Can anyone share their experience with preterm contractions, when that began and when that delivered. Can you please let me know what medication: nifedipine or terbutaline, etc. You were on? Thank you.
Thank you to everyone that responded to my question. It certainly made me feel more comfortable with my situation. The responses gave me even more hope and encouragement. Reading what other mothers had to say about early contractions and their treatment eased my troubled mind. I am currently headed into the 30th week and feel super confident baby and I will make it to 40 weeks!!!
I started having contractions at 26 weeks and was put on strict bed rest with the Terbutaline pump. I gave birth to a very healthy boy the day after getting off of the medication - at 37 weeks.
Hi R.. I was at 25 weeks when I started having preterm with my second child, 8 years ago. I was hospitilezed 3 times and given stuff in hospital, but I don't remember. I was also given the shot to help with her lung development. I was on bedrest from 25 weeks until I delivered, on due date. It was hard because I had a two year old and was living with my parents because my husband worked and couldn't help. It was an upsetting time for us and I prayed every day for my little girl to survive and she did. She was a healthy 7 lbs. 9 oz. baby and is now a very healthy 9 year old. Good luck to you and just relax as much as you can and just pray for a healthy baby.
I went into preterm labor with my first child starting at 25 weeks and was put on tributaline I had to be induced at 41.5 weeks with my 2nd I started preterm labor at 18 weeks again placed on a daily dose of tributaline coming off at 35 weeks giving birth 3 days after stopping it
hi
with my first daughter almost 5 years ago, I had preterm contractions at 25 weeks, was put on bed rest, then bed rest w. nifedipine, then had a lovely 5 day stay in the hospital w. a mag. sulfer drip before the contractions finally stopped at 28 weeks. Only to start right up again as soon as the IV was stopped :( so... they put me on a terbutaline pump and bed rest and that finally did the trick. stopped the terb and the bed rest at 36 weeks, and delivered 4 weeks later on my due date with a perfectly healthy (albeit a strong willed)baby girl.
I know some docs don't do a terbutaline pump anymore, but it was the only thing that worked for me. It took me about two weeks to adjust but then i didn't feel any side effects. Also, just a few FYIs-- i didn't feel ANY of the preterm contractions-- i had a backache for 24 hours which i heard could be a sign of preterm labor so went in for a quick check, feeling a bit foolish and then the monitors picked up all these contractions which i couldn't feel at all! but i did feel the contractions when i was in labor though :) Also, some docs think bedrest doesn;t work -- all i know was that i carried to term and am grateful for that (bed rest was TERRIBLE though; i hated it but did it b/c .... well, you know.)
and finally, i had another baby last year at 39 years old (gasp-- AMA!) and didn't have any problems-- no preterm labor, no high blood pressure-- zip. They never found out why i went into preterm labor w the first but it doesn;t mean you will automatically have it w subsequent pregnancies...
hang in there and i wish you all the best-- i know how hard it can be.
aloha,
J.
I have seen incredible results with acupuncture and preterm contractions... the moms were able to remain drug-free. Make sure to seek out an acupuncturist that is familiar with preterm contractions and proper herbs to use. My acupuncturist specializes in womens health and pregnancy and children... Dong-Phuong Nguyen
I started with pre-term labor at 28 weeks. I was on terbutaline at home and when the contractions were really bad I would go to labor and delivery for shots of terbutaline. My son was born at 38 1/2 weeks. He was healthy and there were not any other complications. I am currently pregnant again and started to have small unproductive contractions at 20 weeks. I am waiting for insurance to approve the use of progesterone. Good luck.
I went into preterm labor after having contractions for 2 weeks. Went into the hospital at 33 weeks and was dialated at 3 1/2 cm. They put me on magnesium sulfate since I was in the hospital. Stayed a week and went home on bed rest. I ended up delivering at 38 weeks. My friend went on terbutilene (not spelled right I am sure) at 28 weeks and delivered at 39 weeks.
Hope everything goes well for you.
I also had preterm contractions (with my 2nd child) starting at about 28 weeks. My Dr. put me on terbutaline and I continued with that medication until 36 weeks.She said after 36 weeks the baby would be okay and to let the contractions happen naturally. I also went in for ultrasounds twice weekly because I felt that the baby wasn't moving that much (as compared to my first, so maybe I was a little paranoid). I had a scheduled C-sec at 38 weeks.(My Dr. wouldn't allow a VBAC, since my 1st baby was delivered during an emergency c-sec.) Everything turned out quite smoothly.
The advice I have is to take it easy.Try to notice when the contractions start to come on. For me, it was when I was rushing around, stressing out, or not getting enough sleep. Take deep long breaths, and allow yourself a break.
This is an exciting time! I can only imagine what being pregnant is like during the holidays! The best present you can give your baby is to allow you and your body time to relax!
Congratulations and good luck!
