false labor (kind of long)

TheTamedShrew · August 2016

So I know I am farther along than just about everyone on the board (36 weeks on Wednesday), but was wondering if any of you have had any false labor symptoms yet? I think I had (or am having) my first experience with it this afternoon/evening. I went to the gym this afternoon and walked about 1.5 miles on the treadmill. Afterwards I started to feel "off" and having what I thought was just some indigestion. DH and I had Indian food last night and I was up all night with reflux and nausea/bathroom stuff going on this morning (sorry tmi). Anyway, I started noticing that I was actually having contractions around 3:30/4:00. They aren't painful, just an uncomfortable tightening feeling, and they have been happening every 5-10 minutes, lasting only about 30 seconds. It feels exactly like what I felt when I was in early labor with DD1. I have been freaking out a little, but I'm not convinced this is the real thing. It's just too early. I called my OB's office, but it was after hours so I talked to the nurse on call, and she basically just told me what I already knew. To follow the 5-1-1 rule and pay attention if they are getting longer, more intense, or closer together. They actually stopped for about a half hour and just now I noticed them coming back. Every time I stand or walk around I get a rock hard Braxton Hicks belly.

Has anyone experienced this? I never had contractions that I could time when I wasn't actually in labor. I'm really starting to feel scared. Obviously if they get painful I will go to the hospital (only 10 min away) and the ILs are on call already in case something happens tonight, but I do not want to go in for false labor. Baby is moving around like crazy, so I'm not worried about her or feeling less movement. Haven't had any bloody show or fluid leakage or anything like that. I've tried laying down, sitting, walking, floating in our inflatable pool, taking a shower, drinking tons of water. Any input/advice appreciated.

reesaXden · August 2016

Hugs! Take it easy and drink lots of fluids! When is your next appointment?

Bibliobebe · August 2016

My belly does get really hard for a long while or frequently within a small amount of time, but I think it's because of LO's position and it's not actually BH. Is that possibility? That baby is just turned funny or lodged up in a weird position and is causing your belly to cramp? Have you tried some of those cat/cows to get LO to move?

Since I'm a FTM I don't have any experience to compare this to, so please feel free to completely ignore my suggestion. Thinking about you and hoping that your BHs will level out soon and all will be well.

abberson · August 2016

I had this happen during my first pregnancy, the day after I got into a fender bender (that I think was unrelated, but was the reason they wanted me to go to l&d). I was having relatively painless contractions, but they were really regular, every 7-8 min. They continued for hours in l&d. Eventually they chalked it up to them starting because of morning sex and then continuing because of dehydration before I went in and eventually my constantly full bladder after the IV kept them going. I got released even though they were still regular and they finally went away after several hours of rest and normal fluid intake. Hope yours do too!

Alyeena · August 2016

I have not had any symptoms or contractions yet at all so I can't help with that. But I still wanted to write a quick reply to say hopefully all is okay and it goes away soon. Take care pf yourself and try to take all the rest you need.

Shiva14 · August 2016

I had this happen every day since about 36 weeks with my son. I had timeable contractions every night and then they eventually fizzled out. Usually I could make them slow down by taking a long bath (I know you have a toddler and this isn't necessarily feasible). Try to drink water, relax as much as possible and get some sleep. If they wake you up, go in. For me they would always end once I fell asleep and then come back the next night. Super frustrating because you are on high alert constantly.

If yours is the real thing, baby will be in great hands at this gestation. You may not even need NICU time at this point. I know delivering now wouldn't be ideal, but baby would be ok. Hugs momma

JennM205 · August 2016

I had steady, timetable contractions at 33 weeks (also with stomach issues the day and night before). I was suspicious because it felt exactly the same as early labor with DD. I called my OB and she had me go into L&D because I was only 33 weeks. By the time I got there, the contractions had all but stopped but the monitor did show lingering "irritable uterus". I was also already 1cm dilated. When it was all said and done, though, nothing progressed any further and I'm still pregnant nearly 3 weeks later (though have been on very restricted activity during that time).

