Starting to feel Birthy... - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[Tear78]

Ok...need to know how you ladies are telling the difference between contractions, Braxton hicks, and prodromal labor. I'm definitely having what I think are Braxton hicks multiple times daily. I'm also having stabbing pubic pain. But also, I've been having that achy sore fairly painful pre-period feeling I always get when I'm about the get my period. As I am facing going back to work, I guess I want to know how I will be able to tell that it's the real deal and I should call in for a sub, or leave work. I can't call in or go home for every uncomfortable moment,,,thoughts? Also...please reaffirm for me that this could go on for weeks, because my brain is starting to say hey, maybe he'll come early. That's a FAST way to make the next weeks feel really long.

[writermama12]

Well, since I had a long bout of contractions yesterday I guess I can talk about it but I am no expert. BH for me are not painful nor strong. I've been getting them for months and I notice them but don't need to pay attention to them. The contractions I got yesterday and some today as well are MUCH stronger with discomfort/mild pain, affect a larger area of my body, make my abdomen rock hard, and I can't really move during one. I may even need to stop talking and they kind of force me to pay attention to them. They are tiring, too. BH are not, they are just a minor annoyance. Prodromal labor is when you get many of these contractions in differing patterns...perhaps mixed with weaker contractions or at irregular intervals or they fade out and return again but never progress or become regular. Or they could be regular without getting stronger or closer together...it can be different for everyone. Hard to tell if it is the real deal or not. Does that help?

[Carlyle]

Originally Posted by Tear78 

Ok...need to know how you ladies are telling the difference between contractions, Braxton hicks, and prodromal labor. I'm definitely having what I think are Braxton hicks multiple times daily. I'm also having stabbing pubic pain. But also, I've been having that achy sore fairly painful pre-period feeling I always get when I'm about the get my period. As I am facing going back to work, I guess I want to know how I will be able to tell that it's the real deal and I should call in for a sub, or leave work. I can't call in or go home for every uncomfortable moment,,,thoughts? Also...please reaffirm for me that this could go on for weeks, because my brain is starting to say hey, maybe he'll come early. That's a FAST way to make the next weeks feel really long.

Can I just say "EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"  Okay, sorry, that needed to come out.  I don't know how to tell the difference (although pp did a good job, I think!). 

My (vastly unimportant, since this is you, not me!) opinion is not to call in for a sub or leave work unless you're having real trouble teaching through stuff.  You did get to dilate and labor with Ani, so I'm not sure whether you're more likely to have a shorter labor this time around (than it would have been for a first vaginal birth).  But chances are, that even once you get so that you can NOT ignore things (even with a little "stop and breathe for a moment" break as you get a ctx and then go back to teaching), you will still have more than enough time to get to the hospital.  You might want to call DH or mom if they seem regular and they seem to be getting stronger so that they can drive closer to you in case you are beyond driving yourself once you decide it's the REAL DEAL!  My experience with Maggie was that I kind of ignored the light stuff and denied I was in labor all day, until I finally gave in at 10 at night and timed the ctx and they were regular.  I think it made it easier for  my mental state to not consider all of that a part of my labor--I napped on the couch through it, ate dinner at the common house through it, and then had Chris put the kids to bed.  BUT--you're working your tushie off, which is a heeelll of a lot different from what I was doing all day, so really I have no idea.  I'm babbling.  Sorry!  Have you talked to your principal about what she'd like you to do?  She's good about this stuff, right?  I mean, would it really strand them if you realized mid-day that, no, I really can't continue, screw these students anyway and get me the heck out of here?  :)  Can you get advice from other teachers?  I only say this because I know you really want to work right up to your due day so you can avoid going back for the last few weeks of the year (pointless!)  LOVE YOU!  (I think you'll be able to tell when it turns "real."  I asked Alison "how will I know?"  She said, in her wonderful, blunt way "it will HURT!"  Which isn't a nice way to think about it, but I think the point was "you won't be ABLE to teach through it when it's real.")  Anyway, I'll stop rambling right now.  I love you.  MWWUUH!  (I'm so excited for you!!!)

[Carlyle]

Originally Posted by Tear78 

Also...please reaffirm for me that this could go on for weeks, because my brain is starting to say hey, maybe he'll come early. That's a FAST way to make the next weeks feel really long.

