My official TMI, scary night of almost doom, post. « Back to Group Discussions

[JynxGirl]

Yesterday was a really weird day. I was really crampy in the morning with lots of round ligament pain when I woke up and tried to move. I got kiddo off to school, and then promptly went back to sleep, because for some reason, I was absolutely exhausted. 

By about 1pm, I noticed that I was very damp feeling. (I wrote that as damn four times before I got it right... :) ) 

By 3pm, when my daughter gets home, I was cramping in waves, and realized that I was having contractions fairly regularly. I called my doctor immediately and he told me to have a large glass of water and then rest. When I told. him about the dampness, he said it was probably just discharge from the contractions 

My husband came home on the early train which is a rare treat, as it means he's home an entire hour sooner than normal. We went to pick him up as usual, and the cramping actually started hurting. Then I felt what can only be described as a gush. Instead of just tucking myself into bed with my knitting, he was now going to have to drop me off at the hospital. 

I checked in to Labor and Delivery, and they sort of rushed to set up everything. I refused the IV until we knew more as it just wasted time. They put the electronic fetal monitor on me, found baby's heartbeat and the everyone kind of collectively rushed out of the room. A resident came in within fifteen minutes and checked my cervix. Here's where it got really scary. 

Apparently, my cervix is very high, so not only did she have a hard time finding it, but I now had the added joy of feeling like a hand puppet. After a few minutes of knit eyebrows and lots of slow deep breathing from me she withdrew her arm and said, "I'll be right back."

I started to panic. 

Twenty minutes later, she comes back with a speculum, another doctor and a nurse. They wanted to do a fetal fibronectin test, because not only was my cervix very soft, but they could feel the baby's head through my cervix. (????)

So I consented to that, and it went a whole lot smoother than the doc who tried to check my cervix with just her hand. They also did a swab to make sure I wasn't leaking amniotic fluid. 

The resident mentioned that because I had a C-section in 2003, they also wanted to check to see if my scar was separating. But nothing more was done or said about that, so I have no idea what happened there....

Then began a really really long wait. Two hours to get the fibronectin test back, and they waited to tell me the results of the swab too. In their defense, the ward was so full they were putting laboring moms on different wards because they ran out of beds!!! 

The tests were all negative. I am having contractions, and they are softening my cervix, so I get to start having bi-weekly checks to make sure I'm not dilating. (I'm currently 0 and station -3 is what the nurse said.) I also need to talk to my own doctor about treating for infection on a just in case basis. 

Which is where I need help. I'm trying to go as naturally as possible here, and all these tests and scary answers only cemented that. 

1.  How can I help to avoid an infection if I am dilating early?

2. How bad is it that this is happening at 25 weeks, like a softening cervix is normally a pre-cursor to dilating and effacement, but by how much of a time span???

3. The negative fibrenectin test means that I have less than a 5% chance of going into labor in the next two weeks, but does that mean two weeks later might be a completely different answer?

4. How can they feel the baby's head if I'm not dilating???? I really didn't understand what she meant by this and the other doctor who came in with her didn't say a word the whole time!!! 

This has really shaken me up, as you can tell. I've barely slept and now that I'm on restricted duties (no stairs, no lifting anything, resting as much as possible and trying to relax as much as possible...) I'm stressing about making day to day life with a kid with autism work while I'm the only one home!!!

You ladies have been amazing through our entire pregnancies, and I guess now not only do I need advice, I could really use a hug, because I'm freaking out. 

[poppyseed2012]

(((HUG)))

I don't know the answer to any of your questions, but I'm sending good thoughts your way. I can't imagine how scary that must be!

[ozzy]

I don't have answers either but want you to know I am thinking of you and your baby and hope things calm back down, and stay there. I'm glad you got good news on the fibro test. 

[BubbleMa]

  Sorry mama!  I don't have any advice either, just support and prayers.  Please keep us updated!

[cristeen]

Firstly,

Then - infection.  Don't allow any more VEs without sterile gloves/equipment.  Probiotics.  Garlic.  See if you can find the protocol for before the GBS test, since the same things should work. 

