Hi all, think I’m anxious and needed to get everything out there and also hoping that maybe someone has similar experience and/or can offer some words of wisdom or advice maybe. Sorry in advance for a long one!
On New Year’s Eve morning I’d been having painful tightenings every 10 mins, tried everything to ease it/get rid - paracetamol, hot shower, laying down, sitting, walking, change of movement etc. Got to a point where I was getting worried as I’m still early so called in and they sent me straight to Labour suite rather than triage.
They put me on monitor which showed the contractions and checked for dilation (I wasn’t dilating) but they did the Actim Partus test which came back positive for preterm labour in next 14 days so they kept me in . Contractions got as much as 3-4 in 10 mins by the evening and then eventually spaced out to 1 in 10-15. They checked me through out the night again though because of the contractions coming closer together and no change. They kept me in again yesterday as same thing happened, they keep coming closer together for a little while until they space out.
They’ve had the conversation with me about if baby does come early - they wouldn’t give steroids as I’m so close to 35 weeks but antibiotics would need to be given after birth to be on the safe side. Also had someone from the preemie team come to me and talk about feeding at that gestation too so I’m not TOO anxious now about going this early.
Eventually I got them to agree to let me home today with a plan after having a growth scan (baby estimated at bang on 6lb and on 81% centile, my biggest baby yet). The plan is, if I have 2 in 10 for at least an hour then to call up and go straight in, no messing around. I was told to not take the tightenings lightly as they’re long and strong and palpable so they’re no joke. Currently back at home now for a few hours and still at 1 every 10-15 and still painful but feel much more relaxed than when I was in hospital. I feel like it’s basically a waiting game now….is he going to stay put another few weeks or are we getting ready to welcome him into the world way sooner than expected 😭
This is my 4th baby btw (DD1 13, born at 36+5 after 4 days of latent labour and 5lb 7,
DD2 12, born at 38+6 after 12 hours latent, 12 hours established, 6lb 5,
DS1, 11 months, born at 37+2 after 5 days latent labour and less than 5 mins established (went from 3cm to head out in a matter of mins), 5lb 1).
The doctors are nervous that my established labour was so quick last time and only 11 months ago but my latent phase usually gives me enough time to make it in. I also have needed to have waters broken and then hormone drip with every labour as I struggle to move forward but this time there’s no dilation at all which is a good thing as I’m so early but also frustratingly painful and confusing as to making it in to hospital in time.
Any experience, advice, virtual hand holding, anything really - I’d really appreciate it ♥️