[following_faith]

Hi! Brief summary-as some know, I was having pressure and other things going on but when I went to the office on Tuesday for exam, cervix closed and everything fine.

Friday night/Saturday morning I was having pressure again but with a clear discharge with a little bit of pink blood...called, was seen-told not really having contractions but was dilated 1 cm and some effacing. Told to go home, probably just b/c it is a second pregnancy and to call if I have regular contractions or my water breaks.

Tonight (Sunday)-lost more of my plug (been falling out for the past week little by little-which I know is no indicator) but behind it was more blood. Little bit more than last time, but none since then. So I am trying to find out if I am having contractions b/c the pressure is back and I feel a little menstrual.

The problem is I am not sure what I am looking for. My stomach keeps tightening, but I know it could be the baby moving and my stomach tightens all the time, especially when I change position...so how can I tell it is a contraction this early? (32 weeks)

Thanks for any tips!

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by following_faith

The problem is I am not sure what I am looking for. My stomach keeps tightening, but I know it could be the baby moving and my stomach tightens all the time, especially when I change position...so how can I tell it is a contraction this early? (32 weeks)

Thanks for any tips!

I don't know much about it, just wanted to say I'm praying for you! God bless!

[following_faith]

Originally Posted by zoeboboey

I don't know much about it, just wanted to say I'm praying for you! God bless!

Thank you!

[CA CoCoRN]

ummmmm....go to L&D...insist they put you on the monitor for a bit since this situation has been persisting for you. don't be crabby...just reinforce in the nurses mind what you have been telling us here.

Sounds to me, only from what you've said, that you could be beginning preterm labor. I can't diagnose you from miles away, but it seems you've got more going on than "meets the eye".

[canoehead]

I agree. Go and get on the moniter, have another cervical check. You may be having regular contractions that are mild, but who cares how mild they are if they are changing the cervix? Find out if it is continuing to change, and if it is you need to be treated- the baby isn't ready to come out. It's true that perhaps you'll stop at 2cm and that you may still carry to term, but if you delaytreatment to find out by the time they start treating you it may be too late to stop the birth.

[NurseyBaby'05]

I agree. If you are contracting enough to cause cervical changes, you need to get to the hospital/birthing center ASAP to get monitored. Better safe than sorry. Like Canoehead said, it's better to do things preventatively than wind up not being able to stop the birth later. If they do find that you are having pre-term labor, they can give you meds to try to prolong your pregnancy. They can also give you steroids to speed up the development of surfactant in the baby's lungs in case you do wind up giving birth. Please keep us updated. Just my

[following_faith]

Thanks everyone. I called last night because I am required to call before arriving-but they told me (again) not to bother going to the hospital until either my water breaks or I am having regualr contractions. I have an ultrasound on the 4th & they told me to wait until then otherwise!

I was kind of shocked b/c I am trying to figure out why they would want me to wait until labor was well under way when I am not even full term!

[Jolie]

Originally Posted by following_faith

Thanks everyone. I called last night because I am required to call before arriving-but they told me (again) not to bother going to the hospital until either my water breaks or I am having regualr contractions. I have an ultrasound on the 4th & they told me to wait until then otherwise!

I was kind of shocked b/c I am trying to figure out why they would want me to wait until labor was well under way when I am not even full term!

Call your office back NOW and inform them that you insist on being seen, monitored, and examined IMMEDIATELY. If they will not accomodate you, then insist that they refer you to a reputable OB/CNM who will. Mention your "uncle, the malpractice attorney", if necessary, but don't take "No" for an answer. I agree that it is inappropriate to attempt to make a diagnosis over the internet, but I am convinced that you are experiencing preterm labor, which will progress very rapidly to a preterm delivery if not properly managed.

At 32 weeks, a baby is likely to require neonatal intensive care, and is at risk for a number of complications, many of which can be prevented by proper obstetrical management.

If you are indeed experiencing pre-term labor, you won't need your ultrasound appointment on the 4th. You'll be able to see your baby quite clearly thru the walls of an isolette.

PLEASE ACT NOW!

[Jolie]

I forgot to mention that contractions which accompany pre-term labor may never become "regular". They are often described as lower back pain, pain in the thighs, pelvic pressure, or menstrual-like cramps. Many a preemie has been delivered to a mother who NEVER experienced "regular" contractions!

Your doctor and his/her staff have to know this!

If they won't agree to see you, then GO TO THE ER!

[madwife2002]

Just a quick question in US do they do digital cervical exam for a preterm labor, here in UK we dont do that before 37weeks?
I would definately go back and get checked and have a CTG (trace).
Have you had a previous prem labour or is this new to you?

Fingers crossed

Ps have they checked urine for signs of infection as a UTI can often have similar signs in pregnancy as prem labour and you can get tightenings.
Did the same person do the VE, because a 2nd time mums cervix is never tightly shut again.
Also it isnt a post coital bleed is it? (sorry to ask that but it is very common too)