How common is "false labor"?

[Mama2 '05'06]

Greetings to all! I am 20 weeks pregnant and for the last week or so, I have had back aches and very painful cramping. It lasts for about 4 hours at a time and I can feel my uterus get hard like a fist. The dr said to walk to ease the back pain but until the snow melts- yes, we got 20" on the first day of spring!!- that will have to wait. Plus, the cramps are worse when I do walk around the house or the store. The nurse at thedr office said false labor starts earlier with second babies than with the first. Is this true? I suppose I should not worry too much but I am a little. I do wish August would hurry and get here! Thanks!:)

[SlingWearin'Mama]

Hmm I am surprised he didn't recommend laying down with your feet up and a big glass of water. Try that sometime and see if that helps!

[SummerTwilight]

As queen of early contractions I would agree to rest w/ feet up, and do other things you would for muscle aches/spasms, like a few sips of red wine, a warm water bottle, chamomile tea, warm bath, lots of water, etc.
If you are anything like me it won't stop it completely. Also a few pillows under my head AND knees helps my back. Getting comfy isn't easy anymore!

[CatskillMtnMama]

gee, I don't know what to say ... what you are describing sounds serious ... I don't want to worry you. But if you are having contractions, hard, for four hours?? My midwife would have wanted me to call her at that point...
I definately lay down, put my feet up and drink lots of water. Really helps.
But it seems to be early to have such strong, long contrax! But maybe your dr knows something I don't!!

[Mama2 '05'06]

Unfortuatelly, I feel like the dr doesn't really have that much time to dicuss the problem.:( The nurse was actually more helpful than he was. But, he is the only ob in my area. It could be that he is too busy. I am trying the warm/hot baths and resting more. It helps more than walking.:) I am trying to remember to squat to lift my dd-10 months- rather than bend. Also, have her crawl to me rather than always going to her. I am still concerned with it b/c of the cervical position- very low, very soft and 1 finger open. Maybe that is normal with second/later babies? With dd I could not reach the cervix.Thanks for all the advice.:) :)

[2 in August]

I used to think that they weren't very common. Especially since I don't remember anything like this at 19 wks last time. But now I get noticeable tightening and pains at least daily. At first I thought it was stretching pains but now I can really feel my uterus tightening up. I really try to carry my water bottle with me all the time to make sure I drink enough. So maybe it's more common than I had originally thought.

[CatskillMtnMama]

Mama2:

Here is an excellent thread on preterm labor. It has great advice on what to do to slow it down, and when you need to get worried.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=385821

Yet another great resource at MDC! :)

I would be concerned if I were you. Especially since you mention cervical softening and opening. Practitioners vary, I found, on how worried they get. I had a midwife who was very blase about this last pregnancy. But when I went down to NYC to see the head of high risk pregnancy at NY Hospital, he was definately concerned. He put me on nearly complete bedrest (at home, thank god, with no meds). That was what it took to stop my contractions/cervical openings. I was on bedrest from around 22 weeks to 34 weeks, I think. Then went back to reg activity, because I figured if the baby were born, she'd be OK.

The reason, last preg, that I went down to NYC to get a second opinion was something that a doctor friend of mine told me. She used to care for preemies. She said that if the baby were to be born at this age (I think it was around 22 weeks) they would have a really, really hard battle in their early days, and might die. She told me that because the baby is so tiny at this age, a couple of really hard contrax can push them right out. It shocked me and I decided to take it very seriously. Doing home bedrest (just get up to eat/pee) meant no drugs, no hospitals. I carried the baby to term.

This preg, I'm 20 weeks. I had some cramping/contractions and have been been very proactive. I keep my feet up for long stretches -- as much as I can with a toddler. I drink a ton of water. Apparently, the number one cause of preterm labor is dehydration. My new midwife told me to drink until I can see no coloration of the urine. It can have an immediate effect on cramping.

Odds are, in you, this is nothing. But I would suggest getting a second opinion. This doctor sounds distracted.

Liz

[Mama2 '05'06]

I found a new ob that just moved to our hospital. I am calling his office tomorrow to see about switching drs. This has me very concerned since the contractions are painful and there is some pelvic pressure and definate changes in the cervix. I don't want to cry wolf when its nothing but I've read that preterm labor is more common if you've had a baby in the last 18 months and the closer the babies are the more likely it is.( DD is just 10 months this week). Besides, better safe than sorry!:shy