Hi Archie,
I have wanted to post a message for a long time but was on bed rest and so unable to get up. On 19th Dec, I kept getting this really uncomfortable feeling in the lower abdomen and slight tightening but without any pain which I thought was B&H. But then I went to the the loo and discovered some bleeding, not a lot just a little bit of dark red spots. But I got really worried and my husband took me to the hospital. By the time we reached the hospital, the contractions seemed to be lasting longer but still no pain except a dull pain on the right side. When the doctor saw me she immediately admitted me in the hospital as by then I was experiencing proper contractions (though painless) and my bp had become very high (190/110). They kept me in the labour room and did a US there itself, which showed a slight rupture of the placenta on the right side and a blood clot, it also showed that the cervix had started to open up slightly due to the contractions. The doctor said that the preterm labour must have been triggered by that. After about 4-5 hours of several medicines and injections (including steroids for maturing the baby's lungs)they managed to slow down the contractions and then finally stop them in about 10-12 hrs. It was the most horrifying time for me because the doctor had said that if they can't stop the contractions for another 1-2 hrs then they would have to deliver the baby and that at 23 weeks it would be too small to survive. The external bleeding had stopped almost completely after the initial spots but even then they phoned the blood bank and kept blood ready for an emergency operation. The thing was that through out the preterm labour I did not feel any pain with the contractions. I was sent back to the room the next day and kept in the hospital for 2 days for observation and the subsequent ultrasound showed that the clot hadn't changed but the cervix had closed up again and that it was very long (3.8 cm). I was sent back home and told to be on bed rest for two weeks, and given Nipherdine tablets (20 mg, 3 times a day) for relaxing the uterus and also for controlling the high bp. My bp in the past two weeks has been completely normal (110/70) and there has been no bleeding but I do get tightening of the uterus about 4-5 times a day, half of that when I get up after passing urine. I am to see my doc again tomorrow.
They did a lot of blood tests too when I was in the hospital but they haven't given us the discharge report yet so we don't have them but the doc had told my husband that the tests are fine.
I am really scared now because I have only completed 25 weeks. Please tell me what are the chances that the bleeding and the contractions will recur? Also, in such cases what are the chances that I'll carry the baby full term. I had read somewhere that nipherdine can not be taken long term but I am scared that if I stop these then the contractions might start again. What can I do to prevent any of this happening? The doctor had said that sometimes the blood clot dissolves on its own, how long does that take? Also, at what age is it possible to deliver the baby preterm and ensure its survival?
I am 36 yrs old and after 3 early miscarriages in 10 yrs of marriage, this is the first time I have carried beyond 6-7 weeks and this baby is more precious to me than anything else in the whole world.
thanks
kalika KB replied. Thank you Archie,Saradha, hello and Sonal for your messages. I am on bed-rest and not getting up very much. I am trying hard to keep away from negative thinking. Some days I am more successful than other days. When the baby kicks and moves, I feel like I am blessed so far to feel this and God will not be unkind to me.
I went to the doctor on saturday. She did an internal examination but no U/S. She said that there was no need to as she could feel the uterus relaxed and the cervix quite tight. I am to continue with the same medication and basically rest. She told me to do the GTT today, a little earlier because of all the complications, they want to rule out any other problems. And then I am to see her for review after two weeks.
Thank-you so much for all your wishes. I can't explain how much it meant to me. saradha replied. hi kalika

actually i read ur post yeaterday morning. but could not reply back immeciately as i could not come out of the shock for many hours.

actually dont worry - i have posted in the yahoo groups created for aprilmoms to be - all r praying for u. i also went home yesterday and prayed for u. when all our prayers reaches the almighty he has no choice but to bless u with a healthy baby.

cheer up dear - as archie rightly said - u r going to hv this kid safe - thats y u escaped from the pre term labour.

i know abt placental abruption. bcos i suffered the same during 7 weeks - when i had the bleeding, i know how much heart pounded every moment.

see - without u knowing - time will fly off very soon - for me the blood clot disappeared after complete bed rest - dont get up oher than for food and wash room. its all matter of few weeks da. u need not even browse often. just take rest and keep urself cool.

believe in one thing - good thngs will happen to good people. we will all pray for u definitely. i want to say thanx to those doctors also who saved the little one.

very soon - u can share the good news with us, just think abt that and nothing else - ok?

with lots of prayers for u
saradha hello ! replied. Kalika

I'm from Mar board and was moved to tears after reading your update.I myself went into l&d in my 27th week and on restricted activity now.I can understand how stressful it can be for you.But dont worry dear.You are going to have a healthy and gorgeous baby in your hands.The very fact that the baby survived this long is enough proof that its going to make full term.Do not stress yourself.I know its easier said than done.Keep praying all the time.Chant mantras all the time.Do not get out of bed unless its for shower or the restroom.stay put in bed and keep all your things like water,food,books and music by your bed side.I hope you get repeat u/s to check placental and baby development w/o paying out of your pocket too much.Talk to your baby all the time and ask him/her to hang in there until 36 weeks,Before you know it,you will have your lil darling in your hands.All the very best and prayers your way. Sonal replied. Hiii Kalika,
My god!! First of all,Thank god tht everything is fine and tht ur doctors could stop the preterm labour and tht ur baby is still inside.
I really dont have any medical advice to give.. but wud just like to say tht keep praying!! I totally agree with Archie when she says tht this baby is meant to be in your life forever. Dont worry... Just be positive and hang in there..I know someone whose cervix started to open up as early as the 5th month and she was put on bed rest. the doctors wanted her to pull thru till 26 weeks.. but she managed to pull till 30 weeks. and the baby is fine!! he is 3 months old now.. So, dont worry... God is there with u!! everything will be fine!!Just follow the doctors advice and keep telling urself tht u will deliver this baby hale n healthy and also keep telling God to help u throuhg this!
Take care
Love
Sonal archie replied. Dear Kalika,
It sure is touching and serious issue, which you went through.

Let me say one thing don't think too much about medicines for how long they should be taken. Rather think of the benefits you will receive from the treatment. Attitude should be to make this baby come to real world and survive without problem rather than a medicine is fair or unfair to take for long term.

Because you faced placenta abrupto and survived the mishap, which is huge achievement medically for team of Drs. and for you largest blessing you have ever received of God, you should remember that clot may dissolve but will take few weeks. I would not swear upon clot dissolving and time it will take to, because it depends on individual and complication.

you are 25 weeks and lets hope you can carry this pregnancy to as many more weeks as possible. If baby was born at 23 weeks there was very little chances of survival if at all.

Fetus survival chances will increase from completion of 26 weeks onward though can't be guaranteed before completion of 28 weeks, where one can be 50% confident of survival.

If you can carry this pregnancy to 34 weeks then may be because of surfactants injections your baby will face no trouble. However, completing 36 weeks would be the best deal we are looking forward.

you are facing contractions and can not be ignored. If necessary give a call to your OB and have you checked internally once a week or once a two weeks. Also check possibilities for upcoming labor by performing Fetal-fibronectin test.

Kalika, I understand preciousness of the baby, which is not radically different from any other expectant. You feel strong because of age and 3 miscarriages. Remember that this is the pregnancy carried for this long and God has been with you in crisis only signs that you will have this baby in your life for as long you are.

Take much as bed rest, avoid any stress on mind, body and its OK to update only once a two weeks rather than peeping here more frequent.

With Best wishes.