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I wanted to keep everyone posted on my nursing though pregnancy saga... My 19 mo. old is nursing about 3x day, twice additionally during the night hours.  I went into pre-mature labor at 33 weeks, which my doctors solely attribute to continued nursingI went through nine hours of labor, two shots of magneseum (spelling?), and then they sent me home on brethine, every  six hours to stop contractions.  This Wednesday I will be 36 weeks pregnant, and I stopped the brethine, against my doctor's wishes, when I found out that brethine in NOT FDA approved for the use in pregnancy and no studies have ever been done to examine the long or short term effects of brethine on the babies of the mothers who took it during pregnancy.  My son continues to nurse, but I have not had any more contractions.  In fact, the contractions I previously had did not start until several hours after nursing him for approx. 15 minutes.  My doctor keeps telling me to wean Austen, but I think this is silly, especially in light of the fact if the baby were born now, she'd be fine and, in fact, at 37 weeks will be considered term, which is 11 days from now. I am interested in any feedback from others who have experienced a similar situation! Anne, mom to Austen 7/22/95 and Haille, still hanging in there!

I am interested in any feedback from others who have experienced a similar situation! Anne, mom to Austen 7/22/95 and Haille, still hanging in there! ******************************************* Hi Anne...I had a similar situation with my fourth baby, though not to the point of medication. I started having strong contractions around 30 weeks, which were s bit stronger after nursing my next older child. I was lucky enough to have a guy who was in his final year of internship as my O.B. - I think I taught him quite a bit about extended nursing/nursing while pregnant! He didn't push weaning, bedrest, or anything like that - he did suggest that I try to rest as much as possible, but since I was a single mom with other kids and no one to help with the house, kids, chores, etc...he knew bedrest would be impossible Anyways, my son was born 8 days late, and 8 lbs 15 oz...Obviously, nursing did not cause early labor! FWIW, my first child was the only one who was born early - the next three were all due date or later, and I breastfed during all three of those pregnancies. So, I could guess from my personal experience that nursing during pregnancy prevents pre-term labor<G Good luck, and I'll hope for a safe, term delivery for you. Stephanie mom to Rob 10, Marissa 8, Michael 5, and Timmy 18 (almost) months  (and hopefully more to come - hubby wants a junior and I want another girl)

I went into premature labor at 26 weeks after a nasty fall. I was still nursing my 16 month old. I continued to nurse...I didn't think to mention to doc that I was nursing. After dilating to 2 cm. I was put on Brethine (sp) until 36 weeks gestation. Baby Jesse was born 3-1/2 weeks later.