All day contractions?

BrittanyCupcakes

I haven't had a break today. They're pretty constant. I've been trying to time them but I have a hard time figuring out when one stops and the next starts, since it's pretty much all day, but they seem to last about 5 minutes each right now. I've been resting most of the day, but when I get up, they start to get a little painful, my back gets really crampy/achy. They started getting painful/achy a few days ago, mostly when I'm out walking around. I'm drinking lots of water and trying to sit down as much as possible when they start getting bad. I have virtually no swelling and I'm peeing pretty clear all day, so I'm sure I'm not dehydrated.

I have an NST scheduled for early tomorrow morning, and they aren't close enough together for me to be worrying about anything happening before then (or at least without more warning), so I don't think its necessary to call in. I'm just wondering if this means anything at all at this point, or if I'm going to just have to put up with this for 3 1/2 more weeks (likely being induced at 39 weeks due to GD if I don't go into labor on my own before then). 

I felt ridiculous yesterday while out shopping. I was waddling around holding my belly, taking lots of deep breaths, finding walls and support columns to lean against. Made it over to the furniture section at Kohl's and just sat down on a futon for awhile. I feel like such a drama queen, but this is so uncomfortable! 

sfshorter

sounds like you are going into labor.  if you make it until the morning, I'm betting you get admitted.  GOOD LUCK!   

MegN423

I hope you can get some rest tonight! With my labors, there was a definite start and stop to my contractions. However, i'm not sure if it's like that for everyone. 

Amjoy25

Idk. I've never been in labor, but needing to prop against walls and other things seems like labor to me. I would call just for shits, if for nothing else.

taylormarie923

I agree that you should call and not wait until morning. Hope everything is ok!

nbcarlson

I feel like five minutes long is a really long time for a contraction. Am I reading that wrong? My dr said to call if they are five minutes apart, last about a minute each, for over an hour. I was up until three last night with contractions that weren't horribly painful but also not consistent. I keep having them but they are sporadic. It's tiring and frustrating.

BrittanyCupcakes

nbcarlson said:

I feel like five minutes long is a really long time for a contraction. Am I reading that wrong? My dr said to call if they are five minutes apart, last about a minute each, for over an hour. I was up until three last night with contractions that weren't horribly painful but also not consistent. I keep having them but they are sporadic. It's tiring and frustrating.

That's why I'm so confused. I just took a shower, and am relaxing and timing them again. Or trying to. I'm going on 15 minutes and still on one contraction. Everything is still tight, no relaxing yet. It just seems weird. This is the longest one that I've noticed so far. Not too painful, just a little discomfort at this point. Earlier when I was timing them, they were between 4-6 minutes long, with about a minute or so in between.

marianaz0

Any contraction longer than 2 minutes is not normal!
I'd def call your ob and tell him you're having tightening that is lasting up to 15 minutes.

kaswanson

I've had a lot of days like this between my two pregnancies.  Not fun.  When I had DD I knew it was "for real" labor because there was A LOT of discharge, and the contractions felt different... I could easily tell a start and finish.  If you are in labor you should have some discharge... the "bloody show" or mucus plug release.  I would call if you're experiencing that as well as the contractions.  

sleepy33

They sound like BH but way too long.

aesisson88

I feel your pain!! I've been contracting every 5 mins since Friday night! I want this baby to keep cooking but it would be great if the contractions stopped!

babygiantquest

BrittanyCupcakes said:

That's why I'm so confused. I just took a shower, and am relaxing and timing them again. Or trying to. I'm going on 15 minutes and still on one contraction. Everything is still tight, no relaxing yet. It just seems weird. This is the longest one that I've noticed so far. Not too painful, just a little discomfort at this point. Earlier when I was timing them, they were between 4-6 minutes long, with about a minute or so in between.

They told us at our class yesterday that if we experience a contraction that's longer than two minutes to call the doctor.  It might be nothing, but considering this and how you felt yesterday, I think a phone call is definitely in order!

lissymissy11

I've been experiencing the same thing! Went to L&D to get checked and I definitely was having strong real contractions but they weren't causing me to dilate. I was sent home after getting a shot to slow them down and put on bed rest. If I do pretty much nothing I only get a few an hour but if I actually try to do anything as simple as vacuuming they get really bad and painful. My dr thinks my lo is going to be coming early. Hope you feel better.

lolob45

This is me everyday but i've already gone into PTL so i'm on procardia and bed rest for 1-2 more wks to try to keep things calm. It's definitely challenging to do anything when the consistency of them. 

