[mamabella]

I am a first time mommy to be (now 37 1/2 wks) and I was just wondering if anyone out there ever had their labors start out like this - Two weeks ago (35 wks) I started having regular contractions that sometimes felt kinda like menstrual cramps at night before I went to sleep - I have been able to get to sleep every night, but as time goes on the contractions are getting stronger and more frequent - like throughout the day. They start in my back and down low in my pelvic area and last usually about a minute. At night they are always closer together than during the day and make my face flush with warmth when I get them.

My midwife says to wait to call them until the cx "stop me in my tracks." I am about 50-70% effaced and 1cm dilated. Also, one midwife told me she thinks I am going to be late because my cervix is still "towards the back" even though she can feel the head right on the other side of the cervix. Anyone out there ever started their labors like this and if so, how long did it last?

 

[mwherbs]

I have had contractions like this and one thing that I say is the contractions of pregnancy can be like spinning a coin- as pregnancy winds down the contractions get stronger and longer like the big wobbles of the coin. So the contractions are doing something because you are mostly effaced and your tissues are probably softened. I would recommend taking a bath I think that the changes will still happen but I think that your discomfort can almost vanish. The other thing is to try and deeply relax as you feel this, don't let your mind wind up or think about the birth, just really think about being at peace in the moment.

 

[redtentmomma]

My labors all started like that, and it was because my baby was posterior, or facing back. The start and stop, not too easy but not hard enough contractions were trying to work my little ones around into the right spot. That may not be what's going on with you, but it might! Ask your mw next visit if she can show you how your baby's lying, and if it's posterior (facing your back) or anterior (facing your front). Anterior is better for a nice smooth labor, and usually they'll be facing one side or the ohter when they begin. Check out spinningbabies.com for pictures and ways to help your baby turn. And no matter what, have a beautiful birth!

 

[plantmommy]

I was also going to say that it sounds like babe is posterior, and sounds just like my early labor with my last. During the contractions, try getting on hands and knees, then push your upper body up and push down on your butt, pressing against your heels, curling around your belly. Get upright, and give the baby room to spin, between cntrx.

This will likely make the cntrx more uncomfortable, but it got my baby to spin after about 3 cntrx. Once I got him to spin, the cntrx were no longer painful, and I took a three hour nap and woke up to real labor, which wasn't painful.

 

[mamabella]

Thanks so much for the advice! I have looked over the optimal foetal positioning stuff again and am trying to keep that up. I see the mw tomorrow so I will ask about the positioning then