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Should I be concerned about the contractions and drop in the baby's heart rate at 36 weeks of pregnancy?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 36 weeks pregnant and I have been contracting for a while already. I spotted blood recently and was admitted to the hospital. I had a six minutes contraction and the baby's heart rate dropped. They just gave me a steroid and sent me home but I am still contracting. Can you help me with what to do?
Answered by Dr. Uzma Arqam

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Uzma Arqam is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist with expertise in prenatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility treatment, menstrual disorders, and minimally invasive gynecological procedures. She provides comprehensive women’s healthcare with a focus on safety, compassion, and personalized treatment. Dr. Arqam is committed to supporting women’s health at every stage of life through evidence-based practices and patient-centered care.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It would be better if you send your obstetrics, gynecology, and medical history.

1. Do a strict check on contractions (frequency and duration) and similarly on fetal movements, as reduced fetal movements need emergency evaluation and investigations and any vaginal discharge (rupture of membranes).

2. Have one electronic fetal monitoring graph with tocodynamometer (pressure-sensitive contraction transducer) to have a detailed evaluation of contractions and fetal heart activity and better to be checked by a gynecology specialist.

3. Take detailed examination per speculum (a device that examines hollow openings in your body), HVS (high vaginal swab), and litmus test for excluding ruptured membranes.

I hope I have cleared all your doubts.

Thank you.

The Probable causes

The probable causes include labor pain in week 36 of pregnancy.

Investigations to be done

Investigations to be done are: 1. CTG (cardiotocography) test. 2. Hvs (high vaginal swab) test. 3. Litmus test.

Probable diagnosis

Labor pain.

Treatment plan

Report emergency for CTG with toco and examination.

Regarding follow up

As per need.
Answered by Dr. Uzma Arqam
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At May 5, 2023
Reviewed At May 8, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Uzma Arqam is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist with expertise in prenatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility treatment, menstrual disorders, and minimally invasive gynecological procedures. She provides comprehensive women’s healthcare with a focus on safety, compassion, and personalized treatment. Dr. Arqam is committed to supporting women’s health at every stage of life through evidence-based practices and patient-centered care.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Uzma Arqam
Dr. Uzma Arqam

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Uzma Arqam is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist with expertise in prenatal care, high-risk pregnancy management, infertility treatment, menstrual disorders, and minimally invasive gynecological procedures. She provides comprehensive women’s healthcare with a focus on safety, compassion, and personalized treatment. Dr. Arqam is committed to supporting women’s health at every stage of life through evidence-based practices and patient-centered care.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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