SO tired of prodromal labor...when will it end?

[paula444four]

Yes I am posting just to complain and yes I feel a bit guilty about it but I am splurging anyway.

3 weeks of on and off early labor is driving me crazy. Just when I had my mind wrapped around letting go and not obsessing I had another night of labor...with no baby! Last night I had 3 hours of contractions that lasted about a minute and were around 15 minutes apart. Theses actually were much more intense than ever before... and I though maybe just maybe they could lead to the birth. There was even a point where I considered filling the tub. However they never became more intense or closer together...and around the 3 hours mark they disappeared...leaving behind a sore belly and an occasion contraction that would wake me.

Anyhoo....I am 39 weeks 5 days prego and even though I have not reached my due date yet...all this prodromal really has my mind messed up. Any advice on how to deal with them and be happy again?

Thanks for listening. I know I am being weak.

[JillyD]

I can imagine this is frustrating and unfortunately, i have no advice for you besides the age old...patience. I have been having contractions for the past few days (nothing like 3 weeks) and, like you, had some that felt pretty serious last night but alas, still pregnant this morning. Our babies WILL come...and perhaps all this early prodromal labor stuff is actually doing something and will make out labors shorter! One can only hope right?

[herins]

Originally Posted by paula444four

Thanks for listening. I know I am being weak.

Goodness gracious! You are not being weak. Your body is being cruel!!! I can't imagine how frustrating and tiring all those ups and downs would be. Maybe it will mean your hard labour will be quick and painless!!!

[Asher]

Popping in from May DDC. I'm so sorry! I've had it with all of my labors and it certainly has a way of making you feel exhausted and horrid. Hope babe comes for you soon!

[jmay]

Two days ago I was right there with you; so sick of the prodromal stuff. Well, after an evening and night of mild contractions that I thought for sure weren't going anywhere, I awoke at 6 AM with intense contractions and my baby was born on the floor of the shower, caught by my husband 25 minutes later!
So looking back now, I am thankful for the 2 1/2 weeks of the "easy" prodromal stuff and only 25 minutes of the hard ones! Hang in there, you will be snuggling with your babe very soon!

[YayJennie]

^^I love that story!

I'm with you getting a little impatient, and I've only had 3 days of prodromal labor! But now that I'm 39+2, I feel like baby will be here so soon, I don't even mind more of this "fake" labor. I am hoping baby isn't born too quick though...

[mom2tatum]

my contrax have started, too. nothing consistent, nothing too intense, mostly non painful, a few that take my breath away, but random for three days now. I am only going to be 39 wks tomorrow, so I am not desperate, but EXCITED and disappointed they haven't led to anything much yet. Hopefully tonight. Ugh, it is frustrating, though. I can't imagine this for weeks! Jeez, you are not being weak, you're human! That plain sucks.

[herins]

Originally Posted by jmay

Two days ago I was right there with you; so sick of the prodromal stuff. Well, after an evening and night of mild contractions that I thought for sure weren't going anywhere, I awoke at 6 AM with intense contractions and my baby was born on the floor of the shower, caught by my husband 25 minutes later!
So looking back now, I am thankful for the 2 1/2 weeks of the "easy" prodromal stuff and only 25 minutes of the hard ones! Hang in there, you will be snuggling with your babe very soon!

See, now we're all hoping for a week of prodromal crap!

[Janessa]

I'm 40 weeks 5 days now and have had this every night since 37 weeks. I'm tired and grumpy and this is the first time I've even made it to my due date lol My first was born at 39 weeks and my second was born at 38 weeks after 2 weeks prodromal nightly crap.

[UhOhWhatNow]

I get painless contractions every night too... I am beyond horrified and terrified of birth, and am in a deep depression knowing I have to go through that. I just want it over. Every time I get a contraction I think "this is it... I could die today/I'm going to suffer the worst day of my life today" and so forth... but I also think, "Finally it will be over and I can forget it and live again without it looming ahead of me" and then nothing... more waiting. *sigh*

I hate this too.

[JMJ]

My due date is tomorrow, and I'm with you on having contractions for the past 3 weeks. They're getting more intense, though, especially at night. Last night was not a great night for sleeping, and even when I did sleep, I would dream about being in labor, and I would wake up to breathe through another intense contraction. The good news is, I'm getting less and less afraid of actual labor. If it's just an extension of what I've felt already, I can handle it for the while that it lasts. I know that it will get even more intense, but hey, we get someone out of all our hard work when we're done!

[laurilj]

Originally Posted by UhOhWhatNow

I get painless contractions every night too... I am beyond horrified and terrified of birth, and am in a deep depression knowing I have to go through that. I just want it over. Every time I get a contraction I think "this is it... I could die today/I'm going to suffer the worst day of my life today" and so forth... but I also think, "Finally it will be over and I can forget it and live again without it looming ahead of me" and then nothing... more waiting. *sigh*

I hate this too.

Crashing from April; I felt that way too until very recently. Every time I would think or talk about labor I would start shaking, seriously, I have never behaved that way before... I was dealing with so much fear. But I want a baby so badly, and the other day I realized this - the day I go into labor will be the best day of my life, because it will be the day I meet my child.

That idea has really changed my outlook on labor... It may still be intense and painful and totally foriegn, but there's a baby at the end!

Hope y'all have your babies soon and feel better!

[lanielayne]

I am feeling the same way. I wish I hadn't had any preterm stuff so I wouldn't have been focused on going early. I knew for sure I was but now I am 2 days away from my EDD! I haven't dilated anymore. She better come before April!

[UhOhWhatNow]

I try to do that, but my baby was unplanned. I don't even want kids... never have. Now, before you all think I am horrible, I DO want this baby, now that he's on his way. But having never even held a baby in my life, I can't even imagine what he'll be like. I have no natural draw towards babies, and while I am sure the sight of him will move me like nothing ever has... for now all I can think of is "I don't want to die" and "I don't want to suffer" and "I don't want to have a baby come out of me- I don't deserve to suffer like that" and it totally sucks. I feel like this is a curse. I have a severe phobia of needles, so I am even more afraid of all the things that could prevent my suffering than I am of the suffering itself. SO basically- I am screwed.

[laurilj]

Just remember... nothing is ever as bad as it seems, and nothing bad lasts forever. This too shall pass.

I tell myself that when I'm in a tough situation. It works because it's true.

[UhOhWhatNow]

True! I feel encouraged today- even a little excited. Every twinge and pain actually feels good to me today, because it's a possible sign of progress.