Prodromal Labor vs. "Crampiness"

[MegBoz]

I'm 38W 2D right now with baby #2. DS didn't arrive until 41W4D, so I'm not necessarily expecting anything too soon.

But I've been "crampy" for months now. This weekend was really miserable - just so much pressure, crampy sensation, & even occasional pain down in my cervix. But no sensations of a coming-and-going contraction.

Is this similar to prodromal labor? My MW says the cervical "twinges" are probably dilating me a bit. (I haven't been checked & neither she nor I feel any need to do so.) I'm also hoping that when things finally DO get started, it'll be fast. (Labor with DS was under 5 hours for 1st stage, and that was a first baby!)

Is there any connection between prodromal labor & FAST labor once active labor starts?

[lsmama]

Hi.  I can't answer your question but wanted to sympathize.  I had a very fast labor with DD #1 and am currently 39 weeks with #2.  I've had very intense mesntrual-like cramping for the past week now and as of last Tuesday was not dilated at all.  I have no experience with this b/c I never had anything like it with DD.  Now it seems like it's switching over to more classic BH ctx.  Hopefully this is a sign that things are moving along. 

GL to you!

[cileag]

I think I would distinguish the two by calling prodromal labor the type of discomfort that interferes with your ability to rest and/or function.  And technically, it's really prolonged early labor.  So crampiness that comes and goes and even if it hurts, but allows you to get at least a reasonable amount of sleep or work done, I wouldn't classify as "prodromal labor".  But the 2-3 days of every 7 minute contractions that just keep going and don't let you sleep---that is.

I do think that you can have fairly significant dialation during prodromal labor---so that once things get alligned or really kick in, it does go faster.  I seem to see most prodromal labor connected with OP or asynclitic positioning too and then once the baby rotates, then things progress at a more "normal" speed.

I'm eager to see how this birth goes for you Meg! Can't wait to hear about it (if you share). :) I've been excited ever since I heard you were pregnant since I enjoy your perspective here so much.

[GoBecGo]

I would agree that prodromal labour is stop-start ctx or ctx with big gaps and distinct from the crampiness, pressure and general discomfort of late pregnancy.  i did find #2 way less comfortable to carry the last 6 weeks than #1.

I had prodromal labour with both.  With #1 i had 12 hours of regular ctx which didn't do more than efface me by 25% and dilate me to 3cm (from the 1-2 i was already dilated before labour), then about 3 hours total of active labour (including 5mins pushing stage and 12mins 3rd stage), most of which was me trying not to push as the mw's told me i wasn't in labour yet.

with #2 i had 4-5 ctx an hour for about 8 hours, which i think dilated me to about 6-7cm (i checked myself), then 61mins active labour and a 20min 3rd stage.  Pushed for 6mins this time, but with dd1 the "5mins" was from when they noticed her head already crowned to her being born, with dd2 it was 6 mins from "head at spines" to born.  They both came out direct OA, didn't turn for their shoulders.

So for me prodromal labour does seem to give me fast births!  I'm glad of it though, my births would be total tornadoes without that bit of prodromal warning.