Increasing contractions and pre-term labor « Back to Group Discussions

[writermama12]

Two nights ago I had some intense BH. The most so far. I get them periodically all day every day, but two nights ago I was getting crampy/ strong ctx every 8-10 minutes for two hours, even though I was resting and drinking water. I was nervous but also it didn't feel like early labor and I felt fine otherwise, so I didn't bother calling the MW. I finally fell asleep and they went away. 

Has anyone else had experience with pre-term labor ctx before? Should I have called or was I right to wait it out since it didn't feel "serious"? 

[withlittlelungs]

I had the same thing happening to me a few weeks ago. I didn't call anyone either. I just didn't feel like it was actually labor. 
I can't tell your decision not to call was right or wrong, but I can tell you that I completely understand why you didn't. 

[veganyogamomma]

I had some serious contractions a few weeks ago and did call. My midwife had me get in the tub and drink coconut water with emergen-c for hydration/electrolytes. She said if they didn't go away then I should go in, but she very much left it up to my gut instincts in the moment.

So I think if you can get them to subside within a reasonable time, then not calling is okay. It might just be a renewed reminder to focus on hydration and rest.

[cabbitdancer]

While I was out visiting my folks over the holidays, I had a series of BH that were regular and lasted a while. Not really intense, though, so I wasn't too concerned. I did keep downing the water, though, in the hopes of getting them to stop.

[velveeta]

This happened to me yesterday and last night. I am due march 31 BTW. every time I got up from lying down, they would start up! So, I totally just stayed lying down and I am fine today.

For me, this is brought on by over exertion. I carried my 3 yo DD around a bit the day before.

Time to relax!

[spughy]

Yeah I had that too last week sometime.  I wasn't particularly worried and it didn't occur to me to call my midwife.  In fact, I was feeling kind of fed up with being pregnant so I just lay on the couch, feeling the contractions, thinking "how bad would a preemie be, really...?"

I am truly the worst pregnant woman ever.

[withlittlelungs]

Originally Posted by spughy 

Yeah I had that too last week sometime.  I wasn't particularly worried and it didn't occur to me to call my midwife.  In fact, I was feeling kind of fed up with being pregnant so I just lay on the couch, feeling the contractions, thinking "how bad would a preemie be, really...?"

I am truly the worst pregnant woman ever.

I have had these same exact thoughts a lot lately. 

[MPsSweetie]

I ha

Originally Posted by spughy 

Yeah I had that too last week sometime.  I wasn't particularly worried and it didn't occur to me to call my midwife.  In fact, I was feeling kind of fed up with being pregnant so I just lay on the couch, feeling the contractions, thinking "how bad would a preemie be, really...?"

I am truly the worst pregnant woman ever.

i have felt the same way :/

I've had about three separate nights where I keep waking up, finally to realize its every 3-4 minutes. And painful too, tossing and turning. I usually finally get up and drink a bunch of water and it slows down after a few hours.

I haven't called because I still don't know what to do with the kids. . And they've all been sick, fever, coughs, earaches, I can't drag them out like that. I would be taking myself, in our only car, and there's no transportation in our tiny rural town. I am stuck.

[SlimP]

I was experiencing pretty strong contractions just last night! They were powerful enough that I couldn't talk or move during them but not enough to worry me that it was early labour. I didnt over exert myself and thought I was pretty hydrated but maybe baby's new position is pressing on more sensitive bits, especially during Braxton-Hicks.
I wouldn't like weeks of prodromal labour, I didnt even experience BH's with DS so this reminder of the 'style' of labour is new to me.

Amee, there is no way you could drive yourself through those contractions......kids in tow or not. Can you ask neighbours, any taxi service, even ambulance if necessary?

Edited to add: I just remembered reading that storm fronts can cause contractions, guess its the change in pressure. It was wild here for the last couple days, could that explain it?

[sunshinelove]

I get strong BH contractions in the evenings lately. Sometimes they go across my lower back, too, which hurts . Thankfully they havent lasted too long, I'll get maybe 5 over the course of a few hours and then no more. I remember getting them a lot during the last month of my pregnancy with DD--I kept thinking "this is it" but she wasnt born until 41 weeks. This time I'm not easily fooled--i will only believe its the real deal if theyre seriously kicking my butt

[MPsSweetie]

There's really not much here. I'm pretty sure I won't go into labor for a few more weeks, hopefully during the day! And hopefully everyone is healthy! Although I've heard some hospitals aren't allowing kids? I have this image of me alone in the shower delivering the baby, as long as I'm far enough along. My babies come VERY fast, so you're right, I couldn't drive myself. We have some friends we may call but they have tons going on too.
Man it's hard when you have a few kids, lol!!

Ps. I'm have ctx right now, everything 3-4 minutes... *sigh*. I haven't felt well today so it probably just set me off.

