Exhausted after 3 straight days of false labor. I can't do this....

supermom83

I am 39w3d and have been having steady contractions every 6-8 minutes for the past 3 full days. I am BEYOND exhausted. I have barely slept at all since the contractions keep coming and waking me up. I've been falling alseep Inbetween my contractions sometimes for 6 minutes and I've had two 2 hour naps in the last 3 days (when contractions faded).

I don't know what to do. I am so exhausted and the hard part hasn't even started yet. I just can't do this. I need to sleep!! At this point if my contractions actually start getting closer together and its show time I feel like I won't be able to go med free at all. I am just beyond exhausted I could cry. I had bloody show the first night and lost my mucus plug yesterday night. I haven't been checked so I don't know where I stand dilation wise. I am just giving up.

How can I make these contractions stop?? I need them to stop for a while so I can get some rest. Please any ideas??

bluerevolution9

So sorry this is happening to you, but just hold on, you will make it!  I know this might sounds crazy, but I know a lot of MW who say it is perfectly fine to try a glass a wine.  It might slow the contraction so that you can get some sleep.  Your metabolism is working overtime in labor, so it doesn't affect the baby.  Also, have you tried taking a bath?  If this is early labor, it can also help slow things so that you can sleep. I worked with a woman who was like this for 2 weeks.  Thats how we got her through, wine and baths. You could also try asking DH for a good massage so that your muscles can rest a bit.  If neither of those things help to slow contractions so that you can rest then you can things to get labor going more so that it will be over soon.  Have you tried sex or nipple stimulation?  Both of those might help.  

jaymiegerard

I found this link online, but I would check with a doctor or midwife before taking anything orally... https://www.naturalchildbirth.org/natural/resources/prebirth/prebirth05.htm

I'd try what the PP said - a glass of wine.  My midwives mentioned it to me too when i interviewed them (I asked what they suggest for extended periods of pre-labor and they said wine, baths, and sex).

Best of luck - hope you get some rest soon!

Fletcha

I have no advice for you since I'm a newbie, but are you in contact with your midwife or OB? Are they giving you any support and advice on how to handle this? What have you tried to stop contractions and rest? I would definitely try anything and everything to stop them and get a nice long nights sleep in if I were you, but I'm sure you've probably tried... I'm sorry hun, that doesn't sound fun at all! I hope that either you progress quickly now and have your baby while you still have a bit of strength or that you are allowed some rest before the big show. You can do this, you've got it in you! And if you decide to use some kind of relief, I hope you can find peace with it and have a smooth delivery. I know meds are still an option in my mind if I physically and mentally absolutely cannot go any longer because of exhaustion from a very long labor. Sometimes it just gets to that point and in my mind, that's why interventions exist.

Good luck mama, keep it up!

stahlop

Wine is helpful.  My midwife had me take some Tylenol PM so I could get some rest.  That worked wonders.

sccalla

My MW recommended Benadryl to me because it calms baby and makes you sleep.  I have a reverse reaction to benadryl so it wasn't an option for me, but I know other people say it was just what they needed to get some sleep.  Hang in there!  You can do this.

folkfemme

You can do this. I am so sorry that it's been so long and non relenting for you. You are strong and your body is made for this. Keep your head up and your heart uplifted! 

ShannonMacHappy

You can do it! Try some wine and a warm bath. Also, have you studied hypnobirthing or hynobabies? If so, now might be a good time to try some relaxation techniques. Even if you haven't studied these before, maybe try and look up some relaxation techniques? They might help you and your body get calm enough to get some rest.

You got this!!

haleymay18

Sounds like it might be prodromal labor.

StacieJane

Other mamas have given all the suggestions I could think of. But as for encouragement, you can and will do this! And you'll do what's best for you and your baby! I had a friend who was in active labor for more than 48 hours. She took a dose of morphine, conked out, and then when she woke up, had the energy to have her natural, vaginal delivery. You do what you have to do, mama! Best wishes ... hope you get some rest soon! xoxo

pepomntpat

I had this. It was amazing how much energy I got once I got to the hospital and realized it was baby time! 

