Yesterday my little princess had me in Labor & Delivery for most of the day. I've been really sick the past few days and didn't really think anything of it when I started getting cramping Tuesday night. I had been coughing & sneezing like no other, so I figured all my insides were just getting irritated. Unfortnately that "cramping" lasted all night long. It started about 7 o'clock and kept through the night. I couldn't get comfortable, let alone sleep. I called my midwife's office and talked to a nurse who put us through to L&D. I told the nurse there all my symptoms and she just told me to keep drinking more liquids (which I had been doing for the past 2 days, non-stop) and to take a warm shower. I had an appointment with my midwife for 10 on Wednesday, so I figured I'd be able to just wait until I saw her.

So on Wednesday after little sleep, I go on over to my midwife's office, still having "cramping" this entire time. I get to the office, get weighed by a new nurse (who says with a smile on her face "wow, you've gained quite a bit of weight". Thank you, that is exactly what a cranky preggo would love to hear from a stick-thin nurse!). I told my midwife my symptoms and she said that I qualified for a pelvic exam (goodie!). So she checks me and tells me that everything looks fine, that my cervix is long and closed. She also decides to test me for Fetal Fibronectin. But all during the exam I'm still feeling this cramping. She asked me to describe the cramping and I tell her that it just seems constant, but that they build in intensity, but then go back down. She informs me that this doesn't sound like cramping, but like contractions. She decides to send me over to the hospital to be monitored.

I get to the hospital, go up to L & D and then get told I need to go back down to the lobby to be admitted. I still do not understand why they would send someone in possible pre-term labor down to admittance, to wait for an HOUR! But that is a whole different story. Finally (after forever), I get admitted and go back up to L&D where they put me in a room and hook me up to the fetal heart monitor and the contraction monitor. They monitored me for about an hour and the nurse comes back and tells me that yes, I am definately having contractions. They are too severe though and are sporadic. She talked to my midwife and they decide I need a shot of terbutaline. I'm given the shot and told to drink lots of liquids. One nurse ended up bringing me lunch too, which looked horrible. So she ended up getting me a burrito. That terbutaline shot made me all jittery and shaky, so the food definately helped. I wait for another hour and a half and the nurse comes back and tells me that I'm still having contractions (which I knew). The contractions were actually getting worse. They had moved into my back and were just more intense. So they decide to start me on an IV, thinking that they contractions might be from being dehydrated and they also have me turn and lay on my side. They have a new nurse put the IV in. She claims I have wiggly veins, all I know is that it was the most painful IV I ever had. It didn't go in so then I had to get poked again (this time by a IV pro). The IV was one of the weirdest sensations ever! But it seemed to do the trick. After about 10 minutes with the IV my contractions seemed to be gone. I finished up my IV and got regative results back from the Fetal Fibronectin test, which was a definate relief. So they decided that, I should be good to go home, as long as I was taking it easy. I was still having contractions, but they were definately less intense and weren't coming as often.

So I've been home since about 3 yesterday. Still no explanation why I was having contractions. They lasted for about another 2 hours after I got home, but I haven't had one since. They told me to just take it easy and not go to work. It was quite a scary event that has made me realize I am NOT ready AT ALL. I told Tatum she's grounded to her room until at least the beginning of May. I really hope that was just a one-time thing because I don't think I can handle being put on bedrest. I'm taking antibiotics and a cough medicine with codeine, which has definately helped my bronchitis. So that's my eventful past few days.

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So sorry that you're having contractions already, but hope little Tatum stays put for several more weeks for you!

Take it easy and forget about cleaning, working, etc!!!

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OH WOW....I am sorry you have gone through all that girly!!!! I hope you feel better soon and that the contractions stay away!!!!

I think I am having issues deciphering between contractions and cramping. This first time mom things is so hard!!!! I have my appointment on Tuesday and I have a feeling I will be told no more work as the days (I have cut way back) I do go in I have really bad nights of pain and have almost gone to the hospital.

REST up and keep us posted on how you are doing!!!! HUGS

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Amanda, James & Sweet Mackenzie

7/17 -3rd Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
8/07 femara & ovidrel First Cy..... 8/24/07
(After trying for 6 years on and off)

I definately have a hard time deciphering betweens contractions and cramping. I think what tipped my midwife off was when I said they would increase in intensity for a few moments and then would go back down. They told me to time them, but to me the pain was constant, not anything that could be timed when they started or when they stopped.

