Braxtons vs Pre Term??

[Kotena]

Hello
I am at 25 weeks now. About 3-4 days ago I sterted experiencing veeery light feeling of tightening of my belly. I would touch it and feel it is a bit hard, sometimes pretty hard. They admitted me to the hospital to check on contarctions, over 1.5 hrs there were 2 very mild ups on the monitor. They gave me a shot and the contarctions went away. They also did US and cervix seemed to be long and close . They release me home.
Over the weekeend I did have very mild tightenings. I was given tablts of turbutaline 5mg. Once I take one, it lasts me for about 12 hours without a single contraction, no matter if I am in the bed or walking around.

Did any of you have someting like that? How would I kow when to panic and call to be seen in the hospital and when to stay quite and admit these things as Braxtons?

[Anonymous]

You really (and I stress REALLY) need to be asking your doctor these questions, not an internet forum. There are too many aches and pains that can mean nothing or can mean pre-term labor and with you only being at 25 weeks staying quiet is not a risk you should be willing to take.

[Kotena]

I did talk to the doctor, she does not seem to be too worried. And I am definitely going to see her tomroow, get US referal and make sure things do not change.
I just thought to see if nay of you on the forum had Brxtons and how they coped

[Anonymous]

I've had Braxton Hicks for weeks now, and at our birthing class the instructors said that the key diffentiator between BH and "pre-term" labor is that BH contractions will stop. If your contractions are infrequent, don't get stronger/closer together, and go away after you lie down or drink water (or on their own), then it's likely not true labor but BH. Otherwise, my OB says, if you notice they get stronger/more regular (say every ten minutes) then track them and call ASAP - it could be PT labor.

[Anonymous]

I had fairly strong BH contractions with my first for WEEKS. I was kept in the hospital overnight once. I actually wasn't even feeling them at that point, but the showed up on a non-stress test. From that point on (about 33 weeks), I started feeling them. They would show up, be regular--5 to 10 minutes apart, but would always disappear after about three hours. I had only a handful of them in my second pregnancy, it was always a single contraction here or there, never a pattern like with my first. Every pregnancy is different, so just make sure you keep on top of it and keep your doctor in the loop.

[bigmaman]

I'm not a doctor, and cld very easily be wrong here, but two things strike me about what you describe, OP. First, it's my understanding that Braxton Hicks are not treated, per se. So the fact that you were given terb, both in the the hospital AND to take after you were released, makes me think that something else may be involved. Second, your treatment seems like what I received for my pre term labor, except that in addition I was ordered home to bed and put on terb every 6 hours (I think, maybe every 4 hrs, can't recall. I do know that I had to set my alarm to take a middle of the night dose, to make sure that the drug levels stayed constant through the night). My situation was different and probably more serious -- my cervix had shortened--but I didn't feel any of the contractions that immediately preceded my hospitalization and diagnosis. I had been having what I had dismissed as BH for a while before, however. Again, not a doctor here, this is solely my experience.

I agree with PPs, you should ask for and get a diagnosis and prognosis from your OB, and an explanation for his/her program of treatment to date.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP, most of the time BH are not treated. Sounds like the OP had them long and frequently enough that her doctor wanted her checked out, and the monitoring showed some pre-term activity. So that brings us back to the first responder -- this is clearly something she needs to talk to her OB about, since it's not a case of your average BH contractions. Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

I want to point out some side effects of terp. It can make you really grouchy. It can also make your heart race.

If you are prescribed this medication, then you need it, and you should take it. The side effects are an annoyance, but you should absolutely still take your pills.

I just wanted to point out the side effects to you so that you can handle them better should they occur. The heart racing: uncomfortable, but not a problem unless you already have a heart condition. Grouchy: warn your DS so that he can be more understanding.

[Anonymous]

My understanding of the difference between BH and "real" contractions is that the BH contractions don't cause the cervix to dilate. If your cervix isn't dilating, then these contractions are OK. Some women who suffered with BH contractions have found relief by increasing their calcium intake, increasing their daily protein and water, decreasing their stress and increasing their sleep.

[Anonymous]

My advice - be overly cautious. Agree with last post - if it were absolutely nothing (or BH) you would likely not ahve had the same treatment. Don't worry if the OB or anyone else rolls their eyes when they see you coming. Go with your instict and error on the side of caution. I speak for experience - and mine did not turn out for the best. I was having contractions starting at 18 weeks. I thought they were Bh but decided to contact OB. Was told to lie down on side and drink water. This usually stopped everything. This kept happening so I bugged OB for a more thorough check out after 2 weeks- Went in for US and cervix looked long and completed closed. I went home for a weekend and probably did more than I should have but felt great and no contractiions until the end of the w/e and those went away quickly with rest and water. I woke up the next day and my mucous plug fell out and I ended up losing the pregancy at 21 weeks - about 6 days after my US. Not meaning to be an alarmist here but I would not ever second guess your instincts - and don't worry at all about over-reacting...especially while you are still so early in your pregnancy. Do what you can to minimize any intense activity and put your feet up as often as you can - at least for another 10 weeks.
Good luck and enjoy the rest and relaxation while you can!

[Kotena]

Thanks all for our input.
I do listen to myslef very closely. I am only trying to get some idea if this happenned to anybody else.
I had tightening for one day and the next day i called Ob and was admittd to hospital (i.e. I do not think I tolerated it too long or was neglecting them as prior posters assumed). In the hospital they did US and found cervix long and closed. in three days I again saw the OB and she did manual check of the cervix, it was still tight. She ordered me to go for another US which is this Monday. So far I am staying home, have terbutaline about every 12-15 hours (the OB said as needed). I just do not feel comfortable having those BH.

[bigmaman]

Glad you're feeling better; hope that all continues to go well.

[Anonymous]

i am the OP. I just wanted to see any good stories of women on terbutaline and delivering at term..... Anyone here??