Day 34: Anti-Gravity Therapy and Coping with UI

I debated on posting a photo today because it shows me in a rather awkward position (literally), but I've decided to bear it all on this blog, so posting it prevailed.  I have been in this position off and on throughout the day.  It seems to alleviate some of the discomfort of uterine irritability (UI), contractions, and the pressure Baby Boy is putting on my pelvis. 

Yesterday was awful with so many contractions and the pain and tightening caused by uterine irritability.  Lately my uterus feels like one big rock or tightened fist and I've had menstrual like cramps along with the contractions.  I was mercifully able to sleep last night without a sleeping pill and only minor discomfort.  A bath this morning helped me relax, but they came back soon after and have been consistent ever since.  I am just trying to ignore and endure them as best and for as long as possible, hoping that they're not doing anything to change my cervix.  As long as they're not, I can soldier on, even with the pain, if it helps Baby Boy get closer to term.  But the feeling of anxiety over the possibility that labor could escalate and result in a very premature baby still looms.

Medical personnel say that although contractions caused by uterine irritability can be painful they usually do not cause cervical change and should not be worrisome.  However, in all the research I've done, it is also pointed out that with UI, or frequent Braxton Hicks type contractions (which are the type of contractions pregnant women are typically told not to worry about), could in fact, lead to preterm labor/cervical change and premature birth.  If UI really does not cause dilation and true labor, doctors suggest some think women with an irritable uterus should have no reason to worry and should just go about their daily lives, dealing with mild discomfort to severe pain, but not needing to be concerned about preterm labor and birth.  Because I have no idea whether I'm going to go into preterm labor or if Baby Boy will hang on for the long haul, enduring UI contractions is nerve-wracking.

      

I am already doing all the things I can to prevent further contractions (resting, laying on my left side, drinking lots of water, emptying my bladder, baths, hot water bottle), so it's annoying that they are still plaguing me. I've also been told to go to Labor and Delivery if my contractions change or get more intense or if I am experiencing pain.  This is a muddy description because they're always changing and more painful lately, though I'm getting better at waiting them out to see if they eventually mellow, which they thankfully have. But as I said, there is always the worry that they're causing problems.  I was telling my mom that when I was pregnant with B (my first pregnancy) I wasn't as concerned as I am this time around because I thought most of the aches and pains were normal for pregnancy and then I was only on modified bed rest.  I also didn't realize the dangers of preterm labor and how hard it is to have a premature baby.  Thankfully B was only five weeks early and was pretty healthy albeit small (5 lbs., 1 oz).  He was on a C-Pap for an hour and only had a five day stay in the NICU while he learned to eat. I probably could have gone longer if the contractions weren't so constant (every two minutes for two weeks) and they weren't dilating my cervix.  At that point, I was dilated to a five and the doctor decided to break my water.  We are so thankful B did so well and want the best chance for this baby to do the same thing.  B was and is a blessing and he is so worth all the bed rest, pain, and discomfort I experienced.  This baby will be too.

   

Sometimes we are asked to brave difficult and painful experiences to help us in the future. I got a blessing today to help with my discomfort (both physical and emotional), and that helped.  I know Heavenly Father is watching over us and that He loves us, though we sometimes have to suffer to bring us closer to Him and get something great in return (like a healthy newborn).  So I have faith that I can endure these contractions and get this baby to at least 35 weeks (or until my water breaks or doctors are really concerned).  The suffering will all be worth it when we have another healthy baby boy in our arms.  

With that, I leave you with a quote from Thomas S. Monson's most recent General Relief Society address,  It gave me comfort this morning.  ". .  .Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.

As we seek our Heavenly Father through fervent, sincere prayer and earnest, dedicated scripture study, our testimonies will become strong and deeply rooted. We will know of God’s love for us. We will understand that we do not ever walk alone. I promise you that you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you. I know this to be true . : ." 

