Re: Risk of Preterm Labor?

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• In reply to: Harvey S. Marchbein, MD: "Re: Risk of Preterm Labor?"

>>>3) Would preterm labor contractions be painful unlike the painless
>>>contractions I've experienced so far?
>
>Usually they ARE most painful but this too can vary.
>
>Dr. M

Just a side note: I had preterm labor with my second pregnancy at 32 weeks. What was odd about it was that I was accustomed to pretty intense BH contrax, but these contrax were just sort of mellow. Not painful, and certainly not as tough as the usual BH I'd been getting since 20 weeks. But, when I lay down and drank water, they didn't go away... I had 6-8 an hour for 5 hours, and several calls in to my doctor, before the labor room people told me to come in and get checked just to be on the safe side. It was 2 a.m. and I drove myself, because as I told my husband, "These really are not at all painful or difficult; I doubt it's anything." But when I got in and they monitored me, sure enough, they were real and I was starting to dilate. So they stopped it and put me on Brethine and partial bed rest for 4 weeks. (she was born at 37 1/2 weeks, fine and dandy.) So really it's the frequency you need to be aware of. As Dr. M. said, 3-4 a day is completely normal and you should really only start worrying if you get 4 or more an HOUR for several hours running... and if they don't settle down when you lie down and drink water. You don't have to lie down and drink water every time you feel one Braxton Hicks. Personally, I would never get anything accomplished! I get them ALL THE TIME, at least one an hour, and they are tough ones... make me gasp for breath... but I've been checked and they aren't dilating me.

Good luck!

• Next message: Jackie: "chorioamnioitis"
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• In reply to: Harvey S. Marchbein, MD: "Re: Risk of Preterm Labor?"