32 Weeks and Cramping

I had the same situation and found that dehyradation was my issue. Even though I thought I was inputting a lot of fluids I wasn't. I would increase my water intake when these attacks start and see if that doesn't help. I was in the hospital for an unrelated pregnancy issue and started into labor, the first thing they did was to have me drink a large quantity of water..bingo my contractions stopped. 2nd... because of your pregnancy you are protected from being let go, that is the law so I wouldn't worry about your job. Do the best you can at work to the best of your ability and things should be fine. They are just trying to scare you...after you have the baby I would certainly look for another place to work. Take care and Good Luck

I feel for you, I really do. I know money can be a huge stressor and keeping an amicable relationship going with your co-workers is important. That said, this is your baby and her health you're talking about. I'd say get a note from your doc requesting light duty and insist on still being given your hours. Legally you have that right. If you end up in a situation where you need to be on bed rest or not working, just know financially you'll never be in as tight of a spot as you would be if you end up going into preterm labor and have a newborn in the NICU for weeks. Even with the best insurance, you could be looking at staggering medical bills, not to mention more importantly, a not well child.

This is not said to stress you more. Just take good care of yourself, be as selfish as you need to be (and it's NOT selfish to take care of yourself), and work on growing that babe these last two months.

Good Luck. Wishing you a healthy, happy pregnant summer!

I second any opinions to re-visit your doc. Baby is under stress with the contractions - and you need to understand what is causing them. I requested non-stress tests at this point of pregnancy - and the peace of mind was so worth it. My memory fails - but the larger ultrasound testing... not the mid -pregnancy one... can't recall the name of it - but i would recommend asking for that... to physically see how baby is resting in there - for them to review baby during a contraction.

take care of you and baby - and get to the bottom of your concerns :)

Oh honey -- only 8 weeks left. Eight weeks can go by like a flash! I would definitely ask for the light duty, if not more. I know the bills and all probably seem like huge tigers looming on the horizon, but do think about what would happen if you went into premature labor because of working so hard. The hospital bills and stress with a baby in NICU would probably be far greater, not to mention the dangers preemies face. I'm guessing that your co-workers will be understanding if they have to pick up a bit of extra slack.

Think of what's best for your baby. These last eight weeks are critical for his or her development, and I know you want this little one to get the best start they can! I will pray that the Lord brings some extra provision your way. I know he CARES about you and this little precious bundle, and can make a way through this when there seems there isn't one. Choose for the baby, this little gift He has given you; the rest will fall into place! Please let us know how things go. :) Hugs.

NOTHING is more important right now than your and your baby's health! You need to do what is best for you and your baby right now. If that means light duty, fine. If it means not working, fine. Maybe you can get disability. I would look into doing whatever you can to take the time off. Your baby's life may depend on it.
S.

Wouldn't you be willing to pick up extra slack for another woman in your position? If your doc suggests light duty, don't hesitate to ask for it! Best wishes for a happy, stress-free 8 more weeks!

Ask your doc to do a fetal fibronectin swab on your service os send you to someone that can. If its negative you should be able to keep working. If its positive (from personal experience as well as their research) it means birth is threatened in the next 2wks and to slow down/stop working. I've had 2 premature babes (one 31 1/2 and the other 34wks). As hard as bedrest is if you get a positive see if you can make it work for just 3 weeks til u get to 35wks. Usually babies are healthy enuf @ this pt 2 go home. 36wks is better. If you make it to 35 after a positive (test should be repeated every 10-14days to see if it changes to negative also) then you should be able to return to work! But get the test first if you need to keep working. So many people get prescribed needlessly and research does not support that it really works anyway. Good luck- keep us posted!!!

I had the exact same concerns with my second who is two now. At about 32 weeks my blood pressure started to rise (due to some neighbor kids breaking into my house) and after a week of it not going down my doc put me on bedrest at home. Well, I am a single mom so bedrest at home is not very accurate, if you know what I mean. After about 4 days of home rest that did not work they stuck me in the hospital and I was on bedrest there for two weeks and then they took him at 36 weeks.
Unless you want your baby to come early, I think you have no choice but to do light duty. Maybe you can do 3/4 of your job but no lifting. Or maybe they can put you on doing all the paperwork for a few weeks. Your doc says not to worry unless the contractions come regularly but if you are feeling so poorly you have to lay down that is not doing your job either. If you can lighten the load a bit, just enough that you don't get sick, maybe you will be able to work long enough.
You really have to think of yourself and your baby in this situation. Do you have vacation time saved? Can you use that? If you wind up having to stay home to avoid having the baby early, will your two other children not have to go to the sitter? Maybe that could save you some money. If you do find it necessary to do lighter duty, make sure to get a note from the doctor for your work. Also, are you eligible for FMLA? Any time that you are off due to the pregnancy/baby can possibly be used under the FMLA coverage.
Yeah, you could "tough it out" but at what cost to you and/or the baby? Do you want to take the risk?