Treatment for suspected preterm labour, based on regular but unchanged tightenings for over 48 hours?

[paris1993]

Hiya

I’m 32 weeks today and I am being treated for suspected preterm labour.

On Tuesday afternoon (three days ago) I started to get what I thought was Braxton Hicks contractions (had with my first), my whole tummy was going hard but no pain etc. By the evening they regulated to every 5 minutes, and became uncomfortable. Called midwife for advice who asked me to come in for monitoring, which I did and showed regular tightenings every 5 minutes for 2 hours on the monitor. Despite them not really being painful more strong discomfort, they decided to admit me for monitoring. I have been in hosp ever since. The strength of the tightenings reduced over the last couple days but still showed bang on every 5 minutes on the monitor. Docs decided to give me precautionary corticosteroid injections, I had one yesterday morning and due the second one this morning. I had an internal exam on Tuesday night which showed cervix closed but 30% effaced, and will be having another one in the morning after next injection. I also had a scan today which showed baby is fine in himself.

This evening the tightenings started to strengthen up again (like Tuesday night) and are still the same so preventing me sleeping now (which they weren’t really before) but still not painful just strong discomfort and still 5 minutes apart so not accelerating!!

I’m so confused and so are docs!! They’re saying way too consistent and regular to be Braxton Hicks as they haven’t stopped for over 48 hours solid now, but don’t understand why they’re not accelerating like real contractions should, anyone else experienced this?! Sorry for such a long post just wanted to give as much info as possible. This is my second baby, first baby born on time but very quickly so was down as a high risk delivery this time anyway due to possibility of baby coming even quicker.

So disheartening when you’re worried and doctors can’t even give you answers!!

Hi Paris, I’m afraid I don’t have any knowledge on this but hoping you’ve had some luck getting some more info from the doctors today? Are the contractions still the same? I’m 29 weeks and I know it must be scary, though my doctor has always says he’ll be happy if I get to 32 weeks so the prognosis is likely to be very good for you.

I had my first at 32 weeks. She was completely fine, came home at 35 and a half weeks and just needed help with feeding, jaundice and incubator for her size, and resuscitation just after being born then her breathing was fine.
She has asthma now but that's the only longer term thing possibly related.

My second was 28 weeks with a huge amount of issues, and with my third the consultant said 30+ weeks is the turning point where they're not too concerned so you're nicely over that line.

With my third I had the same as what you've described at 34 weeks, went to 3cm during it and they kept me in for 3 days (had tablets of some kind can't remember what they were) and I then went to 37 weeks fine with him.
Hope everything goes well

Has anyone mentioned an irritable uterus?
I had this from 29 weeks and I got to 34.

Drs told me the tightenings would eventually turn into contractions/labour, but couldn't say when. One of the worst periods of my life. So much stress and anxiety.

I hope things settle down for you

Thank you all so much for your messages!

Shake no one mentioned irritable uterus which I think is weird coz it seems a bit like that! It is horrible, I just feel like I’m in limbo with no idea what’s happening next. Did your contractions continue that whole time??

Donald, the contractions continued 25,26,27th and on the 27th my bump dropped so low and my milk came in completely! TMI but I woke up wet from neck to bellybutton, and they were absolutely rock hard. Had more monitoring (baby is fine!) and mentioned about my milk coming in and she said that sounds like your body trying to get ready, but then by 29th contractions had calmed down pretty much completely and milk was gone! So strange... so I thought that was it for now and it’s all stopped, but yesterday contractions started up again and last night I lost part of my plug so back to wondering what’s going on.

I’m 33 weeks today though, so feeling more positive anyway as every extra day helps!

RunningBean was your first a VB? I’m really hoping not to have to have a caesarean. And that’s good that you could hold on longer with your 3rd!

Thank you all again