[withlittlelungs]

Amee, just wanted to check and make sure that everything stopped and that you are doing ok!

[MPsSweetie]

Hi, thanks for checking on me!
I had ctx from before the time I posted to 4am. I actually had to get up at about 1 they were too hard to lay through. I sat on the ball and drank water and waited, then climbed in bed and fell asleep, lol. I was so exhausted and sore the next day. I have always had tons of prodromal labor, but this time it keeps happening at night. Hmmm....
I did sleep better last night though thank goodness! Only peed like 6 times, lol.

[Tear78]

Amee, I'm glad things calmed down. I can't imagine how that must be to be woken up at night with contractions over and over. I've started having some BH as well, and a couple times it's been while at school, once enough to make me catch my breath while walking down the hallways, and it always makes me think, man, what happens if I get a really strong one and I'm teaching? Lol.... I guess I'll just breathe through it and deal with it. I teach 5th graders and I know they would flip out. We'll see.

[MPsSweetie]

Yeah, my ten year old doesn't quite no what to do when I get a bad one, lol. She hid during my last labor :/

[storygirlcindy]

So, I'm a long time lurker finally de-lurking and also due in March (the 16th). Just wanted to stop by and add my story - this is my first pregnancy and due to a chronic illness that includes a LOT of digestive & intestinal issues (i.e. lots of stomach cramping and pain all the time), I've been having BHs since before 16 weeks pregnant. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas (Christmas was just past 28 weeks for me), I started getting them very frequently and eventually they settled into a completely regular pattern. When I finally timed them with my hubby's contraction app they were - no joke - every minute, and 60 seconds long! We went into L&D that weekend just to be sure since it was still so early, and everything was fine. Since then, the contractions have stayed regular 24/7. I consider it a "good" time if they slow down to between 5 and 10 minutes apart. They also wake me up consistently all throughout the night, usually at least every hour, and sometimes they're too intense to get back to sleep for awhile. Sometimes it helps if I get up for an hour or so and drink some water and have a light snack (like fruit). 

They've been monitoring everything pretty closely since the contractions started... it's been almost 6 weeks since (I'm 33+3 today) and I'm still pregnant! My cervix has started shortening a tiny bit in the last few weeks but I'm not dilated at all. So, for better or for worse, this seems to be the "normal" for my body at least in this pregnancy. Now that I am almost to 34 weeks, I don't plan to go into L&D unless I'm incapable of functioning normally anymore.

One other thing - I haven't experienced any leaking of waters or bloody show with any of these contractions, so my doctor and I both agreed that I can probably consider the contractions "no big deal" until I have other signs of progressing labor, also. Obviously, sometimes it can be really annoying/frustrating, though! Good luck and I hope your slow down!

[withlittlelungs]

TWELVE HOURS of regular contractions yesterday. I was able to fall asleep for a bit and when I woke up they were still there and getting more intense. Then around 5am they completely stopped. Haven't had any regular ones all day. However I have been a slave to the toilet today. Really hoping things pick up tonight. I was convinced that yesterday was the real deal. Super frustrating!!!

[writermama12]

Wow WLL that is exciting!! I hope they start up again.

[SlimP]

Oh WithLittleLungs, how frustrating and exciting for you!
You're not as likely as the rest of us to go through weeks of prodromal labour I'd think......or is that as common with multiples? Sounds like you're ready to go though songood luck in advance, you'll be awesome )

Storygirlcindy, phew that sounds rough to suffer from such an early stage. Digestive problems are going be exacerbated by their very proximity to the reproductive system, and vice versa.

I've been getting quite a lot of BH at nighttime recently, which I never experienced during my last pregnancy. Last week, I started into the red raspberry leaf tea, made myself a pretty strong mug as I drank it a lot in early pregnancy. I actually partially credit it with helping my uterus become toned enough to maintain this pregnancy and only stopped drinking it because of morning sickness and reflux that made me eliminate all my teas.
Anyhoo, about an hour later I was literally hit with wave after wave of contractions, painful enough too. They did ease somewhat while lying down but it was hard trying sleeping through them. Every time I got up to pee, they came back with a vengeance, and persisted into the early afternoon next day. I actually had to take another herbal remedy which acted as a perfect counter agent, the tightening stopped immediately. But sheesh!
The moral of the story is not to underestimate the power of herbal infusions and to build up dosage gradually. My DH was amazed to see me drinking RRl the following night, but it was much weaker. I did have some contractions again, also weak by comparison. I plan to down a v potent brew when labour starts......advice is to glug it on the way up the hospital steps.......I can see why now.

[Meggsy]

What's prodromal labour?

And Spughy, you are hilarious! I somehow doubt you are the worst pregnant woman ever, especially since you have given me more than one piece of very helpful feedback. :)