ctx off and on for the past 3 days

[medaroge]

So whats the longst labor you have heard of?

Just 39 weeks, but hopeful that the birth will be soon. I dont know if I am even in labor, but for the past 3 days I have been having contractions off and on. Like 2-3 hours of ctx 5-10 min apart, then they just peter out. I also continually have about one an hour. I am also feeling lots of pressure and lower back pain both during contractions and not during ctx.

Any advice? how long can I go on like this without having the baby?

[timneh_mom]

Hi! It can be really frustrating when things start and stop like that, it seems like the end can be so full of aches and pains, it's hard to decide what is what.

I'd read on here many times, even in the birth professionals forum, that if a mom has to ask whether or not she is in labor or not, she probably isn't. That it will undoubtedly be clear when she is. I'm not sure how true that is (based on my own experience), since my only other birth was induced.

It is normal to have a lot of prelabor contractions and they are all helpful, they are getting your uterus and the baby ready for birth.

I hope someone else will be able to answer your questions more directly! I know even moms who have had many babies sometimes are not sure if "this is it" or what they should do.

[illinoismommy]

Me too. One night they were 2 minutes apart lasting a minute... for hours... but they weren't intense enough I knew so I just kept waiting.... then it fizzled out. Blah! I thought that night was it.... now I'm still waiting.... who knows! They call it prodromal labor I guess.

[Gray's Mommy]

Sorry to say that this sounds like early labor wgich can go on for hours or days or even weeks before you are ready for active labor. It sounds horrible, but early labor is a GREAT thing!!

[p1gg1e]

Yep had that and still prego! Sorry mama! :

[mysonshine]

Me too!
Have been having more ctx and baby isn't as active. Lots more pressure too. But nothing consistent enough to say I'm in labor yet.

Just waiting.

[lindsayjean]

Sounds like me exactly- this is the fourth day of this! I just keep saying to myself that labor is going to be much easier because my body is doing all this work in advance.

[p1gg1e]

I don't know if this is cool : but my MW told me to have a beer and take a bath to get the BH contractions to quit bugging me...I'm well hydrated so thats not an issue

Anyway you can do with out the beer maybe have DH do a massage or something.

[umami_mommy]

prodromal labor and BH are different things. PD labor are contractions that help position your baby better... and very normal for a second or third birth.

i had PD labor for 6 days before my dd was born.