As for the cervical softening, it may mean nothing, it may mean something.  There is really no way to predict that right now.  They're going to have to wait and see if you start dilating.  But I will say many (MANY) 2nd time (or more) moms will be dilated partially weeks or months before term.  Dilation of 3 cm is not uncommon to be walking around with at all.  What they need to be watching for, IIRC, is funneling, or shortening of the cervix, which is usually checked via u/s (although that may have been what they were talking about by "softening").  At that point you'll probably want to discuss cerclage with your OB, (this is not going to sound pleasant) which is basically a stitch they take around your cervix to prevent it from opening.  Think a drawstring on a pouch when it's pulled tight and knotted. Usually removed around 36 weeks, or when it's deemed "safe" for baby. 

You can also get yourself a set of ph test strips.  That's what they use when they're checking for amniotic fluid.  Check homebirth supply websites.  So next time you think you have a gush you can check yourself whether it's normal damp or something more.  Maybe save yourself an unnecessary trip to the ER. 

Right now I'd suggest you call your OB and let them know you were seen at the hospital, make sure they get those records and let them know you'd like to discuss those tests/results ASAP. 

HTH

[shastalily]

Sorry for the stress.  These babies take us for an emotional roller coaster ride sometimes. Did they give you a prescription to calm contractions down?  Several weeks ago when I fell and hit my belly it set off some contractions.  My midwife prescribed me Nifedepine to take and it helped.  She told me to keep it on hand and if I get contractions like that again to take it.  So far they haven't gotten to that point again, thank goodness.  I hope it's nothing to worry about and you can take it easy the rest of the pregnancy.

[Onemoreontheway]

Hi Jynx,

I think Cristeen gave some great advice. I am really sorry you had that scare. I have a daughter with ASD (and other things) also. I can imagine how stressful her care with 'bedrest' would be, and you have my total and complete sympathy and hugs.

This too shall pass, that is what I try to tell myself on rough days where I am worried about every thing. I also come and vent here. :D

Much love and many hugs to you.

[JynxGirl]

Thank you Cristeen!!! I was already wondering if the GBS cleansing stuff would help here, and at this point I'm thinking that it can't hurt. I've already increased my probiotics, and as soon as I can get DH to the grocery store he's going to buy some garlic. :) 

My OB called back and basically said "Do what the ER said" and that he'll call me in a few weeks. *eye roll*

I'm going to my far more helpful family doctor on Saturday morning. 

Onemoreontheway - I have a neighbor who is going to come over and help me out this afternoon with kiddo, and I'm waiting to hear back from her dad to see if he can take her for a few days. He's trying to get time off work for an emergency family situation (How many ex-husbands would do that for their pregnant ex-wives?) It will mean missing some therapy, but she should be okay for a couple of days. :( 

This too shall pass is starting to become our family motto.

[BubbleMa]

Originally Posted by JynxGirl 

Thank you Cristeen!!! I was already wondering if the GBS cleansing stuff would help here, and at this point I'm thinking that it can't hurt. I've already increased my probiotics, and as soon as I can get DH to the grocery store he's going to buy some garlic. :) 

My OB called back and basically said "Do what the ER said" and that he'll call me in a few weeks. *eye roll*

I'm going to my far more helpful family doctor on Saturday morning. 

Onemoreontheway - I have a neighbor who is going to come over and help me out this afternoon with kiddo, and I'm waiting to hear back from her dad to see if he can take her for a few days. He's trying to get time off work for an emergency family situation (How many ex-husbands would do that for their pregnant ex-wives?) It will mean missing some therapy, but she should be okay for a couple of days. :( 

This too shall pass is starting to become our family motto.

I'm glad you're getting some help.  That's awesome of your ex to do that for you. 

[forestmushroom]

hugs, mama, hang in there! 

[rozziemama]

joining the hugs

and seconding everything Cristeen said. Keep us posted. Rest as much as you possibly can.

[MLog]

Just lots of hugs here!

