Prodromal Labor

Marisgirl · Nov 30, 2010

Anyone else experiencing it? I've been having contractions every 5 minutes since 4:30 yesterday afternoon (remember I'm having twins) and I've only dilated to 3 cm. I'm most certain that this is not "active" labor and I'm ready to pull my hair out. I'm also trying not to be moody - but - well yeah. LOL!
 
Someone come in and let me know that I'm not crazy!

ThatsHowWeRoll · Nov 30, 2010

Marisgirl, you are not crazy! I have labored this way with all 4 of my babies and though it is challenging, I have come to love it. Prodromal labor is the best preparation for birth, IMO. I get so good at relaxing (though I can't say I never complain!) that by birth day, I'm a pro!
 
Hang in there. IME, the most frustrating and difficult thing about prodromal labor (besides, of course, the seemingly go-nowhere contractions, oh, and sleepless nights--hope that's not happening to you!) is the fact that people often don't take you seriously--most especially birth professionals and others who have had babies but never experienced this labor pattern. If you can remind yourself that these contractions aren't for nothing, and that every contraction (no matter how "not active") brings you closer to your babies(!), it will help your perspective. And GET SLEEP HOWEVER YOU CAN!!! You'll need energy for when the babies make their debut!
 
Here's wishing you a restful night and a glorious birth!

soccerchic21 · Nov 30, 2010

I have been thinking that mine is starting this past weekend. I have been getting what feel like very early labor contractions during the day and a few when I am sleeping. I have had a lot of braxton hicks but now these are a little painful. Nothing consistent though. 
 
I am getting my group B strep test done on Wednesday and just out of curiosity I am going to ask my midwife if she will check me.

Marisgirl · Nov 30, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by ThatsHowWeRoll <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16081263"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Marisgirl, you are not crazy! I have labored this way with all 4 of my babies and though it is challenging, I have come to love it. Prodromal labor is the best preparation for birth, IMO. I get so good at relaxing (though I can't say I never complain!) that by birth day, I'm a pro!
 
Hang in there. IME, the most frustrating and difficult thing about prodromal labor (besides, of course, the seemingly go-nowhere contractions, oh, and sleepless nights--hope that's not happening to you!) is the fact that people often don't take you seriously--most especially birth professionals and others who have had babies but never experienced this labor pattern. If you can remind yourself that these contractions aren't for nothing, and that every contraction (no matter how "not active") brings you closer to your babies(!), it will help your perspective. And GET SLEEP HOWEVER YOU CAN!!! You'll need energy for when the babies make their debut!
 
Here's wishing you a restful night and a glorious birth!
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Oh THANK YOU! I was beginning to feel slightly crazy. Mine are coming every FIVE minutes! My ob stated that I have dilated some, but not enough for her to want me to stay AND she wants baby A to flip around or for baby B to move A out of the way so I can get my vaginal delivery. I think that my OB is about as close to a midwife as one can get.
 
I'm trying to rest, but it is so frustrating to be woken up every five minutes to these contractions and still feel as if nothing is happening. Mostly because the heads are not engaged and I have a butt in my cervix. <img alt="shrug.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="width:29px;height:15px;"> I'm also trying not to get distraught because I know that this is helping me a lot - and I want all of the free centimeters that I can get before active labor! 

 
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by soccerchic21 <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16081299"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> I have been thinking that mine is starting this past weekend. I have been getting what feel like very early labor contractions during the day and a few when I am sleeping. I have had a lot of braxton hicks but now these are a little painful. Nothing consistent though. 
 
I am getting my group B strep test done on Wednesday and just out of curiosity I am going to ask my midwife if she will check me. 
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Thanks for stopping through. I just had my second group B stress test done today - off topic I REALLY hate having an anus swab - ewwwww - and she also checked me which is how she knew I dilated another centimeter and a half. We're progressing some, but I want to be selfish and have two more centimeters. Is that bad?

soccerchic21 · Nov 30, 2010

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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Marisgirl <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16081333"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Thanks for stopping through. I just had my second group B stress test done today - off topic I REALLY hate having an anus swab - ewwwww - and she also checked me which is how she knew I dilated another centimeter and a half. We're progressing some, but I want to be selfish and have two more centimeters. Is that bad? 

