So, what would you do? Long post, sorry, but lots to explain!
Yesterday afternoon felt very sick, shivery, started throwing up in the evening til midnight. Meanwhile the diarrhoea starts. I have ulcerative colitis (which can also give you bloody diarrhoea) and am on steroids, under obstetrician care because of risk of UC flare and preterm labour. I think I got food poisoning (weird unpleasant hot chocolate at a garden centre yesterday morning, pretty sure it was that). Have managed about 450mls fluid in since 3pm yesterday.
Contracting last night, with back ache (usually slightly better after opening bowels), thought it was fairly irregular. Had Braxton Hicks at 28 weeks when my UC started flaring, settled as the UC got under control with steroids. Midwife and obstetrician both say an inflamed bowel can set off an irritable uterus and cause preterm labour.
I rang the delivery suite this morning to ask whether I need be concerned about the D&V, and told her I felt I'd been having Braxton Hicks. She said not to worry, and see my GP tomorrow.
Since then I have decided to time the contractions. Very regular, 5 mins apart, 35-45 seconds each - some only tight across abdomen (uterus balls up an is uncomfortable/painful but can still talk through them), some go right round into my back. They do seem to ease off briefly (well, I don't notice them anyway!) if I get up to do something then come back when I settle down.
My gut says its either pre labour or Braxton Hicks, especially since I know I'm dehydrated. But if its actually preterm labour I'd be upset if something could have stopped it! I guess by the fact I'm asking the question, suggests I should really ring again... But I'm sooo embarrassed! Silly, I know.
What would you do? Thanks, a little reassurance that I'm not stupid would go a long way... :)