False Labour

volcomsnowgirl84

i am 38 weeks pregnant with my second baby so you would think I would be able to differentiate between false and active labour but due to complications with my first (infection in the womb) I was induced and given epidural before it really got going so not familiar with what actual contractions feel like. Last night I was have painful tightening in back and abdomen ever 5-7 minutes for 1-2 minutes each... It certainly felt like early labour but the contractions didn't get closer together or stronger in the 6+ hours I was having them! Finally after multiple hot baths, paracetamol and an hour using my heated back massager I was able to fall asleep and woke up 5 hours later with no more contractions so obviously not actual labour, right? Or is it possible for early labour to start and then stop?

Joie80

Listening in, because I'm having a similar experience. I'm 38w4d

walterjena

I would say that they may have been BH contractions....I am getting them all.the.time now...lol. When it doesn't stop, you're ready! !

volcomsnowgirl84

I have been having BH contractions from 25 weeks, I know what they feel like, tightening with discomfort but not particularly painful, my contractions last night were PAINFUL! I could also clearly feel baby griding his head down into my pelvis in between contractions which was painful in its own right lol. I also had a vaginal exam the day before yesterday where my midwife was unable to preform a full sweep due to my cervix being too far back and baby's head being too low but she did at least manage to stir things up a bit down there.

cosplaymom

BH can decinitely be painful like that. With real contractions you can't talk through them and I doubt you would be able to fall asleep.

If you question whether the contractions are real, then they are probably not. If you are standing, lay down. If you are sitting, walk around. Change in movement and position ought to impact your BH contractions and slow them or stop them completely. Real contractions will just keep on going without hesitation.

gulimz

I was in L&D the other night because of this. Extremely painful. Somewhat regular. Then it became irregular and eventually went away and got discharged. BH can get extremely painful. But anytime you are unsure, call your healthcare provider

cbernard10

Also, make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water! This will help with BH. I know this from previous experience!

purduepat2004

I went in to l&d two night ago after having BH and contractions mixed together. This went on from 6:00 pm to till I eventually fell asleep at 2:00 ish. I woke up at 4:00 with no doubts I was having contractions so I headed into L&d. They gave me a shot to stop contractions and after several hours was sent home. To answer your question you can be in labor and have contractions slow down. With my first (child) this happened in the hospital and bc I was preterm they wouldn't give me anything to speed it up until there was a progression and they knew labor was past a certain point. So... Next time call your doctor bc better safe than sorry.

kelsiwoodell

I keep having painful contractions too but so irregular and of course always fade away. they seem to be the worst when I'm walking around at work (I'm a server) and when I'm laying in bed at night. they sometimes worry me but my baby shower is tomorrow so I just keep hoping it is false labor and it always turns out to be lol... stay in there little guy

archetypeblonde

I don't think any of us can say with any certainty that you were experiencing BH rather than "real" contractions just based on the fact that they didn't progress to birth. I suggest looking up prodromal labor (contractions that seem like the real thing and sometimes even change the cervix but after several hours or more they putter out... only to pick up again the next day and putter out again). If you are experiencing prodromal labor and it can really mentally exhaust you, I'm right there with you!

Tip: prodromal labor involves regular, timeable contractions for hours on end. BH are sporadic and not uniform in intensity or length

Hannahsmom62

I went in to labor on my own with my first. If u change positions and they stop or sit down and they pain eases up its not the real deal. When the pain is SO bad ur in the fetal position not able to speak and it is NOT stopping at all and they are 5 min or less apart go to the hospital it's time. If it's just back pain and discomfort it's not the real deal. (I went in once for that bc I wasn't sure 2 hours later it stopped and I was on my way home with a big belly and no baby)

Hannahsmom62

Ps if u can sleep through them it's not the real deal.

volcomsnowgirl84

Thank you for the suggestion to look up prodromal labour!! That is exactly what was going on and had never heard of it before