[cristeen]

Oh, something I forgot to mention up above - have your DH taking probiotics too.  And maybe incorporate a shower into your foreplay.  I know my DH and I used to pass yeast infections back and forth before we finally figured it out.  Many infections are not nearly as obvious on men as they are for us. 

[Astraia]

I agree with everything Cristeen has posted. i'm not sure about the cerclage- the only people I've met who've had that done had already had a loss at some point (more frequently 2 losses) around the 20 week mark from "incompetenet cervix", and the stitch is put in VERY early with complete bedrest to follow it. I don't know that they can do it on an already softening/opening cervix.

Sterile gloves, refusing all but the most necessary VE is very important. If your water has broken, in a lot of cases the pregnancy can continue for MONTHS if you can avoid infection and avoid going into labour. I'd say lots and lots of magnesium (not sure what the right amount is....might be worth posting over in the I'm Pregnant forum or something like that?) to try to get rid of contractions, baths if you're pretty sure your water hasn't broken with epsom salts, lots of vitamin C and vitamin D (new study shows high levels of vitamin D supplementation can cut preterm labour by 50%). There are some natural things you can try, too... I think false unicorn iso neo f them. I'm leaving for work in literally 5 minutes (going to gulp my coffee after this post!) but I can look it up when I get home. Ginger, garlic, probiotics, if your water has broken NO SEX, nothing in the vagina at all, no self checks even with clean hands- nothing. Let everything drain out naturally.

So scary for you. I have no idea what I'd do in this situation (unless laying around crying and panicking counts??). BIG, huge hugs here.

[LinnieThree]

I have no new info to add here to help you but lots of hugs and best wishes!!! I can't imagine the worry that you are feeling- you are on my mind

[JynxGirl]

I saw my family doctor today who agrees with strict bedrest until Monday. He did a vaginal swab to test for bacterial vaginosis but said that I don't smell like that's what it is. (umm thanks?? I'm glad that the first time you look at my vagina it's not a smelly vagina!)

After the swab comes back, we'll proceed. He loves that I'm doing pro-biotics and said to hold off on the garlic, because anything inside the vagina may cause irritation right now. So eat it all I want, but do not insert it vaginally. 

Bed rest really really sucks. I'm bored to tears, and my ex husband wasn't able to get time off at all since he's going to Mexico in April for his brother's wedding and already booked that off. My husband was going to talk to his boss today about telecommuting, but the guy ended up not being in. So I'm on my own with kiddo. Right now, we're chilling out and watching Dora movies and sharing popcorn and chips and carrot sticks.  Though she thinks it's funny to take off upstairs because she knows I can't follow her.

[MeredithA]

((HUGS))!!!!! 

I agree with what others have said about sterile gloves!! 

I know bedrest must be super boring, but it sounds like it is the best thing right now. 

I wish I had more answers to your questions ~ I'll be thinking about you and keeping you and your sweet baby in my prayers~ !

[Astraia]

Jynx, I was reading something recently about how bedrest is one of the most often prescribed treatments for preterm labour and other "weird" pregnancy things, but that it doesn't make a difference. I don't know if you want articles or not...? I think even if I knew bedrest was just to make me feel better, I'd probably still do it :/ At least then I'd feel like I was doing SOMETHING proactive, right?

But if it starts making you mental or you think it's not helping, I'm sure you could find some info on it.

It sounds really rough... hopefully Dora movies work for today as well!

[JynxGirl]

Astraia, I've read a few of those too. Thing is, if I'm up and about for more than about ten minutes, I start having really strong cramps again. :-( I tried to help DH get some lunch going for us and now over an hour later, I am still cramping.
I'm wondering if it's more that if something will happen, it will happen no matter what. And if bed rest can help, it will. So far, other than feeling sad about the possibility of a very premature baby, I'm doing okay.

On the bright side, my husband is starting to understand how much I really freaking do around the house now. :-P

[forestmushroom]

Hugs, Jynx! Maybe get some good rest in and see if you body just needs a break!  I was just reading a few things on fish oil and DHA and ALA, and that it might help keep babies in and prevent preterm labor for some women --and in some cases even delay labor past due date...

might be worth asking the doc about and getting some fish oil to consume!