20 Weeks and Contracting

Updated on February 06, 2010
K.G. asks from New Boston, MI
7 answers

I am 20 weeks and had pretty strong contractions for about 6 hrs yesterday. I called my Midwife/OB office this morning and am still waiting for them to call back. I have only had a few mild contractions thismorning but I have also been sitting on my butt all day! Has anyone else gone though this and then gone on to have an uneventfull pregnancy with out bed rest. Bed rest is one of my fears at the moment.
Thanks, K.

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So What Happened?

Since the contractions had mostly stopped on thier own my Midwife told me to lay low for a couple of days but if they start back up again to call triage and come in to be monitored. RIght now I am doing fine but I also spent the entire day sitting on my butt! Today I am going to add a couple of easy tasks like folding the mountains of launry so if I do leave the house I don't have to wear the same pj pants that I have worn for the last couple of days!

More Answers

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H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

You might be dehydrated. I would make sure you are keeping up on your fluids, I am 25 weeks and if I don't drink enough I start to have contractions.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Bangor on

My midwives told me to drink plenty of water because dehydration can lead to contractions. When I did have some pretty strong contractions, they told me to just lay down for a little while. If anymore occurred, then to call them again. I did what they told me, and I haven't really had anymore contractions, other than the normal Braxton Hicks. And even if contractions are timable, they need to be getting closer together not farther apart. So, I guess just listen to what your midwife tells you. But I'd drink plenty of water. That's what did it for me, I think. :)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

I hate to tell you but when you up and moving it increasing contractions and that when your on bed rest your not as active and because u are 20 weeks they will proably put u on bedrest to keep them gone and as they stayaway maybe increase activity.

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H.S.

answers from Boston on

I can't really answer your question, but make sure you rest, and you drink lots of liquids. I used to have more contractions when I was dehydrated. Call your Midwife again if you don't hear from them by noon. I hate it when they keep you hanging!
Could these be Braxton-Hicks contractions? 20 weeks is early for real labor.
Wishing you the best!

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

I just had my third baby on New Year's Eve and I began having contractions (strong ones) at 20 weeks, and they lasted throughout my entire pregnancy...I was never put on bedrest or any kind of restrcitions. My son was only born ten days early. Just take it easy and listen to your body. Good luck and congratluations!

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A.G.

answers from Norfolk on

It is probably nothing but right now you NEED to be checked to make sure your contractions did not cause dilation. You may have been dehydrated or just have overdone it. I would call again and insist on talking to someone. If that happened again I would go to Labor and delivery so that they can monitor you. Your doctor will have a much better idea of the best way to help you if he has you on the monitor for a while to see the how strong and how often you are actually contracting. I'd be the squeky wheel right now because you need to make sure that you do not have contractions that cause progressing towards delivery. Even if you were truely contracting, bed rest might not be neccessary. Bed rest sucks (I know I just spent Christmas and new years in the hospital) but when its necessary its totally worth it.

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K.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I suffered preterm labor with all 5 pregnancies... It started for me at 16 weeks with my last pregnancy. The solutions for these symptoms are none: COntractions that are time-able MUST BE investigated at the hospital...Until your OB says differently. 20 weeks is too early, and very stressful for your body and baby's body.
Drink two 8 ounce glasses of juice, or gatorade, lie on your left side for half an hour, and if it has not gotten better, then it is time to see someone...DOn't wait next time.
I am not an alarmist, but I di know that premature babies are born every day, for whatever reason, and nobody can predict what is causing your contractions- but 6 hours of those will sure cause stress on a teeny fetus.
Best wishes...

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