I have an irritable uterus this pregnancy and also had one my last pregnancy.

I had threatened PTL last pregnancy a few times and had to get the steroid injections and at the time was put on ventolin (I think that's quite outdated now). I was supposed to be on rest with DD but that was impossible with a lazy XH and a baby/toddler to look after. I was in and out of hospital constantly, I even was put in a big city hospital hours away for a few weeks as they were so worried about her coming early, but I had to leave because DS wasn't getting looked after properly. She eventually came - would you believe- 2 weeks overdue.

This pregnancy I started having BH contractions from 16 weeks. They have intensified and I have them with regular intervals at least once a week now. Due to my last experience, I know what is the irritable uterus and what is labour, so I just ignore it, rest with my butt in the air (anti gravity) and rest for a good few days afterward and it settles down. I have been to hospital a few times this pregnancy, most mostly ignored it as it's hard to get there as it's far away and I just have had the gut instinct that things will settle down. This is only due to having an irritable uterus last pregnancy, having this many contractions and this much pain is normal for me in pregnancy.

The only way it's really starting to get to me is now in the last weeks the pain I have all the time from my uterus is horrible eventually and I'm really over it. I am in prelabour, I have been for a few weeks and I know this is going to just worsen as the time gets closer. It's part of this irritable uterus thing. I'm being really careful now with movement, lifting and being on my feet too long as I desperately don't want to have bubs before 36 weeks, after 37 weeks would be even better. I've had one preterm bub and one overdue bub and I would much rather go overdue, it's so much better for the baby and so much less problems. So for now, I'm just controlling it by resting, going antigravity positions when the regular contractions start and giving it 2 hours before I bother calling the hospital and doing a lot of self talk techniques about holding the baby in. We've gotten this far, so something is working LOL.

Irritable uterus doens't always mean PTL, but it can be an indicator of it, put you at a higher risk. I don't recommend ignoring things like I did and do, I only do this because I'm now further along and also because I have been through it all before and just 'know' it's not labour at this point. And also because I have a rather big fear of hospitals LOL.

I'd also love to hear how your FFT goes and please keep us posted. GL and prayers that your little bubba stays in there for a long time yet.