Tocolytics & longrijpings shots

Hi moms-to-be,

I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on May 5, 2018, who is now 10 months old. I also found out in January that I’m pregnant again. I’m currently 24 weeks and 5 days pregnant (due date July 7, 2019). Two days ago, my son accidentally kicked me in the belly while playing. It hurt incredibly, but the pain subsided fairly quickly (probably thanks to distraction, I guess). That evening, while I was sitting on the couch, I started getting period-like cramps. It started off mild but got increasingly painful. I managed to hold out until the next afternoon. Then I called my midwife, who came over to check on me. She thought I looked too painful and took me to the hospital. It turned out I was 1 cm dilated, and my cervix was 2.5 cm long (not sure exactly what that means, hehe). I ended up having to stay, and they did a few tests. I also received contractions suppressants for 48 hours and shots for the baby’s lung maturation. I’m getting the second dose soon.

Now, the thing is, my cervix has opened up to 3.5 cm since starting the medication, which I understand is good, but I still have an unsettled belly. I thought the contractions suppressants would stop the pain entirely. They asked me to rate the pain, and I said between 7 and 8. Some (nurses) look at me funny, but there’s nothing I can do about having a lot of pain—it comes and goes, and I still have it. I’m using a hot water bottle, taking warm showers, and my partner is massaging the pain away, along with paracetamol to get through the days.

I was wondering if there are more people who had contractions suppressants and lung maturation shots early in their pregnancy and still had period-like cramps during the medication (though less than without it), and how long it took until they finally gave birth.

I find it all very exciting and quite heavy too. I hope everything stays okay and I don’t have to endure any more pain. I’d love to read your stories/advice/tips.