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you had scary days!! Hope your little princess stay put in her room and don't give mommy another scary!!! And everyone said, just try to rest don't think about work or anything else!

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Celina

Oh my goodness I'm glad things are getting better for you now. *hugs* on a rough couple of days.

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Lily-Elise, May 6 2008

well hope all is better and the contractions go away. What an ordeal. Take it easy.

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Oh man, that is so scary. I am so glad you got checked out by such a great midwife who took things seriously. Glad your little sweetie calmed down and I hope she stays "grounded" until you are ready for her! Try to take it easy as much as you can. ((((Hugs)))) I am so glad you and baby are okay!

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Ann-Marie

O no! Im sorry you had a scare. Im so glad the contractions have eased up for you. I hope you feel better soon!!

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Dh Jason
My babies...
Katherine Elizabeth 6/04/04
Samuel Lee 5/04/05 (our son with God)
Griffin Michael 04/13/06
Harrison Gabriel 04/27/08



BabyLinq.com ~ Preemie Store - Hospital NICU
SAFE to going home.

Sorry you had such a biig scare. You tell Tatum we said she needs to behave herself for a few more months. I hope you feel better soon.

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OMG you poor thing! What are we going to do about these princesses when we have to "ground" them already?

Here's wishing for Tatum to stay put....


Hopefully it is all related to the dehydration from the bronchitis and will resolve quickly,

My Mom has described contractions as the worst cramps you ever had with your period, and the start and stop. Sounds like that is exactly what you were feeling, so we'll know what to be watching out for. (all us first timers).

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Sarah & Natalie

I'm so sorry you had such a scare Carley! I know 1st hand that preterm contx are not fun...and terbutaline shots are also not the funnest thing in the world either! With Sam I thought that I was contracting every 5 min...turns out it was every 2 min once I was checked out! And I wasn't even a FTM then! I think that it's a hard distinction to make sometimes and that's why it's just better to get checked out...Shame on the L&D nurses for telling you to just stay home and keep drinking fluids after you told them that you HAD BEEN doing that already!

The important thing is that they got you hydrated and got those darn contx to stop. Hopefully this will be the last of the pre-term stuff for you! Rest up and take it easy!

And, Tatum, you stay put Sweetie! Your time will come....in MAY!!!

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Derek (DH), Derek II (DS), Sammy (DS)

Allison Rene
May 13th 2008
7 lbs 6 oz & 20 in long

I am sorry you had such a scary couple of days. I got chills just reading your post. Stay rested and I hope you feel better.

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s I'm sure all the ctx were from dehydration. It's hard to get enough water in on a good day let alone when you aren't feeling well. That is the reason it is dangerous for us to get the flu or any sickness during these last few months. Even being a bit dehydreted, can send us into labor. I had the flu at 36 weeks with Braden, and went into labor at my baby shower ( I was almost over it and starting to feel better or I wouldn't have even went to my shower). Anyway my dr. said she would have stopped it at that point, but she wasn't on call, so the dr on call did give me a shot to stop it. Anyway rest up, and push the fluids (even though I know you were all ready). I'm sure you won't have any more after you are feeling better. As for the ctx. goes, sometimes it's hard for us old pros to tell the diff too. Especially when you add in the BH, and denial that comes later. LOL

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Yikes, Carley - what a scary time! I'm glad the ctx stopped & you are back home. I will be thinking of you & Tatum. You had me laughing w/ her being 'grounded to her room'!
I was feeling like this last night for a couple hours & just when I was thinking it was time to call the Dr. it calmed down. I did just go fill my water glass again, though.

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Wow that was scary. I'm glad you were able to get things looked at and the contractions have stopped. I worry so much also about not being able to distinguish contractions from cramping. I hope you feel better!

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Thanks ladies! No contractions the past 48 hours, so I'm feeling pretty confident that Tatum is staying put. I've been reading more and more about the Fetal Fibronectin test. Since I got a negative reading on that, I'm sure the contrations were just brought on by my coughing & sneezing. I'm still taking it easy and will continue to for the rest of the week.

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Glad she is staying in her room for a while longer! Get some rest...

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I am sorry you had to go through that stress! I am glad you are feeling better and no more contractions. LIttle Tatum is being a good girl and listening to you commanding her to stay in her room! LOL.

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Sorry you had to go through that!
I'm glad to hear that things seem to have settled down though! I hope she stays put for at least eight more weeks!

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