Strange warm-up contractions

[AmyKT]

Since yesterday at about 4 I've been having fairly mild ctx, pretty much like BH except that I can definitely feel my cervix dilating or effacing. Yesterday it actually felt nice-- kind of orgasmic -- but then overnight they became more like a stabbing pain in the cervix with the contractions. They've been as close as 10 mins and as far apart as an hour, so I don't guess it's real labor.

I was already dilated to 3 at my appt on Friday, so I'm wonder how much prelabor dilating I'm going to do. Anyone else feel her cervix opening up?

[violet_]

I have no idea how open mine is, (it was 1cm about 3 weeks ago, and hasn't been checked since), but I definitely get the stabbing sensation a lot! I hope it's being productive!

[matey]

I have been having this too. I was 2.5 at my appt on Friday, no idea on effacement or anything, but the dr. (unprovoked) said that he thought it would be about a week, maybe sooner. I am 36.4 today, that's when ds came, so this time frame isnt surprising. However, yesterday for about two hours I was having rolling pain in my back about every 15 minutes. I have been having a lot of stabbing pain in my cervix, some larger mucus blobs, and in general, an opening feeling. I too am wondering how long this is going to take. With ds I was 3 cm when I got to the hospital after hours of contractions and ROM. So, it blows my mind that this is all just happening here without much more than some discomfort.

I also keep envisioning myself dialating unknownly to a 10 and going to sit on the toilet to poop only to have a baby. I know that wont happen, but I keep thinking it anyway.

Last night I got very nauseous at bedtime and this morning I woke to loose stools. I dont know if any of that plays into anything. I told DH I just want to know if it is going to happen today so I can either prepare or get on with my day without wondering. There is supposed to be a full moon tonight...

[colorbywords]

matey, I'm counting on the full moon too! My midwife said that it's Monday night though?

Amy, good luck!! I hope that those are productive for you!

[matey]

We're a little confused on the full moon thing. Some full moon charts say Monday, but then we have looked at a couple local sites that say we are having a full moon tonight. I honestly dont know much about full moons and how they work, so we've been saying both days. Either way, it's coming!

[AmyKT]

Matey-- I've also had that worry about getting to 10 cm w/o knowing and just having her fall out. If only, right?!

I think the full moon happens pretty close to midnight in my time zone, so that may be why it's straddling both days on some calendars.

Right now I'm crampy and have had loose bm and nausea, but I also drank a lot of coffee this morning.

The full moon has to pull through for at least one of us!

[CrunchyChristianMama]

Oooooo...I didn't realize it was full moon tonight. Here's hoping!

Although based on all the births we had on the 18th you would have thought it was then and not now!

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I found this article about it... http://childbirth.amuchbetterway.com...al-childbirth/

[MammaB21]

Originally Posted by matey

I also keep envisioning myself dialating unknownly to a 10 and going to sit on the toilet to poop only to have a baby. I know that wont happen, but I keep thinking it anyway.

Too funny. I've been feeling the same way. I've even had a few dreams where the baby is suddenly crowning with little warning. I'm dilated to like 4cm, very low soft cervix. I've had a lot of prodromal stuff that's apparently been doing quite a bit. I had a false alarm yesterday. I'm counting on the full moon, too, which I think should be Monday night.

[umsami]

I've been having these for about two weeks now. I have no idea if I'm dilated or effaced at all--haven't been checked and not really comfortable checking myself. I do have an OB appontment tomorrow, so I may ask her to check... especially as she'll be doing the GBS swab anyways. I think I'll be annoyed if these haven't been dong anything. My biggest worry was going in to labor before the swab, because then I'd end up on IV antibiotics--and I really would rather avoid those.

With DS2, I had similar contractions and then went into labor and had him in about 3 hours. I'm not organized enough this time for baby to come that quickly... I hope he holds off a bit.

[somegirl99]

Oh, I hope this means something will happen soon for you!

[HaikuMommy]

I've been having the cervix sensations too - both the stabbing painful ones and the kind of sexual ones that feel good. I hope that means I'm dilating!

[rlandnl]

I have started with them too! Last night I swear I felt myself dilate. I have tried to check myself and I could up until this week now I just can't tell what I am feeling. So I am going to ask them tomorrow to check me, mostly because we are supposed to go 3 hours south for a family reunion next weekend, and while the contractions trouble DH enough that he doesn't want me to go, if they aren't causing progress I don't see why we can't make the trip.

[aromamama]

I will be 39 weeks on Tuesday, so I am definitely looking forward to the full moon tonight or tomorrow (which ever).

[AmyKT]

I'm going all out today -- lots of walking and cleaning, fresh pineapple, and loads of RRL tea. I won't go as far as something like castor oil, but if this girl is ready, I'm giving her every nudge I can.

The name we're likely to use has a meaning related to the moon, so I think it would be great if she were born under the full moon, maybe even in the early hours of Monday (moon day).

[smerkin]

Originally Posted by aromamama

I will be 39 weeks on Tuesday, so I am definitely looking forward to the full moon tonight or tomorrow (which ever).

Ah! We're due date buddies! I'm hoping for the same thing but strongly doubting it.

[isras1]

Yep me too. Stabbing pain in my cervix and productive BH ctx. It felt like I was dilating (already 75% effaced) yesterday, it was a different sensation, an opening sensation. I went to bed feeling PMS'ish: crampy, low back ache, tender breasts, mild nausea, gassy..... then was awoken in the wee hours with mild ctx. It really took me by surprise! It came in waves (maybe every 5 minutes), as I focused more on them (aka, woke up) it began to feel more like round ligament discomfort. After repositioning, the ctx lessened and did feel less like ligament discomfort but I was still contracting, with less discomfort. It disappeared after about 30 minutes or so.

Full moon. I am hoping that I go into labor similarly to when I menstruate, with the new moon. My DH is away from home (at work, would take a full day to get home) until Thursday, so me and babe are focusing on waiting until he comes home. Fingers crossed that works out for us and that this full moon gets some of you momma's into labor!