Ughh...when does the prodromal end and the real labor begin?

[Amila]

For the past week I have felt like I have been having one big giant Braxton Hick. My uterus is constantly hard with a dull achy cramping. No real "contractions." I am due on the 12th. Lots of pressure and pinching really low.

I want real labor to begin already!!!!!

[prairieo]

oh, man! That would drive me crazy! Sorry. I hope you get to have a baby soon!

[MamaDee4]

I'm right there with you! BH all the time--especially when I move, walk, drive, etc. Any movement sets it off. During the last few days I have noticed that once in awhile I get one that really hurts--so I can tell it's changing. But nothing consistant or progressive. I think this is what made me think I was "in labor" for 10 days with my first baby. I laugh now to think of that......I now know (after five kids) this is NOTHING compared to real labor, but at the time 12 years ago I was thinking it was the real deal.

I'm due in a week and I still have no signs but this. No effacement, no lost pieces of plug.....so we'll see. I know things can change pretty fast, though! My Mom (a retired nurse) asked me today if the baby had "dropped". I told her no and she said, "Well, I guess it'll be a couple of weeks then". Huh? Doesn't she know anything about birth? LOL!

I know the waiting stinks. And the constant BH are sure annoying. I like to think they're helping, though, even if it isn't really true. ; )

Dee

[morganstar83]

I have contractions that come 3-4 minutes apart lasting for 30-45 seconds not getting longer or stronger and if i wait a hour to make sure i fall asleep cause im trying to rest incase this is it and i end up falling asleep and they go away. soooo frustrating and a let done. i keep thinking anyday now. ugh..come on baby!

[Kidzaplenty]

I figure, the pre-labor will end when the baby is finally born!

At least that is one sure way of knowing.

So sorry you are having to deal with this.

[Gypsy.Momma]

I TOTALLY feel your pain I am due on July 11th and have been having contraction 5-7minutes apart for nearly 3 days but they aren't changing my cervix. Very painful and very frustrating:. at this rate by the time labour really starts I won't even realize and DH will end up delivering lol.

I hope your labour starts soon!! Hang in there!

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

I figure, the pre-labor will end when the baby is finally born!

At least that is one sure way of knowing.

Or you can take the mantra - "It's only labor if I feel crowning!"

The thing is, when real labor kicks in, it will feel MUCH more intense than what you've got going on now. And, if you should have a few "false alarms" then so be it. Those of us who do a lot of pre-labor/prodromal labor sometimes do.

But, when it's active labor... there will be NO denying it! I promise!

And, big big hugs for going through this. The emotional part of prodromal labor is probably just the worst!

[aprilibarra]

take a warm bath...not a shower...that's the only way my mw tells me that i can tell, and though i never wanted to listen, it's the only way i can tell. When its real labor the cntrx get worse!worse!worse!, but if its not the real thing, it settles down and my uterus relaxes. but the water needs to get as high on the uterus and back as possible, otherwise its just like a shower.

i had 1 cup of RRL tea, even mixed with chamomile, and it gave me a couple of very hard painful contrax' but i think that for me it just strengthens the bh's. i don't really need that yet, nor want it.

[doularosemary]

Last week I had a bout of "irritable uterus" and here is what my mw recommended.

Liquid cal/mag supplement
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath (mag sulfate) I also put lavender in the bath
Drink 1/2 glass of red wine

That calmed me right down and I'm not having strong BH with every movement, thank goodness.

[ekblad9]

I totally feel your pain. I am up from 11pm - 4 a.m. with contrax so strong that I can't sleep through them even with taking a couple of tylenol PM's. I am so tired all day long. I drag. I've given up that it will ever be the *real* thing. I'm so over this. I am dilating (was a 4 last Wednesday) so hopefully it will make actual labor go much quicker.

[kalamos23]

If you find out when it ends and real labor begins, let me know. I was going to make a whining post but after hearing Amy's post about prodromal at night, I really can't complain. Mine is mainly between 6 and 12 at night, so at least I'm getting some sleep.

I do wonder how dilated you can be and not actually be in true labor though.

[ekblad9]

My water was broken and I was dilated to a 6 with my last baby and still wasn't in labor! What a bloody nightmare that was! I ended up doing a hospital transfer after 8 days of on and off contrax and no real labor. I hope that is not happening again. It was very traumatic for me.

[Tiffanoodle]

I feel your pain. I was there. From June 14-June 22 I had prodromal labor. Painful contractions, mucous plug, the big d...it seemed like real labor. But it wasn't doing anything. Until the night of the 22nd. My OB had prescribed Ambien, telling me that would hopefully relax me and either stop the false labor or relax me so I could go into labor for real. I took one the night of the 21st and slept like a rock (my kids were both gone and dh was working...home all alone so it was actually peaceful). That night, a little after 8, I started having contractions that were so much different. I had to bounce on my labor ball and breathe through them. 13 1/2 hours later, my little one was born. Just when I thought the prodromal labor would never end...it did.

[AnneCordelia]

Add me to the group who is contracting every night. Every night from about 6pm-12midnight I start the contrax...4-6 min apart but only an easy 20-25 seconds long. I'm feeling more pressure on my pubic bone though, so I'm hopeful that it's at least doing something. LOL!

[Spark]

Originally Posted by ekblad9

I totally feel your pain. I am up from 11pm - 4 a.m. with contrax so strong that I can't sleep through them even with taking a couple of tylenol PM's.

We live close enough, Amy, we really should just get together and play cards or something! My sweet vampire baby prefers 2am-sunup for ctx. That's a couple hours though we overlap, so really, maybe a game of Uno & shared tiredness would help!

Have you stopped all encouragement of labor? I think I've posted to every one of your threads about labor encouragement as saying that just makes prodromal labor worse for me. It might for you, too. Or it might not. Heck, hopefully you're holding your baby right now! But, if you're like me, you'll probably be contracting like this until EDD or beyond!

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Tiffanoodle

Just when I thought the prodromal labor would never end...it did.

I'm so glad your sweet babe is here, Tiffany!

[alyssatuininga]

I am not in your DDC but wanted to post. I had prodromal labor with both my boys. With my first it lasted 2 weeks and 2 days. Contractions every night for 8-10 hours. The night I went in labor (the day before his "due date") I was 4 cm. Labor started about 8 hours after that doc appt and was very fast. (6 hours for first baby) My second child I had prodromal labor for 1 week and 4 days. I was tired and whiny and let my mw strip my membranes when I was 3cm (and 1 week from "due date"). BIG Mistake! Labor was long and putzy and took almost 16 hours. I really feel like he wasn't ready to be born. My advice is try to stick it out. Sleep when you need to and get through it because when baby is ready to come it will be well worth it if you wait. I will do all I can this time to let this one come on its own.

[RubyOrganique]

Me, too! I've had serious BH for weeks now. But recently, they've been every time I stand up, walk, etc. They haven't been bad at night, thankfully, but I've had other issues keeping me awake.

I keep telling myself that my body is readying itself and this will ultimately make my birthing time go more smoothly. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but it helps.

I've also had a couple false alarms, but surprised myself with how calm I was during them. It's kind of like a rehearsal for me, which I find really helpful in lessening my anxiety and adding to my positive anticipation.

Hang in there. Know you're not alone. Try to enjoy the times when you're most comfortable and maybe focus your attention on connecting with your baby when you have the contractions. Advice from a first timer - take it for what its worth!