Oh boy..here we go again..PTL

[micah_mae_]

After feeling crampy since last night I decided to check myself and found that I am a fingertip dilated (was closed tight last month) and stretchy.
I took a bath, chugged a bottle of water and drank a half glass of wine. It stopped.
I got out of the tub and it's started again, though not as bad.
Bedrest is impossible since I have a very active/needy toddler.

With my first son I was in the hospital overnight for PTL and given the standard terbutaline/procardia/steroids. I really want to avoid that.

So I don't really have to worry unless I start bleeding..right? But then I was 5 cm and not bleeding with my son. Ugh.

Any thoughts? Ideas on how to stop it? I'm 26.5 weeks. I need him to stay in another 9.5 weeks at least!

[dachshundqueen]

I would contact my HCP. PTL is not something to fool around with.

Liz

[micah_mae_]

I have talked to my midwife, she basically said to do what I did. If I have cramps that don't go away with the water/wine/bath combo or that get worse I'm supposed to call her back.

[rparker]

Originally Posted by dachshundqueen

I would contact my HCP. PTL is not something to fool around with.

Liz

What she said. If it continues I'd find some way to get at least partial bed rest.

Can someone come help with your toddler? Would an older child/teenager acting as a mother's helper be a possible option if you don't have nearby family/friends that can step in?

If you can't find anyone.... Both dvds and reading stacks of books might work as an inducement to get your son to sit quietly in bed/on the couch with you. Or maybe a toy that is a novelty and would hold his attention? I don't know how old he is, but my two year old is totally transfixed by playing with clay right now.

I hope it stops and you feel better soon. This part of pregnancy is hard enough with a toddler without having to deal with PTL too.

[2xand2y]

Stay hydrated!

[nia82]

I took Terbutaline with DS, but not on a strict regimen, rather on demand. I would call and wouldn't mind the Terb/Ritodrine... You don't want to dilate too much too early. In small doses it's better than a preterm birth.

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by nia82

I took Terbutaline with DS, but not on a strict regimen, rather on demand. I would call and wouldn't mind the Terb/Ritodrine... You don't want to dilate too much too early. In small doses it's better than a preterm birth.

True, I just feel like it was complete overkill with my DS1. I was barely a cm dilated when they gave me the terbutaline shots and sent me home with procardia. I stopped taking the procardia at like 35 weeks and he stayed in until 40+5!
I'm keeping an eye on myself and checking for dilation once a day at least. I'm in contact with my MW. I'm hydrating. I'm taking magnesium and calcium.

[nia82]

Yeah you can watch it and talk to your midwife - I never had procardia, just Terbutaline and only once as a shot at 30 weekish or so. After that, I had the pills at home and only took one when I felt contractions (and I quartered the pill, to start with a low dose which did the trick). I didn't hold for as long as you did as I delivered at 37 weeks (ob changed my due date, it really was 36 plus 6). The magnesium should help a bit and trying to take it easy too. I know it's hard with a toddler! I have no idea what I will do if the contractions return with this one..

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by nia82

Yeah you can watch it and talk to your midwife - I never had procardia, just Terbutaline and only once as a shot at 30 weekish or so. After that, I had the pills at home and only took one when I felt contractions (and I quartered the pill, to start with a low dose which did the trick). I didn't hold for as long as you did as I delivered at 37 weeks (ob changed my due date, it really was 36 plus 6). The magnesium should help a bit and trying to take it easy too. I know it's hard with a toddler! I have no idea what I will do if the contractions return with this one..

Thanks, yeah the magnesium/calcium are working wonderfully! I had to work a yard sale today from 7-3 and did not get crampy once. I checked myself again and I'm not opened up any more. I took 750 mg of magnesium and 600 mg of calcium yesterday and today.