33 weeks and signs of preterm
Labor anyone been through this?
Hi all,
I’m 33 weeks and 6 days, FTM. This past week, my belly has been getting really tight, and I’ve had some pain in my upper abdomen, right under my breasts. I’ve also been getting headaches and feeling lightheaded. Yesterday, I started having some mild cramping on my lower right side—not super painful, but enough to make me worry. My hands were swollen, and my blood pressure was slightly elevated.
I called my OB, and honestly, I felt so silly, thinking I was overreacting. Turns out, I wasn’t. They told me to go to labor and delivery, and when I got there, they said I’ve been contracting (which I didn’t even realize—I thought they were just Braxton Hicks, but as soon as the nurse touched my belly, she said, “There’s one”). I’m 2 cm dilated and also have a small UTI. (Not sure when it developed—must have been over the weekend since I saw my OB last Thursday, and nothing was mentioned then.) My pregnancy has been relatively “easy” and low risk so it’s scary to think I might be going into preterm labor….
They gave me a steroid shot to help the baby’s lungs mature in case I go into preterm labor. Yesterday, I was handling it okay, trying to stay lighthearted, but this morning, I woke up feeling scared and guilty—like I didn’t take good enough care of myself, and now my baby might have to deal with the consequences of preterm labor.
Has anyone else experienced something similar? I feel so guilty because I had been saying I wanted him to come a little early—but definitely not this early.
I’m going back to labor and delivery today for my second steroid shot and to check if I’ve progressed. I’m feeling really overwhelmed and honestly don’t even know what questions I should be asking the doctors and nurses. Any advice on what I should ask while I’m there or anyone who’s been through this?
Honestly, trying to stay in a good headspace so if there’s any horror stories please don’t share at the moment….
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This exactly happened to me! I spent the night at L&D and was sent home at 3cm the next morning. I took off work for two weeks until I was full term and things slowed down. Whole time I was anxious about it starting up again but things didn’t.
Just take it easy and breathe. It’s hard to do I know. Praying you make it to full term. Even if you don’t though- I was reassured by the nurses that the baby would be perfectly fine. NICU for a short time if needed and then home just like any other baby.
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