irritable uterus?

[LeBFG]

I've self-diagonsed myself as having an irritable uterus .

Am 31 weeks with second, first came early at 32+4 so am currently dwelling on these issues a lot. Last time I was oblivious to early contractions and this time it took the mid-wife to notice I was having them at 18 weeks. They appeared to come and go - bad days and good days - but now I think they have been going on continuously. The other day, they were a bit stronger (but never painful) and I timed them - every 3.5 minutes - went to hospital and the machine-thingy confirmed they were contractions. Scan showed no change to cervix however (4+cm) so was sent home .

I'm trying to find out more information but there is really very little out there on the web. Have you been diagnosed with IU? What criteria did they use for diagnosis and what medications were you given to relieve the symptoms?

Only other interesting backgroud info is I'm having weekly IM progesterone shots and I have a slightly malformed uterus .

Bumping for the evening crowd .

Yup had it with DD from 28 weeks onwards.

Have it now at 18 weeks with Twins. At the hospital again yesterday, thorough examination, urine tests etc and they only offer pain killers, as theres nothing they can do apparently.

Dr said as long as cervix long and closed and no bleeding, discharge etc not to worry. If there are any changes I should go back.

Told to take it easy, and rest as much as possible.

Interestingly I was on cyclogest/progesterone until 12 weeks following IVF and I was with DD too.

Yes, I'm currently spending my weeks on a sofa ...but at least we managed to get sent home. Is IU more common in twin pregnancies? I would imagine so. On some US website, they talk about Magnesium supplementation?? I might buy some and see what happens.

Im really pleased to find this thread. I'm just home from a second stay in hospital having had a suspected prem labour stopped. All caused by a uti.
Have had irritable uterus since. Hence re admission.
Apparently the contractions could turn in to labour at any moment. Or I could still go full term.
As I'm 34 weeks now and had both steroid injections if I labour now they will just let it be so have decided not to worry unless I'm absolutely certain it's the real thing.
Think it's going to be a long 6 weeks!
Hope the rest of you are getting some let up. I'm sorry you are also going through this but it's good to feel I'm not the only one.

If its any comfort I went full term with DD, and I had no difficulty in telling when I went into actual labour.

I am very irregular with my cramps/contractions, and they can last from 1-5 minutes and occur at random time throughout the day and night.

I can't pin down anything that provokes them, although when I get stressed they do get more frequent.

I would like to know how common this is. THe maternity are all a bit shocked. I find there is nothing much I can really do to stop them - they seem to be less intense when I drink/take it easy and more intense in the mornings - but I really wonder if it's all in my head - that I have them all the time, just sometimes I notice more.

At least you've reached 34 weeks Ninjacat. That's a great gestation already. So annoying isn't it? I feel great otherwise.

I suffer with IU caused by repetitive uti,s With 3 kids under 5 its no fun at all i'm pulled between the housework and feeling guilty for setting off labour early. When I was not knowledgeable on this subject I ended up giving birth at 29 weeks. Even now I still have to fight the doctors for my antibiotics its a ridiculous system where they will only give antibiotics once uti is confirmed which can take my surgery up to 2 weeks. which for me can be 2 weeks too late! In this pregnancy I am currently 37 weeks, but I have really had to neglect my little ones to get to this stage.

Just to let you ladies know, I've been taking these magnesium tablets two days now and I think I'm noticing an effect. Contractions are further apart and not as strong. Considering I was going to go into hospital to check them out Thursday morning, this is an improvement. Not sure if it's all in my head bring on the placebo effect. I'm just taking the RDA for pregnant women - a Mg/B6 combination (better absorbed apparently).