Prodromal/BH? A first-timer has no clue!

[Lyndzies]

So, all day, I've been feeling sort of crampy... kind of like AF cramps... and the baby's movements actually HURT (they usually don't). Sometimes sharp pains, sometimes "take my breath away" for a good 15-30 seconds pains. My belly seems like it's feeling especially tight, too, and I've got a bit of achy-ness in my lower back.

Is this was prodromal labor feels like? Or BH? I have no idea what I'm feeling, all I know is it's uncomfortable and different than before. I feel like she's going to kick a foot out my cervix, too!

Or, is this just normal "36 weeks and starting to get really uncomfortable" stuff?? Lol.

Thanks for your advice, mamas!

[ILovePie]

I don't honestly know if it's prodromal or BH, but I've had something very similar both pregnancies. I think prodromal is closer to feeling like "real" labor, though - because it really is changing your cervix, just slowly?

In which case, what I have going on is not prodromal labor - I'm fairly certain *some* of my contractions are strong enough, long enough, and coordinated enough to change my cervix, but most are not pressing the baby into my cervix. They take my breath away, last up to 50 seconds, and sometimes come every 5 minutes...but they aren't quite convincing me something is happening :-)

With DS, I had such REGULAR contractions that I was admitted at 34 weeks for preterm labor. Contractions were every 5 minutes, lasting a minute. Sounds like labor, but they didn't change my cervix (and I was pretty certain I wasn't in labor - they caught the contractions on a NST).

Anyway, if it gives you any small comfort, when I actually was in labor, it was totally different. Even at the very beginning, I knew it was labor and not more of the "useless" contractions


Oh - also, I had an episode of BH every 10 minutes for something like 8 hours at 24 weeks with my son (another hospital admission). I seriously felt like my uterus had run a marathon the next day. I was sore!

So the baby movements could be hurting from your uterus and abdomen being a bit fatigued, even from BH.

And has your baby dropped? The pressure down low and on your cervix once the baby drops can be SO INTENSE. This one hasn't dropped yet. DS was at 0 station for over a month. It became pretty painful. And I felt like I had a bowling ball between my legs! lol

[lotusma]

w/o using google and going by just my own experience (as a 5th time mom and a midwife assistant), my understanding of prodromal labor is that which mimics the beginning stages of non-active labor (pre 5 cm's) yet doesn't cause any physical change. so, unless the ctx's you feel are persistant over a period of time and are rhythmic the way labor ctx's are (you can count them 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc apart for example), i'd be inclined to say that even tho you're feeling crampiness, it's likely just your body gearing up.

the achy-ness you feel in your lower back when you get a bh could be due to the baby's positioning. (is she posterior atm perhaps?) (i feel something similar, but in my butt! baby's therefore probably not in the "ready" position yet. ) or it may be just that you have to poop.

keep your bowels empty and drink lots!

[NewMoonMum]

For now, I'd rest and hydrate. If it continues or is worrisome to you, definitely call your care provider. Paired with new back pain, you should be cautious.
If it helps, with my DS (and definitely with this one) I have had plenty of cramping. In the absence of other symptoms it is quite normal, although I'd still advise calling to be sure, esp. because of your back.
With DS I did have one single BH contraction I can remember. I was showering and had to crouch down because it was so intense. Not painful or even uncomfortable, just intense, wave-like tightening-but not crampy. Maybe it's unusual, but I never doubted for a second that it was just BH.
When my early labor contractions began they just felt like mild menstrual cramps.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes!

[Lyndzies]

Lotusma - You're too funny; I'm not going anywhere near Google for anything like this! I learned my lesson early on that it's never a good idea. Lol.

Thanks to all you mamas for the words of experience/wisdom. I do think I need to hydrate more, and I'm thinking they may just be intense BH. I have my first of the "weekly" MW appointments today, so we'll talk and she'll see what's going on in there (although I know it's no indication of when baby will come, I admit I'm super curious!).

Baby is still flipping around A LOT, so maybe some of the uncomfortableness and pain is her big body changing position so frequently. It's really intense sometimes! Sometimes I feel like a foot is going to punch right through my cervix. Yet baby stays put. For now.

Thanks again for the feedback!

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by lotusma

w/o using google and going by just my own experience (as a 5th time mom and a midwife assistant), my understanding of prodromal labor is that which mimics the beginning stages of non-active labor (pre 5 cm's) yet doesn't cause any physical change. so, unless the ctx's you feel are persistant over a period of time and are rhythmic the way labor ctx's are (you can count them 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc apart for example), i'd be inclined to say that even tho you're feeling crampiness, it's likely just your body gearing up.

well, they can still be persistant and rhythmic (Ive been able to time mine starting... like yesterday when DH and I went out and they were happening 9 minutes apart... he was able to warn me just before one would start!)

but indeed, if they are not doing anything physical but feel like actual early labor, its probably prodromal. Ive been dealing with it for over a week now...

BH usually will go away if you rest/drink water/etc. Prodromal you cant really do much to make it go away... even a bath or a glass of wine has done nothing for mine.

[ILovePie]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

well, they can still be persistant and rhythmic (Ive been able to time mine starting... like yesterday when DH and I went out and they were happening 9 minutes apart... he was able to warn me just before one would start!)

but indeed, if they are not doing anything physical but feel like actual early labor, its probably prodromal. Ive been dealing with it for over a week now...

BH usually will go away if you rest/drink water/etc. Prodromal you cant really do much to make it go away... even a bath or a glass of wine has done nothing for mine.

Bath, rest, hydration, etc etc etc....nothing took mine away except WAITING last pregnancy. It would go on for hours and they were definitely timeable - regular and strong-enough to get me admitted for pre-term labor twice. But I guess I never considered it prodromal labor because, even as a first-time mom, I was so certain I wasn't in labor.

Same this time, though they haven't yet become as regular.