So, the night before last, I was in L&D due to contractions coming about every 7 minutes. They started out at 15 minutes apart and were slowly getting closer together - HOORAY we're gonna have a baby, right? Wrong. I was checked for dilation and was completely closed. They hooked me up to the machines to monitor contractions and baby, then checked dilation again an hour later. No change. Cervix is soft, but that's it. Some of those contractions were getting pretty intense and they were coming at specific intervals - definitely unlike Braxton-Hicks.
But, alas, I was sent home. The contractions had begun around 9:15pm and I felt them until about 2:30 am. They were getting weaker and farther apart, and I was exhausted, so I was able to fall asleep when we got back home.
Morning rolled around and it was like nothing had ever happened! Same deal last night. Contractions started up like clockwork, right around 9:15. I tried my best to just ignore them and get some rest. A few woke me up, but they weren't terrible.
Here's some info on prodromal labor, if you're curious:
https://birthbootcamp.com/prodromal-labor-what-is-it-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/ It's creepy how close the description at the top is to my case! It sucks because I was so sure we were getting a baby that night. I'm really not upset over the contractions (unless they start getting a lot worse). Mainly just want my little dude to be here! My due date is next Tuesday. He's already a mondo baby, though. Weight estimate last week was already 8lbs 12oz, which I know can be off by a pound or so (but, that could go in the plus or minus direction). His head was also measuring above the 97th percentile! I am a little paranoid that his head is not fitting correctly in my pelvis, and that's the reason for the prodromal labor...

But, I'm trying to keep my hopes up and tell myself we can do this! Baby was super strong during the monitoring session and they said he would take labor like a champ!
If anyone else is going through this, I would love to hear your experience.
Sorry, I know I have not made hardly any posts on here. Mostly just lurk, unless I have something meaningful to post about. Hope you late bloomers are still hanging in there with me!
Re: Prodromal Labor
My baby was estimated 9 pounds last week, head over 99th percentile which it has been at three separate ultrasounds. It sounds like a very similar situation. I had the same exact fears you're talking about.
In my case, I have a lot of family history of 4th degree tears with 10 pound babies, (which is a highly unlikely situation for most people), so they have ended up scheduling a c section for me tomorrow morning. I'm sorry I can't give you further advice on that but I just wanted to say you're definitely not alone in the experience. It sucks!
"As long as I live you will live. As long as I live you will be loved."
BFP#1 3/31/12 EDD 12/1/12,No HB 6/6/12 (14 weeks 4 days), D&C 6/11/12 (15 weeks 2 days)*Arabella Ann*
BFP#2 5/21/14 EDD 1/27/15 *GROW BABY GROW*
My baby wasn't huge though - 7lb5oz, and both my Mom and MIL had 8-9lb babies. My kid did have a gigantic skull though (90th percentile at birth) and there was some tearing. L&D wasn't bad at all with the epidural, but healing has been kinda painful.
Off birth control March 2012 - Actively trying Sept 2012-April 2014
BFP on May 5th after Follistim & IUI #3
Good to hear that yours didn't drag on for weeks, like it does for some. Just hoping mine kicks in pretty soon like it did for you!
Its like you were writing my experience from last night for me! Only difference is I am still having contractions and they are 5 mins apart. I was monitored for 2 hours at the hospital and the contractions went from 7-8 mins apart to 4-5 minutes apart and they still sent me home because my cervix wasnt changing.
Dont get me wrong, I dont want an early baby, however this is baby #3 for me and this is the exact thing that has happened with both my kids before I ended up going in for csections. I am concerned now that I have been having contractions for so long and pain in my csection scar area, but the dr doesnt seem to care and I am refusing to go back in. I dont want to be "THAT" crazy pregnant lady who needs to go into L&D 100x before the baby actually comes. I was just beyond pissed and still am because I am still sitting here in pain every 5 or so minutes
It's going to get harder to stay patient. Your gonna feel like you or your body weren't made for this but you were and baby will come. Baby just needs a little extra time in there for some reason.
SpinningBabies has helped some with positioning, which got some people in prodromal labor moving. Otherwise I just tried to relax and visualize the contractions stretching my cervix. Even if it did nothing, it calmed me.
Off birth control March 2012 - Actively trying Sept 2012-April 2014
BFP on May 5th after Follistim & IUI #3
@mali3 yessss, this! I told my husband I am not going to the hospital/waking him up again until I am writhing in pain or my water breaks. We didn't get home from the hospital until 2am and my husband had to be up at 4am to work a 16 hour shift.
I am really hoping that things finally get going for you. I can't imagine dealing with the contractions all day.
I have a doc appointment this afternoon, so hopefully I'll find out if I've made any progress. Thank you again for the support! Trying to stay positive and your comments definitely help!
My mom was able to birth all of her big babies, so I am trying to keep the faith that my body is also capable. Still a little paranoid about the giant head. My husband is a mega genius, so I have been teasing him that it's his fault that our baby has his giant brain! Hah.
But, yeah, I have just been trying to tell myself that my body was made for this and that this prodromal labor is really just like a good warm-up workout for my uterus. I have read that a lot of prodromal labors end up going very quickly once things finally kick into gear! Fingers crossed that will be the case for me!
I'm hangin' in there, though! I will try some of the spinningbabies exercises. Need to get my husband to help me with them. I have the worlds worst balance, pre-pregnancy and especially now!
In addition to Spinning babies try this website out:
https://www.milescircuit.com/
My Doula just sent it to me since I've been having sporadic contractions for a few days.