Preterm labor

[cally930]

My daughter is 25 weeks pregnant and her contractions started. She went to the hospital where they said she was dehydrated and her amniotic fluids were very low. However two days before she visited her OB and had a sonogram done and her levels were fine. They were able to stop her contractions with magnesium sulfate. She was on that for 48 hours, took her off, did another sonogram, only to tell her that her levels were fine and are sending her home. I am so, so worried for her because now that they have determined that the person measuring her levels when she first came to the hospital - must have made a mistake - there is no reason to keep her there. But.......... what caused her labor in the first place???? and who is to say that it won't start again?????

Anyone have any thoughts, recommendations, advice??? Anything?

Thanks.

[YorkieRose]

Sending her and the family good thoughts and a prayer...

[dawn27]

I have never personally dealt with such a thing and I'm no doctor.

But you would think in this situation that they prescribed Bed Rest and a visit to her OB asap!

Think happy thoughts and be positive but be prepared for anything ..

[cally930]

Thank you so much guys. She has a 1 and a half year old as well, so I guess I was a little relieved when they first told her that she would have to stay in the hospital till she gave birth - because of the low fluids - because I knew that she would be in bed. Now that they are sending her home - she may not get the rest she needs because of her daughter. I work, her mother-in-law works also, so I don't know what to do. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. So much appreciated.

[Rhetts_mama]

No one really knows what causes labor to begin, so why premature labor happens is still a mystery. Sometimes, illness in the mother can cause contractions. Dehydration can set them off, too. It's great that they were able to stop them with the mag. That's pretty heavy duty stuff, so if she has been able to come off it without the contractions re-occuring it will be better for her. If she does continue to have the contractions and starts having cervical changes, it's likely she will be re-admitted to the hospital. They can start giving steriods to help the baby's lung development speed up.

Fluid levels can change, so the first reading isn't necessarily a mistake. Even two people doing the test the same day can come up with different fluid levels depending on the position of the baby. It's something they will want to continue to watch for the duration of her pregnancy.

They will keep a closer eye on her for contractions from here on out. Often times, mild contractions can be managed at home with a medication like terbutaline. It's normally given every 4-6 hours around the clock. She will probably start requiring more frequent doctor visits, too (if I remember right, I went in every 2 weeks).

I know first hand how tough it is to be at home with pre-term labor hanging over your head while you have kids. I went in to PTL at 24 weeks with my second daughter. I spent a lot of time on a modified bedrest regime. Thankfully, I didn't deliver until 35 weeks after all of those scares.

As hard as this will be on her, please try and convince her that her health and the health of the baby is far more important than the laundry and other house work. I was blessed to have friends who stocked my freezer with enough homemade meals that I could skip cooking several nights each week. Any chance that you and her MIL could arrange something like that? Even having someone come to the house every 2 weeks to do a good house cleaning would be a huge help and blessing while she's dealing with this.

Good luck. I hope all goes well for her and she delivers a healthy, full-term baby.

[cally930]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

No one really knows what causes labor to begin, so why premature labor happens is still a mystery. Sometimes, illness in the mother can cause contractions. Dehydration can set them off, too. It's great that they were able to stop them with the mag. That's pretty heavy duty stuff, so if she has been able to come off it without the contractions re-occuring it will be better for her. If she does continue to have the contractions and starts having cervical changes, it's likely she will be re-admitted to the hospital. They can start giving steriods to help the baby's lung development speed up.

Fluid levels can change, so the first reading isn't necessarily a mistake. Even two people doing the test the same day can come up with different fluid levels depending on the position of the baby. It's something they will want to continue to watch for the duration of her pregnancy.

They will keep a closer eye on her for contractions from here on out. Often times, mild contractions can be managed at home with a medication like terbutaline. It's normally given every 4-6 hours around the clock. She will probably start requiring more frequent doctor visits, too (if I remember right, I went in every 2 weeks).

I know first hand how tough it is to be at home with pre-term labor hanging over your head while you have kids. I went in to PTL at 24 weeks with my second daughter. I spent a lot of time on a modified bedrest regime. Thankfully, I didn't deliver until 35 weeks after all of those scares.

As hard as this will be on her, please try and convince her that her health and the health of the baby is far more important than the laundry and other house work. I was blessed to have friends who stocked my freezer with enough homemade meals that I could skip cooking several nights each week. Any chance that you and her MIL could arrange something like that? Even having someone come to the house every 2 weeks to do a good house cleaning would be a huge help and blessing while she's dealing with this.

Good luck. I hope all goes well for her and she delivers a healthy, full-term baby.

Thank you so much for all the info, but is it possible that Wednesday she goes to her OB and her levels are at 11 and Friday at the Hospital they say she is at 2 - where they are almost certain that her water broke, and then today (Monday) her levels are back up at 14. I mean those are drastic changes.

They are now telling her that they will do some kind of test tomorrow that determines if you are to go into labor within the next 2 weeks (???? not sure if I got that correct, first time ever hearing this) and if all is well, then she is going home.

As for the cooking and cleaning, her mother-in-law, myself and her husband definitely have that covered. I guess, I can only pray that all goes well. We were a little frightened when it looked like the little guy was to be born at 25 weeks. The hospital was giving the statistics of a baby born at that age and was asking them what they wanted to do, once he is born. Ugh.......... thank God they didn't have to make that decision.

Thanks again.

[jmdt]

I am right here in Holbrook so if I can do anything to help. Please pm me. I lost identical twin girls at 26 weeks due to twin to twin transfusion syndrom. I also had a 9yr old a 7yr old and a 4yr old so I know how hard it is. I would be happy to do some food shopping for her anything you guys need. I'm home all day as I don't work so I'm here. Just let me know.

