Preterm Labor?

Last night, John and I spent the evening at the hospital. I noticed that I was getting some more than usual contractions (4-6 in one hour). I didn't think too much of it at the time but did start getting concerned. After getting home from taking Aubrey to piano practice, we thought it would be fun to take the girls out to dinner since we don't eat out very often and well, I had not planned a new weeks worth of meals yet. So we were at dinner and I started to time them at 7:11pm. 45 minutes had gone by and I had counted 12 contractions. My next move was to call my doctors office and speak to the on-call doctor. She recommended that I go to Labor & Delivery to get things checked out. We got home from the restaurant, I laid on the couch, and John put the girls to bed. I called the first person I could think of: our wonderful home teacher & friend--who was able to come over and stay at the house while the girls were fast asleep so we could run to the hospital.

Once there, things went slowly. I didn't expect anything but slow so I wasn't too surprised. Being triaged, I knew I wasn't the top emergency patient at the time. Thankfully, John was there to keep me company. And cable tv didn't hurt either. Since I don't have much time to write before going back and laying down, I'll list things in order on how our evening progressed.

**Arrived at hospital at 8:45pm
1. Urine sample given.
2. Hooked to fetal monitors - contractions coming every 3 - 3 1/2 minutes for 5 HOURS straight. They were starting to get painful towards the end. Baby looked great and heartbeat stayed in between 140-160 bpm.
3. Cervix checked. Nurse said I was at 1cm long and high.
4. Contractions still not backing down. Given a shot in arm to stop preterm labor. Which followed by an adrenaline high and racing heart rate.
4. I.V. started and given a bag of fluid to see if it would help slow down the contractions.
5. Labs were back. Was told I had a urinary infection.
6. Antibiotics were then administered through the I.V. for the urinary infection and was told to call my doctor in the morning and get a Rx called in to pharmacy.
7. After bag of fluids and shot, contractions subsided and I was released to go home and be on bed rest for the remainder of the morning. To come back in if contractions became more than 6 in an hours time.
**Left hospital at 1:45am

Once home, I was exhausted and didn't have much of a problem going to sleep. Woke up around 7:15am. I noticed then that I was having a contraction but it wasn't painful so from that time until John took the girls down to the bus stop at 8:15am, I counted 15 contractions in that hours time. My doctor's office opened at 8:30am so I called them as instructed. I also noted that I was having more consistent contractions and was told if more than 6 happened in an hour to get back to L&D so that was were I was going. They put me on hold to consult with the physician in the office and said they would rather me come in to be checked first. We arrived at the office at 9:15am and gave yet again another urine sample. They have to send it in to be cultured but they don't suspect I even have one with the simple test they took in the office. They checked baby's heart rate. Still beating really well and strong. Had my weight and blood pressure checked and those were fine as well. The doctor came in and took measurements and said I was still on track. Then another cervix check. She said I was thinned some but still high, long, and CLOSED. Not dilated at all. They didn't feel that I needed an antibiotic at this time with me having no symptoms unless the culture shows differently (that won't be for a good 3-4 days though). Was ordered to be on bed rest for the whole day and to drink plenty of fluid. To call them back if things changed or got worse. My next office visit in next Thurs. the 16th. They don't really know why these contractions are occurring but it doesn't surprise me with my past pregnancies and history. I went into preterm labor with both of the girls and was ordered best rest and delivering them full term. So looks as though this one may follow suit. Not sure at this point. I'm only 30 weeks and 1 day today so we obviously don't want any of this to progress into active labor. I've documented this mainly for myself to remember but I also wanted everyone to know how I was doing. I think things are going to be okay but if you could keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I'd very much appreciate it. I'm not sure when I'll be back on here to update but I'll get back on here as soon as I'm allowed to let you know how the babybump and I are doing. John was able to take today off to help with the girls and I and the hospital is only 10-15 minutes down the road so we're in good hands.