Day 33: Diary of the Contracting Woman

 

Here is a list of all my contractions in the last 24 hours.  They've been getting more regular the last few days, and although most were caused by uterine irritability, but some, especially those I had around noon, were very real, painful, and frequent.  But thankfully, I was able to weather through them and Baby Boy and I are still hanging in there, though I am one very uncomfortable pregnant woman.  The discomfort is worth it, and I remember I was able to get through it with B, but that doesn't make it any easier to endure.  If the constant contractions are starting this early, the next few weeks are going to be even longer and more difficult than the last, so I'm praying for comfort, strength, and endurance, for the sake of Baby Boy.

Honestly, these last couple of weeks with J's injuries, preparations for his test and career, and bed rest have been a lot to process.  I'm thankful that the first 24 weeks of this pregnancy were uneventful.  When I began experiencing issues at 25 weeks, it was scary because we were nervous about an extremely premature baby who might not make it.  At 28 weeks we breathed a small sigh of relief after getting shots for Baby Boy's lungs.  He won't be a micro preemie.  At 31 we feel like he's awesome little safer, but he still has a long way to go.  Despite our continued prayers for a full term baby, I can only take this pregnancy one day at a time.  Today is better for him than yesterday; tonight is better than this morning.

On Tuesday I have another ultrasound to check on Baby Boy's growth at 32 weeks.  I'm always concerned about his weight since B. was and is still so little, and my belly is so tiny (though part of that is because Baby is so low).  Hopefully there is a 3 1/2 pound baby hanging out in there somewhere!  32 weeks doesn't feel quite safe, but it feels safer than 28 or even 30.

We know that God has His hand on this pregnancy, J's career goals, and every other aspect of our lives.  There is no other explanation for how this baby is still in utero.  Thank you for joining us in our prayers for my comfort, J to pass his test, B to be emotionally stable, and more time so we can have a healthy baby boy.  We truly appreciate it!

I managed a smile between contractions.  A warm water bottle on my abdomen and the distraction of the tablet computer helped me to endure them.

Day 17: Stopping It In Its Tracks

Warning:   I know this blog, especially this post, is only interesting and relevant to about 2 1/2 people, so if you'd rather skip the lesson on uterine irritability, scroll down past the bulleted list that may be helpful to someone, to today's daily update. 

Last night, I went back to the hospital to be monitored for contractions, I did have one actual contraction that was picked up on the monitors, but most of the discomfort was caused by uterine irritability.  Irritable uterus (IU) is the name given to a uterus that contracts in a disorganized fashion during pregnancy. Most times, the contractions are constant and consistent, happening every three to five minutes. Unlike real contractions, which come and go in waves of regular intervals and last longer, irritable uterus contractions can feel more like knotting of the entire abdomen or quick twinges but can still be quite painful. In my case, UI causes lots of discomfort, especially with all the wiggling Baby Boy is doing. 

Thankfully contractions caused by uterine irritability do not shorten or open the cervix, and therefore do not lead to labor, which is what I was worried about yesterday.  So now that I know the difference between real contractions (which I WAS having on Sunday night and had to be stopped) and uterine irritability, I'm a less worried about all these quick aches and pains.  I've done some research and figured out that when I  do have a sudden bout of uncomfortable contractions from uterine irritability (not labor), I can take a bath, lay on my left side, and do the following things:

