Stopping Pre-Term Labor???

[BabyMommee]

My 2 year old son was born at 33 weeks from spontaneous labor that they never determined the cause of. I'm now 18 weeks along with #2 and started progesterone injections a few days ago to hopefully help this one cook longer. This morning I felt a lot of pressure down low. I described it to my husband as feeling like my vagina was going to fall out. I was doing the dishes and found myself standing with my legs crossed so I decided to lay down with my feet up and drink water. That definitely helped, but it didn't go away for a few hours. Since it was getting better I didn't want to go to the hospital. As it was getting better, the "falling out" feeling went away, and my whole uterus was very tight, then I just had a dull lower back ache. So I know these are all signs of pre-term labor, but if I would have went to the hospital, what would they have done??? Am I better off laying down and drinking lots of water to see if that helps? Is there anything else I can do at home? If it happens again should I go to the hospital? I guess I'm just scared because I don't know what they'll do.

[sarlusan]

I am so sorry you are going through this so early. I had a 32 weeker, then a difficult pregnancy that ended up delivering at 34 weeks, and now I'm in my longest pregnancy ever at almost 36 weeks! Anyway, in my second pregnancy I went to the hospital a lot (12 times) because of contractions. My first visit was at 18 weeks. They didn't do anything - and said they wouldn't until after 24 weeks. In a few states, I believe they will do something starting at 20 weeks. Still, you should check in with your doctor. Are you being seen by a perinatologist (maternal-fetal medicine specialist)? Are you getting (or going to get) routine cervical length scans and FFN tests?

It might make you feel better to know that if you do have another preemie, it's a 70% chance of occurring within two weeks of your first preemie. So chances are you'll get to 31-35 weeks if not full term.

Good luck!! It feels like a long time between now and the goal... but you will make it! Rest, drink lots of water, and take it one day at a time!!

[justmama]

Oooooooooh I hated that feeling. That really full feeling like your vagina was just going to drop out at any moment.: I don't know how to help other than the typical things you already know like bedrest, water water water water water, and hoping for the best. I had a 34weeker due to prom at 33 weeks and then on the exact.same.day 3 years later my water broke with her little sister who didn't stick it out to 34weeks. She was a 33weeker due to prom. It was incredibly frustrating to be there AGAIN with the same situation. I knew something about that pregnancy was off from the start. They told me the due date(same as my second child) and I KNEW it wasn't' gonna go right.

[sbrinton]

I would give your doctor a call next time. They may want to watch more closely to see if something is going on. If you are having some contractions, they may be able to give you some medication to prevent preterm labor. I agree with the advice to rest and drink water.

I had preterm labor with all of my pregnancies. Last time I ended up seeing the OB and perinatologist at least weekly, on about a dozen meds, in and out of the hospital, on bed rest for 5 months...it was a long, difficult pregnancy. We made it to 31 weeks after preterm labor beginning at 14 weeks and pprom at 29 weeks. Our son is now quite healthy.

[jlovesl]

Go to the doctor. They can do a ultrasound to see if your cervix is shortening. At that time they can give you meds. to help stop contractions and maybe a few stitches in your cervix to help keep it closed if it is shortening. My 1st was a 31 weeker. My water broke at 27 weeks. Lots of bed rest and meds. Now pregnant with my second we have a lot more options because we can now watch more closely for some of the symptoms of premature labor. I will start progesterone at 20 weeks, ultrasounds every 2 weeks after 26 week and stitches if need be. There is a brand new test in the states now called the Fetal Fiber Nectin Test. Inquire about it. I actually saw about it on THE DOCTORS. I'm from Canada and I'm not sure if it's here, but I will ask my doctor next week at my appointment. It's a blood test that measures the fibres that attach your uterus walls if there a not enough it can signal that you will have a premature birth. But I'm really not sure about it all????????????

[sbrinton]

The fetal fibronectin test is used really commonly in the US. From about 24 weeks on (it's not accurate before then), it can predict very accurately if you will not go into preterm labor. If you have a 'negative' FFN, the odds are like 97-99% that you will not go into preterm labor over the next 2 weeks.

If you have a 'positive' FFN there is a higher risk that you will go into preterm labor, but it's not as certain.

It's a useful test and can help you make decisions about bed rest, meds, etc.

[Lil'Momma]

ffn

The ffn test is not a blood test. It is a very simple swab of the cervix. I have had it done every two weeks since twenty four weeks. Good luck!