I need advice. Ctx are regular for hours then stop

[Montana Mom]

I believe due dates are estimates, and am feeling fine with an active baby. Ultrasound dated us for the 5th, lmp dated us for the 12th. This is my 2nd baby and we are going for HBAC.

For the past week I will start having steady ctx, 3-4 min apart, strong enough to stop me from what I am doing. They will start in the afternoon and continue through late evening until I go lie down for bed, at which point they taper off and I go to sleep.

I'm ok with waiting for this baby, but I am getting confused. Is this unusual? Is this an indicator that I won't have a progressive labor?

Thank you.

[attachedmamaof3]

Originally Posted by Montana Mom

I believe due dates are estimates, and am feeling fine with an active baby. Ultrasound dated us for the 5th, lmp dated us for the 12th. This is my 2nd baby and we are going for HBAC.

For the past week I will start having steady ctx, 3-4 min apart, strong enough to stop me from what I am doing. They will start in the afternoon and continue through late evening until I go lie down for bed, at which point they taper off and I go to sleep.

I'm ok with waiting for this baby, but I am getting confused. Is this unusual? Is this an indicator that I won't have a progressive labor?

Thank you.

Welcome to prodromal labor hell!! I did this for WEEKS with my third baby, a little less with my second. It's not a lot of fun is it?!

For me, it usually means my body is "warming up" so when labor actually hits, things move very quickly. My births where I experienced prodromal labor beforehand were both under 3 hrs total.

[minsca]

I agree with pp... welcome to prodromal labor hell!!! I've been doing this since 32 weeks (am going to be 35 weeks tomorrow) and I expect that I'll be having to do this for another few weeks. (though am really crossing my fingers and toes that maybe by 37 weeks real labor will start!) (i think i'm in dream land there though)

I know how extremely frustrating and exhausting it can be, just try to conserve your energy as much as you can, as real labor will more than likely be fast. (with my first it was 6 hrs, don't know yet with my second... let you know that in a few weeks!)

Unfortanetly I think this is just what some of us do, it's not common, but it's also not unheard of.
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[time4another]

I wonder if the baby is in an optimal position for labor/birth? Have you tried getting down in the hands/knees position? I always found scrubbing the kitchen floor great for this!

To answer your question though, no I don't think that it means that you won't have a progressive labor when baby decides it is time. I also don't think its all that unusual.

I hope you're holding your baby in your arms soon!!!

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Very common. Walk, yoga, chiropractic care. Rest when you can. It'll end eventually!

[homewithtwinsmama]

Prodromal. I have had several mamas do this. It can be frustrating with the wrong mindset. Use the time to practice relaxing, rest really well and be assured that you will be halfway there by the time true labor kicks off. Your body is doing its work slowly and giving you time to rest between. Try to consider this a blessing instead of a curse!!!!

[shanesmama]

I went though this also. For about 3 weeks before my child was born. Up all night w/ steady contractions, that never got stronger, just lingered. I was waiting for things to pick up, but they never did. But when real labor finally hit, it was 2 1/2 hours long for first contraction to baby in arms. So no it not a precursor to your labor. Your body is just practicing for the big show.

[~Megan~]

not a birth professional but every time I've heard of that happening its because the baby is malpositioned.

Seeing a chiropractor trained to help pregnant women or an accupuncturist can help.


http://www.spinningbabies.com/

nak

[1stimestar]

Any time a client has prodromal labor, I suggest they do some optimal fetal positioning. It can't hurt. If the baby is in a non optimal position, it can help him/her get in a better one so that labor can get going. Good luck.

[Rockies5]

I don't think it's hell, but I agree it's prodomol. I did this with every single pregnancy. Sometimes it's baby's position or mamas spine/posture or the two working together in a wonky way, sometimes it's just how that mama labors.

IMO it's how you embrace it that make the difference. If this is how you labor and you gripe and call it hell or whatever that's how you'll experience and remember it. If you can look at whats great for you in this situation (like long breaks, I mean imagine if there were no breaks!!) and labor as part of life and this is how it works for you you'll probably have happier memories and a better go of it all around.

Like I said, I've been there 5x over. Even my miscarriages were weeks of prodromal labor. In my case it was a blessing in disguise. Yes, exhausting but this work turns babies, and gets you used to the pressures of contractions. You get sleep, you get to go out in between. I mean if I had labored for 6 week without having 5 hrs a night to sleep I think I would have decided to medically manage. (In my case I wanted anything but)

Trust your body, trust you labor, trust the powers.

No, it isn't unusual. But can be maddening if you don't learn how to turn it to your advantage.

[Eli's_mommy]

Originally Posted by attachedmamaof3

Welcome to prodromal labor hell!! I did this for WEEKS with my third baby, a little less with my second.

I'm just about 26 weeks and I'm having constant uncomfortable contractions. Probably not as uncomfortable as yours since you're closer, but I wouldn't worry.

And just fyi- my favorite midwife in the world who I love and cherish always says that any contractions you have are doing something- be it moving your cervix forward, helping your baby turn, etc. So maybe it's not labor yet, but maybe your body is telling your baby to flip into a good position or something of the sort.

Good luck mama