• Drink lots of milk.  Apparently hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) and hypomagnesimia (low blood magnesium), conditions which are known to cause muscle excitability, are common in women with uterine irritability.  Milk provides both calcium and magnesium, and also has lots of protein which can help bulk up this tiny (and I do mean tiny) baby.
• Eat foods rich in magnesium, a natural muscle relaxer.  These foods include raw spinach, brown rice, avocados, and bananas, and almonds (though I won't be eating those because of a nut allergy).  Magnesium relaxes the uterus, this is why my next treatment for preterm contractions will be magnesium sulfate, but getting magnesium through natural sources helps avoid the risks associated with the injections.
• Drink lots of water. The hormone responsible for water retention when we're low on fluids (called anti-diuretic hormone or ADH) is chemically almost identical to the hormone oxytocin, which is the hormone produced by the body to induce labor. The body gets confused between these two hormones and uterine contractions occur due to this "confusion." Staying hydrated will keep my body from secreting too much ADH.
• Empty my bladder regularly. Any sort of pressure against the uterus can cause contractions when you have IU, so reducing any irritants can really help. Plus, going to the bathroom gives me an excuse t get up and stretch (I can hardly believe a trip to the bathroom has become a highlight of my day, but anyone on strict bed rest would understand why that has become the case).
• Eat small, frequent meals rich in fiber that are easy to digest. As said above, extra pressure on your uterus can cause contractions, so it's helpful to eat smaller meals that help avoid gas and constipation, which can also cause contractions.  (TMI, sorry).
• Stay calm. While being on bed rest, I've found I have A LOT of time to worry and feel every little ache and twinge and then freaks me out.  Arguments or getting myself stressed out about a situation causes more contractions and makes things worse. Stress hormones are proven to cause preterm contractions, so staying calm is in my best interest.  Again, now that I know that I'm just going to have to live with some discomfort because of uterine irritability and can recognize the difference between UI and real contractions, I can relax.  It's times like these that I have to remember Psalms 46:10 -- " Be still, and know that I am God." I know Heavenly Father is aware of me and this baby, and whatever happens, we'll be Ok. I'm just praying for as much time as possible, as I know so many of you are, too.
• Get some sleep. At night, I contract WAY more often, so by sleeping through the irritability and getting rested up, I feel much better, and so does my uterus. 

On  personal note, today I've felt physically better, as the larger dose of anti-contraction medication (Nifedipine) less often has kept me more comfortable than smaller, more frequent doses.  I also think I'm experiencing less discomfort and contractions because I'm less stressed knowing that uterine irritability isn't going to cause labor and there's a better hope of being able to hold out longer.  My cervix, albeit, extremely short, is staying stable, and as long as that's the case, I can have peace of mind and focus on getting Baby Boy to term (or as close to it as possible).  I also keep reminding myself that my cervix/uterus held out before with 8 weeks of modified bed rest helping B get to 35 weeks with no real health issues. I can hold out again for Baby Boy.

B said something about ear pain the other night and came in this morning saying he couldn't hear well, so J took him to the doctor, and found B has an ear infection in his left ear.  I'm not surprised he has one because of the cold he can't seem to kick, but I am surprised B hasn't complained much.  He's doing a remarkable job dealing with all this.  He can now work the DVD player, type in "PBSKids.org" on the Internet browser, and get snacks independently.  We've been talking to him a lot about why Mommy has to lay down all day (so Baby Brother doesn't come too early and has to stay in the hospital for a long time), but I know it's a lot for him to take in.  We've also drug him back and forth from the hospital and I know he worries about Mommy being sick (having contractions).  Thankfully, he seems to be taking everything in stride and manages to stay busy at the hospital or near my bedside, and we enjoy "B and Mom time" reading every day.  

B has had his moments, though.  He comes in to sleep in our bed more lately, he cries more when he's upset (like when we told him no Christmas toys could come to the hospital), and he worries about me. The other day he requested that I hold him when he woke up in the middle of the night, but first asked if I had to take medicine first so he could sit on my lap and not cause the baby to come too early. (B is very compassionate).  After a few activity-filled days with Dad and Grandma and having a cold, B was on the verge of tears on Saturday.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said "Oh, you're just resting all day."  (It's nice to know I'm not the only one frustrated with bed rest).  I asked what I could do and he said "Can I lay with you?" There is not a lot I can do while on bed rest, but laying with my son, I can do.  So like I said, B has his moments but still manages to keep soldiering on.  He seems to be pretty resilient, but I still want to keep things as routine for him as possible even while being on bed rest.  B goes back to school next week, so that should help occupy his time and keep him from worrying too much about me, and J tries to take him on an outing everyday.  Today they went to the mall.