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I think we all want more centimeters at this point. I am feeling so done!

ThatsHowWeRoll · Dec 1, 2010

Marisgirl, as you may notice, that was my first post here. I was here doing some research on forum categories and saw your thread and thought, "I sure would have loved to be told I wasn't crazy," and decided to register! Prodromal labor can be really challenging, especially mentally and emotionally, and it is important to keep a positive attitude and not deny what your body is doing (like those on the outside are prone to do). It is not unusual for contractions to even be 5 min apart or less and a minute or more long, lasting hours (and days) at a time. Sometimes, the bouts of contractions like this will come and go over a period of weeks. My second birth, I had almost a month of on-again, off-again prodromal labor that finally culminated in birth one day when I decided I was not going to be tricked this time! It was a great birth, and seemed very short, even though it wasn't. Prodromal birth is one of the main reasons I became a CBE--I was not prepared for this labor pattern, and it made for a difficult first birth. I don't want other moms to experience what I did when it is completely avoidable.
 
Anyway, just wanted to let you know you aren't crazy, and your body isn't weird for doing this. It's wonderful! And even though more centimeters would be nice, it really is so much better to not be a "watched pot" until labor is really baby-producing, and since women walk around 5 cm dilated for weeks sometimes, thank your Ob for not accepting you yet! Can you imagine if she admitted you and you labored this way for days in the hospital? Hurray that she's like a midwife!
 
I am curious about how the prodromal labor will play out for you. Would you mind coming back to this thread (in all your spare time after the twins are born--LOL!) and posting how the prodromal stuff looks in hindsight? It would be very interesting to me.
 
Thanks, and happy laboring/birthing!

SumnerRain · Dec 2, 2010

Yup, mine started today in fact.... I am declining VEs though, so who knows what these are doing. Apparently I have mom-nesia because I don't remember them starting this early, or them hurting my cervix this bad, but DH assures me they were the same last time.

Marisgirl · Dec 2, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by ThatsHowWeRoll <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16083863"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Marisgirl, as you may notice, that was my first post here. I was here doing some research on forum categories and saw your thread and thought, "I sure would have loved to be told I wasn't crazy," and decided to register! Prodromal labor can be really challenging, especially mentally and emotionally, and it is important to keep a positive attitude and not deny what your body is doing (like those on the outside are prone to do). It is not unusual for contractions to even be 5 min apart or less and a minute or more long, lasting hours (and days) at a time. Sometimes, the bouts of contractions like this will come and go over a period of weeks. My second birth, I had almost a month of on-again, off-again prodromal labor that finally culminated in birth one day when I decided I was not going to be tricked this time! It was a great birth, and seemed very short, even though it wasn't. Prodromal birth is one of the main reasons I became a CBE--I was not prepared for this labor pattern, and it made for a difficult first birth. I don't want other moms to experience what I did when it is completely avoidable.
 
Anyway, just wanted to let you know you aren't crazy, and your body isn't weird for doing this. It's wonderful! And even though more centimeters would be nice, it really is so much better to not be a "watched pot" until labor is really baby-producing, and since women walk around 5 cm dilated for weeks sometimes, thank your Ob for not accepting you yet! Can you imagine if she admitted you and you labored this way for days in the hospital? Hurray that she's like a midwife!
 
I am curious about how the prodromal labor will play out for you. Would you mind coming back to this thread (in all your spare time after the twins are born--LOL!) and posting how the prodromal stuff looks in hindsight? It would be very interesting to me.
 
Thanks, and happy laboring/birthing!
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I'd be more than happy in my spare time to come back and review what I've been going through. I'm currently keeping tabs on my blog too. It's crazy! 

 
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by SumnerRain <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16086496"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Yup, mine started today in fact.... I am declining VEs though, so who knows what these are doing. Apparently I have mom-nesia because I don't remember them starting this early, or them hurting my cervix this bad, but DH assures me they were the same last time.
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I don't remember them either from my last pregnancy. With my first, when I woke up with contractions, I was actually in labor. Now I just feel like I don't know my body very well anymore. UGH!

