Early Labor Signs.... or a MeanTrick!

[slimkins]

Alright, ladies. This is the place to post when you think you are starting to experience labor. And don't worry, we won't hold anyone to anything... so, if things peter out, no big deal. :)

Here's to happy labor vibes...

[mtn.mama]

I had 12 hours straight of back-to-back low grade contractions a couple days ago.  Couldn't walk or talk through them.  And I've been leaking a little fluid for 3 weeks now!  I knew it wasn't the real deal... but rest assured, the real deal is coming for all of us... sooner or later!

[Jaysmylilpunkin]

I was going to start a post like this earlier today! I had about 6 hours of pretty intense contractions from 4-10 minutes apart. I knew they weren't long enough to be the "real" thing but really hoped something was gearing up... But then I took a shower and slept for about 20 minutes and the contractions (for the most part) went away. I'm still sore and achy "Down there" though.

A close friend of our family died tonight and my mom wants to go to the funeral, but it's in Phoenix, she is in Houston and I am in Atlanta... She planned on being here for this baby to be born, but I told her to go to the funeral and I would be ok with or without her... and maybe the baby will stay put. The death is SOOO sad. I hear babies "sense danger" though so maybe with the emotions of everything she will stay put a while... Sigh... I really wanted an early baby! (my last baby was 10lbs 3 oz, I wanted a REGULAR size baby heehee)

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by Jaysmylilpunkin 
A close friend of our family died tonight and my mom wants to go to the funeral, but it's in Phoenix, she is in Houston and I am in Atlanta... She planned on being here for this baby to be born, but I told her to go to the funeral and I would be ok with or without her... and maybe the baby will stay put. The death is SOOO sad. I hear babies "sense danger" though so maybe with the emotions of everything she will stay put a while... Sigh... I really wanted an early baby! (my last baby was 10lbs 3 oz, I wanted a REGULAR size baby heehee)

so sorry about this.  my dear friend since high school is dying of cancer right now.  he has days to weeks left at this point and it's breaking my heart.  our families have been friends as we've had children.  so hard.  much love to you in this time.

[nannybutterfly]

We had a "false alarm" last night, had very painful contractions 2-3 minutes apart for 4 hours, decided it was time to head to the hospital since it's 2.5 hours away, only VBAC friendly one I could find, and by the time we got there my contractions were gone... My DH was not happy about having to drive all the way back and then go to work with no sleep, I felt so bad. Good news is I am 3cm, 70%, and baby is dropped down to -1, so we are getting there, just not yet.  Come on baby, don't tease us like that!

[Adaline'sMama]

Originally Posted by Gunter 

so sorry about this.  my dear friend since high school is dying of cancer right now.  he has days to weeks left at this point and it's breaking my heart.  our families have been friends as we've had children.  so hard.  much love to you in this time.

My grandmother was dying of a stage 4 GBM tumor when I was pregnant with DD. She passed just after she was born. I know it's a really hard thing to go through someone you love dying while someone you love is coming into the world.


All day I have had menstural like cramps. I had my bloody show this morning, after having my membranes stripped yesterday. I'm going to time these pains (they feel like gas pains..and Im having lots of gas, so we'll see) and see if to see if anything is regular. My lower back has hurt all day long.

[Maternalove]

I had this all day with DD... then my water broke.

In fact I'm quite worried I'm not going to know when I'm in labor again.

Originally Posted by Adaline'sMama 

All day I have had menstural like cramps. I had my bloody show this morning, after having my membranes stripped yesterday. I'm going to time these pains (they feel like gas pains..and Im having lots of gas, so we'll see) and see if to see if anything is regular. My lower back has hurt all day long.

[mesa]

Originally Posted by Maternalove 

I had this all day with DD... then my water broke.

In fact I'm quite worried I'm not going to know when I'm in labor again.

Me too. :/

[Jaysmylilpunkin]

Anyone having DEEP lower back pain/contraction things?

[jmom713]

I have been having deep low front contractions off and on since Wednesday.

[mtn.mama]

I just had a whole series of those... took me to my knees and made my husband raise his eyebrows for sure.  I think I'm going to go lay down for awhile...

[slimkins]

I haven't, but just want to say good luck to you ladies in case they pan out to be something.

[Gunter]

Originally Posted by nannybutterfly 

We had a "false alarm" last night, had very painful contractions 2-3 minutes apart for 4 hours, decided it was time to head to the hospital since it's 2.5 hours away, only VBAC friendly one I could find, and by the time we got there my contractions were gone... My DH was not happy about having to drive all the way back and then go to work with no sleep, I felt so bad. Good news is I am 3cm, 70%, and baby is dropped down to -1, so we are getting there, just not yet.  Come on baby, don't tease us like that!