This could go on for over a month, and that is a really good way to make the next weeks feel really long. 

(But I will not lie.  Your "period feeling-ness" has me excited.  I will probably be on alert and excited for the next 3 weeks... :)  AND, can I just add that all of your stretchy, stabby, periody feelings are proof that your body is awesome and knows what the heck it's doing this time around?  You do totally sound like you are gearing up (which can take a loooong time, weeks, just for the record since I'm supposed to be telling you to remain calm), which is so super exciting (to contemplate as you remain calm and prepare to wait for another month).  I might actually pee myself when you go into labor.  Seriously.  AND you or dh are required to call me when you go into labor (any time of day or night) and leave a LOUD message, for the record.  Kay?  Kay.

[Tear78]

Carlyle, I love you! I have to go to bed, but I just have to say you rock, and thank you, and I'm laughing my butt off right now. And I"ll call you, day or night, and be loud.

writermama, thank you also for sharing! I hope your bout of contractions are leading to an awesome labor soon!

[micah_mae_]

I've been having more and more contractions, most feel like BH but just stronger. But I've also had the baby head in my vagina feeling and pressure anytime I move so I decided to check myself. I can't reach my cervix enough to measure dilation but it's so soft I almost couldn't tell the difference between it and the rest of the soft tissue in the area! Being that soft surely I'm dilating a bit right? I was 5 and 6 cm before labor began with both my kids so I feel like I must be 2-3 cm by this point..

[wildmansmom]

Originally Posted by micah_mae_ 

I've been having more and more contractions, most feel like BH but just stronger. But I've also had the baby head in my vagina feeling and pressure anytime I move so I decided to check myself. I can't reach my cervix enough to measure dilation but it's so soft I almost couldn't tell the difference between it and the rest of the soft tissue in the area! Being that soft surely I'm dilating a bit right? I was 5 and 6 cm before labor began with both my kids so I feel like I must be 2-3 cm by this point..

I hope so for your sake - as long as you've found the birthing stuff!!

I'm getting into a different mental state - very absorbed with the idea of birth right now and completely spaced out on work and home.  I remember the same thing happening a week or so before DS was born.  Also, noticed my breasts were a little more full today although it could be the swelling I'm getting pretty much everywhere...  Baby also dropped a little lower over the last few days, I have a more defined space between my chest and belly, but surprisingly I'm not feeling that much more pressure in my pelvis, so I don't know what's up.  I guess I'll just keep waiting!

[micah_mae_]

Originally Posted by wildmansmom 

I hope so for your sake - as long as you've found the birthing stuff!!

I'm getting into a different mental state - very absorbed with the idea of birth right now and completely spaced out on work and home.  I remember the same thing happening a week or so before DS was born.  Also, noticed my breasts were a little more full today although it could be the swelling I'm getting pretty much everywhere...  Baby also dropped a little lower over the last few days, I have a more defined space between my chest and belly, but surprisingly I'm not feeling that much more pressure in my pelvis, so I don't know what's up.  I guess I'll just keep waiting!

My MW has the pool and I still haven't found the right size hose adapter yet so I guess if all else fails I'll be using my shallow but wide garden tub/shower! 

I've noticed the full/sore boobs too..wonder what's up with that? Hormonal change..indicative of labor?

[writermama12]

Well, i had a good rest day yesterday (lazily lying around and not cleaning) but still had contractions all day long and throughout the night. Some very intense and crampy/twingy and some weak BH. Have had moderate contractions all day today too but more crampy than usual (the really yucky period type cramps). So I guess this is the beginning of the end. I just don't know how far away the end is, but things are definitely moving along. 

[cabbitdancer]

I've been having crazy contractions all weekend long. Nothing huge, but they keep coming. I suspect it'll be like this for a couple of weeks before baby actually comes, though. ;) So long as she gets her head turned in the right direction, I don't think I care how soon she comes. XD

[buko]

Couple more random contractions this afternoon and about a 5 minute period where I thought "I don't feel so well" (like mild menstrual cramps) and then I realized, duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm almost 40 weeks pregnant (40 weeks today by LMP) WONDER WHAT THAT COULD BE

So I guess I'm getting to the point where I am having a few of these every evening.  They're nothing, really, but since I'm a FTM, it seems like something might happen in the next week or so...  Which is, again, DUH!  "Something might happen in the next week or so," because, hello, I'm essentially 40 weeks pregnant.  Almost by definition, "something might happen in the next week or so."   

