Anyone else cramping/contracting? « Back to Group Discussions

[berrymama]

So last week while out grocery shopping, I had some pretty intense cramping that got bad enough that I had to hustle out of the store and rest in the car while DH finished the shopping. Tried again later in the day, and the same thing happened. I have been on modified bedrest since then, because any amount of time on my feet gets things going. I saw my regular midwife (for homebirth), and we ruled out UTI. Now I am waiting to see the group of back-up midwives (delivers at hospital) to maybe check cervical length, etc. (tried to check myself last week, and my cervix felt soft, maybe a finger-tip dilated).

My midwife thinks this may be normal for a 3rd pregnancy, but until we find out, I just can't make myself push through the pain and end up in full pre-term labor. Add to the stress that I will have to resign from my job if I can't work for the remainder of this pregnancy.

So I was just wondering if any other ladies are having cramping? Times - I know you were having some pre-term labor signs.

Oh...and this all got started up after baby flipped to breech (I am pretty sure) and kicked the crap out of my cervix....probably stirring up some prostaglandins.

3 months seems soooooooo far away right now.

[FarmerMomma]

No advice. Just(( hugs. ))

[PhilsBabyMama]

I have been having occasional Braxton Hicks that have actually been a bit painful. Nothing I've really worried about, but when I get them I do tend to sit down and take a bit of a rest, just in case. I hope that's all it is for you, too. This is my second baby, and I don't even remember feeling Braxton Hicks (Although, I'm sure I had them) with the first. Good luck and keep us posted!

[berrymama]

I was going to add that I had tons of BH with both my other babies starting early (25 weeks ish) and these are definitely different. I hope that is all they are and that the cramping is just growth. (though I have also LOST 2 lbs this week)

[TwilightJoy]

Yes, I have! This is #1 for me, so I don't really know what to expect. I've had some round ligament sharp pains that go away in a few seconds, but usually I have prolonged cramping, really low in my pelvis. Sometimes it's bad enough that it causes back pain too. It usually occurs when I'm "up and about", for example when shopping or cleaning the house. If I lay down for a few minutes to half an hour, it goes away. Laying with a heating pad seems to help.

[adventuregirl]

That sounds intense, berry. I've had lots of BH's lately, nothing I'd call painful, maybe a little uncomfortable. I have a friend who is on bed rest right now for a short cervix and contractions she didn't feel, but they picked up on u/s, called them "mini" contractions. IMO, that is over the top, but in your situation, I think taking it easy is the best idea, as those seem a bit more labor-like. I hope you don't have to quit your job! Is there a way for you to do short term disability or anything? Take care!

[CoBabyMaker]

I'm sorry Berry!  That does sounds intense.  I hope you can figure some things out soon.

I have been having more BHs this time and some do make me feel like I need to stop for a minute though they are not painful.  I have had a heck of a time getting myself to drink enough water this pregnancy, something I am usually really good about.  ( I would happily float away in a river of cranberry juice and sparkling water however.)  I am sure it has to do with it being my third pregnancy too.

[pastormama]

Join the club of "never felt a thing" with my first pregnancy, and am feeling some mild and occasional BH now.  Nothing hard, but now that I know what a contraction feels like, I can reach down and feel how tight my belly has gotten.  When I mentioned it at the 24 week appt, my midwife actually seemed somewhat concerned and told me to start timing if they got regular.  But they aren't like labor contrax at all.  I wouldn't even know what they were if I hadn't been through it once.  I'm so sorry you're going through this.  I've had several mama friends who had to rest a ton because their bodies just seemed to want to go into labor.  

[nstewart]

Yes, that sounds intense Berry.  I hope everything is alright.  If you are really concerned, can you take yourself to the hospital to just get checked?  I did that once when I was pregnant with DS.  I was having pretty regular BHs (not painful, but could def. feel them) for more than an hour and resting didn't help.  I went in and everything was fine, but I'm glad that I did go in.  I took an extra long weekend from work and just really rested and that seemed to calm things down.  Have you maybe been over-doing it at all?  I know at the time DH and I had been doing a reno and I'd spent the day hunched over, dapping and prepping for paint.  I hope all you need is more rest!

This PG, I have had some strong and certainly uncomfortable BHs, maybe a couple times per day? And cramping low down across my abdoman, which I've been chalking up to growth.... Doesn't seem to matter if I am resting or busy, I get them.  But not painful enough to stop what I am doing, like you are describing.  If it would give you peace of mind, is there anywhere you can go for a fetal fibronectic (sp?) test?

[berrymama]

Originally Posted by nstewart 

Yes, that sounds intense Berry.  I hope everything is alright.  If you are really concerned, can you take yourself to the hospital to just get checked?  I did that once when I was pregnant with DS.  I was having pretty regular BHs (not painful, but could def. feel them) for more than an hour and resting didn't help.  I went in and everything was fine, but I'm glad that I did go in.  I took an extra long weekend from work and just really rested and that seemed to calm things down.  Have you maybe been over-doing it at all?  I know at the time DH and I had been doing a reno and I'd spent the day hunched over, dapping and prepping for paint.  I hope all you need is more rest!

This PG, I have had some strong and certainly uncomfortable BHs, maybe a couple times per day? And cramping low down across my abdoman, which I've been chalking up to growth.... Doesn't seem to matter if I am resting or busy, I get them.  But not painful enough to stop what I am doing, like you are describing.  If it would give you peace of mind, is there anywhere you can go for a fetal fibronectic (sp?) test?

