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jodellag
03-12-2003, 02:11 PM
I am new to this site, so I hope I am posting this question in the correct spot. Please feel free to direct me if not.

While pregnant with my first, Jack (now 2.8), I went into preterm labor at 30 weeks. I was hospitalized and stayed that way until he was born at 34 weeks. During my stay I received Mag Sulfate and 2 steroid injections. My bedrest was very strict and I received an occasional shower.

I am now pregnant again and am a couple days away from 30 weeks. My doctor put me on bedrest at 28 weeks. It is a lot different for me to be at home doing bed rest. I am thrilled not to be in the hospital. I would miss my son terribly. What is difficult is having to monitor myself and determine how strict my bed rest needs to be. My doctor has really not been specific. I do not fault him for this because I realize that this preterm labor thing is not an exact science. ANYWAY, I have been contracting more progressively the last couple of months of my pregnancy. Most of them are not painful. They are the tightening kind. They do not have any regular timing to them. I have them more at night, which my doctor says is "normal". I have not been going out of the house, limit my stairs as much as possible, take a shower each day, have inhouse childcare, and spend a lot of time in bed, although I am concerned that I am not spending ENOUGH time in bed. So, I guess this is my question...I am wondering what other women have done in regards to moving around the house/contractions. I get up usually to move from one room to the next. Typically, anytime I do this I may contract. Am I doing too much?

thanks and sorry for rambling-
Jodi

spedtchr
03-12-2003, 05:12 PM
If you are contracting I would say you are doing too much. I was on bedrest for five weeks and my son was born at 31. You will have all the time in the world after you get past at least 35 weeks!

mommyto3
03-13-2003, 08:00 PM
With first DD I was only strict bedrest from 20 weeks until 38 weeks (she ended up being born right on her due date). All I was allowed to do was to go to the bathroom and have one five minute shower a day. My only outtings were to visit doctor's office once a week. I also had to have the foot of the bed elevated a bit. I was not allowed to sit up and watch tv. Occasionally, I would join DH at the table for supper.

Rita
03-14-2003, 02:34 PM
Get checked at your next appointment - then you will know if your activity is causing your cervix to change. I was put on bedrest at 29 weeks this last time and I was home for the first 4 weeks of it. None of my contractions were painful, but they did eventually change my cervix and I ended in the hospital just like your first pregnancy. For my next pregnancy I have to go on bedrest at 20 weeks and I'll be checked every week from 24 weeks on.

Rita