DH hasn't "let" me drive much in the past few days.  He doesn't want me going into labor while driving-- not that he could stop me if I wanted to drive myself, but we like each others' company, so we do the errands together (our shared number one Love Language is "Quality Time," after all).  However, he has a few things to do around the house tonight, baby prep-wise, and I need to run three quick errands, so in a sec I will be leaving for maybe 1.5 hours total on my own.  Whoop de do-- I'm not traveling more than 20 minutes away.

Per the "Stay in baby!" thread, I have just a little less than 72 hours before my big Thursday stuff is out of the way and I'm feeling the green light for labor to start...  Actually, I could count it a green light as soon as DH is done at Immigration (maybe 4 pm, so 69 hours from now), as my brother could always pick Dr. Mom up from the airport at 5-6 pm, or she could take a cab or whatever if necessary...  And I doubt it will be a precipitous birth, so she'd still make it for the birth itself, most likely.  Come on, 69 hours!  I'd rather wait even longer, really, but once I hit ~4 pm Thursday, I will definitely breathe a big sigh of relief. 

[writermama12]

I totally just lost a long post because I am switching back and forth between pages on my laptop timing my contractions. This is the third day of all-day contractions. They have picked up tonight though and are coming every 5-7 minutes for the past two hours. 

I am rooting for you buko. 

[RainGardenMama]

Buko- that is super exciting, though i hope baby arrives after your official green light
Writermama- I was wondering about you! Hope these contractions let up so you can rest or get "real" soon. Though, of course I know they are real now! I suppose I should say get active?

[storygirlcindy]

Writermama I hear you! I have had contractions every few minutes for my whole 3rd trimester but I'm really ready for them to turn into something real now! I have to go for biweekly NSTs due to being high risk and every time the doctor and nurses are amazed that I'm still pregnant despite all the contractions....

[babytoes]

Writermama, I hope something happens soon with all this predominal labor your having, although I have heard it can go on for a week or more. The up side is your body is doing something positive!  And with a full moon tonight... who knows! 

Buko, I am right there with you, 39+3 weeks, and I have to stop and remind myself, oh yeah I am going to have a baby really really soon here!! Sometimes it feels sureal... and a bit mind boggling! How time has flown...

[wildmansmom]

Micah - what's your EDD?  I reached for my cervix in the shower this morning and at first thought I couldn't feel it.  Then I realized it was just so soft that it felt like everything else. I was in a hurry, so I didn't spend a lot of time exploring, but I don't think I'm dilated yet, everything still felt pretty tight.  But, my cervix was pretty short, so I'm working on effacing and wondering how much longer this pregnancy might go on.  I'm 39 weeks Thursday - EDD is 3/7. 

Writermama - I had 3 days of prodromal labor before hitting full blown labor with DS. My contractions were about 4-5 minutes apart the entire 3 days.  It's frustrating, but the end is near!  Try to get some rest and I'm looking forward to an update on the Labor thread.

[writermama12]

wildmansmom, Your story is encouraging. But my contractions have now slowed way down and have become weak and sporadic. I don't feel like labor is near any longer. Boo. I bet I have at least a few more of these prodromal labor bouts before the big day. Last go round, I recall this happening a few times with many days in between where I felt normal again. I went to 41+3. This time is more intense/painful though so who knows. I am already tired of the body game this time and I may just ignore it all as much as I can until something really significant changes. 

[buko]

Only 54 hours to go until my green light.  Stay in, Buks! 

Although I do have to say that since DH finished his big baby prep last night, I am feeling much happier and at peace with Buko coming whenever. 

[chocolatechip]

Originally Posted by buko 

Although I do have to say that since DH finished his big baby prep last night, I am feeling much happier and at peace with Buko coming whenever. 

That's awesome. 

writermama, good luck!

[micah_mae_]

Hmm still having cramping, back ache, contractions and "have to go" tummy ache...going to see my mw at 4 just to see if there's any progress being made but I can't get over the fear of being told I'm not progressing. Mostly I'd feel bad for getting DH to take off to take me to the appt and such. Sigh. I guess we'll see. A big thing I've noticed is a lack of mucous. No bloody show, not even an increase in mucous to speak of.