Am I Insane? Keep Thinking I'm in Labor! (41 weeks)

[adopted0105]

Well, I've had an extremely frustrating day. I'm 41 weeks tomorrow, and I really have been expecting to be at least a week "overdue" with this baby, especially because it's my first. But I keep thinking that I'm in labor!
Last night (early morning), I woke up with awful cramping in my back and could not find a comfortable spot. I assumed that this was contraction-related pain, so I got up for a while, timed a few contractions which weren't terribly strong, and decided to go back to bed. Well, later this morning, I woke up with more cramping and more contractions, and I had my "bloody show" and crazy amounts of discharge. I was scheduled for an ultrasound and NST, and I really was thinking that this could be the day. I went in for my appointment, and everything was fine with baby. All the while, my contractions were getting stronger. (The best way I can describe them is tightening in my upper belly, followed by strong cramping throughout my lower back and abdomen.) So I was just sure that I was in the early stages of labor. But now, they've tapered off. I'm getting them occasionally, but not a lot. The bloody show really did make me think that labor was swiftly approaching, but now I just feel like it's never going to happen. And I really don't want to get to the point where my doc says it's time for induction. Are these contractions signs that labor will be starting in the next couple of days? And will my "real" contractions necessarily be as excruciating as so many women describe? (Don't get me wrong, they're painful, but not absolutely unbearable with some relaxation.) Did any of you have fairly "mild" labor? How do I know when my contractions are "strong"? Could the pain threshold just be different? I'm going crazy! Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated!

[dioramamama]

You're not insane! Things are starting. I think, for sure, that all women experience labor pains differently, but for me, with both kids, things started slow and mild and then built toward the kind of intensity that got them out of my uterus and into the world!

At any rate, it'll happen. It's happening. Be patient, hang in there, and get as much rest as you can.

Good luck!

Melissa

[peainthepod]

Sounds like things are ramping up, mama. You're not crazy, just very ready to not be pregnant anymore. And early labor can be SO confusing. I had my first at 41 weeks and one day and thought I would be pregnant forever.

Try to stay hydrated and well fed and get as much sleep as you can. You'll need your energy and the more relaxed you are, the better off you'll be.

Sending easy labor prayers your way!

[phathui5]

What I tell my clients to look for is contractions that get:

1) longer
2) stronger
3) closer together

If they start to fall into a pattern and don't go away when you drink something, change positions, lay down, sit up, walk around, then things might be starting.

[Jessnet]

I slept through the first part of my labor, lol! It was the middle of the night and I was sooo tired, but I couldn't figure out why I was waking up every half an hour mistakenly thinking I had to go to the bathroom, but then being confused when I would get to the toilet and nothing was happening (sorry if TMI). Needless to the say, by the next evening it was obvious I was in labor. There was no missing those contractions!



Here's hoping you are further on your path of birthing by now!

[MaryLang]

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep!!!! My first labor started slow like that, and I too thought bloody show this late would mean something would happen fast. My biggest regret was that I was sooo excited to be going into labor, I didn't rest and relax like I should have. Something is happening, and I know its hard with your first, but just chill and try to rest as much as possible.