Irritable Uterus + threats of PTL

[joel's girl]

Hi ladies,

Im currently 29 weeks and over the past two weeks I have had three episodes of threatened PTL due to IU. On each hospital visit I have been given medication to relax my uterus and they have managed to minimise the contractions - thank goodness. I was also given a steroid injection on my first visit to hospital.

My OB has instructed that I finish up work and rest as much as possible. Even though I have done this I am still experiencing contractions every day, sometimes they are 30 mins apart and weak and at times they are regular with moderate pain. I also get quite alot of pain that is not companied by contractions ??? I was wondering if anyone could share their stories about IU and/or threatened PTL. I've been told this could continue until delivery. I have not yet dilated or effaced - which is another positive thing. I have not been placed on any medication but told to return to hospital whenever contractions are regular or if waters break.

I am also physically unwell. I have had such a smooth pregnancy up til now. no m/s, kept very active etc.............but all of a sudden now I'm so fatigued, and generally feel like s#*t..........Does this indicate that something is wrong or is it all part of the process ??

Any words of wisdom is appreciated.

[~shazz~]

i can relate :hugs: i had a very hard pg with my last little man i started having regular ( daily) contractions / braxtion Hicks from 14 weeks pg some days i would be contracting 2 mins apart then all of a sudden that would jump to 20 mins then back to 5 sand some times in extreme discomfort/ pain it was fustrating to say the least i also didn't dilate or efface till i was 36 weeks when i went for that check up i was 3 cm dilated i was induced ( for another medical reason ) at 36 + 5 days i can't tell you how many times we travelled the 40 mins to hospital where i was hooked up to ctg to watch contractions for an hour or so and to make sure bub wasn't in to much stress my motto was " if in doubt get checked out " the best of luck and definately try to relax and rest as much as humanly possible

[Ilithyia]

Hi there,

I can totally sympathise with you. At 23w 3days i was admitted for threatened PTL. After being monitored for 2 days with continued painfull tightenings but no change to my cervix, i was diagnosed with an IU. During my first stay i was given both my steriod injections. I have since been admitted twice more since my first admission.

I am sorry to say but the "episiodes" you are experiencing are likely to continue until birth. I have dealt with these pains coming and going since it all began over 10 weeks ago. And to say the least, I am stuffed!!! I am now almost 36 weeks (yes i have made it this far with an IU!! ) and over the last couple of weeks have noticed that i am totally drained of any energy. I am now beginning to think that the increased prelabour symptoms i am experiencing is part of the reason i am so tired.

All i can tell you is pretty much what your health carer has already told you. REST!!! As much as you can. My daughter was 9 months old when all this began and my partner worked in the mines 2 weeks on 1 week off. On top of this i was studying nursing part-time at uni. It was hard for me to relax and i believe this is part i the reason i had 2 more admissions.

I was lucky enough to be able to have my MIL move up here to help take some of the stress off me. I have not had any admissions since then. If you are able, i reccommend having someone come and help out with things around the house. And definetely finish up work if you can.

In regards to the "episoides":

I have been told that if i experience regular contractions (ie - more than 4 in an hour and the contractions last longer than an hour) to call the Birth Suite. But because i have i know i have an IU, i tend to give it a couple of hours. If i think they are regular over the 2 hours i call the Birth Suite and am usually asked to come in.

If you at all concerned about the pain you are experiening when it starts, just keep an eye on the pain and the clock. If you are worried or think the pain is coming like contractions, regularly, - call the hospital. It does'nt hurt!!

As embarassing as it is too say, most of the midwives in Birth Suite know me and recognise my name as soon as i say it. The receptionist there even asks how i am doing and how far along i am at the time when i call on weekdays!! Although you do feel like a pest and a hypercondriac at times, the health of you and your baby is most important.

In the mean time, if the pain is getting to you, go to the chemist and get some panadene. You can buy this over the counter. Personally, i don't take anything other than the reccommeded doses of normal panadol as i don't feel that much works to help with the pain. But you might be different. It may help you.

I hope that everything works out well for you. Fingers crossed bubs decides to stay in there a fair bit longer. You have had the steriod injections now so if bubs decides to come out a little early, at least s/he has the best chance.

If you have any questions you can email me. My email is in my profile. I am also on MSN so you can add me as a contact if you wish.

Good luck!

[joel's girl]

Thanks for the replys Shazz and Sara.

Shazz - Glad to hear you made it to 36 wks that gives me hope.

Sara - It's good to hear of someone in such a similar situation. I have a good OB whom I trust but boy I'm finding to hard to stop and rest but again I know I have too. Work have been great and I'm offically not going back until after the baby is born. So that's a relief.

I only take panadol when the pain is distrupting my sleep, during the day I soldier on as best I can. Not a fan of drugs in general...

I know what you mean about the hospital knowing you on a first name basis that happened to me the other night and I was so embarrassed - made me doubt myself.

I will try to rest up more and perhaps I'll flick you an email soon.

Thanks again ladies,

Cindy

[djwebb]

I to have IU! I started feeling regular contractions at about 30 weeks with my last pregnancy they felt like real labor contractions! I went into ptl at 33 weeks stayed in hospital for 2 weeks and at 36 weeks they delivered my bub via c-section. The IU didnt cause my cervix to change at all..it was a bit annoying though.

[joel's girl]

I to have IU! I started feeling regular contractions at about 30 weeks with my last pregnancy they felt like real labor contractions! I went into ptl at 33 weeks stayed in hospital for 2 weeks and at 36 weeks they delivered my bub via c-section. The IU didnt cause my cervix to change at all..it was a bit annoying though.

Thanks for sharing djwebb but I'm a little confused. You started having contractions at 30wks and then progress to PTL three weeks later ?? So the IU did change your cervix during that three weeks didn't it or was your PTL due to some other complication???? Sorry I'm just trying to understand this strange condition.

How are you travelling with this pregnancy ??