Irritable Uterus & Bedrest Update
I have an irritable uterus, and I’ve been placed on bedrest for one week until my next appointment on Tuesday. Apparently, I overworked myself with traveling and house chores.
I traveled to LA to watch my hubby play against the Rams. We got back home Sunday night after the game, but on Monday evening I started having contractions—period-like cramping. They didn’t hurt, but I knew they weren’t normal.
Of course, I panicked and couldn’t sleep. I called my OB around 12:30 a.m., and she told me to take Tylenol, drink water, and try to get some rest. She also told me to go to labor and delivery if the contractions continued.
Eventually, I did fall asleep. Thankfully, I already had an appointment scheduled for the next day. I was due for another cervical check, and they also needed more photos of our baby that they couldn’t get at our anatomy scan the week before.
Before my appointment, my OB contacted my high-risk doctor. They advised me to rest all day before coming in and ordered me to start taking Motrin 600 mg every six hours for 72 hours. Motrin helps with inflammation and uterine cramping/Braxton Hicks. However, it’s not safe to take long-term because it can decrease amniotic fluid and potentially affect a valve in the baby’s heart. That risk is more of a concern when Motrin is taken frequently after 26 weeks.
What Bedrest Looks Like for Me
An irritable uterus really sucks, and honestly, it scares me. It makes me worry about the rest of my pregnancy. I’ve been on bedrest for about six days now, and I’m really hoping this isn’t something I’ll need for the remainder of my pregnancy.
For now, I only get up to eat, use the bathroom, and shower.
I had to cancel several appointments this week, including London’s vet appointment, my lash appointment, and my prenatal massage. Instacart has saved my life—I’ve been ordering groceries, and a few weeks ago we hired a chef to prep our lunches and dinners. I also brought back our cleaning lady from last year to help keep the house in order, especially with the number of guests we usually have every weekend.
Since being on bedrest, my appetite has dropped tremendously. I usually eat a very light, late breakfast—either a spinach and strawberry smoothie or yogurt with a fiber bar. For lunch, I rarely finish my food because I get full quickly, which then leads to constipation since I can’t be active. For dinner, I usually just eat my lunch leftovers.
A Stressful Week Full of Anxiety
This week has been incredibly stressful, and I’ve been trying not to let it get the best of me. Hubby left early Friday because they have an away game this Sunday, so I’m home alone.
I’m currently 19 weeks and 4 days—the same gestation when I lost my twins last November. The year before that, in 2017, I lost my first son at 19 weeks and 5 days. Making it through today and tomorrow alone truly feels like a test of my strength and will.
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness: My Twin Loss
Thankfully, I have a few girlfriends coming by throughout the weekend to keep me company and bring food. Shoutout to Mandie for bringing me a home-cooked meal from her chef and staying with me on Friday. My mom has also been calling me every morning, afternoon, and night just to check on me—she’s worried about me being alone.
The good news is that the contractions have stopped, and I’m doing okay. I just wish these days would go by much faster.
Please keep me and our baby in your prayers. If you’ve dealt with an irritable uterus during pregnancy, I’d love to hear how you and your doctor managed it. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my hubby’s latest blog post HERE.
I’ll update you all next week—stay tuned.
With love,
Mrs. Goodwin
