prodromal labor- UGH!!!!

[selena_ski]

So i spent my second night in prodromal labor. I am already unsure if i can make it through anymore. After 2 nights i am at a (wait for it) a 1 yep thats right, i am 75-80% effaced but it seems like so much hard work for nothing. Right now i want to go get the PIT and be done with it all. I am exhausted and feel like this baby is never going to come, and when it does it is not going to be an easy ride. I am still having random contrax about every 7 or so minutes, but nothing that is building in intensity or duration. just the same old stuff.

Anyways rant/vent over, I am just tired and ready.

[mkmb129]

I am sorry. I've been having contractions off and on for 4 weeks now! And today those that have got really intense, like cannot walk or talk through most of them, yet they spaced from 5-10mins (the not as painful ones) to 20-30mins (the can't walk/talk through most ones). It's ridiculous! I'm going to go in to be checked because I have an hour wait for my mom to get here, then another 20ish min drive to the hospital depending on traffic, and really need to know if there's anything going on since I was already 3cms on Monday. This is BS, I tell ya!

[Bella Catalina]

for both of you and sending ELVs! It's flipping ridiculous of me, but nothing is going on over here and I am desperate for something....

[Katerz2u]

Keep your heads up mamas! I had it for 2 days prior to going into labor, it sucks. However, its one step closer, it IS doing something! Sending ELVs to you.

[AugustineM]

Yes, it is doing something!! It's frustrating but it's helping!

[bronxmom]

Not in your DDC, but my best friend just had a 67 hour labor of which something like 60 of those hours was "prodromal" labor. I put it in quotes because even though she wasn't dilating, they were coming 3-7 min apart almost the whole time and were very difficult to get through. She was also 1 cm the first 2 nights and only 2 cm 9 hours before she gave birth. BUT, once she got to active labor - I think after her cervix had finally done the softening and movement work - it went REALLY fast. From her water breaking/active labor beginning, she dilated completely in just over an hour and got through those pretty easily after all she had been through. Then she had a decent break and spent another couple hours pushing. So hang in there - prob means you will have a faster labor once it comes.

Also, just a reminder that the pit won't really do anything if your cervix isn't ready so you could end up on a pit/epidural roller-coaster and set yourself up for a c-section. Prolonged labors like that are prime targets for c-sections; but if you can get yourself through the early part, you can have a great experience. My friend was exhausted and worked really hard but was on a total high near the end and when the baby was born. It was an amazing experience.

Sounds like you're able to get sleep/rest (my friend wasn't) - take advantage of it. Lots of rest, warm baths, maybe a glass of wine. Good luck!

[AnArtistMama]

I have been having on/off contractions for the past 7 days. And not only is it physically challenging, but its mentally frustrating. The hormones are making me cry a lot too.

I am trying to take it just one day at a time, but its still hard. I'm 41 weeks 1 day.

[selena_ski]

i have been crying alot too. It is way hard physically and mentally.

[coyotemist]

Originally Posted by selena_ski

i have been crying alot too. It is way hard physically and mentally.

It will be over at some point. It won't last forever. You'll be ok.

[AugustineM]

It's also a big change hormonally that's happening, which can cause the crying. I can tell sometimes that my body is already starting this huge metamorphosis and it's really overwhelming. Normal, but very overwhelming. I find some comfort in just letting it happen, trying not to question it, just letting it happen.

[Melanie_7773]

Originally Posted by AnArtistMama

I have been having on/off contractions for the past 7 days. And not only is it physically challenging, but its mentally frustrating. The hormones are making me cry a lot too.

I am trying to take it just one day at a time, but its still hard. I'm 41 weeks 1 day.

I am right there with you. 41+1, almost 41+2 now. Lots of contractions for days but they never progress into anything. Today I had a complete meltdown in a mall parking lot. Had to take a long walk before I was fit to drive home. And now I'm up after trying to go to bed because I was about to start crying again.

Ultrasound today showed baby is fine but huge (estimate 9.5 pounds). My daughter was a 7 pound, 37-weeker so I did not expect this.

I am SO done with this pregnancy.

[mjd139]

Hang in there!

MY friend, "bronx mama" already posted about my experience of a very long labor and maybe you've already delivered but I just wanted to say: Hang in there. I had a very long early labor, but after 60 some odd hours of early labor active labor was fast and EASY in comparison to those days of early labor contractions. I can honestly say that transition was a blur, and since I spent days establishing my coping mechanisms for the contractions, it really wasn't that bad. Also, pushing was a pleasurable experience. So maybe the upside to getting a slow start is that it makes active labor seem like a breeze in comparison. I wouldn't have done anything differently so stay with it!