When I was pregnant with my son I went into preterm labor twice. Once at 26 weeks and again at 31 weeks. The doctors stopped labor both times with drugs and hydration. They never found the cause. Something about an irratable uterus. I have endometeriosis so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Anyhow. At 38 weeks I went in for my regular weekly checkup to find out I was dialated to 6 but was not in labor. I was admitted and the doctor broke my water my labor only lasted 1 hour and 20 min. from first contraction to last push. Anyhow now that I am pregnant I am scared that if I do go into preterm labor I won't make it to the hospital an hour away for them to stop it. Anyone have experience like mine. I wonder if this will be considered high risk because of my history. I am also still working.
The human body is a miraculous thing. You said your son was born with a congenital defect. Possibly your body was telling you this with preterm labor. Nature's survival of the fittest.But with the slight possibility that it should happen again I think you will have plenty of time to get to the hospital/doctor to stop labor. Think positive.
First off congrats! I too was terrified of having mine at home. I have 5 and my longest labor was 5 hours. My 4th baby the labor was 2 hours and I was all ready but my water hadn't broken when we got to the hospital. My water broke as the doc walked into the room and I was pushing RIGHT after and boom. So with my 5th I was terrified of how fast he'd come. And my labor started with my water breaking with him! We were all scared we'd be delivering in the car as we are 20 minutes from the hospital and the 4th birth was on our mind since my water broke first. But I made it. I hope you have people lined up, someone to care for your little one at home and someone to take you if your husband may not be home at the time. I had preterm labor with 3 of the 5, all of mine were early, 2 considered premies. An hour away is a bit scarier. Listen to your body (my 4th I was in labor for 2 hours at home and kept saying it was false and had a gallon of water to drink--summer baby--next to me trying to stop it). I finally gave up and went in and it was real labor. I found every pregnancy and every labor of my own were all different. I know each woman is different but I thought my own would be more similar. GOOD LUCK!!!
I just had my second child I had alot of problems with both pregnancies. Needless to say they couldn't stop my preterm labor. My daughters where both born around 30 weeks. I can tell you that you should ask to be seen by a pernatal specialist. They are located in most of the hospitals. I dont know where you live but the phone number to the ones in the Methodist Hospital is ###-###-####. They can give you the number to one that is closer to you. I knew that they were not going to be able to help me go longer with my second one because of what is wrong with me but they had the means to make sure that my baby was health when she came out. She was born almost 3 weeks ago and is doing wonderfully. I will be able to bring her home from the hospital around May 12th.
Hope that you are able to find a good doctor and enjoy your pregnancy. Its hard when you are worring the whole time.
B.
Mother of Mika 2 years old, Taya 2 weeks old
wheni was pregnant with my twins, i had a couple of episodes where i would have horrible contractions and i would go into the doctor and they woudl monitor me. while they did that, they gave me tons of water. i would suggest that this timearound, drink lots of water to begin with and it might not be as bad. i am 36 weeks pregnant right now and have had one episode of contractions-real ones, not braxton hicks- and all i did was recline and drink 40 oz of water. after about 30 minuted they stopped and everything has been fine since then, my doctor tells me, because i drink so much water. and if it really bothers you, talk to your doctor about it to try and come up with a plan. i find that when something worried me like you are woried about this, it always seems easier to get through with a plan laid out. plus you might not have any preterm labor this time around because every pregnancy is different. good luck andi hope everything works out!!!
T.
