Prodromal labor, or what??

[Cygnet09]

The weirdest thing happened to me two nights ago. Starting around 10PM I realized I was having pretty regular BH contrax, about 25 mins apart. Went to bed about a half hour later and they increased to every 20 mins. Over the course of 3 or 4 hours they increased to every 10 mins with a small contrax in between at 5 mins. I noticed that whenever I got up and walked around they would stop and then when they started up again, they were 5 mins closer than before. By 2 to 3 AM they were about a minute long and my entire abdomen was contracting - I could feel my cervix stretching and my back would ache. Then, at 4AM - they stopped. I had a little weak, disorganized one, and then nothing. A few disorganized ones the next morning and.. NOTHING! I was so frustrated. This is exactly how Livvie's birth started and I was holding her in my arms at 11AM. I have no idea why they would get so intense and go on for 5 to 6 HOURS but not turn into anything. Anyone else have this experience?? I guess one clue that it wasn't the real thing was that they stopped when I was walking around, but then I didn't expect that they would start up again even closer together than before! Weird. And I'm only 37 weeks, so I know I shouldn't get my hopes up. But still....

[Therese's Mommy]

I have been having this most nights, but mine are often as close as 2 and a half minutes apart. I have had it last over 12 hours. Still no baby for me and I am at 41+ wks.

Beth

[brittneyscott]

I've been getting these too for the last week or two. No baby yet. It comes and goes and the contractions have gotten pretty strong while I was having them. Friday night I was having them about 3-6 minutes apart for hours but no baby yet.

[Cygnet09]

No, no, no. You've got it all wrong! This is what you're supposed to say: "Wow! That happened to me and I had my baby two days later! Good labor vibes to you!" :

:

Just kidding, obviously. I guess it's really true that #3 is the wild card!

*sigh*

I am glad to know that it's par for the course. Twelve hours, though? Wow, that's pretty intense!

[brittneyscott]

Sorry we couldn't be more encouraging. If it makes you feel any better the prodromal labor is suppose to be helping to prepare your body ahead of time so the actual labor won't be as bad. Thats what I keep getting told although I know it doesn't make it feel any better. But maybe it does help. The night I had really bad false labor (thought it really was real for awhile) I was dilated to 2cm when I went back. After they checked me last Mon. I had more prodromal and lost some mucus plug and was 3cm Friday. So maybe it does help some.

[Therese's Mommy]

I am a testament that it doesn't mean you will go into labor soon. I have been having it since at least 6/3 and I am still hanging on, 10 days past my due date.

Beth

[scrappingmom]

I"ve been having this happening since..early april, like the 8th or so? at least a couple times a week, i dont even pay attention anymore unless a contraction either hurts or they seem like they might be around 5 or less minutes apart.
April i was quite worried, May as each day passed i relaxed with them and said well i'd prefer to wait a few more weeks, now.. I'm saying oh come on just get it over with! Stop the teasing and do your job! lol Oh well.. it will happen.. sooner rather than later hopefully!

I must say though, i had these start at 26wks with my last one, so...it could be worse! lol that was quite scary.

[Cygnet09]

Thanks for the reminder that, at the very least, I am not alone! I have been noticing that, after reading the prodromal labor support thread, many of the mamas there who went on to have their babies had them darn quick. So I hope that is something to look forward to.

BrittneyScott, it sounds like they really are helping. I've never been more than a fingertip/1cm before going into labor. 3cm sounds like a great start. I have a different MW this time around and she doesn't even do internal exams - even in labor - unless you ask. I'm OK not knowing for awhile yet, but we'll see how I feel in a few weeks!

10 days overdue?? Holy cow, how are you feeling? I imagine insane! I know I would be...

Yikes, I also had some early BHs that were pretty strong when I fell in February - that IS scary. But yes, that feeling of resignation and "Yeah, right. Who are you trying to fool?" when they start coming on is very familiar!

[brittneyscott]

Yeah I'm waiting to see how labor will really be. With DD I had her in 7hrs but I'd had NO signs of labor until it happened. No BH, no mucus plug, not dilated or effaced, nothing. My water broke and it was on! So I'm hoping that this one will be here fairly quickly too. Since I'm already dilated and effacing maybe its a good sign. Now I just have to be ready to go. I wish the labor would go ahead and start. I'm cramping and having a backache again today but I'm not going to get my hopes up. I'm sure its just more prodromal.

[Therese's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Cygnet09

10 days overdue?? Holy cow, how are you feeling? I imagine insane! I know I would be...

Well, now it is 11 days Physically I am feeling fine. Mentally I go up and down, but I am not as bad as I could be. I am avoiding talking to everyone except family and a very choice few friends. I think that if I was allowing myself to talk to just anyone I would be much worse mentally.

Beth

[ericswifey27]

Originally Posted by Therese's Mommy

Well, now it is 11 days Physically I am feeling fine. Mentally I go up and down, but I am not as bad as I could be. I am avoiding talking to everyone except family and a very choice few friends. I think that if I was allowing myself to talk to just anyone I would be much worse mentally.

Beth

8 days for me. Sigh. Thank god I told my mother I was due a week later than I am, I don't need her negativity I am sick of dropping off/picking up my son at my preschool and getting the shocked looks and comments that I am still pregnant though: