Hi mamas,
I'm 36 weeks pregnant and contracting. I spent the night in the hospital a few days ago because they were 1 1/2 to 2 min. apart, but I'm not dialting. They finally got them to slow down after three different meds and almost 24 hours, so they let me go home. I'm on meds and bedrest but the contractions are still coming. Not really that painful, but not comfortable either. We have a wonderful support system and my doctor's already answered all my questions, but I was hoping some of you who have gone through this (contracting for days/weeks before birth) could share your stories. I need some encouragement right now, because I am frustrated with having to sit all day.
I am a midwife. What you have is an irritable uterus. Drink a glass of wine and take a warm bath. The wine will relax the uterus because it is a big muscle. There is nothing wrong with drinking a little alcohol and it is better for you than the drugs. We have mom's do this all the time. It works and typically when labor kicks in again it is the real thing and is productive.
Lisa
I had a beautiful baby girl @ 36.6 weeks. After having pre term labor at 33 weeks, I was given the proper drugs to stop the contractions, and also given steroids for the development of her lungs in the case that she really wasn't going to wait. I had frequent, not painful contractions on and off for a few weeks, I went in to see my doctor and I was 5 centimeters and I had no idea I never had hard core contractions. At 37 weeks you're considered full term and most docs will not stop labor in that case. You may go early. Next week when you reach 37, talk a long walk, and have some sex since you're already in the bed! lol
I had strong Braxton Hicks with all three of my pregnancies starting around 5 months and getting uncomfortable around 8 months. At almost 35 weeks, I went to the hospital with my first thinking that it was labor, they sent me home and he ended up coming a week later. I had always heard that when you go into labor, you would know. Well, they induced with #2, so didn't have to worry about "knowing", and with #3, boy were they right!!! You will definitely "know" when it's time. When you get to the point that you can't sleep through them and can't walk through them, then you know it's really time. At least that was the case with me. And yes, I did unfortunately have contractions for weeks, and it brought much anxiety, especially with the first. Try, try, try to relax (I agree with Momof3girls, have a glass of wine and a nice warm bath), get as much rest and quiet time as you can. In a few days or weeks, all that stops abruptly!! And CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
The contractions can be caused by many factors, but one very common, easily treated one is dehydration. Drinking lots and lots of water made a huge difference in the frequency of contractions during my second pregnancy (which was 40 wks and 2 days!) following a scare at 33 weeks sending me to the hospital. (Baths with Epsom Salts are great too, just stay aware of any sensation that might indicate your water has broken.)
You're close to sittin pretty at 36 weeks though, so try to relax as much as possible & know the discomfort is worth it! <3
btw: Not presuming that you haven't - and I know nothing of your personal situation - but just in case: it might be worth it to you to do some due diligence work on being given tocolytics after 34 or 36 weeks...ijs. The glass of wine instead of drugs is spot on!!
I had my 3rd son at 36 1/2 weeks. I think some hospitals won't let Dr induce or do C secs earlier than 38 weeks unless emergency. I had contractions for weeks befor I went into labor but they were sporatic. Hang in there your little bundle will be here before you know it. Why do you have to be on bed rest though? I know anytime before 37 weeks is considered premature but your baby would survive at 36 weeks. My friend was on bedrest last year and we spent a lot of time on the phon together..she also was on the computer a lot. Good Luck and congrats
the end of the 36th week si considered term. So really you are just a few days away from that. Term births that happen naturally ie mom goes into labor have great outcomes. If they are even a few days off you are probably already there.
Did he check for any secondary causes? Like bladder infection or yeast infection?
I spent a night in the hospital at 28 weeks. Yeast infection was caught and treated. Every NST caught contractions. My doc at 34 said the outcomes are so good by then they were not worried. She decided her timer dinged at 38 weeks. Very healthy and way ahead of milestones at every appointment. 20 months are really very ahead on the vocabulary
It's ok to have your baby at 36 weeks. I was induced at 36 weeks with my daughter and had my boys one at 35 and the other at 34 weeks. Good luck I know bed rest is no fun.
My youngest was taken C section at 36 weeks. He was ready to be born. Everything was fine and you are just right there. Things will be fine for you and the baby at this point. Taking a warm bath is an excellent idea because the stress is probably keeping the contractions going. Make sure someone is around if you need assistance.
I was in latent labor for 4 wks with my son. My contractions were very painful but I wasn't progressing. At 38 wks 4 days my water broke at home. I took a shower, put in a load of laundry, even mopped the floor that my water broke on and then we headed to the hospital. I was 4 cm when I checked into the hospital at 5:30 PM and 12 hrs later I was full dilated.
I wouldn't be too concerned with being 36 wks, most babies at that point don't require any NICU time and are perfectly healthy and discharged from the hospital without any extended stay.
