Midwife wants to see me tomorrow.

[jillybeans]

I'm feeling nauseous. Add to that the contractions and loose stools the last few days and dh decided I needed to call her (I was avoiding it)

She wants me to come in at 2 tomorrow. Said we'll do a urinalysis and a culture to check for bacteria, etc. Then she said I need to do some reflecting and see if there is something that could be causing psychosomatic (is that the right term?) stuff. As in my mind is playing tricks on me. That made me feel so stupid, which I'm sure isn't her intention. But I just feel like maybe she thinks everything is ok and that I'm causing it, even if not intentionally. But they are very real, and very painful, and 5-10 minutes apart tonight! I'm not imagining that, and I don't see any fear of mine that could be causing it. If anything, I'm more relaxed with this pregnancy than I have been since the beginning. Ayla could make it on the outside, she's healthy, active, etc. I'm not scared of losing her. But I am sick of not being able to do anything! What if we find that everything is ok tomorrow, then what? God I just feel so stupid.

As for checking the cervix....I decided to try it myself. I can feel it when lying down, and it feels long still, and soft. But I can stick my fingertip in the opening a tiny bit before it gets to the closed point. Is that dilation of just excess folds or what? I know I'm hitting the right spot, my cervix and I got to be pretty comfortable the last 18 months after all. Does that sound ok though?

[Bellejar]

I have had almost the same symptoms with the stomach flu. Stay hydrated and feel better! As far as your cervix. I don't think that is abnormal as long as it is long still you are probably fine.

[~Katrinka~]

I am glad you called your midwife.
I know you have been having trouble with contractions for a while...is it possible that this nausea/loose stools is a virus you got? Anyone else you know sick with a stomach thing? Obviously, loose stools can be a sign of labor, but gastrointestinal distress can definitely make you contract more.
It's so hard to tell, though, which is why it's always better to go in and get checked out.
I'm sorry your midwife made you feel bad by asking if your contractions could be psychosomatic. That would upset me a lot! It's really, really hard when your body does not behave like the typical pregnant woman's body and your caregivers don't know what to make of it.
Sending hugs and "less than 4 an hour" contraction vibes your way.

[DBZ]

Maybe your midwife meant that something psychological is triggering you to have contractions, loose stools, etc. like an unconscience fear that you'll deliver early? Or that what your experiencing is braxton hicks and your mind is making everything feel worse. Try using your mind to work for you by seeing your uterus calm and your baby being so content that she plans on staying in till March 21.

[doulanichole]

Well, I'm not your mw , but I will say that loose stools often cause contractions. As the uterus is a sympathetic organ, if anything around it contracts (bladder, intestines, etc.) it will likely do the same. Not to mention the loose stools also make it more likely that you will become or are dehydrated, leading to more frequent contractions. Sounds to me like some intenstinal issues may be causing all the contractions you are having. Drink tons of water and sit in the warm bath - have you tried that at all? And are you taking anything that could be contributing to the diarrhea? Heartburn meds, high doses of alfalfa, etc.? If so, I would suggest backing off on those as well. As for your cervix, sounds normal to me. You have one child already so I woudn't expect it to be completely closed at any point.

I hope this helps or at least provides you with some reassurance.

[ELKMama]

Hope tomorrow's visit brings lots of reassurance and a better sense of what may be going on. Big to you for having to go through this and also second-guessing yourself as to what is going on... You're NOT stupid and even if your mind is somehow influencing your uterus right now, exactly what are you supposed to do about that? : I imagine acupuncture, relaxation tapes, or other guided relaxation strategies might be beneficial -- but they'd probably be beneficial to us all! But keep in mind that you're doing the best you can and coping the best you can and caring for this babe the best you can. Don't beat yourself up!

[jillybeans]

thanks everyone.

Nichole: I've tried everything, and have been struggling with this for about 2.5 weeks now. I'm on calc/magn. supps as well as fish oil and extra protein. Of course hydration was the first thing I did. Baths help with the pain, but don't hold off the contractions. And the loose stools are just in the last few days, I haven't had any problems before this.

She did call back. I told her it had upset me what she'd said, and she said that what she'd meant was that my contractions were causing more anxieties and fears, not the other way around. She also wants to know if we want to do the ffn (fetal fibronectin test) on friday morning. She thinks it might be reassuring for both parties. What do you guys think? We'll still go in tomorrow, but I think I might do it.
She also said that she trusts my evaluation of my cervix, because I have so much experience with it (how bad does that sound?!)

So now I wait. If we can't find a cause, at least I can rest assured that I won't go into labor soon.

I'll update you all tomorrow, hopefully.

[MonP'titBoudain]

Hope everything goes well tomorrow! I wish I had something solid to offer, but I can only give you s I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

[doulanichole]

I'm sorry I didn't have anything helpful to add, but hope all is well and look forward to reading your update for tomorrow. The FFN test....eh. Not exactly the most accurate thing out there and what will you do with the info. I guess that's the biggest thing, is how will the results influence what you are already doing? Once you decide that, it may make it easier for you to decide which way to go with the testing. Good luck and I hope you get a somewhat restful night.

[Kothi]

Good luck tomorrow! You're in my thoughts...

[~ani~]

Thinking of you, hope things go well tomorrow. Keep taking great care of yourself - you're being a wonderful mama to this little babe already.

[~Katrinka~]

If you do the FFN test, she can check your cervix while she's at it. If you haven't had one before, the test itself is only about as unpleasant as a pap smear. If she tells you your cervix is closed and you get a negative FFN test...that could give you permission to not worry so much about the contractions. At least for me, in past pregnancies, it's been a little soothing thought in the back of my mind when I was getting lots of contractions & on bed rest and all that.
This time, having just had the positive FFN test, it is like a stern little voice in my head saying "TAKE IT EASY!", which is probably something I really needed. And I've had the betamethasone shots just in case.
Again, good luck tomorrow. I do know how hard this is, since this is my 3rd pregnancy dealing with the same thing. :

[christina1976s]

it isnt uncommon for a second and more time mom to be afinger tip dilated. I wouldnt worry about that.
And it sounds maybe like the flu or something. take it easy and drink water LOL

[mommycakes]

Jillybeans--I'll keep you in my thoughts. It is best to go and get checked out but please don't feel "stupid" if it's "nothing". It's not nothing, you're feeling it, right?! Just b/c your mw might not see anything doesn't mean that you're making it up. It's your body and you know it best. I'm praying that it's all good news and that you just have to allow yourself some additional rest (gosh, I know I'm needing it lately too). Be good to yourself.

As for you cervix--you've given birth before so your cervix is naturally a little softer, especially the os (opening). I think it's good that it seems to be long and that you can feel that it is in fact closed.

I'm praying for you. Please update us when you know something. We're all rootin' for you.

[wowbaby42]

Good luck tomorrow Mama. All my thoughts and s are with you...

[milky_mama]

Thinking of you and hope all goes well tomorrow.

[Bellejar]

Hope your visit goes well!

[healthnutmama]

I hope all went well. I've been thinking about you today.

[gretasmommy]

Thinking of you, and hoping that all went well today.

I have been contracting a lot (at times more than 40 x a day!!!) for a few weeks also. I have noticed that it is much, much better when I sit/lay down. That is very reassuring (other than the fact that it's hard to stay off of my feet!) I have made some changes at work to help me stay off my feet, but I think I will need to cut back further. It's so hard . . . . .but really important.

I hope we get to hang out here together for a few more months!

[lilkat]

Hope things went well. Keep us posted!