looooooong preliminary labor?

[rainbowfairymomma]

I have been having contractions since Friday night and lost some of my plug. I thought for sure on Saturday things would get going... in the morning I had regular contrax like 5 mins apart but not really painful... then they were on and off and on and off... its starting to drive me nuts... its not sunday afternoon and i've had some contrax today but very irregular although they feel stronger. This never happend with my son... How long will this last? lol

[gingerlane]

My cousin had this with her second baby as well. Lasted about a week or so with her but then she had a very short active labor. Sounds like your body is doing a lot of the prelem work to give you an easy/quick labor. At least, that's my uneducated opinion on the matter!

Have you spoken to your midwife about it?

How do you feel (other than annoyed)?

What does your mama heart tell you?

[candiland]

Totally normal! Did you take Bradley classes? This can go on for days, if not weeks. Every labor is as unique as a fingerprint! I had contractions that were irregular for two weeks with my second. Good luck!

[Vanyalos]

I had contractions off and on for four days leading up to the birth of my first. I ended up having a relatively easy/quick labour.

I started having contractions yesterday .. 10 mins apart for four hours .. but they never eventuated into anything. It's really frustrating but .. if it makes my labour shorter then it's worth it *L*.

[eclipse]

i had something similar for a few days prior to ds' birth and for a couple of weeks prior to dd's - but, by the time i was in active labor, i was already at 5+ cm. ds was born about 6 hours after cx actually started hurting (and my water broke) and dd was born about 4 hours after they started hurting. I don't have any idea if a long pre-labor preiod corresponds to a short active labor, but it seems to worke that way for me.

[rockergirrl]

With my first I woke up in hard labor but did not know any different. I labored at home for three hours and then went to the hospital because I felt the urge to push. When I got there I was fully dialated. I am now 40 weeks pregnant with my second. I too have been feeling very crampy and having on again/off again contractions. My theory now is that some women experience labor as you read about but others like myself have drawn out early labors that you sort of notice the symtpoms and then all of a sudden active labor hits. It is good in a way but it is hard when it hits so fast and furious too.

[iamama]

No advice just wanted to wish you luck with your labor. I am very jealous I would do anything for a sign that my labor is going to start soon waiting is the worst part. My edd isnt til the 20th arg!

[dynamicdoula]

Be in the moment...

I have learned in my doula travels that nothing happens in labor without a purpose, and a message to us. Something is waiting... maybe baby is taking his time wiggling down into the optimum position, or something is emotionally hanging things back, maybe you are dehydrated- it could be several factors.

With my clients, I usually encourage them to just drink tons of water (no soda, or juice), if your pee isn't clear you're not drinking enough- and use really positive labor-baby-positioning postures, like hands and knees, knee-chest- but avoiding squats until later when you are further along. YOu don't want baby's head to engage in a position that isn't optimum, so use positioning that encourages an anterior baby. If you email me I can send you more info on this if you want. In the meantime, look up Optimal Foetal Positioning on the web, or Spinning Babies to give you more information. Transition to Parenthood also has some excellent information.

Your baby and body are sending you a message- what is it?

[rainbowfairymomma]

THANX MOMMAS!!!!!!!
I'm really trying to stay positive, been praying alot...
I was worried that maybe I was 'hanging' up or something, I mean yes I'm nervous but I'm ready. I know I can do this and I can't wait to meet this baby.
Maybe this is happening to bring me closer to my hubby and son I donno we have been having nice days together... Maybe i need this...
anyway will keep you updated
thoughts and prayers are much apprecaited...
love
amanda