Labour pains 31.5 weeks, terrified and not ready...

[PeshwariNaan]

I was at the hospital yesterday getting checked out for my second round of extremely painful contractions. This time they lasted a good few hours (first time at 29 weeks). Baby was fine on the monitor and I was not dilated, which is good news.

However, I'm really scared I will not make it until 37 weeks (at least). They've told me to get my hospital bag ready and come in immediately if it happens again.

Has this happened to anyone else, and how far did you make it? Honestly, I've been so worried about going late it never occurred to me that I'd be early.

We have nothing for the baby yet, I was going to get a builder in this week too! Aaghh!

I had my baby at 33 weeks. She was absolutely fine and didn't even have to go in the special care unit. Not saying thats a reason not to worry but just wanted to share a positive story.

When I got to hospital they said they wanted to keep her in for another 2 weeks but I was already dilated so wasn't happening. The doctors will know what to do. Thinking of you good luck x

Ps she is 7 now and massive!

Oh ChicMama, that's so good to hear!! I have a lovely friend who was born at 28 weeks in the 1970s, and she's fine...

I guess I'm pretty worried about the baby's development, but also the fact that we were going to do pretty much everything in these last two months, and we may not have time...!

My DM was born at 33/34wks in the 1950's, appart from being short and very opinionated, there is nothing wrong with her!

Yes it happened to me. On my second admission at 32 weeks they gave my baby a steroid injection to help lung development... I then went to 42 weeks and was induced. My baby was absolutely fine. They told me that at 32 weeks if I had the baby, chances were very good everything would be fine.

I know it's the hardest thing to do when you're worried, but try and de-stress as much as possible. I was going through some very difficult times at 32 weeks and I'm sure it was stress that caused the onset of early labour. I don't know if that is the same for you, but now may be a good time to take stock and reduce your activities and slow down.

Best wishes

My son was born in July at 31 weeks. He is at this very moment asleep on my chest, an 11 pound lump who already commando crawls everywhere and is curious about everything he sees!
We had hardly bought anything, but in a way it was nice to be buying stuff for Babygoat himself, rather than a baby we hadn't met. And he never went unclothed or anything, even if it meant an emergency dash to Mothercare!

I had exactly the same at 31+5. Had steroid injections, got bag ready (burst into tears in mothercare). Baby arrived at 40+4. Hopefully the same will happen for you.

Oh thanks everyone - this is very reassuring!!

They haven't given me any injections, but then the uterine activity had stopped by the time I got to the hospital (of course).

Fingers crossed she'll stay in for at least a couple of weeks...

I can't imagine how scary it is. Wanted to add another anecdote for you: I am due tomorrow (ie 40 weeks). My friend was due at the same time but her baby decided to come at 32 weeks. Hardly ideal but she was born very healthy and was never in any danger, and she has already been at home for a few weeks.

My friends were in the process of moving to their new house when the baby came. Everyone rallied around and helped with all the unpacking etc and getting things set up.

I really hope your baby will stay in for a lot longer but did want to give you yet another data point that it doesn't have to be a life-or-death issue for your baby to come so early.

DD1 was born very suddenly at 33 weeks almost 10 years ago now. So I didn't have a bag, or very much that I needed. TBH there was nothing that couldn't be fixed - they are used to people with early babies being unprepared. DD1 was in hospital for 3 weeks which gave us a bit more time to get sorted at home, but as they're in with you for a good few months, there's so much that can wait - it's definitely a good way to avoid buying loads of stuff you won't use!

Good luck! Hope your little one hangs in there for a good few weeks yet.

Last pregnancy I was admitted at 33 weeks in pre-term labour. I had a few twinges, went for a routine scan, and they found I was 2cm dilated. I was in hospital for 5 days before DS eventually came at 34 weeks. He was fine, didn't even need to go to special care, was in the normal post-natal ward with me.

This pregnancy, I started getting painful tightenings at 27 weeks. Was admitted, they examined me and found cervix was anterior but closed. They did the fetal fibronectin test which came back as positive, so they gave me a course of steroid injections for the baby's lungs. Things settled down, so I was discharged after a few days.

Then at 28 weeks, had more painful tightenings and a show, was admitted again and found to be approx. 2cm dilated. Things settled though, and again I was discharged.

Had obstetrician appt yesterday, at 29+3. I keep getting periods of painful tightenings every 15-20 mins for a couple of hours, then they fizzle out and I have nothing for a day. Cervix is same as it was last week. I have an abnormal pelvis and spinal probs, and baby is partially engaged, so that's possibly what's causing the problems.

I'm now at home with a list of things to call the hospital about, I.e. if tightenings don't go.away after a couple of hours, or if they start getting closer.

Baby could come any day, or could come in a couple of months. The crappest thing is the not-knowing and being paranoid about every twinge.

Sorry for the essay, but basically, I empathise with you! The fact that you're 31 weeks is great though. My next goal is 31 weeks, the outcomes at that gestation are generally very, very good.

Re:baby stuff. I had nothing for DS, as he was my first I'd been expecting to go overdue! The hospital had nappies & clothes etc anyway. This time I've still not got anything - I don't know when the baby will come, so have no idea how big he'll be. At this stage he'd go to neonatal anyway, so I'm figuring I'll just wait and if I get to 35 weeks ish then I'll pack a bag for baby. I do however have a hospital bag for me.

I was admitted to hospital in the early hours of weds morning with contractions 5 mins apart. I was 31 +4. Contractions lasted 9 hours but no opening of cervix and baby's head is was high and free. I was given steroids for the baby's lungs and was gearing up to give birth. Nothing happened even after second lot of contractions a few hours later which lasted 4 hours. I was discharged the next day with the consultant saying carry on as normal but that's my concern. I think my normal life which involves stress at work at the moment (regularly in teams over it) contributed to the threatened per-term labour. I am now racked with guilt about abandoning work (my DH and mum have been very firm about me resting especially as I have a 2.5 year old too). I am terrified that my early absence is going to go against me in the long term. I don't want to spend this maternity leave worrying about redundancy like I did last time.

I know my baby comes first but it all adds to the anxiety I am feeling. Not to mention the fact that I am still getting tightenings AND have a cold.

Not sure what the point is of telling you all this but...

I also have work goings on at home but bizarrely this isn't bothering me. There's nothing that can't wait until next year. PeswariNan - you might want to put the work on hold - you don't need the extra worry.

It would be good to hear how everyone gets on.