[mamaley]

Disclaimer--this isn't about me being in a hurry to birth my baby--i know she'll come when she's ready. this is more out of curiousity...

Last night I had mild contractions that were 5 min apart, lasted around 1 minute, and came like clockwork. They started to move closer together, 4 min apart, and i started feeling them more toward my back and a little stronger up front. I had diarreah, lost more of my plug. Totally managable contractions, but I could not go to sleep (they started at 8pm) b/c my back was too uncomfortable. Around 2, I was so tired, and I kept thinking that this was so exciting, yet I was nervous because i hadn't had sleep and I couldn't see how my body could work so hard on no rest. I went to bed, and got some rest, even though i didn't sleep well. My contractions had puttered out by morning, and I'm not having many now...the ones i do have are very irregular. I've been focusing on resting and sleeping today, partly because i'm tired, and partly because my mw told me to at my appt yesterday morning (before all this happened) because i've been feeling very tired lately.

So I guess my question is do you think my body quit because it knew i needed the sleep? Or does this sound more like false labor? I'm glad it did quit because I was too tired, but on the other hand i feel like i blew it. (ok, i know it will someday start again, but you know...)

 

[pamamidwife]

I'll bet the contractions really helped to thin out your cervix and dilate you. It doesn't sound like "false labor".

Your body was wise to allow some rest!

Typically, our oxytocin levels are higher in the evenings, and when the world quiets down and settles in, many women will start labor. Perhaps today you can just take it easy, rest, and be ready for labor. Lots of rest - even if you don't sleep - is so beneficial. Eating well, etc.

Yay! You're on your way!

 

[mamaley]

I was hoping you'd respond

Thanks. That's interesting about our oxytocin levels being higher in the evenings...makes sense, everyone else is in bed and it's finally quiet!
I really hope I'm on my way...I feel so ready.
Off to get even more rest...lol, if I don't labor tonight, I hope I'm not wide awake from resting all day!

 

[angela&avery]

the same thing, though not as good contractions, has been happening to me lately... it sucks..... there have been about 3 or 4 nights in the past week ive felt contractions, or cramping from about 2-4am and i go back to sleep because have a 2 year old i have to chase around all day if i dont go into labor, so i dont get up and try to walk or anything and by the time i wake up they have fizzled out... it really stinks, especially because i am now overdue