Constant irritable uterus - I want induction.

[Hquinn]

For a week I’ve been in stage 1 labour, sometimes I get a rest from the contractions but not often. Rn, I’m 32+3. The midwifes and doctors have outright told me they are stumped by my condition, irritable uterus does not present like this and stops, but I will likely be contracting until my body progresses into the next stage of labour.

I don’t want baby now - it’s not safe. However, I want to insist on induction at 37 weeks, that’s a total of 5 weeks pain. My doctor (already under doctor care before this as I have anxiety and problems in other pregnancy.) will not want to do this, I need advice on where I take this when she says no because I’m afraid I really must insist. I’m basically bed bound and 5 weeks is long enough of this. Where will I go for help should my doctor not agree to induction?

Please help!!!!!

Have they ruled out Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as “false labour”?

Are you staying hydrated? Dehydration can cause uterine contractions as well. You need to be drinking at least 100 ounces of water every 24hrs.

It sounds horrible, sorry.

However. There is increasing research on how important those last few weeks are. 37 week babies are now called “early term” rather than “term” because they are known to have slightly higher risks for various conditions (adhd for example as well as more short term issues like reflux and jaundice).

So there is a reason for holding off, if you can bear to.

Thank you for the reply, yes I spent a week in hospital with it, everything has been ruled out. It’s not braxton.

I understand what you’re saying but I am adamant. I have three children here I cannot look after and I’m basically in bed rest I’m so much pain, so I will need to stand firm and really stick up for myself.

I’ve been injected with steroids to get his lungs stronger & the doctors weren’t really concerned if I went into full labour right now, they said he would be fine. I know I seem stubborn but I cannot have my mind changed, this is what I want.

I have this. My daughter it started at 24 weeks, went into hospital at 36 weeks with non stop contractions for 6 days and was induced at 37. Ended in emc as she was small and wasn't engaged. Try to hold out as long as possible

I think 37 weeks is the cut off point so I’m not sure why they wouldn’t agree to it. I had similar but needed an ELCS with a particular surgeon due to an existing condition. She was fully booked from 37 weeks onwards and had to get approval from the GMC for me to have my ELCS at 36 weeks 5 days. If it had been 2 days later she could have approved it herself.

What are your doctors reasons for not wanting to consider 37 weeks?

You’re doing amazingly. Attempting to put forward a case when you are in constant pain is so difficult. Have you got anyone that can help?

@PissyMum

I think 37 weeks is the cut off point so I’m not sure why they wouldn’t agree to it. I had similar but needed an ELCS with a particular surgeon due to an existing condition. She was fully booked from 37 weeks onwards and had to get approval from the GMC for me to have my ELCS at 36 weeks 5 days. If it had been 2 days later she could have approved it herself.

What are your doctors reasons for not wanting to consider 37 weeks?

You’re doing amazingly. Attempting to put forward a case when you are in constant pain is so difficult. Have you got anyone that can help?

In all honesty I haven’t asked yet, I’m just so nervous she’ll say no. I think what I am asking is fair enough and safe so I’m really hoping she agrees. I’m also having growth scans so fingers crossed everything stays on track that way and I can get this done.

It’s just SO much to put up with. I’m incredibly emotional, in a lot of pain, housebound and I just can’t be the mum I want to be to my other three beautiful boys, none of this is fair on them, my partner or frankly me ☹️

Thank you for saying I’m doing well, I really am trying my best x

@Hquinn

I understand what you’re saying but I am adamant. I have three children here I cannot look after and I’m basically in bed rest I’m so much pain, so I will need to stand firm and really stick up for myself.

I’ve been injected with steroids to get his lungs stronger & the doctors weren’t really concerned if I went into full labour right now, they said he would be fine. I know I seem stubborn but I cannot have my mind changed, this is what I want.

You need to listen to the medically trained professionals. They know what's best for your baby

I would speak to your consultant/medical team before looking for ideas on how to go over their heads. They might say yes. If they don’t they will explain their reasoning for saying no. There isn’t generally a ‘really must insist’ option if HCPs aren’t happy to perform a medical procedure for medical reasons so I wouldn’t open with that. They might look to help you with managing the pain rather than inducing you early.

No one said I wasn’t. I know how important their opinion is but what I am going through and what my family are going through is also important. I’m just worried they will be as insensitive as you.

I hear what you’re saying but I was in hospital a week and like I said, they told me they are stumped. They’ve given me opioids (Codiene) for the pain it’s the best I can do. I need a plan as this is time restrictive. I hear what you’re saying but I was in hospital a week and like I said, they told me they are stumped. They’ve given me opioids (Codiene) for the pain it’s the best they can do. I need a plan as this is time restrictive. @MiddleParking

@YesIamTHATmum … No one said I wasn’t. I know how important their opinion is but what I am going through and what my family are going through is also important. I’m just worried they will be as insensitive as you.
Please… if you can’t put yourself im my shoes do not comment, you have no clue of the hell of weeks long labour. I’m looking for medical advice should I disagree with doctors, not your opinion on my medical treatment.

They might not mean it badly by not wanting to talk about 37 w, they might just think there is very little chance of you getting there so not worth discussing.
Finger crossed that something changes.

Can you set this worry to one side for the moment? Lots can happen in five weeks. It could settle down, you could deliver early….. it’s probably not something a consultant would be happy to discuss and book in at the moment. They will want to see how things develop, see how the scans look etc.

Around 36 weeks is normally the time we bring all the strands together and make a birth plan is a situation like this where there are various things going on. Have you got a consultant appt for that time?

On a different note I really don’t think you will need to worry, we do inductions at 37 weeks very often and I can’t see that this would be an issue for you. A CS at 37 weeks is a totally different story.

Are you able to feel the baby move properly if you are having contractions all the time? This may be something to flag up with them.

That’s really helpful advice thank you. I’ll try to take a step back. I have an appointment Wednesday with the consultant and will have a few going forward so I suppose we can continue to analyse where we are.

Thank you.

@Gardeningtipsneeded

What you're experiencing sounds horrible.

I'd suggest talking with your consultant and midwife about your birth plan and asking at what stage they would advise considering induction - having a clear plan and a timetable for induction as a contingency might help you feel a bit less distressed and a bit more reassured that you won't be left suffering unnecessarily.

There are risks to early induction and early delivery in general, and your clinicians will need to keep these in mind and discuss them with you. If your consultant says that they aren't willing to induce as early as you would like, you can ask them to explain their reasoning - in that situation it might well be that the clinical risks to your baby might be too great in their opinion. In general terms I don't think an induction at 37 weeks is unreasonable to consider, but I don't know your particular circumstances - your clinical team will know your case and be able to advise best.

You're always entitled to a second opinion, and most clinicians are very supportive of patients asking for a second opinion. If you feel you need one, I'd suggest going along the lines of "I'm still really concerned and I think it might help me feel reassured that every option has been explored if we could get a second opinion please?" rather than "I must insist" - you may well want or need to continue receiving healthcare from your current team, so it's best to keep those relationships positive and constructive if you can. If your consultant objects to a second opinion, then you can approach PALS or your hospital's equivalent, who may be able to resolve the issue and arrange a second opinion for you.

@Scirocco thank you so much. That’s all very helpful, in reality I wouldn’t dare insist anything with a doctor lol but it is good to know what terminology would be best to use.

I appreciate your comment, thank you.

Have you had your baby op?