I'm in early labor but sent home :(

CK121011 · January 2014

Just thought I'd share my situation in the hopes it could help someone else or if someone has been in my shoes maybe they could help me. I will try to keep it short.
So my due date is tomorrow and lastnight around 1030 I started getting back pain and period pains off and on with no regular pattern. I was able to fall asleep fine and then at 1230 woke up with a pretty painful period type contraction. They started out at 12-15 mins apart and then got closer together 3-5 mins around 3am so I took a shower and packed up some stuff just incase. After this went on for almost 2hrs I called and they said to watch them for another 1/2 hr and if they seemed to increase in intensity to come in . So when that happened we headed to the hospital at about 5am.

I was checked in and put on the monitor and they were able to see my contractions and that the baby was tolerated them well. The MW checked me and I was still only 1cm dilated (I was that a week ago) but now I was 90% effaced compared to 50 last week and the baby was stationed at 0 which is good I guess.(engaged) So they told me I am in very early labor and it may still be hours. They had me walk the halls for 2 hrs and said if there wasn't much change I could go home, they were going back and forth a little saying I know you live 40 mins from the hospital but I think you'd be ok. Well I walked those halls a million times and contractions got more intense but then wouldn't be so bad the next time, still 5 min apart. They checked me again and I was almost 2cm and 90% and baby was stationed at 1. They sent me home to wait it out and said I should come back when they are increased in intensity every time and 5 mins apart for 1 hr. They have now been about 8 mins apart but every single one has been soooo painful! I can't imagine feeling like this for many more hours. I was so tearful on the way home just thinking of how much pain I was in already and not knowing how long this will take. I haven't slept since I woke up lastnight and she said I could have another sleepless night tonight (but if that seems to be happening they will have me come in to get something to sleep)
I guess I'm just so scared and in so much pain and hate the unknown of how long I will feel like this. Sorry this is so long but if you have or are in a similar situation I'd love to hear what happened or helped. Thank you

juliasmama2010 · January 2014

I feel for you, but early labor is still labor and you should be holding that baby soon! I had a similar experience with Julia. I started timing contractions on my way to work on 10/19. I timed them all day and fell asleep timing them that night. The next morning, I woke up DH and told him (around 6am on 10/20) that we needed to go. I got stuff ready and we were admitted for monitoring to see if I would progress. I think I was in the same situation as you, 1 cm dilated, progressed to a 2, but not quickly enough and kind of stalled out. They said I was in active labor but to go home where I could lay in bed and be comfortable. So we went home around 10:30 am and just lounged all day. They told me not to come back until I couldn't talk through my contractions. We woke up from a nap around 5pm and I was at that point so we left for the hospital again. I was admitted around 5:30 pm and I had Julia at 12:48 am on 10/21. Enjoy the comfort of your own home right now and focus on the fact that you'll be face to face with LO real soon! Good luck!!

peanutmuse · January 2014

It does sound pretty frustrating, but unfortunately, pretty common too. Personally, I'd rather spend as much of early labor at home as possible -- so I can be in my own bed, take a bath or shower if I want to, etc. I think you're going to just have to hang in there until your water breaks or the contractions are closer together. I know, not the most helpful advice, but unfortunately that's the best I've got.

But if you can't sleep tonight, I definitely would at least call -- going into the active stage of labor after two nights of no sleep will be brutal for sure.

katykatykaty · January 2014

Lurking, but I went through the same thing as you with my first. The contractions started early Tuesday morning, and by Tuesday night they were very painful and fairly frequent. I couldn't sleep through the pain. I went to the hospital late Tuesday night and again late Wednesday night, and both times they sent me home. I didn't sleep Tuesday or Wednesday night, so I begged my doctor to admit me on Thursday morning. He did, and I ended up having a c/s late Thursday night due to lack of progression because LO was stuck in my pelvis.

I feel your pain and hope your active labor starts soon.

angiek1 · January 2014

How irritating, but like @peanutmuse said laboring at home is much better than in the hospital. Also - some hospitals won't let you eat while you are laboring there, so make sure you get some food in your belly before you go back. Hopefully you find something that brings you relief soon and that things get to the 5-1-1 stage so you can go back in and start the real party! GL!

jinkybink · January 2014

Thanks for sharing your story because I'm 45 minutes from my hospital too. FTM-to-be here and I've been wondering about this. So good luck to you in early labor and hope it progresses in a good way!

mj0413 · January 2014

Try a shower or bath. Some lavender oil to smell. Swaying. Getting on all fours. Bounce/sit on an exercise ball if you have one.

slmille4 · January 2014

It is frustrating. That was me last week. I woke up in very early labor but timeable contractions at 3 am thurs so we headed in because I was damp too and unsure if I was leaking. Checked no leaking so went home. Labor intensified and I was dilated to 2 when I went back at 8 pm.... In a blizzard... And sent home again. The nurse felt so bad because we were 40 min away. In hindsight I think it was best because if we had been admitted and didn't progress (wasn't 5 cm til 2 pm next day) I would have been admitted with no food, uncomfortable bed and who knows how long.

susieandmarty · January 2014

this would drive me insane. i don think i would handle it well - i think i would cry demanding a bed and some pitocin. with dd my water broke so they took me immediately, i am nervous about not being able to do that and having to arrange for my in laws to come watch dd for a false alarm, i think it would be nearly impossible to get them out when they are here for that.

km_md · January 2014

I'm sorry that you had to be sent home. I hope that things start to progress for you so that you can get back to the hospital and deliver that baby!

joshsmandy · January 2014

I'm sorry your so uncomfortable but if if helps I'm there with you now, been in early labor since 2:30 a m 1/7... I hope you can find some relief!!

bee1916 · January 2014

I hope things progress quickly for you! Hopefully you'll find something that will keep you semi-comfortable so you can get a little rest. Can you eat a little toast or something to keep your energy up?

Jenten810 · January 2014

If they want them to be more consistent try going for a walk, if possible (not sure where you live). MH and I walked around the neighborhood for about 30 mins and that got my contractions coming 1-2 mins apart. By the time we headed back to the hospital I was nearly 4cm and ready to be admitted. I hope you can either find some relief from the contractions or find a way to speed them up. Good luck!

Kismc · January 2014

I hope that things speed up or you're able to get something to help you sleep. Hang in there! You'll have your little one soon!

CK121011 · January 2014

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I ended up going back in because the contractions increased and I couldn't take it anymore... I just needed sleep at this point. When I got there I was still 1-2 cm 90% so they strongly urge I stay and get something sleep so I did just that... Slept from 1130-2 and then started waking up from the pain but was able to keep falling asleep. Was checked this am and still no progress so was sent home again. I'm having contractions still but they aren't as bad but still quite painful. TMI l feel so much pressure in my pelvic/rectum it is the absolute worse. I'm assuming it's just the baby pushing down more and more. So looks like I'm in for at least another day of this. Thanks for all your help. I agree being at home is somewhat more comfortable but I don't like driving back and forth. I've taking warm baths which have felt amazing.