Early Labor Concerns: 32 Weeks Pregnant - What to Expect?

Question
First -

My baby dropped (and engaged) at 30w6d, I started having strong, frequent b-h contractions at 19 wks, and now the doctor says he's measuring 4 to 5 weeks ahead of his due date.  What are the chances that I will make it to either 37 or 40 wks?  I'm at 32w3d now.  (Also, my sister's children were born at 36 wks.)

Second -

Is there any way to relieve the intense pressure I'm feeling on my cervix and bowels?  Even my pubic bone feels like it's being pulled apart.  It hurts to put on pants or even walk.

Answer
When the baby is lying low in the pelvis (after having dropped), you will feel constant pressure on your pubic bone and a constant feeling of having to urinate. There is nothing you can do to alleviate this feeling except, perhaps, bedrest with your legs elevated. When you start to have contractions that occur every 5 minutes at the level of your belly button (from the start of a contraction to the start of the next contraction) and each contraction remains hard for 45 seconds or more, and this continues for a full hour, you should go to the hospital to be checked. Since you are still too early in your pregnancy, drink plenty of water to avoid contractions. If you have too many braxton-hicks contractions in a row, y ou may need tocolytic medication to stop contractions, if you do go into preterm labor. Any time after 36 weeks will be O.K. to have the baby.