My MW also suggested some therapeutic rest. Depending on the intensity of the contractions some wine or a sleeping pill might help if you are willing to try those things. 

SageBeginnings

1. calcium can take the 'edge' off the contractions
2. red wine can relax your uterus, baby, and you enough to let you have a nap (4-6oz only)
3. benadryl works the same as the red wine, but it has medication side effects
4. warm bath can relax all three as well and let you sleep (in the tub)
5. acupuncture can help you as well by releasing energies that are binding up your uterus and causing a long first stage when this DOES work, you can usually get a 5 hour lag before labor resumes with earnest
   

PERSONALLY, I would go to my chiropractor after trying 1, 2, 4 and 5. You might be having such a latent first stage because of a subluxation in your spine.

 

Good luck, you really CAN do this. We are all rooting for you!

StacieJane

SageBeginnings:

1. calcium can take the 'edge' off the contractions
2. red wine can relax your uterus, baby, and you enough to let you have a nap (4-6oz only)
3. benadryl works the same as the red wine, but it has medication side effects
4. warm bath can relax all three as well and let you sleep (in the tub)
5. acupuncture can help you as well by releasing energies that are binding up your uterus and causing a long first stage when this DOES work, you can usually get a 5 hour lag before labor resumes with earnest
   

PERSONALLY, I would go to my chiropractor after trying 1, 2, 4 and 5. You might be having such a latent first stage because of a subluxation in your spine.

 

Good luck, you really CAN do this. We are all rooting for you!

Oh, I like all these suggestions. ESPECIALLY the chiropractor. I pretty much worship mine. Seriously, it's amazing what a good chiro can do.

lily37

I was in the same boat with my labor, and my MW eventually prescribed me a sleeping pill.  Hang in there!  Although it might not feel like it right now it doesn't last forever and you will make it.  You're doing a good job by trying to sleep through the contractions and try to stay hydrated, fed, and rest as much as possible.  I swear I coulda written this post while I was laboring, and if I can do it I know you can!  I'll reiterate that sleeping between contractions really helped me, too.  I even slept through them while pushing and would resume pushing when the next contraction woke me up.  Don't give up!

SageBeginnings

StacieJane:

I like all these suggestions. ESPECIALLY the chiropractor. I pretty much worship mine. Seriously, it's amazing what a good chiro can do.

Amen! LOL

coey03

This happened to me, too. I was also told by my midwife to have some wine or take some benedryl. The wine helped me take a bit longer of a nap, but I was still Exhausted. Eventually they gave me a sleeping pill and stripped my membranes. We had time to only drive home and the contractions get stronger and closer together. We drove back just a few hours later. Once I knew it was the real thing, I definitely perked up. I did also send my husband to Starbucks, and that was seriously the best latte ever! Good Luck, you'll be in real labor very soon!

TiffanyTheMom

I had prodromal labor for 3 weeks before I delivered! 3 weeks of real contractions, I was just dilating super slow. It is tiring, but listen to the ideas these ladies are suggesting. And I suggest a quickie every morning with your DH. Lay down for about 30 min after if you can to let the prostaglandins settle in. It can't hurt anyways...

madhatter2003

I had prodromal labor with my DD. Definitely try a warm bath, wine, medications...I had ambien prescribed to me and it let me sleep enough to rest up.

kbel424

I'm so sorry, I just went through the exact same thing this week. I started early labor on Sunday night and delivered early yesterday morning ( Thursday). I will say that it was really hard, but you can do it! I hired a doula in addition to my mw for my last day of labor because of my exhaustion. It was a huge help. There were several times where I was ready to give up, but I got a second wind when it was time to push. My birth story is on the June board. Again, I know what you're going through, and it sucks. Hang in there, it will all be over soon and will be worth it when holding your sweet baby.

AutumnBride929

I hope all the PPs' advice can help you.  Good luck!  You will do great once the fun part starts.

emberlee3

I had false labor for almost 2 weeks.  The contractions were worse when I laid down.  After a couple sleepless nights, I resorted to tylenol and benadryl at bedtime.  Helped me get a few hours of sleep.  When my true labor started, my contractions actually slowed down, and I was able to rest for a good portion of the night before I had DS.

Good luck!