"Irritable Uterus" and Anxiety

[cream_city]

I have been having contractions for the last 3-4 weeks, and they are so uncomfortable. My ob checked my cervix yesterday and did the fibronectin test, so I know everything is okay for now. I'm having my cervix checked by u/s on Thursday.

But they are so uncomfortable and come so frequently, I just have trouble believing this doesn't put me at risk for earlier labor.

Any positive stories?

I'm also so stressed right now, I think it's making it worse. I'm actually considering trying to start my leave early by a few weeks. It'd mean taking some unpaid time off though.

[tifttu]

I had uncomfortable contractions with my first starting around week 20. More than once I went to L&D, was given fluids, fibronectin test and once even cortisone and antibiotics because a cervical ultrasound was misread. The scan was read that my cervix was 80% effaced at like 24wks when it really wasn't at all. I was put on bedrest.

Everything made my uterus more irritable so I didn't mind doing nothing. It was to the point that I couldn't walk across my living room without having a contraction. If I went to the bathroom, I couldn't get to the door without having to turn around and go back because the contractions really irritated my bladder too. Anyway, I ended up being induced at 39wks 5 days for chorio. At that time I was 3cm and was 3cm when I went in for the c/s. I don't know if the chorio and irritable uterus were related, but my point is that no, I didn't go into early labor even after I was taken off bedrest. In fact all the pitocin in the world couldn't start my labor.

Thankfully my second had no such issues! I completely understand your fear. I was a total wreck. I hope all goes well for you and I'm so sorry you're suffering with this.

[kohlby]

I was told that I had an "irritable uterus" both when pg with DS and DD. DS was evicted at 42 weeks. DD was born at 41 weeks. The contractions I had didn't make me dilate anymore than usual. I actually wasn't even dilated a fingertip 36 hours before I went into labor with DD. I was only dilated 1cm before the induction with DS at 42 weeks.

I don't know if it's related at all, but I was also told that I had an overextended uterus. Maybe having a larger than normal uterus made me feel the contractions more?

[PSMommy]

Yes I was also told I had an Irritable uterus. I had contractions starting at 14 weeks. I went in L&D when i was 32 weeks, I was 3cm dialiated and they gave me some muscle relaxer and was sent home. She was born only 17 days early (full term) ( I walked around 5cm Dialiated for a few weeks!)

Make sure your drinking enough water and relax (as much as possible)

[lolabear]

i had the same thing and never dilated, i think i have an angry cervix too b/c i never dilate, i had an iud put in and it was so much pain and work to get it open. i ended up with 3 c-section but had a lot of contrax and nothing ever came of it. i was in so much pain with baby #3 that i begged them to move up my c/s date!

[cream_city]

I'm glad to hear that it doesn't lead to preterm labor necessarily. It's so uncomfortable and happens all.the.time.

I didn't have this at all with my son.

I'm thinking about trying to rest for a half hour or so in the afternoons to see if even that little bit of rest will help -- I think how stressed and overextended I am in general is making it worse.

[lolabear]

every pregnancy is different, all 3 of mine were so different! had issues with all of them, but different issues lol

resting should help some, keep hydrated too :)

[Babyblue]

try staying as hydrated as possible, and when the contractions really start to bother you take a nice relaxing warm but not hot bath. this helped calm mine down a lot.

also if its really preterm labor and you get in a tub the contraction wont stop, that will give you a good heads up.

just be on the look out for other signs of labor, loosing your mucus plug, blood or any other fluid leaking. contractions that don't stop and nothing can make you comfortable.

also during my pregnancy I thought I might have broken my water a few times, all but the last it was just a ton of extra fluid. ask your ob for some litmus paper to take home with you, the yellow strip of paper turns dark blue in the presence of amniotic fluid.