Advice? Painful contractions, but no mucus plug or anything

[akat]

Okay, so my 'Braxton-Hicks' have been getting a little more intense at night the last couple nights, but still not really painful. Until this morning, I woke up around 5am with irregular, painful contractions, back pain continues between [he's not posterior but he's facing exactly to the right, not occipital]. But, I haven't lost my mucus plug that I know of, whenever I wipe it's just clear. So, prodromal?

[mrsfrenchy]

Originally Posted by akat

Okay, so my 'Braxton-Hicks' have been getting a little more intense at night the last couple nights, but still not really painful. Until this morning, I woke up around 5am with irregular, painful contractions, back pain continues between [he's not posterior but he's facing exactly to the right, not occipital]. But, I haven't lost my mucus plug that I know of, whenever I wipe it's just clear. So, prodromal?

I don't think that your mucus plug means anything really. Or bloody show for that matter. Plenty of people (myself included with my first pregnancy) don't lose their mp or have anything other than BH that eventually turn into real contractions.

I wouldn't call it labor until the contractions are actually timable and getting more intense. So that could be now or it could just be prodromal.

I don't think this was ver helpful. My answer is: there's no way to tell, but the mucus plug means nothing.

[akat]

Thank you - hearing that no mucus plug doesn't definitively mean no labor, helps.

Sometimes I'm having pain but when I touch my belly it isn't hard...what's up with that?

[jillmamma]

Originally Posted by akat

Thank you - hearing that no mucus plug doesn't definitively mean no labor, helps.

Sometimes I'm having pain but when I touch my belly it isn't hard...what's up with that?

In my particular case, it usually means gas/having to go poop soon.

[akat]

Originally Posted by jillmamma

In my particular case, it usually means gas/having to go poop soon.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too...also it's pretty painful/crampy when the baby moves. Ugh.

[Gray's Mommy]

I didn't have mp or bloody show with my first, but I had it with my second. Who knows what will happen with this one...
I would time the contx. surges & see if there is a pattern or just irregular. I had a client who had 4 cotnx an hour & when I begged her to go get checked--she was already a 10!! Yeah-she stinks LOL

[organicpapayamama]

ddc crashing here. With DS when I was in labor I didnt have my water break or any loss of mucus plug until I was about 6cm dilated. I just knew it was "it" when the contractions had a pattern to it.

[Magistra]

I'm in a similar situation right now. Last night, the contractions were stronger than previously, but coming anywhere from 3-15 minutes. No other signs. I'm headed into the doctor's in a little bit since they were strong enough to keep me from sleeping and my contractions in my previous labor were never regular either (even with pitocin).

We're bringing our bags with us, just in case.

[akat]

Thanks so much for everyone's responses. Gray's Mommy, yeah, I *wish*! I am pretty sure I'm just not that type...But thanks, good point, I will time some.

I'm still having contractions, they are shorter and less frequent, and less painful.

I'm getting the last minute packing and things done, doing that last load of laundry and dishes, just in case. If we have to take stuff back out of the bag or whatever, fine.

With my first I lost mucus plug, a few days later my water broke, then I had 5 days of prodromal labor and then finally just gave up and transferred for a c-section.

This time, the irregular contractions feel discouragingly familiar but my water hasn't broken [knock on wood]. I'm afraid of days of unproductive pain -which is why I'd love to see some goo come out. But it's very reassuring to hear that it's not really necessary - thanks everyone. Once I finish my last minute stuff I think I'll go pray and listen to Hypnobabies.

PS I have more frequent and more painful contrax when I lay down...anyone have any ideas why that is?

[Neldavi]

Originally Posted by akat

PS I have more frequent and more painful contrax when I lay down...anyone have any ideas why that is?

Hi, I'm in this DDC, just haven't posted much .. I'm due on Saturday and am in prodomal labor land as well

With your question above, I'd say that it could be that your body really is ready, but when you're up and about the contractions slow down while you concentrate on other things. This is different for everybody, obviously, but if you're ready to have this baby and things pick up when you lay down, I'd just take some time to be in bed and focus on your body and baby. Good luck!

[Magistra]

Originally Posted by akat

PS I have more frequent and more painful contrax when I lay down...anyone have any ideas why that is?

I'm having pretty much the opposite--more frequent and painful when I'm upright, although most of last night's occurred while I was laying down. I realized during my NST today that I was in the same position (in a recliner, just slightly on my left side) where I was able to get my only hour of sleep last night--and I only had one very mild contraction during the NST. Start walking out to the car afterwards, and I immediately have a noticeable one.

I have dilated more in the past week--not a lot, but at least these are doing something.

[Happiestever]

Just wanted to let you know that I started losing my plug shortly before I started pushing. And only until the head came out did I believe I was really done! Go mama!

[akat]

Thanks guys! It's so reassuring to discuss these details.

Still just occasional contrax - I always have one if I stand up from sitting. Managed to lay down w/o any a couple times, and took a nap, that made me happy.

Tomorrow is the least convenient day to go into labor for several reasons, so I'm gonna try to keep chilling, and then maybe try to intensify on Wed, which happens to be my EDD. Who knows what will happen?

It's crazy, though, I'll have one once an hour, and then stand up and have 2 of them 1 min apart.