Irritable Uterus Anyone?

[bluebonnet22]

So I've been following pretty much the same hydration/activity levels since 2nd trimester. I'm moderately active with my DS, I do some household chores (laundry, dishes, cleaning up after DS), and I drink 8 8 oz glasses of water per day. My pregnancy has been relatively easy and pain free so far. Yesterday at 28w6d I woke up in a lot of pain and my uterus was crazy sore and mostly in the "tight/contracted" phase most of the day. Walking was really painful for the entire day and I just couldn't get past the persistent pain I was feeling. 

So I freaked out and went to L&D and found both babies are doing great (YAY) and under no stress, but my uterus was really "irritated" on the monitor and I was experiencing more contractions than I should for this phase of pregnancy. I'm 100% not in pre term labor (cervix still closed, thank goodness), but I'm not sure what this means. I woke up this morning still pretty sore and still contracting a lot. I called my doctor and they aren't really concerned if I'm not dialating. 

Anyone else ever have "IU" ? What did your doctor recommend (pelvic rest, restricted activity, anything?)? I'm way upping my fluid intake and trying to cut back on activity levels, but not sure if there's more I should be doing?

Thanks

[anotherdreamer]

After my L&D at 28w (stomach flu= dehydrated, contractions 2-3min apart, not dilating, FFN test was negative- took fluids and 2 shots of brethine to get them down to 1-2 an hour) they chalked me up to having a IU. From that stage on I had to start taking it a lot easier, no more full grocery trips, if I got a little behind in my fluids they would pick back up (had to drink a gallon a day, at least!). They never really recommended more than taking it easy though.

[mrsf0831]

No experience, but good luck hope you can get it all under control

[Squishy622]

Sending hugs and good thoughts, hope things calm down soon!

[chiwifey]

No experience but I hope it resolves soon. Take good care of yourself!

[ashb62]

I had an irritable uterus. It basically just meant I had TONS of Braxton Hicks. The main thing is just to listen to your body. I definitely had way more on days I was more active. When I was having a lot, I would lay on my left side and chug water. That usually slowed them down or made them stop completely.

I went to the doctor once around 26w (I think?), because I had 9 in an hour. They weren't causing any cervical changes, so my OB said that it was probably my new normal and recommended extra hydration and rest. As long as they weren't super painful (I could talk through them) or causing cervical changes, they weren't too concerned.

FWIW, I delivered at 38+4.

[julie216]

bluebonnet22, no experience with IU, but just wanted to send you hugs and hope it quiets down!

[lupineaura]

I did/do. Unfortunately for me my cervix also shortened/funneled so I was put on bed rest at 29 weeks. I also took Procardia to help ease contractions, but was taken off this past Monday. I'll be 36 weeks on Saturday so something worked!

At 28 weeks I was put on restricted activity and I wish I took it more seriously. So my biggest advice to you is to take it as easy as possible, keep drinking water, and lay down with your feet up whenever possible. I know there is some debate as to whether bed rest works, but I really think it made a big difference in my case. I found I had more contractions after my daily shower and on days when I was up and about for doctors appointments.

Good news is your cervix looks good, which they tend to care about more than # of contractions. Good luck!

[twinmomma]

I did starting around 26 weeks. That's about when I had to start working from home. My OB made it my choice, but I knew that it was best for me to be working from home, laying down much of the day, instead of running around an office and sitting in an uncomfortable chair. I also stopped carrying loads of laundry around the house or picking up any larger things. Basically my OB told me to just rest as much as possible, so I did. I spent a lot of time camped out on the couch.

[wamom]

I would just listen to your body. I would probably also up your water intake. I drank about 100oz a day and it would keep the bhs at bay.