33wks: lower abdominal cramping, back ache with a history of premature birth

[beth144]

just to give a little backround: i had my first dd at 36wks (PROM) after 2wks of bedrest and i had dd2 at 28wks due to plancental abruption.

now i'm pregnant with dd3 (33wks), everything has been going well with this pregnancy (no bleeding as with dd2), but the last couple of days i have had a lot of lower abdominal cramps with back ache when i get up and move around. its hard to remember, but i think i had this same issue with dd1 when i went on bedrest. if this continues through today i think i will call my midwife and see what she thinks, but i just wanted to see if there were any other thoughts out there or moms with a history of premature birth that have some ideas of what might be going on.

[Carolyn R]

Wow, mama...great job making it to 33 weeks!

Since you do have a history of preterm birth, I think I would be calling the midwife sooner rather than later. Cramping and low back pain are really classic early labor signs. Have you discussed whether they would try to slow down/stop your labor at 33 weeks?

If your midwife has indicated that they would try to get your labor stopped I would definitely be calling ASAP, because generally the earlier you intervene, the better chance there is of success.

As a side note, our son was born at 32 weeks after a spontaneous PROM. He spent five weeks in the NICU, but came through with flying colors and is a tall, strong, awesome kid.

Wishing you several more weeks of uneventful pregnancy, and a beautiful, healthy daughter at the end!!!

[MeepyCat]

I'd be calling the midwife ASAP too.

[CherryBomb]

I'd go ahead and call the mw because of your history. Hope all is well!

[JTA Mom]

The only case of premature birth I had was at 16 weeks.

Regardless, anytime you are feeling cramps and lower back pain, especially if there is some pressure involved as well, your care provider will want to see you, just in case. Things like UTI or bacterial vaginosis can cause preterm birth, and multiple signs of possible labor, like you have, is a flag for them to check you out. As a pp mentioned, the earlier they can catch it, the easier it is to stop.

Ami

[beth144]

thanks for all the replies, i talked with my midwife (homebirth) this afternoon and she thought that i should try taking helonias (false unicorn) and get some rest. we both agreed that it was not labor since all symptoms go away when i lay/sit down. i should also mention that i had the fetal fibronectin test a week ago and it was negative so that gives me a little bit of a window. i think its only a 1% chance that i would go into labor for 2 weeks after the test is done.

i guess my plan is to take the helonias and get some rest this weekend and then go from there. i'm thinking i might try to do bedrest until 36wks though. we'll see....

[HeatherB]

Rest and lots of water sound like a good plan, along with the homeopathics.

[Mrs.Music]

I had my babies at 27 and 33 weeks... I understand how baby #3 is the one who gets all the paranoia. My guess is that the baby is just pressing someplace uncomfortable. Try getting a birth ball, get on your knees with it in front of you and try to rock your hips and scoot baby into a better position. I was on bedrest for a couple months with DS, and I did this. It worked. GL