menstrual cramps and backache

[kasey g]

Okay, I am 22 weeks 3 days. I woke up this morning with cramping and a backache. My uterus, aside from a few BH contractions is completely soft. My baby boy is moving normally and his heart rate is 150. If I go to L and D, I am in for the fight of my life because none of the 3 doctor's I see will help me for 2 more weeks. Actually, 10.5 more days. My discharge has not changed so I am trying not to freak out. I had my 17HP injection last night so I was expecting uterine tranquility today but my uterus has had other intentions. Has anyone else felt this after the first trimester? And, do you think I should be freaking out? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Kasey

[SammysMom]

I didn't have your symptoms, but I did have unusual uterine tightening and went to L&D only to discover I was having contractions! If I were you, I would go straight to L&D and disregard what the doctors think. Nowadays, everyone must take their own medical care into their own hands because more and more physicians just don't care. Good luck! Oh, and I was 20w2d at the time.

[b1ueeyes76]

Go to the hospital NOW. Cramping and backache are big signs that something is going on. Insist that they hook you up to the monitor and do whatever needs to be done to get this to stop. At 22 weeks I was given several diffferent drugs to stop my PTL, so there really is no excuse for your doctors not to help you.

Lauren

[Twins_Squared]

I also would recommend going to the hospital as cramping and backache are the #1 and #2 sign of ptl.

[Lizza]

I usually do not post on this bb but, those are classic symptoms of PTL. I had the very same symptoms starting at 16 weeks and DX with PTL at 20 weeks. Please do not hesitate to go to L&D so, you will have some answers.
I delivered full term with PTL at 39.5 weeks so, if you are DX with PTL you will be given meds to stop the contractions and put on mild to strict bed rest.
MANY

[kasey g]

I am already on complete bedrest and terbutaline every four hours. My doctor said if my uterus is not hard, which it was soft, cramping alone can't change the cervix. She said cramping with a hardened uterus is bad and pain that radiated more intensely on the back with correlation to uterine tightening is bad but a constant back ache with a soft uterus is just a back ache. I don't know that I belive her but that was on Saturday. Sunday I felt fine, and today has been decent so far. Tomorrow I have a cevical us to check my cervix and the baby has an echocariogram. They did say if my cervix is shortening, they would help me to stop my contractions. I looked in my journal for my 3 year old's pregnancy and I had cramping and backache then too at 22 weeks. However, I had effaced. So, I don't know. I can't go to the hospital with my son because he has no immune system and he would die of infection so I need to find someone to babysit whenever I go to the hospital. I can't risk losing the son I already have and my neighbor's get tired of me dropping him off at 10 pm on a school night so I can go get checked. It is so frustrating. I know the signs of ptl and I know you all are right. I guess if my cervix is still 4 cm tomorrow, it was nothing but stretching, like the doctor said it was. In 2 weeks, I hopefully will get the contraction moniter at home. I just hope I can make it. I am not trying to ignore any advice, I just feel like my doctor's are a brick wall and I am really wearing out my childcare options with my kids. Thanks guys, I need all the encouragement I can get. These next 2 weeks are going to be a brutal struggle for me. I have a fight ahead to make it until they will help me.

Kasey

[trustinginHim]

Kasey G hang in there, I don't know much about what your going thru, but you've been a big support to me, and I wanted you to know I'm cheering for you! My friend was in the hospital for a month and a half before she had her twins early. (the one I told you about who lost one too). Hang in there!!! It's a long road but you can do it!