 33 weeks and on bed rest. Last Wednesday I was in the hospital for five hours with painful contractions. Fluids and procardia didn't stop them, but a shot of terbutaline finally did the trick. I am dilated 1-2, 50% effaced. The terbutaline kept contractions at bay for a while, but within a day or two they started coming pretty frequently again. My ffn was negative but I just have this horrible feeling that I'm not going to make it to term. In the last week I have started to feel very, very different.
I have these very strange cramps that come along with the contractions now, and sometimes they don't go away between contractions. Its hard to describe, but it's like a pulling sensation near wear my bump meets my hips (that slanted area near the hips in people with abs.. lol) the pulling wraps around to my back causing back pain with the contractions. I also get a tingling sensation in my groin shortly before, during, and shortly after contractions. Peeing and bowel movements are almost painful now.. I feel like my baby is going to fall out when I squeeze.. I guess that's the best way to describe it. And my bowels have been soft and very, very frequent with no change in eating habits. Just crampy all the time, nothing like I usually get with growth spurts.
Baby has also slowed down some. He's still active, but he doesn't hurt when he kicks anymore.. I think he's dropped quite low so I'm not being pounded in the ribs anymore.
I just can't seem to shake this feeling that things are about to change very quickly. I'm working my butt off to finish my classes this week and next. I'm usually very optimistic and I've always expected to make it to term, despite having contractions stopped on several occasions.

I don't know, I guess I just want to know whether I should be more pushy about something not feeling right? Or feeling so differently? It all sounds like normal pregnancy things to my obs I'm sure, but I'm just so uneasy. I woke up this morning and told my husband I strongly felt like we'd be back in the hospital by the end of the week...

I know baby would be ok if he came now, but I want to do everything I can to help him make it to term. I don't want to see him in pain, getting poked, having tubes and wires attached to him.. nobody wants that for their children

 

[DonnaBallona]

hey new wife xx

you are certainly right, nobody wants that for their children..... but some children like to make an entrance and will need help. Unfortunately, the alternative to doing all those things isn't an option and you just have to gently remind yourself that baby won't remember and the nurses at doing those things to help him.

I will be honest with you though, I was the exact same after my second little boys arrival in October. I was a complete wreck, and even though I'd had a prem before, found it extremely hard to deal with. it's normal.

Also, the feeling different thing, do you think you might have just 'come to terms' with the fact that your baby might be arriving sooner than planned? it sounds like you've had quite a roller coaster already and coming to term with that idea is just another bridge to cross.

I hope the next few weeks are gentle on you. Stay safe xx

 

[New_Wife]

hey new wife xx

Also, the feeling different thing, do you think you might have just 'come to terms' with the fact that your baby might be arriving sooner than planned? it sounds like you've had quite a roller coaster already and coming to term with that idea is just another bridge to cross.

I hope the next few weeks are gentle on you. Stay safe xx

I think this is possible. The first time, fluids slowed contractions enough to send me home. The second time, fluids made contractions worse and procardia only slowed the contractions enough to send me home. Dilated .5cm. The third time, fluids made contractions worse, procardia did nothing (except make me cry because I couldn't stay on top of the pain due to the shakes), then had to have a shot of terbutaline. Dilated 1-2 and effaced. Horrible side effects. So now I fear next time could end in a prolonged hospital stay or long term meds.
I think its fear of the unknown. Noone can tell me at this point whether the contractions caused the dilation or if I'm just starting to dilate as you do in the third trimester. So now I am constantly on guard. If I feel a couple that seem close together, I start timing them just to be safe. I am on modified bed rest per doctor's orders but for weeks I haven't been able to stand more than about 30 min before starting with serious cramps accompanied by contractions. Since being on bed rest I have noticed being on my feet causes more contractions than ever before so I've really been limiting myself to bathroom trips and sandwich making.
I just keep telling myself its worth my discomfort to keep baby cozy, and hope my body cooperates for a few weeks longer still.

 

[Stelly]

I'm sorry you are having such a rollercoaster I hope your bubs get a few more weeks in and body cooperates with you.

 

[New_Wife]

Thank you ladies I am still pregnant. Every week I thin, "Well if I can just keep him in one more week, I'll be happy" and then that week comes and I think the same thing again. I don't think I'll be truly satisfied until I hit 38 weeks.
Contractions were kept at bay for several weeks. I still had them, but never anything timeable. They have picked up in frequency the last two days and are accompanied by severe bladder pressure and back pain. So I'm a little worried. But I know I've done everything I can (stayed rested, very well hydrated, etc) for now and am happy to have made it this far. Hopefully they don't progress further.

 

[OliveLove]

Thank you ladies I am still pregnant. Every week I thin, "Well if I can just keep him in one more week, I'll be happy" and then that week comes and I think the same thing again. I don't think I'll be truly satisfied until I hit 38 weeks.
Contractions were kept at bay for several weeks. I still had them, but never anything timeable. They have picked up in frequency the last two days and are accompanied by severe bladder pressure and back pain. So I'm a little worried. But I know I've done everything I can (stayed rested, very well hydrated, etc) for now and am happy to have made it this far. Hopefully they don't progress further.

I feel the same exact way!!! I was having some very frequent BHs yesterday (all day and night) and kept thinking this is it .. they eased off for now, but I constantly have the fear that I won't make it any further. When I was at the hospital with preterm labor (at 28 weeks) I kept praying to stay pregnant at least until 30 weeks, then 32, now it's 35. I hope we both make it until 38 weeks!