I can't do this anymore....

[pbreffe]

I have had a crappy few days and I just can't do it anymore...

Saturday I was having really intense contractions about 5 minutes apart for a few hours. But then I had to leave home for a family get together. After being in the car they spaced out and went away. For a couple hours anyways. They stuck around just not as close together.

Then on Sunday I had them all day. They kept getting closer and closer together until finally at around 8pm I was having to breath for them and was being reminded just how painful labor can really get! Then eventually.... they spaced out again.

So yesterday I had them all day AGAIN... Making for a very trying day with family at our house. They went all day and finally after everyone had left I joked with dh and asked to use his services... I thought for sure that would speed things up a bit... About an hour after that they started getting MUCH closer and then so strong that I was stopping what I was doing, not talking and pretty much getting grumpy all around! These went on for three hours getting stronger and more painful so I decided to call my doula... When she was finally able to call me back two hours later (no service on her cell!) they had started to space out.... So for about 6 hours last night I was soooo sure I was going to be going to hospital by morning...

But here I sit... Nothing going on again... Just the occasional twinge.

If I get up and move around and do things they are strong, long and regular. But if I sit and relax they go slow down. I did this with ds as well... Right up until the end of active labor... so I don't really know what's going on. I don't know if I should pack the kids up and go walk around the mall to try and get things going? Or if I should just ignore it and resign myself to a possible 5 more weeks... I don't need all the facts about how better it would be for the baby to stay in there as long as possible... I just need to see a light at the end of my tunnel... It's looking pretty dim!

[tannersmommy]

I'm so sorry you're feeling this way.
I just want to say, you CAN do this. You've done it before and you will be able to do it again. I hope you get some relief soon. Try to get as much rest as you can so you will be well-rested when things finally kick in for good. I think taking a walk at the mall is a great idea - it can't hurt anything.

Thinking about you and sending easy labor vibes your way.

[Shazer]

Did your doula advise you to do anything in particular?

Maybe relaxing today and doing a whole lot of nothing will help you since it sounds like Christmas was quite hectic. I'm sure with family at your house you didn't relax at all. But a nice stroll around the mall sounds like a plan. Or sit down with a good book and put your feet up.

[Electra375]

Drink some herbal tea, drink plenty of water, take a warm bath and relax -- baby's know when to come...

I have been hobbling around for 2 days with sharp pains shooting from my lower back to my legs, plus the pubic bone pain I've been living w/ for the last month or more.

I keep telling myself, it will all be worth it and over soon, very soon and too soon.

[Shenandoah]

Sorry you are having to go through this.

Have you tried the accupressure point on your ankle? Feel around on the inside of your ankle between the ankle bone and heel. One spot in particular will be really tender. Press on it as hard as you can. Oh, and keep using your dh.

[hannah8ball]

I'd go for the walk... I'm currently making the rounds in my house trying to get these contractions to come a little bit closer together. I'm having nice strong, long ones, just 10 minutes apart or greater... : Walking seems to have improved their timing somewhat... plus it gives me something to do besides time them...

Hang in there momma, your time will come soon!!

[RoadWorkAhead]

I'm so with you. I'm having the same issues. If i hear one more time about so and so who was in labor like this for a month, or this person who walked around dilated to 3 for 2 weeks or "YOu arent going to have that baby for another X weeks" I may go ballistic!" I've decided I will go about daily life as it is and if she comes, okay....If not, I'll start the walking, etc. at 37 weeks (1 week) since I kinda would like to bake her that last week but the ctx suck!

[pbreffe]

Thanks for the encouragment!

I had a long night of contractions last night. So I am pretty tired. I have an appointment with the midwife tomorrow... I will be 37w4d...It might take all the self control I have not to beg her to strip my membranes....

I am almost to 38 weeks.... I keep telling myself it shouldn't be long now!

[Electra375]

My mw just told me on the phone that I can take some Magnesium and Calcium together to ease pre-labor contractions. I'm 35wks.

Funny thing, I haven't taken my magnesium supplement (1 - 250mg tablet) for a few days and here I am having lots of BH and some painful contractions all day long and all night long.

