Prodromal labor (x-post)

[Lousli]

So I'm 36 weeks 1 day, and have had my other 2 at 36 weeks and 33 weeks, both after PROM. I was taking progesterone shots and had my last one on Sunday.   Last night I had some intense, wake up from a dead sleep contractions that lasted about 2 hours and were 6 min apart.  I had something still going on while I slept, because I had dreams about bloody show (didn't happen though, just in my dream.) 

Today I've had more low back pain and pelvic pain than normal, some loose stools, not much appetite, and some menstrual type cramping, but not many contractions.  I've felt kind of off all day.  I talked with a good friend who told me she had prodromal labor like this for two weeks before her daughter was born.  Does it usually last that long? 

I feel like I'm in a tough spot.  I don't want this baby to be born this week.  Ideally I'd like to make it at least 2 more weeks and finally have a big, healthy, full term baby.  But I don't want to deal with 2 more weeks of pain and contractions.  If I were 38 weeks and this were happening, I'd nudge it along, but as it is, I'm hoping to stop it.  Is there anything I can do?  I'm resting and hydrating.

[CookAMH]

The more I read recently, the more I see that prodromal labor is often a baby in a less than ideal position to actually go into "real" labor. My midwife affirmed this today as we discussed it at my appointment. Can you do belly mapping from spinning babies to determine baby's position? That might tell you if he's posterior and trying to turn but not fitting at the moment. You can help him turn (I actually just posted in another post right before this about that, check my posts) and you'll either go into stronger productive labor or it'll stop until it's time.

http://spinningbabies.com/baby-positions/belly-mapping

[Lousli]

The baby is LOA according to my mom (who is a midwife) and which confirms what I've been telling my husband about how I thought she was lying.  So I don't think in this case it is her position. 

But fortunately, last night was better and no strong contractions.  I still have some crampy pressure feelings, but I think I might be in for the long haul this time.

[mylilmonkeys]

Five of my six have all been LOA and I still get tons of prodromal labor and deliver usually between 41-42 weeks (with one 40+3 in there).  Positioning is important, but it's not the whole story.  

[Jacksonmom]

I think it depends on what kind of prodromal labor you're talking about.  With my babies (3 of 5) I've had prodromal contractions (definitely not BH ctx, but but not full-blown labor ctx) for 2-6 weeks (longer each time).  With baby #5 though, the day before he was born, I felt the contractions change.  Like my body was TRYING to go into labor, but couldn't do it.  To me, that was a sign of malpositioning.  We did a rebozo technique to let him turn over.  He turned through the next few contractions and I immediately went to bed (at 6pm).  He was born at 1:11 am the next morning after 9 minutes of "labor".  I'm 99% sure he was posterior, and needed a little muscular relief to get turned around.

I must say that I appreciate prodromal labor.  I've learned to use it to practice for "real" labor and it makes labor much easier on me.  But, it can DEFINITELY be tiring!!  hugs to you mama!!

[mylilmonkeys]

Originally Posted by Jacksonmom 

I must say that I appreciate prodromal labor.  I've learned to use it to practice for "real" labor and it makes labor much easier on me.  But, it can DEFINITELY be tiring!!  hugs to you mama!!