J left for awhile today to go to a work meeting and pick up B's medicine and refill my prescriptions (when you take 8 pills a day to keep contractions at bay, they go quick).  So he asked B to be "Mommy's helper." B has been great at retrieving things for me, emptying my meal trays, and refilling my water the last few days.  He has also become a mini version of J, policing me every time I try to get up.  Earlier, I was laying down rooting around in my bedside basket for something, and he called from his room, "Get back in bed.  Do you want my baby brother to be sick?".  I assured him I was still in bed, but he came to check anyway.  I thought it was pretty funny.  He definitely takes after Daddy who takes his responsibility as Bed Rest Police very seriously.

Day 16: A Rough Night and Another Hospital Visit

Last night I had lots of contractions and cramping and had trouble sleeping.  Even a warm hot water bottle on my abdomen didn't help much.  B also came in my bed around 2 first because of growing pains in his legs and later because of an earache.  Thankfully, my mother-in-law was here to get him some medicine and get him settled again.  None of us got much sleep, so B and I slept in until 10 this morning, and J sent his mom home and laid in my make-shift bed in the living room when he got home from work at 8 a.m.  Unfortunately it was very uncomfortable on his broken shoulder and ribs and they've been hurting ever since.  I know he loves me and makes lots of sacrifices for me, and he's taking a lot on that I can't do right now.  He's a good man, and I love him for always supporting me.

Because of our restless night, we just took it easy today.  B and I watched a lot of movies while J slept off his shift.  But all day my stomach felt like it was tied in one big knot and I kept having pains and contractions.  I tried a hot water bottle and a bath, but they didn't really help my discomfort.  When J woke up, I had pretty much continuous contractions and was in a lot of pain.  I asked if I should call  the doctor and J said she'd just make me come in, which of course she did (and because it's New Year's the office is closed so we had to go to the hospital).  She also told me to double up on my dose of Nifedipine, the anti-contraction medication I'm taking. 

B and J weren't too happy about going back to the hospital since I was just released yesterday.  I further complicated things for J when he had to pack a bag for me again.  I really should have a hospital bag packed and ready to go.  J said we have to come up with a plan so we're not going back and forth to the hospital every other day.  I agreed and the purpose of this hospital visit was to be monitored and see if the painful crampiness and tightening I feel is just something I have to live with because of uterine irritability or if they're contractions that are bringing on pre-term labor and further cervical change.  That is something this baby and I cannot afford.  Laying here, I have lots of time to worry and stress, which just causes more contractions.  But, I just want to give this baby as much time in the womb as possible and would rather be safe than sorry so we packed up and went back to the hospital.

Of course by the time we reached the hospital the double dose of the medicine had kicked in, and I wasn't having many contractions.  Baby Boy looked good on the monitors too, which is good.  We were actually only at the hospital for a little over an hour, but I came back more educated about exactly what I've been feeling.  The nurse was really patient as she monitored me and explained uterine irritability versus labor-causing contractions. 

They told me I had an irritable uterus when I was in pre-term labor with B.  I remember feeling pretty much constantly uncomfortable at that time, but didn't exactly remember how the irritability felt and how to distinguish between that and real contractions.  The nurse explained how uterine irritability causes contractions that are either quick painful twinges/cramps or a tightening of the entire abdomen for long periods of time while real labor-inducing contractions come in waves, tighten the entire belly before releasing again, and have a consistent rhythm.  Most of what I've felt today and what was picked up on the monitor was uterine irritability (again they only picked up one major contraction in the hour of monitoring).  The irritability is uncomfortable, but I can live with it and am glad to see that the Terbutaline the other day seems to have disrupted my regular contraction cycle.  Now that I better understand the difference between the two issues, and know that irritability doesn't really cause the cervical change and premature birth like I was worried about, I am more relaxed.  I also have resolved that I can handle the discomfort as long as Baby Boy gets here safely and later rather than sooner.  In the meantime, I'm just glad another day has passed with Baby Boy still safely tucked away.  It's a Happy New Year, indeed.

B pushed me out in the wheelchair.  He almost ran me into a few walls, but that was the highlight of the hospital visit for us because we got to go home.

Monitor showing my uterine irritability.  Notice there are far fewer peaks (contractions) than on the monitor picture from Sunday night).