PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for September, 1999: Re: 33 weeks on 5mg of brethine every 4 hours

Re: 33 weeks on 5mg of brethine every 4 hours

From: GT

anonymous@obgyn.net

Thu, 2 Sep 1999 18:02:30 -0500 (CDT)

I was put on Brethine 2.5mgs at 17 weeks due to painfull contractions. I took it every 6 hours. It really helped me and I would take it on an as needed basis. As my pregnancy progressed at around say 28 weeks they kicked in more and I was put on 5mgs every 4 hours. The only draw back of this med is it will increase your heartrate, make you very shakey and it just messes with you, but I will help if your feeling some pain with the contractions. One thing I had found on a routine ultrasound was my amniotic fluid was somewhat low and my doc said possibly due to the brethine.. I stopped taking it (not with his advice, nor did I tell him) and my fluid did increase. I would suggests listening to your doc and taking the meds. At least till you reach a safe 36 weeks.. thats where I am at. Anyhow when you take it you need to drink a large glass of water with each pill, be sure to keep hydrated and drink lots of water.

As far as side effects on the baby, I have not heard of any and its used alot throughout the US, the only thing is its somewhat controvercial as some say the oral form of the drug does not really work, the pump or IV is much more effective.. at least try it out and see if it helps you. IF they tell you bedrest.. do it! I was on partial and I feel it made me go this long. Hang in there and best of luck.

At Tue, 31 Aug 1999, dia wrote: >
>When I was 32 1/2 weeks I went to a routine doctors' appointment, to
>find out that my cervix has started thinning. I had been experiencing
>pain in my lower stomach but because I had a scheduled c-section the
>first time around I was not very familiar with contractions. So he
>immediately sent me to the hospital to be monitored. I was released and
>told to stop working and go on bedrest. I was also prescribed 5mg of
>Brethine every 4 hours. Is it my imagination or is that a lot? I am
>also curious about the effects of this medication. Will I immediatley
>go into labor after I stop it? Will it affect my unborn child? Is bed
>rest really necessary?

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