Preterm Labor!!! =( - Edinburg,TX

Updated on September 27, 2010
S.R. asks from Edinburg, TX
9 answers

Moms,
Im 27 weeks today. Yesterday night I went to the ER. because my I hadn't felt my baby move all day. Well, it turns out the baby is fine, and I started feeling her around 12:20 PM. I had stopped feeling her around 11:00 the night before, so it was 24 hours that I didn't feel her move. Anyways, we were monitoring her and she did move, quite a bit, the thing is I was having contractions!!!! Can you believe it??? 2-3 mins. I wasn't in any pain or anything. So anyway, they gave me some medication to stop the contractions, and sent me home, on bedrest. My question is, have any of you been through something like this? Also, what exactly is bedrest?, According to the instructions I have, I cant drive, exercise, lift anything more than 10 pounds, etc? But does that mean, I have to stay home, or can I go to the office (I dont do much at the office) . I'm worried and confused, any experiences and insight will be really helpful. Thanks Moms!!

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K.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Stay in bed all weekend with lots to drink and bananas and orange juice etc... that is just in case the contractions were brought on by dehydration which is absolutely possible with as hot as it has been. You can get up and go to the bathroom but other than that allow your body to rest and rehydrate. Call your dr. on Monday and clarify with them what you will need to do next. I had 4 children and 3 out of the 4 were early. With my daughter (my last) I was in bed on bedrest by week 26 - she came to join us at week 33. You have to know that God is in control of your situation. He will take care of both of you! I will be praying for you guys!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

Call your OB and talk to them. They should have a report of your ER visit in your file and can tell you exactly what you can/can't do.

Be sure to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK!!! Staying well hydrated will help to avoid contractions due to dehydration. And listen to doctor's orders...27 wks is too early to deliver if you can help it!

GOOD LUCK!!!

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A.H.

answers from New York on

bed rest.. is sitting or lying on the coach... no work... it's time to take off... don't do stairs.. stay rested as much as possible.. no walks.. you can sit outside in a chair.. just totally relax.. good luck.. !!!! keep the baby safe.. stay home... and be good... just relax... have someone come visit & bring you lunch....

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I agree with the PP--call YOUR OB and get specific information. Good luck! Sending prayers!

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S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

REST REST REST!

I am currently on bed rest after being hospitalized for a week with pre term contractions at 24 weeks. I have been taking Procardia (Nifedipine) ever since. You really need to talk with your OBGYN to clarify what type of bed rest he/she wants you on. (modified, strict etc). He/She will explain all you need to know. Do not guess. Err on the side of caution and do less.

From the sounds of it, you probably will not be allowed to go to work. I wasn't, and all I do is sit at my desk and do contract work. My instructions sounded just like yours (no driving, lifting more than 10lbs, can be up 4 hours per day total, no more than 30 minutes at a time, etc). I have been working from home for months. You need to make sure you rest as much as possible and drink TONS of water. I cannot stress to you enough how important both things are. If you start to feel contractions, drink a glass or two of water and lay on your left side. In fact, you should try to lay on your left side most of the day. It is best for circulation. The doctor should give you instructions on when too many contractions are not ok and should be reported (ie more than 4 in an hour, I was told to go to hospital, BUT your instructions may be different - call your doctor).

Bed rest is hard....but it is so worth it in the end. I can't do laundry, cook dinner or otherwise do all of the things I used to do. I have had to rely on others for help. It has been very difficult, but I know I have to do it.

Feel free to private message me if you need advice or anything at all.

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J.M.

answers from Odessa on

During my pregnancy with my now 4yo, I was prescribed modified bedrest when I was 8 weeks into the pregnancy. I was able to sit up to eat, sit at a reclined postion to watch tv, walk from sofa to my bed, get a glass of water, get up for bathroom visits as needed and a quick shower every day. I attended Dr. appointments in a wheelchair.

At 16 weeks I was put on strict bedrest and I was restricted to my bed or sofa in a full horizontal position. I was only allowed a quick shower every other day and I was able to get up to go to the bathroom when needed (the hospital required me to use a bedpan). I had to eat in a semi reclined position and I could not get myself a drink. To watch tv, I had to stay in a horizontal position with my head and shoulders elevated with only a pillow.

With my twins pregnancy, I was put on strict bedrest at 27 weeks. I was hospitalized for a week of it and they actually elevated my feet above my head. It was VERY difficult. Try peeing in a bedpan in that position! NOT fun! I was sent home with the same strict orders of the previous pregnancy.

Bedrest is not for sissies! It's hard and it's exhausting (go figure that one out). It's hard on your relationship with your spouse and if you have other children, hard on them as well. I had the privelege of having a caregiver for me and my kids. To get us all through it, I had the power of prayer and my friends and church family bringing food and other neccessities. My church came every week and prayed with us and brought communion. I don't know how we would have gotten through it without such support.

In summary, Bedrest is exactly what it implies: Staying in the bed. It means you may not go to the office or grocery store. If your physician has prescribed complete bed rest, this means you may not leave the horizontal position. If he has prescribed modified bed rest, you may sit in a semi reclined postion, getting up for a quick daily shower and bathroom visits. Generally, depending on your reason for pre term labor, bed rest also means sex is off limits.

I I really think you need to contact your physician and get a very detailed explanation of his prescription for bedrest. You are not only responsible for your own health and safey but that precious little one inside. Don't take chances. Babies that are born too early, most of the time, struggle to stay alive and often times actually do only to have liflelong struggles with development.

This is a difficult time for you, I know. But it's so important to keep that little one developing in the safety of your womb for as long as possible. You can do this!

Godspeed!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Austin on

Like everyone is saying, check with your doctor, but if you can't drive I would imagine sitting at a desk is not a good idea.

Recline and relax. Rent some movies or DVR a bunch. Figure out what times of the day you are getting restless and you are tempted to get up from the bed or sofa. Then put on a movie and relax.

If anyone offers to help with something, take them up on it! If you feel bad asking people to do something in particular, then ask them if they would prefer to cook a meal, pick up some take-out for you, get some groceries, give you a pedicure, come and sit with you and chat, etc. Have a list handy of how people can help.

Take care of that baby. The longer you can keep it from coming the better. Just be sure to enjoy this time. Don't let it become stressful. Just remind yourself that you are a queen and deserve the special treatment!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from San Antonio on

I believe there are different stages of bed rest. You probably want to get with your doctor to find out the real answer. Only between you and your doctor will you be able to determine what your body can handle at this point. Hope all goes well.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

this is definatly a question for your doctor. good luck with your new baby. hope everything goes great for you.

1 mom found this helpful
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