I took my supplement this morning. I might take another tonight. TOO much magnesium, something like over 500mg will cause diarrhea in some people. So more may or may not be better.

[meggles]

It's still early, but if walking, sex, etc aren't getting things going (or keeping things going) you could try nipple stimulation, or even herbs. I'm ready to be done, too. I hope you have that baby soon!

[pbreffe]

I guess it just doesn't seem early to me because both of my other kids were born within just two days of where I am right now...

Exactly how long would I have to do nipple stim for it to actually work... I won't try it for a little while though because they are pretty sore right now.

[RoadWorkAhead]

From the website Birthing Naturally:

"Nipple Stimulation
What is Nipple Stimulation?
Gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipple, or suckling of the nipples to encourage contractions is called nipple stimulation.

Why does Nipple Stimulation work?
Oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions, is released in the body when the breasts are stimulated. After the baby is born, this release is important for the involution (returning to pre-pregnancy size) of the uterus. In labor, the release can be used to stimulate longer or stronger contractions.

How do I do it?
To stimulate the release of oxytocin, you must mimic the suckling of a baby. When a baby suckles, he does not grab just the nipple, but actually massages the areola (dark circle around the nipple).

The areola can be orally massaged by the mother's partner or by a baby who has been "borrowed" for this purpose (babies under 6 weeks will tend to suckle any woman).

The mother may prefer to massage her own areola. To do this she can rub the areola in a gentle rolling way with her palm or fingers. This can be done through thin clothing.

NOTE: Nipple stimulation can have very strong effects, similar to the overuse of Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin). For this reason various experts have given recommendations on its use. Here are some recommendations I have seen at various sources:

Only massage one breast at a time
Only massage a nipple for 5 minutes, wait up to 15 minutes to see what happens before continuing with the massage
Do not stimulate the breast during a contraction
Do not use nipple stimulation after the contractions are 3 minutes apart or 1 minute long
Some sample nipple stimulation techniques:
When trying to induce labor or speed up a prolonged early labor, have the mother go about her regular activities. Set a timer to go off every hour. When the timer indicates, have the mother stimulate one breast for 5 minutes, then continue with her normal activities.

If the mother is anxious for labor to begin, combine the effects of natural nipple stimulation with the natural prostaglandin released in semen by encouraging the mother and her partner to engage in intercourse.

In the hospital, have the mother place her palm over the nipple and areola and give a firm but gentle pressure. Encourage the mother to move the palm in a circular motion, keeping the firm and gentle pressure.

Return to Top


© Copyright 2000-2004 Jennifer VanderLaan and Birthing Naturally
Last Update February 2004 "

I'm back to contraction land again. HOw about you?

[pbreffe]

Yup! Contractions all night! And I couldn't sleep either!

Thanks for the nipple stim info! I have an appointment today at 2:45... I can't wait to cry on my midwife's shoulder...

[RoadWorkAhead]

I was there with you. Started around 6....stronger up through 11, managed sleep but woke up with cramping here and there, started back this AM again, but not feeling like they're doing any good. Ah well....off to take some EPO and drink some RRL and remind myself that she's not done cooking yet.

[pbreffe]

Aw! I am sorry... I definitely feel for you! I definitely feel better knowing I am not the only one that has this problem!

I hope they subside for you pretty soon!

[RoadWorkAhead]

MIne haven't stopped today and seem to be strengthening a bit, so I can hope even while I doubt. Have fun crying on the MWs shoulder. They are so good at listening to the complaints of pg women!

[pbreffe]

I am currently waiting for dh to come home so I can get a prostaglandin injection to boost some of the contractions I am getting.... Hope it works

[katie9143]

my fiance would be so excited if he knew i was waiting for him at home for this same reason!!! he has been terribly deprived the past month...

good luck!

[RoadWorkAhead]

LMBO I totally just used DH for the same reason...not that he complained LOL

[RoadWorkAhead]

Checking up: Any good news from your camp?
The cramps have me up now as I can't sleep through them anymore here. NO clue if they're being effective, but I feel like I've been pounded in the low belly/back, whilst having a nasty period.....Not exactly a pleasant type of cramping LOL