Ready to cry...

sthomas1222

I know I'm only 36 weeks but at my visit Tuesday I was 3-4cm and 50% effaced. I know I could be this way for weeks with no change. But the next day I had some mildly uncomfortable contractions 10-15 mins apart for about 5 hours. I called the hospital, they and the OB are fine with me delivering this early and still being at home. I have GD so we know more than likely I will go early. Well, anyways nothing the last couple of days. Me and DH had sex last night and an hour later I was hit with contractions 5 mins apart immediately and within an hour were pretty painful. I finally passed out from exhaustion at about 4am, 5 hours after they started. Woke up to the same strength contractions but farther apart. Walked and they got back to 5 mins apart. Then they were irregular and pretty much gone the rest of the day... Picked back up tonight but not regular like they were. Our doula and I have discussed prodromal labor. I just never thought that would be me. How do I mentally cope with this for potentially the next few days or, god forbid, the next few weeks?! I'm happy baby is still baking since I'll personally feel better if I at least make it to 37 weeks. But at the same time I just cannot handle this start and stop for days. It's exhausting and frustrating. And then how the F do you know when it's actually real?! B/c dammit it felt like the real thing last night... I'm afraid this prolonged early labor is going to wear me down to the point where I abandon our natural birth plan we've worked so hard for... 

sbevmc09

sthomas1222:

How do I mentally cope with this for potentially the next few days or, god forbid, the next few weeks?!

I think the most important thing is to take it one day at a time.  One contraction at a time, really.  I totally understand why you're concerned about this going on for a long time, and it really is frustrating mentally as well as difficult physically, but thinking that you'll go on like this for weeks isn't going to help your mental state.  Of course it's totally possible, but just take things as they come and try not to look ahead because you don't know what will happen.  Maybe things will calm down, maybe you'll progress to active labor in really soon.  Just worry about the now.  

As far as how to know when it's real, there isn't really a way to know it's real unless it continues on.  That's the other frustrating part because you just have to wait and see.  

Hang in there mama, what you're going through isn't easy, but just try to take things one step at a time.  You're getting close! 

GL!

ReichleyMama

If it helps, I always thought false labor was more painful than actual labor.  I agree, takeit one day at a time!  I have lots of friends who gave birth right around 36/37 weeks to 7 lb babies who were perfectly healthy.  Don't worry about how far along you are.  I think you need to try to relax (I know, probably impossible), and trust in your body.  You'll be holding your baby in your arms soon, it sounds!  Best of luck!  You'll do great, don't play too many mind games, it will drive you crazy.  Focus!  

joecubed

I agree that false labor felt more painful than actual labor (at least until transition).  I think it's because the mental uncertainty adds stress and, therefore, pain.  Hang in there! 

angelacez

Just ignore them unless they're less then 5 mins.  That's what I had to do and try to always make them go away.  Don't try to make them speed up.  Real labor won't stop.  I'm sorry you are doing this too.  I did it for months with all three of mine.  It's annoying but you're SO close already!  Just try to relax until they are closer together.  A bath helps it go away if it isn't the real deal, drink your water(lots!), and try to relax.  Sorry hun.