talk to me about false labor

KYmama9286

I feel like such an idiot being as I've already had a baby but this whole labor stuff is brand new to me since I went from long term bedrest to being induced with Nicholas-- I've never experienced being pregnant with a baby bigger than a 30-weeker and up until this pregnancy I never experienced 3rd trimester except from the confines of a hospital bed (not quite the same as chasing after a 20 month old day in and day out).

So last night I had my 2nd bout of what I guess is false labor-- (tmi) had sex w/ DH and about 45 mins later started having timeable contractions that started off between 6 and 8 mins apart, 30 secs long. I contraced from about 8:45 until 2 am last night-- by 11pm my contractions got to be 3-4 minutes apart, 35-40 secs. long and I started throwing up randomly....It is so confusing! I had really bad lower back pain in between each contraction that didnt go away with showering or using a heating pad-- seems like real labor, right? Well the only reason I was hesitant to go in and get checked was b/c even with close together contractions that were kinda long they werent terribly painful (definitely took my breath away and I had to close my eyes and breathe through them but I could still talk and it wasnt like what I remembered during labor with Nick...but those were maxed out pitocin contractions that were really close together and over a min long the entire time I labored). Finally at 2am I took an ambien and it must have been strong enough to knock me out since the contractions werent horribly painful. Woke up this morning with lower back pain still and really intermittent contractions but nothing like last night.

Basically, my long vent/drawn out question is...did anyone else experience this? Did you go early or were you basically just miserable until your due date? I know it is different for everyone but I am curious about what others have experienced, especially others that had multiple bouts of false labor-- what tipped you off when it was real labor?

KYmama9286

Also I am wondering if I should lay off having sex w/ Dh until I get closer to my due date if its going to cause contractions or should I do the opposite and go at it more in hopes that it will kick start things? I really want the baby to be healthy and if that means I am miserable till 42 weeks so be it but I also wouldnt be disappointed if she decided she wanted to come early :-)

Mrs.Cooley2bee

I had tons on braxton hicks contractions with Charlotte and like 2 with Asher (so weird, right?).  Anyhow, at one point I was 35 weeks and having like 8 an hour and the doctor wanted me to come in and be monitored.  I wasn't dialated at all but I was contracting alot so they gave me something to relax my uterus and sent me home.  I was totally fine until my water broke at 39 weeks.

I guess my suggestion would be to drink lots of water and relax when it happens.  If the don't go away I would call the doctor.  I don't know if there is a great way to tell if they are real or not, except if they go away they are usually "fake".  Since you are 37 weeks, you have time on your side and it probably wouldn't be a huge emergency.  But, I would want to know if anything was actually happening down there.  This little girl might be making a semi-early enterance!  Eeek, you're getting so close.  Good Luck!

 

Mrs.Cooley2bee

skyllingstadl:

Also I am wondering if I should lay off having sex w/ Dh until I get closer to my due date if its going to cause contractions or should I do the opposite and go at it more in hopes that it will kick start things? I really want the baby to be healthy and if that means I am miserable till 42 weeks so be it but I also wouldnt be disappointed if she decided she wanted to come early :-)

I forgot about the whole sex thing.  That ALWAYS made me have painful contractions toward the end of my pregnancies.  BUT, like I said, they alwys went away.  I wish they would have made me go into labor with Asher.  Little stinker made it to 41 weeks and I still wasn't in labor! 

addslove

I've been wondering about this as well since I've had a couple bouts of false labor?or maybe they were BH.  I don't even really know how to tell the difference!! And I've never had to time contractions, decide when to call the Dr., etc. since I was induced the first time around as well.  To top it off, I'm having a c-section so if I am really in labor, I probably need to get to the hospital ASAP.  It's all so confusing!

cops_wife

Have you had an internal yet? I'd probably be more prone to take it seriously if you know you're starting to progress, KWIM?

Anyway, I had tons and tons of contractions for weeks with Ellie. Several times I thought I was going into labor, almost always in the evening, but I'd go to bed, assuming real labor would wake me up, and they always went away. I walked around 3-4 cm. dilated for weeks with her, but never went into real labor on my own.

This time has been the same. Last week I was 1-2 cm. dilated. Two nights ago I was having regular, but weak, contractions, and I went to bed only to wake up in the morning still pregnant. Last night I was in some pain again, but I was able to sleep. The sleep thing has definitely always been my test. This morning I had to stop several times during my grocery shopping to breathe through a contraction, but nothing that I actually thought was real labor, KWIM? I usually try to relax, drink some water, maybe take a shower or bath and see if it goes away. The midwife told me last week that when it's real labor, I'll know. I guess I'm taking her word for it. It is a full moon tonight, so maybe it will end up being the real thing for you.

CintiCoupons

I went into premature labor at 35 weeks. My doctor advised me to drink 32 oz. of water within 15 minutes and eat. If you are still having timeable contractions after that call your doctor and they'll probably want you to come in. I had to get Brethine to stop mine. While it was some nasty nasty stuff my contractions stopped within 15 minutes.

Needless to say my water broke at 38 weeks and now I've got a happy and healthy 3 week old!! Good luck!