I'm not in preterm labour am I?

[anonny55]

Friday night - slight lower belly cramps and lower back pain , not painful enough to need paracetamol although I have a high pain tolerance! I rested and it eased off after a few hours

Saturday - felt back to normal no pain

Sunday afternoon - lower back pain, lower belly pain, pressure in bum and shooting pains in bum, the pain was ramping up over a few hours so I took 2 paracetamol which took the edge off. Rested in bed for hours no difference really. It was worse if I stood up and moved about though. Just such a heavy feeling in my lower belly! The pain was radiating up my hips throughout the night. I called triage panicking I was in labour or something

Midwife asked if I had any blood, increased or different charge or fluid loss which I haven't so she said it's probably fine and not to worry. I went to sleep and tried to ease my mind. Felt a bit better this morning when I woke up but through the day the pains returning!

Please tell me this is normal! I'm 32+1. I have a growth scan followed by consultant tomorrow so planning on asking her if she'd be able to check my cervix or something?!

Baby's moving as usual.

If the pain is returning then I would think it’s best to go and get checked over this evening just to be on the safe side

I'm going to call again and ask if they'll see me but probably the same as they already said yesterday no fluid loss or blood then I'll be fine😶

Don't be fobbed off. Anyone in pain should be invited in immediately.

What I experienced was different to what you're describing, so please don't panic as I don't think our pain was the same. I called triage with pain when I was 17 weeks and they refused me any help because I wasn't bleeding or having pains every 20 minutes. I also approached the GP and community team and everyone told me pain is normal and not to be so anxious (I'd had two early miscarriages and they all assumed I was an over-cautious first timer with anxiety issues).

It was Braxton Hicks that had became painful, though I'd never experienced them before so didn't know. I went into labour at 19 weeks and lost our little boy. My bereavement midwife was absolutely shocked triage had refused to have me in immediately, and it is illegal to refuse a pregnant person care. We've just finished our PALS complaint.

What you're experiencing may well be (and I hope it is!) totally normal and absolutely nothing to worry about, but having that confirmed will be the best peace of mind. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have walked in there and refused to leave until someone saw me, phone calls and triage opinions be damned.

I'd be an awful lot happier if the midwives had actually checked you over in person. Because if this is preterm labour (which I hope it is not) there are things that can be done to help the baby.

Conflict of Interest: part of my job can involve stabilising/treating premmie babies. I much prefer if if they've had steroids, and thus end up less likely needing me to breathe for them.

I'm so sorry that's just awful😣

I'm here now waiting to be seen after I called and said my tummy's so tender she told me to come in right away. I suppose I feel worried that because my pain tolerance is high they may think I'm not in as much pain as I am! Are 32 weekers generally okay if they've had steroids etc. I'm so worried!!

Glad you're in and being seen @anonny55

Hopefully you're not at that point, but two of my close friends have had babies born at 30 weeks. One of them is 11 now and nearly 6ft, the other turns one in a couple of months and is walking already. There's lots of positive stories to be found, but hopefully now you're there they can reassure you it's all fine.

@anonny55 hope all is well

Long term outcome for 32 weekers is basically excellent. In the shorter term, even with steroids some of them need some help with their breathing, but a lot cope without. Will need help to keep warm. Won't yet be ready for sucking feeds, so will start off with either NG feeds (if breathing well), or IV fluids if worries about breathing. Relatively high chance of antibiotics. If it does look like you're in labour, ask them to send someone round from paediatrics/neonates to talk you through it.

Fingers crossed this is all irrelevant!

@KittyFantastica so sorry to read about what happened to you and your baby 😥

I've had a CTG all looks good with baby he passed monitoring super quick and no contractions showed..just waiting for them to say what next

That sounds encouraging. Fingers crossed for you.

I think all is fine! Doctor came and looked at the ctg, listened to my concerns felt my tummy and I showed her where hurts , she went through a series of questions and said it does sound just like round ligament pain and it's very common from now as they start growing so rapidly

Blood pressure was 132/84 which doctor was concerned about especially as I have pre eclampsia symptoms but I had the pre e blood test which came back that I don't have it. I've been asked to just make sure they check it at my growth scan tomorrow!

And I trust they've also dipped your urine for protein?

Yes..no protein🤞🏽

Brilliant. Glad you've been checked out thoroughly.

Thankyou for your help☺️