Early labor... possibly... so frustrating! Advice?? Happen to anyone else?

dunvilles

So prior to my appt. last Wed. I was 3 1/2 cm dilated, 90% effaced, +1 station.

During my appt, the doctor said I was 4 cm, 90% & stripped my membranes.

 24 hrs later, lost my MP-

48 hrs later, bloody show. 6ish hrs after that started having lower back pains & contractions. Went to see Avitar 3D & ate dinner out w/ my family. I had contractions that were slowly getting stronger (every 6-8 minutes). So we decided to go into L&D  bc I was already so far dilated.

So, go into L&D, the doctor checks me and I'm 4 1/2 cm dilated, 90%, baby is VERY low... they monitor me for an hour. I am still having contrax & when the doc. checks me again, no change....

So they gave me the choice of staying there to labor & be monitored or come home & labor on my own. I've been home since 7pm, had contrax. on and off, slept through the night, but I'm surprised nothing is really "happening" ... The doctor said he was sure that I was in "early labor"

How long does "early labor" last?!!?

carimeli

mine lasted almost 48 hours. About 35-36 hours after I started having contractions, I went to the hospital and was 7cm. (had been at 4cm the day before). Sounds like it's coming soon! GL!

carimeli

I should add that I had the show a week before, but no contractions or anything.

Ncaminiti

if you are already 4cm's you are on to the second part of labor. *4-7cm*. you can progress slow or fast depending on your body. I took FOREVER to hit 3 but I went from 3- holding my son in less then 3.5hrs. everyone is different

LizzieTim

Hmmm... not sure how long early labor lasts, but sounds like you're really close!!!

I had my membranes stripped and had the baby within 36-48 hours....

From the time I started feeling really painful contractions that were 2 mins apart to birth was about 14 hours... once you start having contractions that you can barely breath through, then go back to L&D.

babyhina1

Its different for every person and every pregnancy. With DS I was in labor for 26 hrs. DD only took 7.

However with DD I went thru what you just descibed for a month. Hopefully you go soon.

cvillebetrothed

i walked around at 4 cm for two weeks (weeks 36 and 37).  when i went in for my 38 week appointment i was 5 cm, and the doctor put me on modified bedrest.  three days later, my baby was born (one day shy of 39 weeks). all during that three-four week period i had contractions on occasion, but not until the day she was born did they become regular and more frequent (i also had back labor, so i didn't even identify the sensation as contractions until they were about 5 minutes apart--we dashed to the hospital and she was born 2.5 hours later.  lol).

so...the contractions and the dilation may mean your baby is coming tomorrow, or maybe next week.  frustrating as hell, isn't it?  just stick close to home if possible so that when things do get more intense and regular you're ready to go.

Jessalicious01

There's no tool to measure how long early labor lasts. It's up to your body. Usually if you are 5 cm's they will admit you. Since you are so close to that I wouldn't wait too much longer to go back especially if you want an epidural. 

If you are in Active labor it is expected that your cervix would be dilating at least 1 cm in a 2 hr time frame (for a first time mom).

Once your contractions start getting stronger, to the point that you can't sleep, talk, walk, think through them, that would be the time to go. Or anytime before that when you would decide to go back since you were already 4 1/2cm, or if your water breaks.

GL to you!