ThatsHowWeRoll · Dec 4, 2010

Marisgirl, what is your blog, and I'll link to it from my prodromal labor blog. I like to link to stories from those in the midst of PL, to help those experiencing it to not feel like they are alone. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Marisgirl<a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16086842"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a>
<a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16083863"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a>
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I don't remember them either from my last pregnancy. With my first, when I woke up with contractions, I was actually in labor. Now I just feel like I don't know my body very well anymore. UGH! 

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I totally know what you mean about not "knowing" your body. My last birth (July), one of the women present scoffed at me after the birth for not trusting my body, because I didn't know if it was baby-producing labor until about the time I hit transition (she'd driven me home and I promptly had the baby in less than an hour from arriving there). She kept telling me I should trust my body more. Later, I wished I'd told her, "Experience one pregnancy in my body, and then tell me to trust it." (Not that I don't trust my body, but I cannot be sure it's truly baby-producing labor until I start HAVING the baby. Makes for sticky situations sometimes, but it works out well never-the-less.)
 
Anyway, I'd love to link to your blog!

Marisgirl · Dec 7, 2010

Sorry to reply so late.
 
My blog is housefulofnicholes.blogspot.com
 
Thanks for the link up! 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by ThatsHowWeRoll <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16092034"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Marisgirl, what is your blog, and I'll link to it from my prodromal labor blog. I like to link to stories from those in the midst of PL, to help those experiencing it to not feel like they are alone. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Marisgirl<a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16086842"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a>
<a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16083863"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a>
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I don't remember them either from my last pregnancy. With my first, when I woke up with contractions, I was actually in labor. Now I just feel like I don't know my body very well anymore. UGH! 

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I totally know what you mean about not "knowing" your body. My last birth (July), one of the women present scoffed at me after the birth for not trusting my body, because I didn't know if it was baby-producing labor until about the time I hit transition (she'd driven me home and I promptly had the baby in less than an hour from arriving there). She kept telling me I should trust my body more. Later, I wished I'd told her, "Experience one pregnancy in my body, and then tell me to trust it." (Not that I don't trust my body, but I cannot be sure it's truly baby-producing labor until I start HAVING the baby. Makes for sticky situations sometimes, but it works out well never-the-less.)
 
Anyway, I'd love to link to your blog!
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~adorkable~ · Dec 7, 2010

how are you feeling Marisgirl? how far along are you now? my BH have definately change tone in the last week (im 33w today) they still dont hurt persay but they do feel crampier rather than just pressure

Marisgirl · Dec 7, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by ~Adorkable~ <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16098395"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> how are you feeling Marisgirl? how far along are you now? my BH have definately change tone in the last week (im 33w today) they still dont hurt persay but they do feel crampier rather than just pressure
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 I'm feeling exhausted honestly. I'll be 36 weeks on Thursday and just found out that baby A is still breech. It's very disheartening because I've had two natural births and have NO idea what to expect.
 
The contractions are increasing in intensity and frequency, but I'm still very - how do you say it - lax with my hope of progressing anytime before the 17th of this month.
 
I apologize for the down tone of my post - I don't mean to make people feel sad, but SHEESH! LOL!

MPsSweetie · Dec 7, 2010

Prodromal labor sucks... I contracted every 4 minutes all day Sunday. I don't want to go into labor this early, 34 weeks today, but all the pain gets old. I feel so crampy around my back during them. But I haven't dilated, just started softening. It seems to me I started ctx a few weeks ahead of time with my other two, but its didn't hurt until about a week before birth.

AFWife · Dec 7, 2010

I'm 33.5 weeks and have noticed that when I have stressful moments I get ctx for a few minutes. I KNOW they aren't going anywhere and I KNOW that after a few ctx they're going to stop...it's annoying, though.

ThatsHowWeRoll · Dec 8, 2010

Marisgirl, I linked to your blog. Thanks for that. I do hope that when your body decides to deliver those babies, it will all feel worth it. I can relate to your exhaustion (though I imagine some of it comes from carrying two babies, and not just from laboring this way!) and discouragement. What your body is doing is great and helpful, even though it is also so difficult. You are working hard! Take good care of yourself, and I can't wait to hear more! Don't worry about being a downer--better to own up to how you're feeling than deny it! This is where you are right now. 
 
Oh, and how great that you're 36 weeks and haven't delivered! I love that those babies are in there longer. (You may not be such a fan, LOL!)

