Understanding Preterm Labor: Causes, Treatment, and What to Expect

Question
I am looking for any answers I can get.  My doctors do not know why I am doing what I am.

I am 31 weeks and 5 days pregnant today.  I went into the hospital on March 16th with Contractions every 2-5 minutes apart.  They kept me in there and finally sent me home on the 25th to wait and see what happens.  While I was there, they tried everything to stop the contractions...nothing worked.  They also did all kinds of testing that they can think of and still nothing came back bad or wrong.  I am still having the contractions constantly and they don't know why.  The one thing they are looking for is for me to dilate...but I never have with any of my other pregnancies.  And so far I have not with this one either.  My Blood Pressure goes up and down constantly.  The only thing we know right now is that the baby is about 2-3 weeks behind on growth, but that may or may not be anything the doctor said.  

I just don't know how much longer I can keep having these contractions, back pain, nausea, and tummy cramps.  I know it is best for the baby to stay in as long as possible, but I am getting very worn out and just exhausted.  This is about 2 1/2 weeks now of solid contractions every 2-5 minutes.  

Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you so much for caring and volunteering your time in such a special way!

Answer
Dear Amy,

If the medications (which I assume they tried) did not work to stop your contractions, the only course is to wait it out. You can try bedrest, or at least staying down as much as possible, for your own comfort. But that may or may not reduce the amount of contractions - since a hospital stay and medications did not do it for you.

The good thing is that you are not dilating. I know you may not think that is a good thing since you are worn out right now, but it really is. In order to give the baby the best chance at survival, he/she really needs to stay in utero until as close to 37 weeks as possible. I would suspect that they will be monitoring the baby's condition fairly often throughout the next few weeks to make sure the constant contractions are not taking a toll on the baby. But as long as stress tests come back with good fetal response, they will let that baby stay in utero as long as they can safely do so.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda