I'm going crazy - Early labor/pre-labor

[Ellarae]

This is my first time going through this, and even though I've read tons, I really have no idea what to actually expect. Monday night I started bleeding slightly after DTD, and that continued with light cramping until Tuesday night, then stopped. Well last night I started having real contractions. At least I think they were real. Tons of pressure and back pain with each one. At one point they were about 8 minutes apart. Lots of bloody show. Couldn't sleep at all.

Finally I managed to get a few interupted hours this morning, but still woke up with each one. Now they're down to 3-4 an hour. The thing is, they're honestly more painful than I thought they would be, and I have to force myself to relax through them. No one told me that they would feel like really bad gas. I think I will go crazy if I have to put up with this for days or weeks.

[corhorvath]

I wish I had advice for you but come only with encouragement. I hope your labor picks up and you get through it well. It can be quite painful but your attempts to relax should help you through.

All I can suggest is clearing your mind and letting your body work. The more you hold on emotionally and mentally, the more your body holds on physically. I believe labor can be hard work but painless (although I didn't experience this first time around) and am hoping my labor will work out that way. Is your husband there to help you or just be with you? I heard this helps immensely too-just having him there (again, I didn't have a have this the first time around but do this time and am looking forward to his care). Try to rest, stay hydrated, and have some protein.

[Ellarae]

Thanks, corhorvath. It helps a lot to hear someone say (Or type :) ) those things. My dh is at work right now. I actually didn't tell him about last night, because he would freak out and like I'm in full blown labor, when I'm not. I honestly don't know how long this will go on, so I don't want him taking days off before he has to.

Thanks for the encouragement!

[Tine]

Sounds like your baby may be posterior--that would explain the back pain. My 16-hour labor w/ DS was all back labor, and I would certainly call it excruciating. I don't think you're crazy or wimpy to be concerned about it.

Check out http://www.spinningbabies.com/ for some positions (and other techniques) you can try to take the pressure off your back. I hope it helps! And good luck with your birth!

[Epiphany]

I am so sorry to hear you are going thru this October. I had it with my first and it lasted a week... I wish I had known then what I know now! Definatly check spinning babies for tips on how to get that babe to turn, and above all relax as much as possible!! I know that it lasted so long for me mainly because I had some hang ups about givnig birth and becoming a mommy that I hadn't worked thru...so I was holding on to the pregnancy and not letting my body do its job....

Good body positions, relaxation, and a positive mental attitude will get this into "real" labor in no time. :)

Sending you tons of positive labor vibes!!

[RedOakMomma]

:hug You can do this!!!

You never know how long it's going to take, but you DO know that in a matter of days, or even hours, you'll be holding your baby. You can do almost anything for a few days or hours. :hug That being said, I know it's tough. :hug

Do try everything possible to get the baby to turn. One exercise suggested in the birth partner is:

on hands and knees, let your belly dangle. Have your partner, using wide strokes of his hand, move across your belly from the direction your baby is facing (left or right) to the direction you want your baby to move (so that he/she is in an anterior position). Do this repeatedly, as often as you want. Keep the stroking motion firm but gentle....you don't want to cause skin or muscle aches.

Best of luck! Baby is on the way!!!!!! :thumb