Is it possible for you to be in early labor (true early labor) for several days?

ctana

Granted, I may be experiencing a bit of end-of-pregnancy-psychosis but I swear I've been in early labor for several days. These aren't BH, these are honest to god contractions that start in the back, lying down, come around to the front and hurt. They'll be regular, every 10-15 mins or so for a few hours then peter out. Changing positions, chugging water, does not seem to affect them or regularity of them.  

At first internal at 35 wk appt, I was 3.5cm and 50% eff

At second internal at 36 wk appt, I was still at 3.5cm and 80% eff.  Baby at station -2 but enganged.

Acc'g to What to Expect... book, latent/early labor can last hours, days and sometimes weeks.

 Has anyone else experienced or know someone who's experienced an early/latent labor that went on for days???

qme09

I have been in early labor, confirmed by my doctor and MW, for almost 2 weeks now. They told me it could last weeks. I didn't believe them, but I guess they were right LOL.

ctana

PP, how did they classify it? because of your cervical change/progression and the nature of your contractions? 

 

Can you give me more details?  Thanks!  It helps knowing there is someone else who's experiencing this.  Are you still working?

emwal23

I feel your pain. I contracted on and off for 3 days before finally going into active labor. I was also 3-4cm and 80% effaced. I am a L+D nurse and it was so hard to see other women come in and have their babies while I'm contracting the whole time!  The good news is once active labor started, it went very quickly and I only pushed for 8 mins (first baby).

Hang in there, it will be over soon! Good luck!

qme09

ctana:

PP, how did they classify it? because of your cervical change/progression and the nature of your contractions? 

 

Can you give me more details?  Thanks!  It helps knowing there is someone else who's experiencing this.  Are you still working?

 

It was the cervical changes, I became effaced in dilated in a 24 hour period, which surprised the MW because she checked me Thursday, I was completely closed up, no contractions, and I came in the next day with a little bloody discharge, and I was 1 cm and 50% effaced. My contractions are consistently about 15 minutes apart, but not painful, just happening. They told me I was in early labor and gave me a primer on the NICU. They told me that my baby was very healthy at that point, and she was the right size for her age. They told me that if she were to be born, she would probably be okay, but let me know about possible complications. But, I have been in consistent (uncomfortable, but not painful) labor since that weekend. I am not working at this point, so I just sit around the house and wait LOL.

I hope that is a little more descriptive. If I didn't answer anything important, just ask. I probably left some stuff out without realizing.

kitkat0308

Yeah its possible. I've been in early labor for what feels like forever. I am 2cm and 90% effaced as of Wednesday. I started dialating and effacing at 29 weeks. So now I am just waiting to progress to 4 cm. I had contractions all day long yesterday and then nothing today. Baby will be alright if born at 36 weeks. good luck.

Coleslawcat

I had contractions like that nightly with my son starting around 37 weeks. They lasted until I was induced at 39 weeks without ever actually sending me into full labor.