Is this happening to anyone else? - Page 2

[MonkeyPrincess]

I definately need to join too! I am soo sick of "false" labor, although my midwife and assistant try so hard to tell me "it's work you don't have to do in labor". I just don't see the positive of that. At least in labor, you get to be IN LABOR! This way, not only is my body contracting, but I am still shopping, cleaning, cooking and taking care of three kids. I would like to be able to FOCUS on being in labor, you know?!

With my last pregnancy, I had 7 trips to the hospital before I begged them to break my water and get on with it! It was so draining - emotionally, physically, financially and babysitting wise - to keep having "false alarms". This is one of the reasons homebirth was so appealing to me this time, let everyone come to me and the kids can stay put, lol!

I haven't gotten to the point of calling my mw about them, yet! My cntx are usually 10 minutes apart. They generally go all day, then in the evening, they get closer together for an hour or so, and go away. Very frustrating. Although, now, I don't even time them...unless I'm in the car, can't really help it then with the clock right in front of me Yesterday I only had about 5 the whole day, but today they are back...

I really don't think this baby is ever going to come out! I mean, I know it will eventually, but I am having a really hard time envisioning going into REAL labor all on my own. I've never actually done that, all 3 of my previous labors were induced/augmented

[Megamama]

I really know how you feel, Jill. All my labors were induced or augmented before this one, too. I'm nervous already about having ctx and wondering if things will happen now that I am not ready for them to. So far, the best thing has been to just relax and ignore. If I can't ignore it then I try a bath or sleep or whatever I have time to do..my friends tell me that if I'm doing all that relaxing and the ctx are still getting stronger, that's when I'll know...but will I really/??? I'm not sure I believe it!!

[JanetF]

It's not false anything! Every time your body goes into contractions like that, it is doing valuable work for you. As one mama mentioned, it leads to short, sharp labours for her. Maybe thinking of it as prelabour or prodromal labour will help. It's not a sign of dysfunction, it's just your body slowly warming up and letting you and bubs have a longer gentler ride. It might lead to shorter labours for some women, but not for all. Put your feet up, go with it, get on with your day, do whatever feels good and right to you. Babies come on their birthdays, and we have no idea when that will be, most of the time.

I know it's really frustrating, it's like waiting to run a marathon and not knowing when the starter's pistol will go off. But stressing about it won't make it come sooner, in fact it may keep it away as you have hormones that tell your body it's not safe to labour if you're full of adrenaline or anger. Mother Nature's doing her best, and you're all carrying divinely beautiful babies who are just finishing making themselves perfect to meet you

Keep up the excellent work! I look forward to hearing the birth stories!!

J