Preterm Labor Symptoms

Good question. I'm not sure because (as my OB put it) many of the symptoms of PTL are similar to just normal pregnancy stuff.

The only thing I really remember noticing when I went into labor at 25 weeks is that I just felt crappy. I had gone out to lunch with my mom, and I remember thinking "geez, I wonder if the dressing on that sandwich was bad" because I felt like I wanted to vomit. I just felt nauseous and couldn't really pinpoint a problem other than that lunch hadn't agreed with me.

I got in the car with my mom to go back to her house, a couple of hours away and I do remember moving around a lot because my back was aching - it was only later that I found out these were probably contractions. I figured it was from sitting in the car for so long.

I finally realized there was an issue when I went to the bathroom and there was a lot of blood. I rushed to the hospital and found out I was dilated to 3 and having contractions every 5 minutes.

Not sure how helpful that was but I thought I would pass along how I felt before I went into labor. Like I said, they are somewhat normal pregnancy symptoms but when you put them all together (and realize that they are related) it can equal PTL.
I kick myself all the time for not realizing it sooner. If I had gotten checked out when I first felt bad, maybe they could have stopped my labor. I guess there is no looking back though....

Good Luck with your pregnancy and hopefully you never need to know what i told you!

-Jackie

Beystar;

I also have an incompetent cervix (I wish they could come up with a better name...) and PCOS which also doesn't help. My warning signs were not glamorous so please excuse my descriptions. Some of the symptoms that I had was:

* Mucous like discharge (not clear...yellowish)

* Cramping (felt like I had to go #2 but couldn't go)

* Exhausted.... extremely tired (this is hard to gage because when you are pregnant you get tired a lot, but this was more than usual).

* Finally, I was fully lactating (milk shooting out of my chest about 1 1/2 weeks before my water broke).

The biggest thing I didn't do was trust my instincts. I would call my former OB/GYN with symptoms and they would pass them off as normal. So push the doctors and nurses until you feel satisfied that they have done their due diligence. Also, not sure if you are seeing a Peri Dr or Maternal Fetal Specialist, but I would recommend you seeing one for a second opinion. If you do have the baby early and are put in a Stage 3 or 4 hospital, you will need their expertise.

Hope I didn't scare you...just know I would have loved the honesty with my last pregnancy.

Wendy

This is excatly the stuff I want to hear. Id rather be overly reactive to any little symptom, than to think everythings ok.
There is talk of stitching my cervix...but since I have the b/u there are other risks associated with that. (

Like the others said the symptoms can be tough. I did have spotting early on and it continued until I lost my daughter. Not a lot though. Just a small amount here & there I did go in and get checked out every week.

The days leading up to my loss.

Mucas discharge.
I noticed small amount of leaking. Not a lot just a small amount here and there. Just thought it was an increase in discharge but it was more fluid like.
I had some tightening - did not feel like contractions
My baby felt like a tight ball.
I noticed a few days before my milk had come in.
The day I found out my water bag had a small tear I also felt really tired and run down where I had to nap. Just exhausted.

I hope this helps. Thinking of you, Dina

Definitely have them do the cerclage if the risks are not too high. I guess you have to way the risks with the b/u. I didn't have one last time and my cervix (being incompetent) opened (hence the 27 weeker...my placenta also ruptured though which was a mess also). This time, I had one done at 15 weeks and I am now at 30 weeks and 4 days...I have been on bed rest for the past 4 weeks, but the stitch is still in. BTW, I think the longer they wait to do the cerclage the less effective it is (not sure...).

Best of luck and happy baking!

Wendy

I wish I knew I about this site with my first son...if I only knew the things that I learned on the fly with my preemie before or even the coping aspect after, I think it would have helped me heal better.

The women, stories, and experiences are amazing...real...and comforting.

its easy looking back to think, hmm i wonder... but at the time like everyone else said it jsut seems like normal preg, stuff! Loking back here were some things i remember from the last week before zach was born

3 days before he was born i was having really bad back pain. really bad, it hurt to stand up. however we were at a baseball game, in the end of july and it was 103 outside, so i jsut thought it was from being outside in the heat.

also i did, the last day or so before he was born, have the feeling that i had to #2 also, and either nothing or diarreah (sorry but its what happened)

also i had a little bit more discharge, a little yellow, but not too much, pretty pale yellow. i remember asking my dr about taht earlier in pregnancy and he said it was normal, so i didnt think anything of it until after he was born.

hope it helps... i know next time i will be most definatley looking into things more! like anything that hapens!!

good luck!! i hope you make it a full 9 months!!

I have to say looking back the only thing that I do remember was also an incerased amount of clear discharge. I remember thinking it was weird but I had always heard pregnant women can get alot of that so I brushed it off. Maybe I confused the feeling of pressure with having to pee. I was in a rush to get home to pee, I felt like I was going to wet my pants. THat is when my water broke.

