Frustrated, need advice

[JLKMneely]

I was in active labor last Monday only to have it stop suddenly. Then I went all day yesterday from 8am to 4pm with labor pains the contractions were about 5 -7 minutes apart. They just stopped at 4pm for no reason! I am getting really annoyed, anxious and beyond frustrated!! :

Anyone have any suggestions to get it going an keep it going??

Intercourse is out of the question because I bled last time so the MW put a stop to that...any other suggestions will be welcome.

Please help; frustrated

[~Katie~]

Welcome to the world of prodromal labor

I had a week of contractions, got to 4cm and now nothing. My best advice is don't wear yourself out trying to keep labor going, if you end up exhausting yourself by the time things really do get active you may not have the energy to keep up with it. Contracting in spurts could be due to your body trying to get baby into a better position, and if that's the case you may want to try different techniques to help line them up better. If you're experiencing progress, consider it a blessing that in the end you'll likely have a much shorter labor when things actually get under way.

[knitting_mama]

yep - i've been stuck at a 4 for what will be 2 weeks on sunday. i'm contracting ALL the time, and they hurt. i did this with both of my daughters, and barely made to the birthing center with the first! i thought i knew better with my second and went in when i was at an 8 lol i'm opting for a home birth this time, since i doubt my midwife will make it!

anyhow, i can so commiserate, and i bet your delivery will be super easy and wonderful!!

edited to add: i don't think there is anything you can do to kick start it... i tried everything under the sun with my first 2, short of castor oil, and nothing helps except the baby deciding when s/he wants to come out. and i'm sure that's not what you want to hear at all, because i've been there s:

[octanebeetle27]

Originally Posted by KatieJD

Welcome to the world of prodromal labor

My best advice is don't wear yourself out trying to keep labor going, if you end up exhausting yourself by the time things really do get active you may not have the energy to keep up with it. Contracting in spurts could be due to your body trying to get baby into a better position, and if that's the case you may want to try different techniques to help line them up better. If you're experiencing progress, consider it a blessing that in the end you'll likely have a much shorter labor when things actually get under way.

:

I went thru almost a week of that stuff and yes it is INCREDIBLY frustrating. But also...incredibly normal KatieJD is right on--your biggest concern right now should be to keep your strength up, not try to keep labor going. Eventually labor wont' stop until your baby is here.

Also, ask your MW if it's ok if you have a glass of wine to calm things down if you have an episode of contractions that start up right before you are going to bed or are feeling particularly exhausted. Drink that wine, then take a nap if things calm down. They'll start back up pretty quickly again if it's the "real" deal!

And hey--you are so close!! Hang in there!