thoughts on prodromal labor

[GradysMom]

I just realized - but kinda knew- after some quick research that I have been experiencing prodromal labor for maybe as long as 2 or 3 weeks.

For sure for the last week and a half. I've had very strong, clock work (like every 3 or 5 min) contractions that i go to bed to, wake up to. I cook with them, vacumm, ignore them mostly but they kind wind me at times, lock me up at other times.

Anyone else having this experience...?

The other morning they converted to wrap around the back stuff and were very convincing... until I got up to eat a sandwich. They eventually fade away again.... but sometimes after 12 or more hours of steady tugging.

Ahhh prodromal labor. No mucus, or water breaking, just people right and left around me (family, friends) assuming it must be any moment now - and kinda making me pretty frustrated.

I went 43 weeks with ds and never had so much activity..... but now that I'm 39wks 3 days I'm kinda feeling a smige discouraged. I've really held up wellto the foolish feelings I've had.... telling dh some mornings today is the day...etc. I've got it totally scripted in my head that all this prelabor is doing work on me...even if it is just mental surrender work.

Any way, like I say most days.... maybe tonight. LOL

[mouso]

That must be so frustrating. Only twice have I had what felt like "real" contractions. Otherwise it's all BH: when I move, when I think about moving, etc.

Hang in there! Hey, I know you said it too but maybe you will go earlier this time b/c your body is ready!

[Michigan Mama]

I've been having this off and on just for a couple days now. With ds1, I never even really felt any BH ahead of time, so the first real contraction I felt was the real thing.

So now, I'm like...um...is it? no? I'll get them for a while and think, yeah, maybe, and then they'll fizzle out again. I'm trying to just get mentally to a place where I'm ok with now or later.

[sky_and_lavender]

I guess your body is ripening you for giving birth. But it does sound pretty challenging.

[brooklynbabymama]

same, felt practically nothing until real labor last time. This time is more tightness, twingy, crampy aching but still nothing too awful. However, at my mw appt this morning she kept pointing out contractions I hardly realized I was having, and I started to get very aware that any work my body is doing now is just going to equal less work later. So the hardcore prodromal, as much as it sucks, is still hours logged off the end product.

[Abraisme]

I've had steady, strong bhx every 10-15 minutes for days. Nothing has happened.. Any day now..

[ombrooklyn]

Yeah, it is frustrating. You feel like it could turn very real at any moment but it never does. It's almost unfair. BUT the fact that our bodies have been warming up and practicing for weeks will hopefully make our active labors easier! I am right there with you mama.

[Talula Fairie]

It f*ing sucks. Those are my thoughts.

ETA: and yes, this happened to me. I finally called the midwife becuase they just would not stop. I'm not dilating.

[Talula Fairie]

Originally Posted by ombrooklyn

Yeah, it is frustrating. You feel like it could turn very real at any moment but it never does. It's almost unfair. BUT the fact that our bodies have been warming up and practicing for weeks will hopefully make our active labors easier! I am right there with you mama.

I honestly think that's just something they tell women to make them feel better. I know plenty of people who had padromal labor and then 4 hours of hell for their actual labor. I guess that's better than 2 days of hell, but still. Meh. I'm not buying it.

[R1coryR1]

actually, you are lucky that know what prodromal labor is! and you are just letting it do it's thing...i think there's many an OB that would hook you up to some IVs right now and "get this baby born."

i wish i would have known as much with DD1, 3-5 minutes apart for a day, and I called the OB and they told me to go to the hospital where i wasn't dilated at all...so they let me sit for an hour or two, but then started insisting on interventions. i didn't know enough to say no thanks i'm going home....and ended up with every miserable intervention short of a c-section.

keep your chin up...it can't be too much longer!

[Jilian]

All of my thoughts on prodromal labor violate the UA and will surely get me banned so I'll keep them to myself, but rest assured that they are not warm and fuzzy thoughts!