How exciting!  But, I can see how that is hard to drive 5 hours.  Can you have any other birth worker that you know or an experienced doula come over and check in with you before you all pack up and drive, again?  Wonder if she would be able to help determine where you are in labor before heading back in, again?  Do you have a friend or know anyone you could stay the day or night with if you want to be in the same area as the hospital?  You are soooooooooooo committed to this VBAC, mama!  I see your hard work in making it happen!  Don't get too discouraged; what you are doing is so worth it.  Not that it's magic or anything but maybe doing some nipple stimulation in the car to keep contractions going next time?  They can still stop but just trying to think of ideas so you all don't have to drive as far, again.  Much love to you, nannybutterfly!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adaline'sMama 



My grandmother was dying of a stage 4 GBM tumor when I was pregnant with DD. She passed just after she was born. I know it's a really hard thing to go through someone you love dying while someone you love is coming into the world.
All day I have had menstural like cramps. I had my bloody show this morning, after having my membranes stripped yesterday. I'm going to time these pains (they feel like gas pains..and Im having lots of gas, so we'll see) and see if to see if anything is regular. My lower back has hurt all day long.

Thanks for the love...especially while you were in LABORLAND! 

[1blueheron]

Originally Posted by mtn.mama 

I just had a whole series of those... took me to my knees and made my husband raise his eyebrows for sure.  I think I'm going to go lay down for awhile...

Glad your husband is there, and it's not just you and the goats  

[jul511riv]

5 hours of very intense braxton hicks last night. It was going on for so long, I was starting to think...hummmmm, maybe this isn't braxton hicks. But after 5 hours (around 3am) it all ended. I'm only 36 weeks, so I can seriously wait a little bit longer. My last one was born at 38 weeks.

At any rate, I took EPO (orally) and I think it was directly related. Not a normal experience, to be sure. But then again, that's part of the trick with herbs. They are different for every woman, as I tell my clients all the time. So I'm going to back off of that for a little bit. Or maybe just take orally ever other or every few days. We'll see how tonight goes.

Can't believe this is all comign up so soon.

[mamanoish]

I have had so many "is this it?" moments that I'll probably take up this whole thread by the time I ACTUALLY have this kid. But today I had my first real, omg, wow this hurts contraction. I've had braxton hicks EVERY SINGLE DAY since mid January. My EDD is in 4 days, and DH's vacation starts in 3. He had to schedule it and we thought for sure I was going to be early/on time with all of this practice labor. I told him if I have to hang out with him still pregnant... I am NOT going to be happy. 

Today though, woke up feeling very crampy. Mucus plug was lost on Wednesday of last week. I had a few contractions, and low, dull back ache this morning. Went about my day and nothing was steady. A few big contractions (but again, nothing steady) this afternoon. I took the kids to the beach to fly their kite and ride bikes, took a long walk and went to the store. At the store I was having contractions the whole way through and thinking GET OUT OF MY WAY PEOPLE!!! Usually they're just my uterus tightening. Now I'm home, sitting on the birth ball... having them here and there. Not timing them because I don't want to get excited. But my back is hurting like it did with DS2's labor, so I hope this is it. 

This needs to end soon, because I'm starting to feel like a turtle stuck on my back. 

[slimkins]

Mamanoish, I hope you don't take up this whole thread, and things become more promising for you!!! :)

and jul511riv, stay in there a little longer, baby.

[Maternalove]

Considering I didn't have any BH contractions with DD and all my "real" contraction felt like gas and after my water broke it was a very out of body experience.... HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON? 

Every time I stand up I get really tight and it kind of hurts down where my scar is this last for 30-45 seconds. This is just a BH right?

How do you know when it's REAL?!

[slimkins]

Maternalove, I have no idea. Other than things I have heard and read. Like, they won't go away when you are laying down or taking a shower/bath, and so forth.

With my son, the first thing that happened was my water broke. Then contractions started somewhere around 4-6 hours later. I never had BH that pregnancy, but since my water had broken before contractions started, I knew it was the real thing. Plus, they pretty much were textbook in getting closer and closer (though slowly).

This time, sometimes I can't figure out if I am having BH or the baby is stretching. And nothing has been consistent and regular. I'm hoping I will know what is up, too.......

[yippiehippie]

Well, for me, with my first I had tons of BHs. Some were painful too! The morning he was born, though I knew it, the first contraction (and all those that followed) was NOT BH! It was incredibly different, way more intense, and, I hate to say it, PAINFUL!!! I took a bath and they didn't stop and I started losing my plug. For most women, you just know!