Possible prodromal??

[Marvelleaux]

This past week I've started having loose stools, been leaking more and more colostrum, been extra moody and sensitive, beginning to swell in the ankles, and baby has dropped lower on to my cervix. I've just started feeling many low, dull period-like cramps. BH's have actually lessened in intensity (I've had them pretty crazy since 4th month) and migrated to my lower uterus and cervix.

So whaddya think? Is it possible I'm starting to wander into prodromal labor land? I think the changes are exciting but I'm very relaxed about everything. I figure this could go on for weeks and am commited to just letting things go as they go, but this is my first babe and I'd love to hear from other mama's who have had or are having the same experience.

[MollyandCleo]

I don't know when it starts to count as prodromal labor, but it sounds like your body is definitely gearing up for the big event. How exciting!!

[mataji4]

YES!!!! I am feeling just the same way- loose stools, tasting hormones in my mouth, low crampiness in uterus and lots and lots of cervical twinges! I swear this morning I was wondering if my dates were off...then I reminded myself I felt like this last time (I think!) for a couple weeks. But maybe it means the baby is coming in more like 3 weeks, not 5! I can live with that! It absolutely feels "soon", though, whatever that means!

[Jilian]

I've been feeling the same way. I have an overwhelming feeling that the end is near. But I always thought prodromal labor was when you would have several labor contractions and think you were in labor but they would just fizzle out. I may be wrong.

[WhiteWax]

JIllian this is what I understood Prodromal labor to be....

At least aht was how it was explained to me last time around...

I went to the hospital twice!!!! And was sent home... TWICE with prodromal.

I had gotten Very regular, very close together contraction that I had to breath through (no talking) and they lasted for a good two hours or more... I ended up calling the MW and they had me go to hospital both times and both times they fizzeled out.... It was a very dissappointing thing to be honest with you.

[Shell_Ell]

I had prodromal labor with my last pregnancy. It was literally labor that started and stopped. I would be in labor for several hours and then it would just crap out. It happened once or twice a week for the last month of my pregnancy. It was horrible and I don't wish it upon anyone.

I have been feeling twinges of "this is how I felt with DS" too... but I think it's just the whole nearing the end thing.

[Marvelleaux]

Originally Posted by Shell_Ell

I had prodromal labor with my last pregnancy. It was literally labor that started and stopped. I would be in labor for several hours and then it would just crap out. It happened once or twice a week for the last month of my pregnancy. It was horrible and I don't wish it upon anyone.

I have been feeling twinges of "this is how I felt with DS" too... but I think it's just the whole nearing the end thing.

Ah-ha. I think I must have an incorrect understanding of what prodromal labor is. I was under the impression that it is essentially when BH's start to make cervical changes but isn't regular enough to count as true, or even false, labor. I've read so many stories here on MDC where women slowly dialate during the last 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy without much fanfare before labor even begins. Maybe I'm just well-wishing but I feel like "things are happening" though not imminent.

Thanks for your thoughtful replies, ladies

[wombatclay]

There's some nice info (about prodromal labor and other "birth" things) here:

http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/a...abor/index.php

Different women experience prodromal labor differently, so there can be a very wide range of feelings/patterns/emotions/sensations/etc.

[Ks Mama]

Thanks for the link Wombatclay, and thanks for starting this thread Marvelleaux. I actually came by here this morning to post something very similar. The last couple of days I've been starting to have more intense contractions, particularly in the evening, with crampiness, and my inner thighs are starting to ache... and I'm having birth dreams, and waking myself up to check if I'm in labor.

Gosh, I'm potentially still weeks out (I'm at 35 now), but things are definitely changing... guess I really need to get started on that TO DO list I posted a couple days back!!!!

My DH said yesterday that he really thinks I won't make it into June. I agree... but hadn't said anything, thinking maybe I was just being overly excited.

[WhiteWax]

One thing to mention about dialating early on.... while it doesn't mean that the "end is near" (i was 3 cm for a month last time) it is,
"3 cm that you dont have to worry about when you're in pain!" as my MW likes to say.

[Keeping up]

I had a similar thing starting at about 33 weeks the last time around - low menstrual cramps for a few hours at a time, then fizzle - every few days. I was so uncertain that I was in active (truly take your breath) labour when it was actually happened that we only made it to the hospital with a few minutes to spare. I didn't want to get to the hospital with #3 and be turned away!

I hope to avoid the 'rush' the next time and go to the hospital sooner (husband has shot down the homebirth idea).

I am afraid this could go on for weeks. I am hoping I skip that phase this time around.

[firefly mama]

I think I'm calling myself in prodromal labor now. Baby is dropped and engaged, my stools are crazy loose, I'm mega-moody, and I've had timable, uncomfortable ctx start up three times now...but they've fizzled when I willed myself to sleep each time. I'd prefer this baby wait another week or so. None of this happened with my first baby, so this is all new to me. In fact, that is what has been a little scary - the ctx I've felt this time have been EXACTLY like my REAL labor with DD. So it is all kinda confusing.