Genital warts affecting cervix during labor Posted: 04-12-08 09:52am
This may be graphic and TMI but not sure
how to ask my question without giving some
details!
My daughter started going in to preterm
labor at 31 weeks. She had dilated to "a
little over 2" and was 60% effaced. She
was given magnesium in the hospital after
terbutaline injections and several trips
to l & d did not work. She went home
w/terbutaline pills which seemed to do the
trick. She still had occasional
contractions but nothing very painful.
The first two dr. appts. after the
hospital showed no more dilation so all
was well. She had to see an NP during her
visit earlier this week. The NP told her
she was "about a 1" and her cervix was
thick. That was on Wednesday.
Yesterday, she started spotting bright red
blood, more when she wiped and then lots
of mucus. I know that's all normal. A
couple of hours later she said that it
felt like when she is having a period and
has a small gush of blood but when she
went to the bathroom, it wasn't blood but
fluid. Not mucus but more watery. Ok,
could be her water breaking, especially
since she started having some pretty
intense contractions.
After they were at 4-6 minutes apart for a
little over an hour and increasing in
intensity, we went to the hospital. By the
time we got to the ER (have to go through
there at night), they were 3-4 minutes
apart and she had to stop and really
concentrate because they were quite
painful.
The nurse checked her and told her it was
possibly very early labor because she was
"not quite a fingertip dilated" and very
thick. They hooked her up to the monitors
for observation.
After several hard contractions, they
stopped. They didn't ease away. It was
like flipping a switch. The line on the
monitor was flat. She dozed off and on.
After an hour had passed, the nurse came
in to send her home. Before the nurse left
the room, they started back up but were
about 7-8 minutes apart. She was sent home
with an ambien to help her sleep.
She continued throughout the night having
occasional contractions with only a few
being intense/painful. They are not very
regular.
She has a history of genital warts. She
said she can feel them on her cervix. The
information is in her chart at the
hospital.
How likely is it that the warts are
starting to block the opening of the
cervix and causing it to seem to be
smaller than it was originally? Should
that not be obvious to someone examining
her? Neither of us thought about it last
night and the nurse wasn't too keen on
answering questions. The doctor doesn't
return calls. You have to go through the
nurse unless it is an emergency.
|
Ingi
Moderator
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 8786 Location: Grinning like a Cheshire Cat,
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Posted: 04-12-08 11:13am
It would be obvious to someone examining
her that there were warts there on an
otherwise smooth cervical surface. A
cervix changes with each person who feels
for dilation. Like a 'fingertip' is
different for everyone because everyone's
fingertips are a different size.
Additionally, your cervix is changing all
the time and it can be larger and/or
smaller at your next check.
It sounds like your daughter is
experiencing prodramal labor.
Quote:
Prodromal Labor
Some first-time mothers experience a
prolonged period of early labor with
minimal to no change in their cervical
dilation. This condition is called
"Prodromal Labor". If this occurs, it is
especially important to
alternate rest and activity
to keep hydrated
maintain your physical energy with light,
high energy food
Partners and families can be very helpful
in keeping the mother distracted with
activities and in keeping up her spirits.
Periodic contact with your healthcare
provider is also helpful.
The warts should have no affect on her
labor. At her next doctor's visit, make
sure she brings it up as well as any other
concerns she has. Writing them down can be
helpful in remembering.
