24 hours of early labor so far...I need help!!

[jkg]

Yesterday afternoon I started having regular contractions. They were just uncomfrotable, not a big deal. They started getting closer together and increasing intensity, and at 10 PM I went to the hospital with ctx 3 minutes apart. I was only dilated 1 cm, 70%effaced, so they sent me home. Mamas, they have continued since then, at different intervals however but still anywhere between 3-8 minutes apart consistently. The pain is so awful. I am so tired and want to sleep but I can't get comfortbale. Has anyone had an intense long early labor, and what did you do to make yourself more comfortable?

[MrsTC]

Have you tried getting in a bath? Taking a shower and letting the water run down over your belly or beat down on your back? If you have access, getting in a pool or (not too hot) hot tub so you can be weightless? Sitting on a birth/yoga ball?

I have nothing new, I'm sure, but I'm sending fast birth vibes your way!

[lunabelly]

Have you tried the bath or the shower? Remember to get good rest in-between each ctx and that the intensity varies, so the next one may not be as rough as the last. Good luck!

[jkg]

The shower actually made things worse, believe it or not. At first it felt great, then it seemed to intensify each contraction. Since the pain is all in my lower back and shooting into my thighs, I have lots of rectal pressure that makes any position hard and uncomfortable.

[luckydog]

Originally Posted by jkg

Yesterday afternoon I started having regular contractions. They were just uncomfrotable, not a big deal. They started getting closer together and increasing intensity, and at 10 PM I went to the hospital with ctx 3 minutes apart. I was only dilated 1 cm, 70%effaced, so they sent me home. Mamas, they have continued since then, at different intervals however but still anywhere between 3-8 minutes apart consistently. The pain is so awful. I am so tired and want to sleep but I can't get comfortbale. Has anyone had an intense long early labor, and what did you do to make yourself more comfortable?

Take heart - sounds like it's not going to be long!! Both of my VBACs progressed oh so slowly in this manner, with very long early labor stages lasting 1-2 days. I think my babes needed those contractions to get properly positioned. Once their position was tweaked appropriately, active labor progressed at a nice clip.

To get rest, my midwife recommended one glass of wine. It did offer me some much needed respite and the opportunity to sleep for a few more or less comfortable hours.

Hang in there!!!

,

A July DDCer who saw this in new posts.

[luckydog]

And also - just noticed your comment on back labor - do you have a posterior babe? There are some positioning techniques that might help you along!

[kristinc]

With the back labor a great thing to do is get on your hands and knees and have your partner use the palm of his hand to apply traction on your sacrum (tailbone).

also you can try lying on the edge of your bed on your side with the top leg hanging off of the bed. Have your partner stand in front of you holding on to your hip from the top to make sure you don't roll off. Move to the other side of the bed and repeat on the opp side. This will open up your si joints and allow the baby an easier, wider path down the birth canal.

[nandodianenicole]

I wonder if your mw or doc can give you saline injections on your lower back, it can make back labor sooo much better. You are doing great, keep thinking good thoughts of baby coming down and turning if he is posterior.....sending you lots of karma.... good luck, it will be over soon.

[Wild Flowers]

I am just coming in here to wish you luck and hope that it starts to go more quickly for you. I am not sure how much it actually helped my labor, but as soon as early labor started for me last time, I started taking rescue remedy. It calmed me and almost made me feel, I am not sure how to describe it, kinda like it was just no biggie and I could handle it. It calmed me a lot I guess you could say
But mostly, just hoping it picks up for you

[Mummytwice]

Have no advice- just sending smooth, faster labor vibes your way.



Good Luck!

[avasmom]

I hope you are having that little one now! I had the same thing, and it's doing work, I know it can be frustrating but this is leading up to you holding that little one, I'm sending you dust and hoping it's soon. I also recommend hands and knees or leaning on a birth ball if you have one. You could also have someone put pressure on your hips or back or a warm rice pack or heating pad on your lower back to help during contractions that helps me, my lower back hurt quite a bit this time around too.

Wishing you lots of luck and that you are holding that little one now if not soon!!

[luvmybabygirls]

Happy Labor!!

I had a really long labor with my first one, and it all started very similiarly, she was also posterior, but I didn't know that. However I read somewhere and it makes tons of sense to get your baby in the right position and help him drop, I hear you should do what they call a pancake, one to two times and that should be all you need. It goes like this lay on your left side for 2 contractions and then on your right side for two contractions, then on your hands and knees for two. And the last is squatting for two, it should put the little guy just right. Hope that helps, sending beautiful labor vibes, your way. I have been doing the same thing off and on for days, so hopefullly you will have your baby soon!!

[Ligmom]

Sounds like things are moving along. labor to you. If you are still having this pattern tomorrow, maybe see a chiropractor. Best wishes and let us know how it goes.

[Leetahalfelven]

My 1st was like that

I was in very slow progressing labor w/ my first. I think they call it prodromal labor? My Dr wouldn't let me come in until I was having them every 5 min consistently for 45 min-1hr. I was in labor for over 27 hrs, but my anxiety kept slowing me down and I got an Epidural instead of letting myself be mobile to work it through.
PS-she was also posterior!

With my 2nd, my MW suggested a small glass of wine & a warm bath w/ aromatherapy that helped me relax and relaxing music. It helped. He ended up frank breech, but we delivered vaginally w/ no probs! Just had to have the EPI at the last minute to be ready for C if problems came.

Also the exercises and counter pressure and massages can help. It can be tough and tiring, but you can do it!

I'm expecting #3 and my doula already has me working on these things at 36 weeks! Hopefully I'll get through this one all natural!