Those with experience with PTL

[KittyDanger]

I have been having tons of BH contractions during this whole pregnancy it feels like. I work three days a week and I feel like they pretty much only happen with any regularity when I am here, but it might just be that I am more sedentary here so I notice them more. Either way, last week I had a bad run of them. 17 the first hour I was keeping track and 20 the second. I finally called the BC (non emergency line) and left a message. Most of the contractions were painless, a few were mildly annoying but I knew I wasn't in real labor (Oh, I am currently 33 wks 6 days, due March 31st). I tired lying down and drinking water and that didn't seem to help. A midwife called me back and told me to call the emergency line and that I might have to go to the hospital. I did that and left a message and the midwife on call called me back and told me to get in the tub and drink more water. She said if they didn't reduce in frequency or intensity to call back. They went away completely while I was in the tub, and came back less frequent and less intensely when I got out of the tub, but only when I was up walking around, so I never called back.

So, of course I am at work now and I just spent an hour timing my BH and I've had 16 in an hour. I know they will continue in this way until I can get home and get in the tub, but honestly, if I have to do that to get them to stop every time this happens I will have to leave work every day after lunch. I am currently drinking water (Ive had about 24 oz in the past 3 hours).


I don't know if I should call again about this. I can tell I am not in labor, but I am worried. I just don't know if I should be. Any advise or experience would be helpful.

I had DS1 just over 38 weeks, so I'm a little nervous this one will come earlier.

[velveeta]

Oh, I am sorry you are feeling so worried! You don't need that.
This is my third pregnancy, and the BH get stronger with each pregnancy. I was just on the phone with my mom talking about the same thing -- it just feels like it could be anytime b/c of the non-stop contrax! I am 37 weeks, and I have felt this way for over a month! Your body is just getting more efficient, and with lots of BH, you are on your way to a speedy labor!

I have contrax 100% of the time whenever I get up, and they even wake me in the night. It is normal, and it is so good for your body, as irritating as it feels!

Good luck!

[Theloose]

I was in the hospital with a PTL scare at 33 weeks with dd. I'd been having painless contractions every 5 minutes for 3-4 days, and they didn't seem to go away with anything. After showing up in the middle of the night, they strapped me to a fetal monitor (yup, regular contractions all right!), checked me (zero dilation), gave me a shot of I forget what, which stopped the contractions till the next day around noon-ish, when they picked up where they left off, and sent me home. At that point, my midwife rec'd a half glass of wine to get them to stop. Then dd wasn't born till almost 42 weeks

The regular contractions started with a stressful event (they were frequent but irregular before then), then resolved the evening after I got home from the hospital, with the resolution of that stressful event. This time around, I'm supporting my adrenals and notice a strong correlation with the frequency of the contractions and how well my adrenals are doing.

They might be stress related, are you getting plenty of adrenal nutrients? B5, B6, magnesium and biotin are the biggies.

[crwilson]

I've been experiencing something similar, except that my midwife seemed very unconcerned. I had my daughter at 37 weeks, so I'm worried about going earlier this time too. I have been under a lot of stress, though, so that may be part of it.

I hope that you feel better soon!

[olive&pimiento]

I am going through the same thing. I have been having ctx since about 28 weeks, and they got more intense at 32 wks. When checked I was completely effaced and 1-2 cms, so I am laying low for the next few weeks. I had these issues with both my previous pregnancies. The first they treated with daily Terbutaline and she stayed in until 37 wks. The next I just didn't make a big deal out of the ctx, thinking my body knew what it was doing. DS was born at 36 wks and had some issues with maintaining his blood sugar levels and then he was jaunticed...just an all round pain in the butt and not somethng I want to repeat with this babe. With this one I am trying to just keep activity low (sort of modified bedrest with some light cleaning up and kid care thrown in). When I have ctxs I have a series of things I go to to stop them: rest and hydrate, shower, crampbark, and lastly alcohol. So far I have only had to resort to a nice glass of Baily's twice, but it really works for me when all else fails. Hope we can all hold on til 37 weeks!!!
Oh, and in addition to my prenatal vitamins I am taking extra magnesium, calcium and vitamin D.