[cally930]

Originally Posted by jmdt

I am right here in Holbrook so if I can do anything to help. Please pm me. I lost identical twin girls at 26 weeks due to twin to twin transfusion syndrom. I also had a 9yr old a 7yr old and a 4yr old so I know how hard it is. I would be happy to do some food shopping for her anything you guys need. I'm home all day as I don't work so I'm here. Just let me know.

OMG!!! You are too sweet. May God always bless you. Not too many people would offer to help someone they don't know. You are truly amazing. Thank you so much. That just made my day. We really have a big family, so not having help around is not the problem, its the not knowing, and the what ifs that are driving me nuts.

Thank you again!

[jmdt]

I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Everything will be alright. It's in Gods hands.

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by cally930

Thank you so much for all the info, but is it possible that Wednesday she goes to her OB and her levels are at 11 and Friday at the Hospital they say she is at 2 - where they are almost certain that her water broke, and then today (Monday) her levels are back up at 14. I mean those are drastic changes.

They are now telling her that they will do some kind of test tomorrow that determines if you are to go into labor within the next 2 weeks (???? not sure if I got that correct, first time ever hearing this) and if all is well, then she is going home.

As for the cooking and cleaning, her mother-in-law, myself and her husband definitely have that covered. I guess, I can only pray that all goes well. We were a little frightened when it looked like the little guy was to be born at 25 weeks. The hospital was giving the statistics of a baby born at that age and was asking them what they wanted to do, once he is born. Ugh.......... thank God they didn't have to make that decision.

Thanks again.

Those are pretty drastic changes and most likely indicative of an error in the measurements rather than a true fluid loss, especially if she didn't have any other signs of ruptured membranes.

The test your daughter is probably going to have is called a Fetal Fibronectin Test. It measures a protein that helps hold the sac to the uternine wall. The March of Dimes has a great description of the test.

Fetal fibronectin | Pregnancy | March of Dimes

Just take a deep breath and take things one day at a time. If it happens that she does deliver early, know that you are in an area with some really great NICU's. The statistics and things they throw at you are scary, I know them all too well. It's a 'prepare for the worst, hope for the best' situation. Know that the doctors and nurses will do everything to help your daughter and the baby reach the best and healthiest outcomes. There is a book I always recommend to the parents of my NICU babies. It's called The Premature Baby Book. It's full of great information and helps calm nerves and answer a lot of questions. I like the book so much that I sent it to my cousin when she delivered her son 9 weeks early.

The Premature Baby Book


I'll say a prayer for you and your family. Please keep us updated on how everyone is doing.

[Rhetts_mama]

Oops, I gave you a link to the wrong book. This is the one I sent my cousin.

Amazon.com: The Premature Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Premature Baby from Birth to Age One (Sears Parenting Library) (9780316738224): William Sears, Robert Sears, James Sears, Martha Sears: Books

This book is great, too.

Amazon.com: Newborn Intensive Care: What Every...

[yorkieusa]

I just wanted to let you know that I'm sending best wishes for your daughter.

[JESSY_RN2B]

Your daughter be in my thoughts and prayers as well. Im a NICU mom and Level III nurse myself.

Sounds like an error in levels to me too. As for mag, our hospital does not use it for PTL as the benefits do not outweigh the risks and is off label. It is widely used for preeclampsia though. I have been on mag myself and it is such an awful feeling to be on it, very scary too.

Terbutaline is tbe drug of choice and women are often discharged home on nifedipine and bedrest.

Anyhow, so glad she has lots of help and support.

[Teresamag]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

Those are pretty drastic changes and most likely indicative of an error in the measurements rather than a true fluid loss, especially if she didn't have any other signs of ruptured membranes.

The test your daughter is probably going to have is called a Fetal Fibronectin Test. It measures a protein that helps hold the sac to the uternine wall. The March of Dimes has a great description of the test.

Fetal fibronectin | Pregnancy | March of Dimes

Just take a deep breath and take things one day at a time. If it happens that she does deliver early, know that you are in an area with some really great NICU's. The statistics and things they throw at you are scary, I know them all too well. It's a 'prepare for the worst, hope for the best' situation. Know that the doctors and nurses will do everything to help your daughter and the baby reach the best and healthiest outcomes. I'll say a prayer for you and your family. Please keep us updated on how everyone is doing.

You've received some excellent advice here about your daughter. I'll second that information as a 10 year L&D nurse. Even if her FFN test comes back positive that doesn't always mean they will deliver early, in my experience the test does have a certain percentage of false positives. Preterm contractions (no cervical change) are most often brought about from dehydration or infections (usually bladder infections) so these are things that can be treated. Preterm labor (cervical change) can start with dehydration, infections, or many other problems - some we don't know why. Your daughter has received a "heads up" that she is at risk and can slow down and take care of herself a little better. In my opinion if her FFN test is positive it is very important that she receive the steroids that will help the baby's lungs develop faster. Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed for everyone involved.

Teresa

[cally930]

Thank you everyone on all the tremendous amount of information. It really is comforting. Well .....this morning (prior to releasing her from the hospital) they did a speculum (???) exam and found some pooling (???) indicating a rupture in her membrane (again???), so they didn't do that other test. So now we are back to square one where she is staying in the hospital - again. Ugh!!! I really wish they hadn't said anything in the first place about her coming home. She was okay with them first telling her she had to stay in the hospital till she gave birth, then she got her hopes up when they told her that she will be released - now she's upset that she has to stay - again.

Honestly......... I feel better knowing that she is now being monitored in a hospital instead of preparing to come home.

Thanks again for all the info, and prayers everyone. It is so, so appreciated - there are no words............