Pre-term labor? Please read, need some reassurance

[AmyB1978]

I have already seen my doctor and will be seeing them both again tomorrow morning (I see a specialist as well because of Chronic hypertension which, so far, has been well managed) and will talk to them at length about all of this tomorrow but I need some advice/reassurance/encouragement and thought this would be the place to go for Mommys with experience in this matter.

My Doctors know what is going on and are following me closely. Last time I went in, because I felt like I was having contractions, the manual check (at 31 weeks) of my cervix they said it was soft and "maybe a pinky tip open" and the transvaginal ultrasound check the Dr did indicate that he could tell I have been contracting and that there were changes but that it was all still in an acceptable length. (It looked to me like it was open on the inside, closest to babies head but I am not sure if what i Was seeing is normal, especially for 32 weeks.) I forgot to ask if these things are normal or not but will be sure to get lots of answers tomorrow.

I am 32 1/2 weeks pregnant and this is all new to me so I am not exactly sure what is going on with my body but my instincts tell me two things 1) that it isn't right and 2) if I keep going at this rate it will probably not be a good thing. Those instincts are pretty loud and screaming but I am struggling to accept them, wondering if I am just being paranoid/overly cautious.

I am pretty sure I am having pre-term labor... I've looked up the symptoms and have a ton of them... the tightening, the menstrual like cramping, pelvic/rectal pressure, etc. It comes and goes and tends to get worse the more active I have been. Sometimes when it is happening it goes on for 2 hours or so and is pretty intense off and on the entire time, really hurting and kind of hard to even cope with. Other times it is shorter and less intense. The menstrual like cramping/pain has gotten more intense and kind of shoots down into my vagina as well (if that makes sense.) (They did put me on a monitor when I went in at 31 weeks but didn't pick anything up, of course I wasn't feeling it then either.)

I've already given notice at my job anyway but was planning on working until the end of Feb (due date March 5th.) They know I have been having some complications and might need to be done sooner. I think I need to be done NOW but I am struggling with the guilt of leaving them short notice, especially since they are short staffed. (On a side note they are less then caring about all of this and have not made my job any easier.) I don't get any maternity pay or anything that I would jeopardize by leaving early except for MAYBE if I leave without a doctor's note the lack of a good recommendation from them. I have been trying to push myself and just work through all of this but that is getting increasingly worse. I feel that I need to be done working and am going to talk to my Dr about it tomorrow. If she says she agrees then that is that, I get a note and I am done, will call them tomorrow and not go back. I am just struggling with the strong instinct that I need to be done working and am trying to convince myself that it is okay to follow that instinct even if my Doctor says I am still okay to work.

Sorry this is soooo long, any advice, reassurance, etc would be amazing. Also any resources on preterm labor, etc would be great.. as I keep wondering if that is even what is going on or if these are just "normal" braxton hicks and I am weak.

 

[emaritska]

Hi Hun, sorry to hear you having a tough time! I haven't got much advice as I never went into active labor naturally just prom at 27weeks however I would definitely suggest discussing your concerns with a doctor. It can be hard to get anyone to listen properly, I find my hospital is full of "oh it just usual fluid leakage/ cramps/ backache....normal part of pregnancy" without much consideration for either mothers instinct or past history!

Chat to the doctor, perhaps ask for another nst and scan to check contractions and cervix etc, although I have heard an irritable uterus is very common and can feel like painful braxton hicks xx

Sorry cant be much help!

 

[mommy0629]

I'm BIG into trust your motherly instincts. I knew my lo was going to come early from begining of the second tri even though there was no reason at all to think so. My water broke at 32 weeks for no apparent reason and lo was born 4 days later. Don't let your doctor brush you off, keep insisting that they check you out if you feel like something's not right.

The work situation - if it were me, I'd be done now. What are your plans with work after the baby is born? If you're not going back to that job then it doesn't really matter, ya know (I'm assuming you're not since you mentioned a reccomendation from them)? I wouldn't worry about how it will look on your resume down the road, do what you feel is right for you and your baby.

I don't have experience with pre-term labor since it didn't go that way for me, so hopefully someone else will come along to help you with that.

 

[AmyB1978]

An Update: I went to my doctors today and baby looks great! They did a fetal fibronectin (sp?) test and that came back negative, which is good news and means baby is not likely to come in the next 2 weeks. They did notice some shortening of my cervix, even from a week ago, and it is slightly shorter then they like but still okay.

They've signed me off of work, told me what to watch for, etc... I am feeling much better about all of this now.

Thank you for your support!

 

[jandksmommy]

So glad to hear the good news! I was in a similar situation with my twins and I strongly suggest total bedrest, at least for the next few weeks to see how everything goes. I was on bedrest for months and although it was hard, it was definitely worth it.