Threatened prem labour at 33 weeks. Sigh.

[Toomanytoomany]

Anna, it's interesting you had the same reaction to the drug. When I developed a terrible headache after the drug they all looked really puzzled and said, "Do you think you're a bit tense?" Uh, just a bit, LOL. Nobody warned me there'd be side effects, in fact it was "sold" to me as much kinder than the ventolin.

Snacks - thank you. And yes, "irritable uterus" is one of those phrases that makes me cringe.

I'm only getting contractions when I walk around today. Yay!

[Bel]

Toomanytoomany, sorry to hear you are in this stressful situation. I have everything crossed for you that your little one stays nice and snug where he is for as long as possible. I hope you work out all your hassles with work and hopefully finishing early.

I know how hard it is when all of a sudden you have to stop and drop everything. I'm pregnant with twins and in hospital ATM. Came in at 21 weeks, 2 days in preterm labour. Contractions were 4-5 mins apart and I was 2 cm dilated. Luckily the nefidapine worked for me and I was rushed in to have my cervix stitched the next day.

So now, 16 days later, I'm 23 weeks, 4 days and contraction free. I am here in hospital now until our little babies arrive. I am on total bedrest only getting up to use the bathroom. They say the best thing besides all the drugs is to stay resting and with your feet up if possible.

I am lucky in that I have no children yet so don't have the stress of having to worry about my family. It must just be so hard having to worry about other children when in your situation.

Look after yourself and I hope everything settles down for you.

Hugs Bel

[Toomanytoomany]

Oh my goodness Bel. Your situation certainly gives me some perspective. I hope your wee ones stay in as long as possible!

From my iPhone.

[*Beema*]

TMTM There was no reason for my PPROM, it just happened .... driving home from Yoga! We have a history of quick births (for 3 generations) and no one has gone to 40 weeks, but usually it was between 37-39 weeks. Even with that I never really believed that I would go early, and certainly not that early, and my OB said there isn't a lot of research and generally these things aren't genetic, but it may be in our family. We haven't had any further investigation so it will be a wait and see!

Next time I will be monitored quite closely from 26 weeks to see if we can find any signs of impending labour, as I progressed so quickly. Also if I PPROM next time or if I start getting contractions, we will be going straight to the hosy. Last time we got there about 1hour 20 after the PPROM, CTX had started 45 min after the PPROM 5 min appart, and within another 45min I had progressed to 8cm bub born 1 hour later.

Keep resting up hun!! I jsut noticed all your children are school age, that will take the load of during the day, hope the older ones can help out more!! xxoo

Bel - OMG you are in an identical situation to a friend of mine (with the same name too!), also was preg with twins and went into PTL at 23 weeks, although it was about 12 months ago, she was on strict bed rest the whole time and made it to 34 weeks, before they let things progress naturally!!

I hope you make it to 36 weeks!! xxoo

[~clover~]

Hun, you've had a hard time lately.
Its about time you had an excuse to take things easy.
I hope bubba hangs on.
Good luck.

[Rommy'sMummy]

TMTM and AnnaT, I was on the nefidepene three times a day from 24 wks to delivery at 36wks. Hated it for the horrid headaches but loved that it worked for me. I didnt deliver due to pre-term labour - bubs was just too sick to stay in anymore and was loosing weight due to reversal of flow along the umbilical cord. I think if he had be otherwise healthy we would have been able to go closer to due date.

Glad to hear pregnancy's can be so different to each other! That would suit me down to the ground to have an easier time this time...

TMTM great idea about DD1 moving in - pay her whatever it takes to get the housework done! It would be worth it in the end.

Working from home sounds good - my OB wouldnt even allow me to do that, or go for a walk, or drive the car by myself (not easy when you have weekly OB and scan appointments!).

How are you going to be monitored? Do you need to go in to your hospt/OB often?

Rachel

[Bel]

TMTM, I'll b keeping an eye out for you and cheering you on to keep going as long as possible. Rest up!

Hugs Bel

[Toomanytoomany]

Thanks - I am a bit concerned at how much my tummy has dropped the last few days, dh says it is quite noticeable.

[alioops]

Is it worth asking for a cervical stitch?

Lots of stay put little man vibes for you hun.

[Toomanytoomany]

Is it worth asking for a cervical stitch?

Lots of stay put little man vibes for you hun.

I don't think at 33+1 they'd do it, to be honest. There was no suggestion that they'd be more aggressive than keeping on with the nefidipine, rest and then moving me to a tertiary hospital for delivery if things kept going. And with a dilating cervix and irritable uterus, I'd be nervous that a stitch would actually trigger more contractions.

[Rommy'sMummy]

Double post!!

[Rommy'sMummy]

TMTM, my DS was very low too but he stayed there! It was pretty uncomfortable but ok.

I would call your hospt/OB and let them know. Maybe self imposed bed rest until you can get reassessed? Its just not worth the risk is it to be too active?

I would agree with you about the stitch triggering things off possibly - again check this out though just to see what your caregivers think.

I am praying for you and Bel too.

Rest Rest Rest!!!

Rachel

[*Beema*]

TMTM, I really hope your belly dropping isn't a sign!! I started to drop a couple of weeks before and made a significant drop just the days before...

I agree with RM, I would get it checked, my OB said to me when mine started that it wasn't necessarily a sign, better to get checked JIC.

At this stage bubs needs to keep developing the lungs a bit more, the suck reflex (usually not properly developed until 34/35 weeks), and put on some chub, which is generally what happens in the last 6 weeks or so. I would very much doubt a cervical stitch being put in as well, generally done much earlier if required (early PT Labour)/or prior knowledge that it may assist in prolonging the pregnancy when a weak cervix is a known cause of PT labour.

Keep baking little bubba, we aren't ready to meet you just yet!! Rest up hun!!

xxoo

[Pandora]

TMTM - I have no pearls of wisdom to offer, but have you in my thoughts and wishing you lots of no labour vibes for now.
Im glad that your DD has offerred to help you at home, I would take her up on it as much as possible without straining your relationship further. Its sounds like a great step forward though

[*Beema*]

How are you going hun? Hopefully still baking away!!! xxoo

[SugarDust]

Hugs babe!

I know what you are going through!

I ended up in hospital for 10days in November due to threatened preterm labour as well as cord presentation!

the only advice I can give from my experience is to relax and take it easy!

I know it is easier said than done but it is what will be best for you and bubs!

Maybe get the older kids to help out with the younger ones! (think buddy system!)

[Toomanytoomany]

How are you going hun? Hopefully still baking away!!! xxoo

Thanks for asking Beema

I'm still here. I had to go into work very briefly today to meet with my manager to hand back over to him since he's had to end his holiday. I had quite a few contx while I was there and scared everyone LOL. But I think it underlined that I need to be at home right now. I have some nice lists to get through (nothing makes me happier than ticking off lists) and some projects to finish at home, and I'm quite happy.

While I keep my feet up, things are feeling quiet and stable, so I'm happy with that too. I think with some good self care, I'll manage to get to term, which will make me even *happier*. And last night I had time to not only read my dd's reader with her, but sit down and make a paper bird afterwards that was described in her reader. I never get time to do that during the week when I'm at work. What a blessing, to have this extra time at home with my kids!!

Oh I forgot to add, we have agreed that unemployed dd1 will come and clean the house twice a week for us - she'll appreciate the money and dh will appreciate not having to do it

[Bel]

TMTM, just checking in to see how you are going. Been thinking of you. Hope all is well.

Hugs Bel