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hypnobirthing + timing "surges" ??

mollylilamollylila member
in Natural Birth

I have been having surges (contractions) all afternoon and evening... I am not too convinced I am actually in labor, since they started after some sexy-time. Yesterday I had the same thing happen and felt surges from 2 pm and on, but was able to fall asleep and woke up feeling fine so I have blamed them on those cervix-ripening hormones from sex.

I can't seem to time them or keep track of them,  as I try to breathe through them. They are pretty painful, but as long as I lie still they are manageable.

How are you supposed to breathe through them but also know when its time to go to the hospital?? I guess that is why hypnobirthing works so well at home. I definitely don't want to go into the hospital and either get sent right home or induced, but I also am not prepared to birth at home and my hospital is about 30 minutes away, and I am only 36 weeks along.

I don't *feel* like it is time, but then again... I have never done this! They seem to come every 2-5 minutes, but sometimes they disappear for maybe 15-20 minutes when I try to time them its usually about 30-40 seconds of intense pain/pressure (I wish I could say they aren't painful, but unless I was actively breathing between them, I do feel it. Sleep and slow breathing do help though).

How do I use hypnobirthing methods while also timing them to see if its time to go in?  

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Re: hypnobirthing + timing "surges" ??

  • chicsubchicsub member
    I don't know much about hypnobirthing, so I can't help you there.  What I can tell you is that if you're able to type out that post, you are probably OK.  I would down a bunch of water and lay down and see what happens, sometimes it will just die down.  When my midwife thought I was in early labor and possibly having an "irritated uterus" she advised a warm bath.  If you do these things and it calms down, it's probably not labor.  Unfortunately labor is one of those things that is only obvious in retrospect b/c sometimes it starts like you described and sometimes people have this on and off for weeks.  GL either way!!!
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  • mollylilamollylila member

    imagechicsub:
    What I can tell you is that if you're able to type out that post, you are probably OK.

     

    Good point... thank you. 

    I just don't want to be one of those people who has the baby in the bathtub!! The only person here is my Dad... SO not who I want as my labor partner haha.  

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  • Bailey81Bailey81 member
    Our hypnobirthing instructor's (CNM) advice was this: if you're wondering if you're in labor, you aren't. She seconded the bath thing. It's not time yet if the contractions peter out in the tub. She said don't bother timing anything in early labor. First time moms usually have hours to get to the hospital even after they start active labor (a good thing, since we have a sixty-minute drive!). As frustrating as it is to hear, she kept telling us that "we'll know" when it's time.
    Can always call your provider if you're looking for reassurance, too. They can usually tell by how you sound if it's the real deal or not. Good luck!
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  • ErinMSBErinMSB

    This might be a little late to help you, but I used contractionmaster.com with DD to time my contractions.  I could lay on the couch and hit the space bar whenever I felt like one was starting and hit it again when it was over.  At first it was hard to tell when one was starting and ending, but when I looked at the computer screen, I realized that there really was a pattern to them. 

    And I agree with the PPers.  A bath or shower should help you decide if you're really in labor (and to relax if you are!).  I'm also a big advocate of going to sleep if you **think** you're in labor.  And like PPers said too, when you're really in labor, you'll know. 

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  • mollylilamollylila member
    imageErinMSB:

    This might be a little late to help you, but I used contractionmaster.com with DD to time my contractions.  I could lay on the couch and hit the space bar whenever I felt like one was starting and hit it again when it was over.  At first it was hard to tell when one was starting and ending, but when I looked at the computer screen, I realized that there really was a pattern to them. 

    And I agree with the PPers.  A bath or shower should help you decide if you're really in labor (and to relax if you are!).  I'm also a big advocate of going to sleep if you **think** you're in labor.  And like PPers said too, when you're really in labor, you'll know. 

     

    Thats an awesome idea... Although I will probably try to just take a bath, relax, etc... I want to be home and comfortable for most of my labor anyways. Just not if its this early and only my dad here lol, I was just a little worried.

     

    Well of course I woke up feeling refreshed and surge-free :) 

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  • treala05treala05
    imageBailey81:
    Our hypnobirthing instructor's (CNM) advice was this: if you're wondering if you're in labor, you aren't. She seconded the bath thing. It's not time yet if the contractions peter out in the tub. She said don't bother timing anything in early labor. First time moms usually have hours to get to the hospital even after they start active labor (a good thing, since we have a sixty-minute drive!). As frustrating as it is to hear, she kept telling us that "we'll know" when it's time.
    Can always call your provider if you're looking for reassurance, too. They can usually tell by how you sound if it's the real deal or not. Good luck!

    This is what I was going to say.

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  • missfiremissfire member
    By the way, if your husband or birth partner is there next time your surges start, come up with a small signal to let him know when they're starting or stopping. He probably won't have to time every one, just every so often to keep track of spacing. My signal with DH was either grabbing his hand or lifting my index finger, I can't remember now.
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  • Arielle27Arielle27 member

    Is DH around? Or a friend that can come over for a few hours? I would recommend continuing with your breathing and relaxation techniques, while someone else times the surges. If they are consistently less than 5-10 minutes apart, go to the hospital. At worst, they'll send you home. At best, you will be in the right place at the right time.

    Good luck and feel good!

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