Good luck.

I remember lots of just pressure on my cervix, like the baby was low. Lots of mucus/discharge sometimes thin and yellow, other times thicker. I would say pay attention to all things coming out. Good luck.

The week before the baby came, I also had clear fluid like discharge. My friend said it gets to be more as your pregnancy goes on so I didn't think of it. There was also very little mucus like discharge every so often. My doctor said it was ok as long as it wasn't a lot. The day of her birth, I had a feeling everytime I got up that the baby was moving down. I had to take a breath each time. I look back now and think I was having contractions. Since she started moving a couple days before, I thought that was all it was. Good luck with your pregnancy and don't ever be afraid to go to the doctor!

Hi, this is my 4th pregnancy my 1st~ daughter born at 34 weeks spent 1 day in NICU, the 2nd I lost at 7 weeks, 3rd at 36 weeks pretty smooth and he was very healthy. This time around I am 37 and at 18 weeks having major contractions that are 20 min apart and last from 5- 10 minutes. I went to my ob and she said that I was dilated and sent me to a high risk dr which put me on albuterol for reducing contractions.... no relief yet but I am praying!he said that my cervix was open at the tip but then curves in and is touching. He is very well respected world renowned. I sometimes feel like this little girl is trying to push her way into the world. I have a great deal of scar tissue so I am experiencing a great deal of pain as everything is growing and pulling. Has anyone had a lot of pain and contractions and put on albuterol? My regular ob suggested the cerclage but he said he wanted to try albuterol, and maybe pegesterone next he feels like I can make it to 30 weeks, worried this is so very different than the other pregnancies. she stays low and there is so much pressure on my tailbone even.

When I found out that I was pregnant in July, I was diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus. I was told that this may lead to preterm labor. Little did I know that the preterm labor would happen at 22 weeks. So on Thanksgiving evening, while on vacation, I ended up in the hospital and my water sack had dropped. After calling a perinatal specialist, the doctor told me that eventually that night my water would break and I would go into labor and deliver the baby. Apparently my cervix had opened (incompetent cervix) and I was about to deliver what would normally have been a healthy baby girl. Nevertheless I went into labor and as soon as I gave birth, my baby girl died. Marley Florence was a beautiful, perfect little angel who never got a chance to live. I am heartbroken over this. Especially when I find out that most women with bicornuate uterus usually do end up with incompetent cervix. I am told that next time around I will have a cerclage done at 13 to 14 weeks. My question is this....Why wasn't this done in the first place?????

My sincere sympathy for the loss of your baby. The March of Dimes has information about grief and loss on our Web site that may help you during this difficult time: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/572.asp

We also have an article on incompetent cervix that may answer some of your questions. Here's the link: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_20201.asp

I encourage you to ask your health care providers all the questions you have.

Thinking of you,
Pam
Education Department
March of Dimes

My lower back hurt really bad and I felt really constipated, but that was the pressure from being in labor. I never thought that could be it. I am wondering too what other ones may be i am 26 weeks now at risk with a dynamic and incomp cervix and tonight I felt like I was having contractions, it's scary...

My first was born at 35 weeks with RDS. He is 2 now and I am 32 weeks preg with my 2nd. This baby has been head down since 6 months. I was in the hospital Tuesday with preterm labor and am on Procardia to control the contractions. I am only 1cm dialated and the baby is very low. The first simptoms I had, and kinda ignored, was a menstral cramp-like feeling. That was several hours before I felt him drop lower and the contractions began. I had contractions for several hours before I finally went in. I was in 2 weeks earlier for increased pelvic pressure and they said it was normal. I heard them talking about me saying, "Your just pregnant". Didn't make me feel like going back. My doctor gave me an off work order now, so i am taking it easy, but I doubt I will carry full term. I am greatful for every day he's still in, because each day makes a difference with these fragile little babies.

am also very scared this time, my son was born at 22 weeks and his lungs were premature and he never got to take a breath. I am pregant agin and at 13 week my doctor out in a cercloge and everything went well i am now 19 almost 20 weeks and i am having a lot of presure down realy low! And just went to the bathroom and had a lot of white discharge more than normal. And the baby has not moved too much today. I have not got a snon yet they wanted to wait till i was 22 weeks cuz that is when things went wrong lkast time. And my doctor said not to worry unless i bleed but i cant help it should i call them?? to see what to do, or am i just a worry wort???????

thanks jessica

Absolutely, positively call your doctor. YOU know your body! Your doctors are paid to manage YOUR care and take care of YOUR baby. When in doubt - call!

Please let us know how it turns out - will be thinking about you.