I have an appointment on Tues to hopefully get a cervical check (or cervical ultrasound) and maybe a ffn. Until then I am taking it easy, but will go to triage if things don't calm down with rest. I work as an OB nurse on the unit I would have to go in to get checked...so I really don't want to head in if I don't have to. I mean...I will if I have to, but I know everyone there and it wouldn't exactly be a discreet visit.

[Quinalla]

I hope that calms down for you, so far I've only had BHs and only 1-2 times a day at most, they sometimes are bit crampy, but nothing like that. Hopefully the do a cervical u/s and check both for peace of mind.

[timesway]

Mine are similar to what u discribe, stop me in my tracks and my tummy is fully solid mos of the time now..they measured some tightening when they did the moniotoring and it was fairly regular but they checks my cervix at that point and it was still firm at dilate (this was at 26 weeks) I had painful bh since about 16 weeks preg (they showed up on u/s) I'm also gettig period type pains and lower back pain with it but bed rest had calmed down the more scary symptoms.. The days I do more I have to lie down pretty quick if it starts otherwise they get pretty regular.. I wondered if miine mite be partially due to having v low muscle tone generally (especially core muscles) and my womb desperately trying to do something about that but I dunno.. Also last check showed baby's breach here too and also been kicking me in the cervix lots.. Could u ask one of your colleagues discreetly to check your cervix? I know that sounds a bit weird but at least then wouldn't be logged in to work and if u trust them to keep there mouth shut? Anyway this is probs rambled nonsense but who knows it mite be helpful.. Really hope u don't have to quit your job, hope things improve hugs xxx

[BaileyB]

I would say that sounds like more than regular third trimester stuff and closer to preterm labor. I get pretty annoying prodromal labor which is like preterm labor but doesn't progress anywhere. Good luck and rest up. I think magnesium is a good contraction and cramp stopper. 

[nstewart]

Berry, how are you doing?

[timesway]

Mw said to me today my tummy was extra solid again so take it early.. And take it seriously If it gets more painful.. Thing is I take opiate pain killers (OxyContin) and I don't really feel pain like a normal person anyway.. So never sure when pain is really bad because I'm so used to just dealing with if and oxycodone covers up the things like milder injuryshospitalisable infections/etc I just don't realise til I'm in so much pain I can't move and drs always look shocked at why I didn't come soonrr.. How is labour contractions different? I have read they get closer and longer and more intense but sometimes they come as tightening a which become quite regular and make movement difficult .. But what comes after that?

[berrymama]

Got some reassuring results yesterday with a negative Ffn (means there is only a 1% chance she will be born in the next 2 weeks), which was good because I was up several hours during the night with cramping and tightening that would have maybe sent me to triage if I hadn't had that reassurance. I had the cervical length US today, and they didn't give me the measurement, but the MFM doc didn't come in to see me before they sent me on my way, so I assume that means it is close to normal (based on the numbers I saw as the tech was measuring, it was slightly less than average for 28 weeks, but not in the 'scary' range). So while I am still really uncomfortable with cramping most of the time and contracting some of the time, at least I feel like I can prepare a meal while contracting without worrying that I am making things worse. I still don't know what to do about returning to work...I haven't discussed anything with my CNMs yet.

Also...we got some new US pics! and she is definitely breech at the moment.

I think she is smiling in this one :)

[berrymama]

Originally Posted by timesway 

Mw said to me today my tummy was extra solid again so take it early.. And take it seriously If it gets more painful.. Thing is I take opiate pain killers (OxyContin) and I don't really feel pain like a normal person anyway.. So never sure when pain is really bad because I'm so used to just dealing with if and oxycodone covers up the things like milder injuryshospitalisable infections/etc I just don't realise til I'm in so much pain I can't move and drs always look shocked at why I didn't come soonrr.. How is labour contractions different? I have read they get closer and longer and more intense but sometimes they come as tightening a which become quite regular and make movement difficult .. But what comes after that?

Both the ffn and the cervical ultrasound gave me a lot of reassurance. Do they do those where you are? Could you ask? I found a lot of helpful info in this article http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2709324/

I have never had early labor (just lots of BH, every 3 minutes for hours on end), so that is why I am worried that I won't recognize things either until it gets to late. With both my other babes, I just ruptured membranes, started contracting every 2-3 minutes and delivered shortly after. My accidental unassisted birth (the last one) was only 30 minutes of active labor before I started pushing...worked out fine with a term baby, but I do NOT want that to happen with a breech, preterm babe.

[jessmn]

I am going to a class tomorrow night specifically about pre-term labor (as well as pre-eclampsia) and I will try to remember to report back with everything they tell me about identifying pre-term labor!
 

[lisedea]

berry--I don't know if this will really help at all since I am carrying trips instead of a singleton...but I have been really focusing on preterm labor vs braxton hicks. I have been having LOTS of bh for about a month (sporatic--but at least a couple an hour)--one time had 8 in an hour and almost went in--probably should have. What I have been told though is that there is only a real reason to worry if you have a lot of regular ones, if you switch what you are doing (moving when still, lay down on left side when moving) and they still don't go away, or they last a long time. I am still freaked out since preterm labor is much more likely--but I try and keep these things in mind to make myself feel better. Glad your Ffn and cervical check went well!

[CoBabyMaker]

Glad you got some good news Berry!