I Just Want to Be Sure I Should Go to the ER?

Updated on February 13, 2011
D.G. asks from Fleming Island, FL
18 answers

I've been dealing with preterm labor with my 1st daughter since 29 weeks. As of wed (I'm 34 weeks now), I was told that she was 5lbs 11oz and the next time I came in I'd be delivering her (since I've had the steroid shots, antibiotics etc). I just don't want to go in and chance it. With my boys (who were both full term) though I was contracting, I had to have my water broken in order to progess. Right now I'm having really strong contractions that are maybe 5-6 minutes apart and about 40 seconds long, also I've been really nauseous as well. Everything has been really constant for about 2 hours but I don't know if I've dialated past 3cm yet. So should I go in? And do you think they'd break my water? Thanks ladies.
*Oh they've been trying to stop labor constantly, but I'm too far along to get magnesium anymore, the procartia drops my blood pressure way too low and terbutaline doesn't stop it at all. So that's why I'm not getting meds to stop it anymore. Just so everyone knows.

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L.K.

answers from Austin on

I am a midwife. Why would you deliver her without trying to stop the labor first? It sounds like you are in labor and if it were me I would go in and insist they try to stop it first. There is never a reason to break the water. You will progress without this being done and it provides a cushion of safety around the baby the longer it stays intact.

Lisa

3 moms found this helpful
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C.P.

answers from Provo on

It does sound like you are in pretty hard labor. I think you should at least call a doctor and see what you should do. You would be better off delivering the baby in the hospital where there is help if you need it and not at home. 6 lbs. is not so small and little girls lung development is usually more rapid then little boys. Things will be better for you all the way around.

1 mom found this helpful

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

You really need to call your ob/gyn. We're not qualified to give medical advice.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

would you rather accidentally give birth at home? I'd call the OB, better safe than sorry!

2 moms found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

1 mom found this helpful

M.3.

answers from St. Louis on

I would go. Like now. :)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Go in!!! This is about the safety of your baby girl. Call the dr or ER and talk to a nurse asap. I doubt they will put the baby under the stress of a vaginal delivery, thats just my thought.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.A.

answers from Chattanooga on

You should call your OB/Gyn and ask them what to do...right away!

1 mom found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Many babies are successfully delivered at 34 weeks (or even earlier). If you are in labor you want to be in the hospital before she makes her appearance so she can get the best possible care. She should be able to survive but she will be preterm and you need to be sure you don't deliver at home.

Here in DE, women don't go to the ER in labor. They call their doctor, who will notify the hospital maternity ward. Then, when you arrive at the hospital you would go straight to the maternity ward. Then your doctor, or the OB on call, would make the determination for what is the best course of action for you and your daughter.

I would rather go and be sent home and then stay home and wish I had went.

1 mom found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Spokane on

She's big enough and with those contractions that close together, and that strong, I'd go in. Also, there was no reason to break those waters for labor to progress. While water does often break on it's own, that is not always the case and having the docs up there messing around doing that is not a good idea even if it is common practice. Unless the baby is in distress, there is no need to progress things on the docs schedule, it needs to be on the babies schedule. Congrats on your new little one. :)

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A.A.

answers from Chicago on

Call your doc and let them know you are heading in to L&D. You don't want the baby to be born at home. Best of luck!

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B.B.

answers from New York on

Give your dr a call and ask what he/she thinks you should do...that is why they get paid the big bucks ;-)

Best of luck to you and baby. Just so you know, my SIL had both of her babies at 34 weeks and neither of them needed any type of breathing intervention at all, and were only in NICU because of their weight!

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X.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I think you should go to the ER is you have been contracting every 5-6 minutes for 2 hours then you should go. Good luck! and let us know how everything goes!

M.R.

answers from Rochester on

I think it sounds like you'll feel better if you go in. Sounds like she's going to be fine but you can also call your doctor's office emergency line and check with them. They know your history and situation and should be able to appropriately direct you. Good luck!! :)

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

If you do go in, go straight to Labor and Delivery. NOT the ER. ER cannot do anything for you, unless you are getting ready to deliver, except take you down to Labor and Delivery.

Good luck
M.

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

If there's nothing more to be done then you will have to go in and let them break your water. Having a 34.5 week neonate will be rough going for awhile. Expect theat there will be later sensory issues from the trauma of being in the NICU so you can start your baby in early intervention to help integrate the senses and keep an eye on the development. Being strapped down, on your back, with needles and pricks constantly cause big problems. When they do let you hold the baby, keep things quiet as you can. The less stimulation, the better. Skin to skin is called kangaroo care and that is what they should encourage at the hospital. For about the next 5 weeks, sounds, lights, sibling noise and other stimulation should be kept away from the baby. Get baby on tummy as much as you can to build a core, develop vision, auditory and a vestibular system. This is the best advice I can give besides breastfeeding but you will have to get an OT who is advanced with the suck, swallow, breathe reflex to "teach" the baby how to do it. If it is not taught correctly, and the baby is just forced to suck then there will be problems later down the road. Get your specialists lined up now so that things can go smoothly as they can. It's not easy dealing with hospitals and doctors. You are ultimately in charge of your baby's care. Good luck with everything.

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E.M.

answers from Honolulu on

How low does your blood pressure go? My blood pressure while preg is 25/99 and when not preg 15/55. I have been told that it is impossible to have pressure that low and be walking around but here I am.

You don't need your water broken to give birth. I gave birth 2 times now with water intact (yup born in sac!). You should go just in case you do give birth they can get he baby in the proper care ASAP vs, having you drive there with baby already born. Just sit in the waiting room or the car outside if you don't want care for yourself.

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Go ahead in to L&D and get checked out. With my DS I had contractions, much of the time VERY STRONG every 3-5 minutes for 5 weeks! No fun. They didn't try to stop them but once when I was 34 weeks. After that, I kept contracting but didn't progress so we waited it out. He was born spontaneously the day before they were going to induce him (personal reasons) a day before his due date! You need that safety net in case you are in active labor and the baby is born to have the NICU staff available for your premie.
Let us know how you do! Good luck!

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