Braxton Hicks or Irritable Uterus or neither? Help?

[nicky80]

I started having contractions (assumed they were braxton hicks) on Friday but they were pretty frequent (say six or seven in an hour). Went to bed worried but not overly. Woke up Saturday and my tummy was like a rock and the baby was not and would not move. Rang the hospital who said to come in. This was about eight am. On the way in the baby began to move about and so I was reassured and kind of thought well we are being overly cautious now.

Anyway they monitored me and the baby then went off with the results. Next thing I know I am being moved down to the delivery suite and they are talking about preterm Labour! I cant tell you how white I went! They hook me back up to another monitor in a delivery room and send in a registrar who asks if I will have a test called a fetal fibronectine test. While she is examining me she said that my cervix was soft and that had a 'show' and with this and the readings of my contractions they may have to disregard this test any how as they were feeling I was going into labour.

Any way to cut a tiresome long story short ( the registrar spoke to the consultants who said my test (the FFN) was negative and so on that basis I could go home but to take it easy.

I have no idea where that leaves me because they said it was a test that said I wouldnt go into labour for the next 48 hours but when I have looked it up on the net it says two weeks. (But then the test I had came back with the result in seven mins so I am wondering if it is a slightly different one as it was not sent to a lab or anything).

All I know is that I am in bed now taking it easy (still having contractions every ten mins or so but they are not really painful unless I try to move, just very uncomfortable).

Can any one shed any kind of light on this for me please?

I'm afraid I can't shed any light on this for you, but I have lots of intense Braxton Hicks myself which, particularly in the evening, become frequent and quite regular. I'm 32 weeks now and they started really early, around 18 weeks. This is my second pregnancy and it was the same with my first. DD is absolutely fine and was born at 39 weeks. How far along are you?

Hi Claz, I am only 30 weeks and so was not relishing the prospect of delivery until a good few more weeks. I had braxton hicks from about week 19 but I was able to shift them after a while with relaxing or drinking water etc. This was really frequent and on the sat when in hospital they said they were every few minutes because a lot of them I couldnt feel (only the really strong ones that I could). I just hope it was braxton hicks but then everything I read suggests it cant be with such frequency. I am inclined to think its an 'irritable uterus' and perhaps this baby is quite big for me to carry as I am only very slight. I just wish I knew so I could make the decision to go back to work or not.

Try not to worry, although I know that is impossible! I think the frequency and intensity of BHs varies a lot from person to person and, as they have monitered you at the hospital and sent you home, they must be confident that you are not in labour. Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you.

Thanks Claz. As it happens I just spoke to a midwife at the hospital and she said my next review needs to be asap and with a consultant and so I managed to get an appointment with one on Monday! I can hardly believe it! The times I have had health issues that have had me in A and E on a regular basis in agony and I have still usually had to wait weeks upon weeks for an appointment. I am not complaining tho! lol.

That's great, you will feel much better having it properly looked into. Hope all goes well. Will look out for an update next week!