Irritable Uterus and not registering on the CTG

[footloose1980@hotmail.com]

Hi, My name is Mel and i'm 33 wks with my 3rd child.

I have been to the hospital this morning because baby stopped moving and my contractions were increasing (2min apart and lasting 45 sec).

When the midwife linked me up to the CTG, the machine didn't register my contractions and sent me home telling me the machine didn't register any. ARGH. I argued with her as i breathed.

The midwife then rang my ob and told her i wasn't registering contractions.

I have a history of preterm labour and premmie babies. (with emergency caesarians and fetal distress, passing meconium before delivery)

The contractions are severe, strong and regular.

Why is it the midwife believes the CTG over me, who is suffering the contractions, my BP was also high for me as was my heartrate.

Baby heartrate bit high too, but she couldn't see a problem and told my ob so.

I just know this baby is going to be a homebirth because nobody is listening to me.

I know i'm in labour, i have lower back pain, wave like contractions in my tummy radiating up and i am feeling the contractions in my thighs.

Feel like baby is going to fall out down there and have the very frequent urge to visit the bathroom.

I don't have a UTI.

I just don't know what to do next.

Has anybody else had this.

Thanks for your help. I'm going insane,

Mel ox

[Mildez]

This isn't going to help the situation but if the midwife sent you home whilst you are in labour at 33weeks that will be on her ar*e if you have your baby now. If you are in labour and going to have your baby soon then they could try and stop it or at least give you drugs to help mature bubs lungs first. If bub is born now then she would have alot to answer for if she sent you home without adequet assessment.
Did they do a speculum (look into the vagina to see if your cervix is dilating or thinning) or send you for an ultrasound to see this instead? Or do a swab called a fetal fibronectan? which can say if your close to going into labour!
You can be contracting and it not pic up on the CTG. The toco doesn't always pick them up. Did they feel your tummy to see if they could feel the contractions instead if the CTG wasn't picking them up? It is possible to have an irritable uterus and have contractions but not be in labour or close to it however going on your history I would imagine your Gyno should have come in to assess you himself and do a little more then just a CTG.
When (gestation) were your first 2 born?

[footloose1980@hotmail.com]

Hi Emmy,

Thanks for replying.

I also have a history of M/C. ( this is actually my 8th pregnancy)

My son was born 36wks and my daughter 34wks.


This was a multiple pregnancy to begin with and we lost 2 bubbies earlier in pregnancy. so only one still beating now although have to deliver all.

No tests other than the CTG.

Nobody checked me for cervical dilation or felt my tummy or did the fetal fibro test.

I really feel i'm banging my head against a brick wall. and i'm scared.

My ob has refused me the steroid injections because she said we only get one shot at them and she will do something when i arrive in labour (guess she is waiting for the CTG to register).

I cannot manage this at home anymore but don't know what to do.

For me everything says labour.

Increased thick mucus (sorry TMI)
Increased need to go to the bathroom.
Severe backpain.
Radiating stomach pain
aching thighs.
Uncomfortable.
Nauseous.
Regular, timeable contractions.
Pelvic pressure (feels like baby is falling out).
Baby is having decreased movement.

Thanks for listening or reading.

i'm now of the opinion that my ob is useless.

Mel ox

[feeb]

I am sorry to say but that is very poor care.

Often CTG doesnt pick up contractions its not rocket science a machine cant always pick them up!! Thats why mw put hands on your tunny to see if they can palpate contractions.

They should have done a speculum and done a fetal fibronectin swab that comes back pos or neg for labour.

As for not giving steroids when you have past history of prems and that you have irratible uterus or early contractions is rediculous. I would ring back or go back and demand to be assessed properly.

Sorry to hear that pregnancy was multiple but now isn't.

Good luck with everything.

[DANNIIM]

Go back there and tell them you want to see someone else as the last ppl didn't listen to you or if your in a city area go to another hospital.

[Mildez]

I agree with Feeb more should have been done to rule out impending birth. Is it at all possible to go to another hospital for another assessment? I would imagine with care like that you wouldn't want to return there if your concerned they will send you off on your merry way without further assessment.

[footloose1980@hotmail.com]

Thanks ladies, i'm thinking i am going to try and get to another hospital and this time, i'll be playing dumb and not telling them who my ob is (as she seems uninterested).

I'm not managing here anymore. I just want to slap someone at the moment, because of the discomfort and pain and nausea.

Why can't they listen!!!!!

Thanks so much for your support.

ox

[DANNIIM]

Let us know how you go..

GL