When I saw my doctor last week she said that contractions 5min apart, painful or not, are worth a call in to make sure l&d isn't necessary. If I were you i'd lay down for the next hour on my left side, drink more water and if they continue during that hour at 5min apart then call. If they wear off to 10+min apart then wait until the AM. You could have just over exerted yourself this weekend. 

norbert5

Definitely drink more water and lay down on your left side and see what happens.

I have been having a rough week and thought I was drinking enough water but I wasn't. I got it up to about 90 ounces today and things are much better.

Mthurm17

BrittanyCupcakes said:

nbcarlson said:

I feel like five minutes long is a really long time for a contraction. Am I reading that wrong? My dr said to call if they are five minutes apart, last about a minute each, for over an hour. I was up until three last night with contractions that weren't horribly painful but also not consistent. I keep having them but they are sporadic. It's tiring and frustrating.

That's why I'm so confused. I just took a shower, and am relaxing and timing them again. Or trying to. I'm going on 15 minutes and still on one contraction. Everything is still tight, no relaxing yet. It just seems weird. This is the longest one that I've noticed so far. Not too painful, just a little discomfort at this point. Earlier when I was timing them, they were between 4-6 minutes long, with about a minute or so in between.

I was having this as well. Turns out I have something called and irritable uterus (likely due to being preggo with twins in my case). You might have the same thing if you're lucky!. The contractions come and go all day everyday. Not fun at all. Hang in there!!!

lovelittlebean

Yes. I was having all day contractions a couple weeks ago, went to l&d, sent home. They stopped eventually, after lots of rest and hydration.

sarahcatie

I am so glad to read that other people are experiencing this!  DH keeps wanting me to call and go to L&D, but obviously nothing is happening?  I've been like this since Saturday.  I'm planning on bringing it up at my appointment today, but I'm figuring it's normal and hoping that it's my body getting ready?

BrittanyCupcakes

I just got back from my NST. I described what I've been feeling to them and was told that those were the real ones, but they aren't frequent or steady enough to worry about just yet. I see my OB tomorrow and will likely have my cervix checked. I am seriously so uncomfortable today. 

My blood pressure is in the high-normal range, they checked it twice since it's higher than normal for me. No proteins in my urine, though, so that all looks good.

I'm trying to get my butt in motion, getting all the last minute stuff taken care of in case I do go into labor soon. I have more cleaning to do around the house, I need to wash the baby's clothes, get my bag packed. Working on all that and waiting for DH to get home from the store, I'm supposed to be making 100 mini cupcakes and a dummy cake for an event tomorrow, which is the last thing I feel like doing. 

CousinVicki

they have been kicking in for me lately. painful but not timeable.    i am now reemmbering i had the same thing with my son the last month or so- constant period-type cramping, but nothing ever came of it until wayyy past my due date.  

RedZee

I have the same thing and had them last pregnancy too. Super long contractions, not clear when they end, coming pretty often. They seem to have eased up a bit the past few days. Last time I had them for 2+ weeks starting at 38 weeks but labor wasn't starting. I spent a day doing everything they say induces labor (spicy food, walking, castor oil, etc.) and finally my contractions STOPPED. A few hours later my water broke and I still wasn't in labor.

Anyway, the point is, all you can do is wait for them to progress or stop.

Inn2

I feel for you. Sounds a lot like what I'm experiencing. I took ambient(sp) last night just to finally sleep and kick the constant worry. Feel a bit better today.

BrittanyCupcakes

I don't necessarily expect to go into labor right away, I know this could go on for weeks, but it's a good reminder of all the things I still need to get ready. I'd like her to hang in there at least until 36 weeks, longer is better, even if I'm uncomfortable the whole time.

SnoopyLuv

I had this with DD1 and it just started around 34 weeks with this one. It sucks to have an "Is this it?" moment every day but it is what it is. The OB told me I have an irritable uterus, and to drink a glass of wine whenever I want and take tylenol PM before bed so I can get some rest. I found they wind down if I get on all fours for about 20 minutes. I was told to only go to L&D if I can't talk through the contractions since timing is not meaningful for me.

It's eternally frustrating and exhausting, I am sorry for all of us that are dealing with this.