Kara

Hi!
My daughter was born at 25 weeks and I did know something was wrong. The pains I experienced where similar to GI cramping, in fact I thought at first that I had a GI bug and that I was going to have diarrhea. However, the cramps where cyclic and coming about every 5-10 minutes. The night before I had bad leg pains and lots of "braxton-hicks" contractions. Just listen to your body carefully and never be afraid to call your doctor or go in to be checked. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Good luck!
Cheri

Dear All:

Hi ladies, my name is Maris and this is the first time I am posting on here. I hope to gain some comfort and support to deal with my anatomical issues.

I have a such a long pregnancy history that I have accumulated in such a short time.

I got pregnant with my first baby when I was 23 and I ended up losing it due to sever amniotic band syndrome. That was a complete nightmare. I was told my high risk dr that that is not hereditary and is so rare it is highly unlikely for it to reoccur in subsequent pregnancies.

Well with my high hopes and determination, I tried to get pregnanct right away and successfully my husband and I were expecting a month later.

Everything was going well until I started bleeding worse than a period, but with no pain or anything. I was originally diagnosed with a subchrionic hematoma, but soon after I found out that I have a bicornuate uterus. I was informed by my OB that I was at risk for pre-term labor and possibly a c-section, but I was not given any ither information. I thought to myself "oh, I won't go into PTL".... little did I know.

During my 2nd pregnancy I was seeing a peri regularly due to my past history. At my 26 wk check up they noticed that my cervix was completely effaced and I was 2 cm dilated, which a major suprise considering that at my 20 wk check up it was normal and nothing was presenting itself.

She asked me if I was feeling contractions and I explained no not at all. She immediately prescribed strict bed rest and steroid shots to help mature my son's lungs. I remained on strict bed rest from that time on and on Christmas day (about 4 weeks later) @ 30 wks I went into labor. I started to feel this weird sensation that kept coming and going. I thought it was something GI related, but eventually I realized it was not going away and something just wasn't right. I went to hospital and they found out that I was definitely in labor. What a surprise to me!!

They put my on Procardia first, but my heart rate and BP responding negatively to that, so after some time of being on that drug they switched me to Magnesium sulfate. I couldn't be placed on that for more than 24 hrs and some time after that was discontinued the contractions returned but even stronger. Hours later I delivered a 3 lb 7 oz boy. He stayed in the NICU for about 5 wks and just came home 2 weeks ago.

Thanks be to God that he is doing absolutely wonderfully!!!

It has now become apparent from this experience that they think I have an Incompetent Cervix, and I am a little disappointed since I would have figured that my OB and peri would be more watchful and aware of that being a risk with the bicornuate uterus. I was not aware of that until now of being a risk nor usually associated with it. I was dx with bicronuate uterus very early in my pregnancy at 8-9 wks. Maybe placing a cerclage in then would have prolonged my delivery.. who knows.

I have since then switched OB and this doctor is the one who told me about the cerclage and progesterone shots for the future. I know I just had a baby, but I can't help from worrying and being concerned abotu my future. I would like to have more babies, but I am scared.

I wish I could find comfort in knowing that if I am given the cerclage and progesterone shots that I will be able to make it a little further in the future.

Has anyone had a cerclage placed in in subsequent pregnancies and had a better outcome than without it. Putting a cerclage in is controversial especially among OB's. Any information and experiences you ladies have with provide me with some comfort.

I am very disappointed that my past OB didn't take the time to explain this situation to me thoroughly nor did he seem to know the risk of the IC, which apparently is a major issue for me now that this has happened. I am not sure I have a true IC or what exactly is the case, but regardless I premature dilated and effaced withouth contractions.

I appreciate all your comments and support. I wish all you the best. Thank you.
Sincerely, Marisa

Hi my 17yo daughter is almost 24wks pregnant. She has been having contractions off and on since 19 wks. She has a bicournate uterus and tachycardia. This week we have been to the hospital 2x. First time she had been having contractions for 3days but we were told it was ok as long as their were less than 6 per hour. We then went in because they increased and had been for 3 days. The did a Urinalysis and said she had a bladder infection. She was examined by a medical student I believe it was her first time. No other provider examined her to check that it was an appropriate assessment. We were sent home with antibiotics and not further info except that she has an irritable uterus. Tonight we went in because she is feeling the baby real low and she has had contractions all day atleast 4 per hour and she is feeling a wierd sensation in your vagina. We were told that they could not do anything because she was not having any further symptoms and we were sent home. I am now angry and frustrated. I am VERY Concerned and want to prevent her from having a premie. With a Bicournate Uterus can you have contractions without the cervix changing ? Or is it more likely that the cervix is changing but we just have not gone into full labor at this point.
Should we go back? BARBIE

Barbie, I'm sorry to hear of your daughters troubles. I would definitely be very persistant about her care. Is there another hospital near by that she could be assessed at? Keep going back if you feel something isn't right. You are dealing with the life and well being of this baby... DON'T GIVE UP!

Please keep us posted!

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I'm sorry for the troubles your daughter is having. Given how early she is, I'd request to see her OB the next time you have to go in......that is what he is there for.

Shonda