Marisgirl · Dec 8, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by MPsSweetie <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16099953"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Prodromal labor sucks... I contracted every 4 minutes all day Sunday. I don't want to go into labor this early, 34 weeks today, but all the pain gets old. I feel so crampy around my back during them. But I haven't dilated, just started softening. It seems to me I started ctx a few weeks ahead of time with my other two, but its didn't hurt until about a week before birth.
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Yes, it definitely does get old. However, I am *slightly* grateful that I haven't gone into full blown labor yet because we just have so much that we have to do. We still have NO place for these babies to sleep. I mean, who gets THIS close and doesn't have a place for their baby to sleep?! Wait, don't answer that.....I'm too much of a procrastinator. I'm coming off of a three hour stretch of ctx coming as close as 2 minutes apart, and going as far as 8 minutes apart. I'm slated for a c-section or induction depending on the position of baby A, so either way, I'm going to have a baby by 37 weeks 1 day. 
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by AFWife <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16100375"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> I'm 33.5 weeks and have noticed that when I have stressful moments I get ctx for a few minutes. I KNOW they aren't going anywhere and I KNOW that after a few ctx they're going to stop...it's annoying, though.
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See this is where I am. You seesaw between high hopes and just straight discouragement. Or, is that just me? 

 
 <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by ThatsHowWeRoll <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16101202"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> Marisgirl, I linked to your blog. Thanks for that. I do hope that when your body decides to deliver those babies, it will all feel worth it. I can relate to your exhaustion (though I imagine some of it comes from carrying two babies, and not just from laboring this way!) and discouragement. What your body is doing is great and helpful, even though it is also so difficult. You are working hard! Take good care of yourself, and I can't wait to hear more! Don't worry about being a downer--better to own up to how you're feeling than deny it! This is where you are right now. 
 
Oh, and how great that you're 36 weeks and haven't delivered! I love that those babies are in there longer. (You may not be such a fan, LOL!)
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I so totally get what you're saying, but I'm not in the place to accept it! <img alt="Sheepish.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/Sheepish.gif" style="width:19px;height:19px;">
 
I'm trying to stay close to home and just do little things around the house to keep my mind off of the contractions as much as possible. Tonight, I washed a MOUNTAIN of dishes and baked some chocolate chip cookies. LOL!
 
Thanks for linking to my blog, I appreciate it!

AFWife · Dec 8, 2010

Well, I keep telling little dude to stay put because it really is too early for me. So, I don't get excited or anything. I get worried and then annoying. Last night I was having tons of BH combined with PMS type cramps. Ugh.

mumma cop kaz · Dec 8, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by AFWife <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16101905"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Well, I keep telling little dude to stay put because it really is too early for me. So, I don't get excited or anything. I get worried and then annoying. Last night I was having tons of BH combined with PMS type cramps. Ugh.
 
 
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I have been having this for weeks, its very scary when they feel like period cramps, but im not dilating, thankfully my DH is a medic, who has delivered numerous bubs so he can check my cervix for ,e, otherwise I would be heading to my hospital every time I get them!!

AFWife · Dec 8, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by mumma cop kaz <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16102780"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by AFWife <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282470/prodromal-labor#post_16101905"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Well, I keep telling little dude to stay put because it really is too early for me. So, I don't get excited or anything. I get worried and then annoying. Last night I was having tons of BH combined with PMS type cramps. Ugh.
 
 
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I have been having this for weeks, its very scary when they feel like period cramps, but im not dilating, thankfully my DH is a medic, who has delivered numerous bubs so he can check my cervix for ,e, otherwise I would be heading to my hospital every time I get them!! 

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 I dont' know if I'm dilating or if the "my vagina feels bigger" feeling is all in my head. I'm scared to check, to be honest!
 
Of course, we're secretly hoping the baby comes on Dec 31 for the tax break

(I'll be 37 weeks so it's not too too early)

soccerchic21 · Dec 9, 2010

I know that every contraction is a good contraction but this is driving me crazy! I have been having mild contractions off and on since Friday afternoon. They are starting to pick up and get more intense but not progressing into the real deal. I keep trying to visualize thinning and opening though! We will see what my midwife says this afternoon.

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