Really thought I was in labor lastnight.

[Carlito's_wife]

Last night was so intense. The pain was awful and my mom was on the phone timing contractions. They were about 6 minutes apart but then they suddenly stopped.

I have never been so happy in my life. I have been so anxious to go into labor but that little reminder I had made me realize that I hope I never go into labor. I would rather hold the baby in forever. It was almost as painful as the last moments of labor. I could not believe I wasn't crying.

I am really not looking forward to the weeks to come. That little 2 hours had me physically and mentally exhausted. I think I am going to live the next 2 weeks of my life in serious fear.

[thefreckledmama]

I'm so sorry you're having a rough time. I agree it's both physically and mentally exhausting dealing with the stopping and starting of contractions before real labor gets going. Just remember that when all is said and done, you get a beautiful baby in your arms, and that always makes it worth it.

[flapjack]

Big hugs- Kalopsia put it well.
FWIW, though, active labour actually hurts less for me than this prodromal crap, and it's easier to get the endorphins going to help deal with it.

[Gunter]

hey mama,

you can do it! fear is the worst...you have a few weeks to work on getting past it and you can! maybe reading some other gentle birth stories from jan or dec would be helpful?

what are your coping strategies? did they not work last night?

we're here to help ya!

[TrishWSU]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Big hugs- Kalopsia put it well.
FWIW, though, active labour actually hurts less for me than this prodromal crap, and it's easier to get the endorphins going to help deal with it.

Yep, I noticed this too. I had 2 seperate occassions now of contractions for about 6 hours and they were much more painful than I remember my real labor contractions being!

Just know that they were probably helping get your cervix ready or moving your babe into a better position for birth. It's not just a wasted effort. Is your DH home yet?

[Carlito's_wife]

Originally Posted by Gunter

hey mama,

you can do it! fear is the worst...you have a few weeks to work on getting past it and you can! maybe reading some other gentle birth stories from jan or dec would be helpful?

what are your coping strategies? did they not work last night?

we're here to help ya!

Well yesterday I was too stressed to think about how to cope better because DH hasn't gotten in yet and my mom was on the phone with me yelling at me to get my booty into L&D. She was trying to get my son to call an ambulance but she didn't understand I just wasn't ready to go in because I wasn't sure if it was true labor or not. The killer contractions on top of the worry about DH making it on time and my mom totally flipping out on me had me way to flustered to even try to think straight. But I am on my way to get DH now from the airport so maybe next time it will be dealt with a little better.