I have BH pretty much any time I stand up, bend over, walk any sort of distance or empty my bladder. But it's been a lot better since I've started taking it easy and making sure to drink plenty of water (I upped my intake to about 100oz). Drink a bunch (but don't let your bladder get too full) and rest. With that, hopefully the contractions will ebb and you can rest easy (mentally and physically!) Keep us posted!

homebird · August 2016

I had time-able, painful contractions about a month ago. I was too early, so they gave me a shot to stop them.

I had it happen again this past week, so I laid down, drank a ton of water, and rested, and they eventually went away. If they're not painful, it's probably just BH. I get them ALL the time, and they're very uncomfortable, but perfectly normal.

mommytimesfour · August 2016

I had an episode last week of really regular BH contractions. They were coming frequent and they were uncomfortable, but not painful and the discomfort level didn't increase over time. They were regular enough to be picked up on the monitor so my doctor did a cervical check (it's closed) and a fetal fibronectin test, which was negative. I was instructed to just keep an eye on them and if they come again in a pattern and get more intense to go ahead and go in. If something doesn't feel right, I'd get checked out just in case even though contractions can be pretty normal at this stage of the game.

yellowrose314 · August 2016

This sound exactly like what I was feeling when I got admitted on Thursday, and I ended up being about 1 cm dilated. They think mine was brought on by dehydration and heat exhaustion though. I definitely notice that the BH "hard belly" intensifies when I'm active, even if I'm just walking around for longer than 10 minutes. DH and I went for a walk after dinner last night and it was sooo uncomfortable. I've bumped up my water intake to about 3 litres per day (don't know how much that is in imperial... crazy American's lol), and I've found that definitely helps; if you're dealing with "bathroom stuff", you could be a little dehydrated. I've started making electrolyte ice cubes from a recipe I found on Pinterest too, to prep for labour, but I always put a few in my water bottle if it's super hot out now.
I know they're BH because they're super irregular, no where near the 5-1-1 threshold. If they get really bad, I take a cool bath with epsom salts, which works wonders, no idea why (anyone know the science behind that?).

mamadomino · August 2016

I have timeable contractions just about every night for the last week or two. They last for 2-3 hours but don't get consistently painful and are short (30-40 seconds). They usually hover about 5-8 minutes apart and eventually fizzle out. I'm 32 weeks with twins. My doc is aware and not concerned, since babies are moving well and I've had no blood. it feels very different from actual labor with my son, where contractions were increasingly painful and strong.

Tippy05 · August 2016

I had this happen with my second. I was induced the first time, so I didn't know what "natural" contractions felt like. I was super uncomfortable, was having contractions that were "regular" but not getting closer together and not getting more painful as time went on. I thought that might be the real deal so I went in to L&D. After a few hours of monitoring they sent me home with false labor pains. One week later I was having REAL contractions and it undeniable. It's one of those "you'll know it when it happens" type moments.

The good news is at this point (36 weeks) baby should be fine even if you do go into labor soon. Drink lots of fluids and try to stay off your feet as much as you can. Take it easy on yourself! You're almost there mama.

TheTamedShrew · August 2016

Thank you ladies so much for all the helpful encouraging input. The contractions kind of came and went throughout the night, but did not intensify or wake me up. They seem to be gone this morning. Turns out I think I've come down with a virus or something and that could be causing it. I feel really weak and flu-ish. My throat was super sore to the point I could barely swallow last night and I woke up at one point shaking uncontrollably from chills. I had to throw on an extra blanket and yet didn't run a fever at all. So wierd. Anyway, I am staying in bed while DD is at PDO and drinking lots of water. Hoping I shake this thing quickly.

hey_clever_girl · August 2016

I am thinking of you & hoping you feel better! Being sick while pregnant is the WORST. Rest up if you can!

JennM205 · August 2016

@TheTamedShrew Being sick while pregnant is so rough! I waz sick in first tri...I can't even imagine being sick now when my body is already going through so much more as it is. Hang in there, rest up and get well soon!

drmh22 · August 2016

I hope you feel better soon!

nativetexan512 · August 2016

TheTamedShrew hope you get to feeling better! That sounds horrible, especially with a toddler.

I posted this on another thread, but I had a very similar experience Saturday evening, I'll be 36 weeks on Friday. My next appt. is tomorrow and I am so curious to see if I am dilated or effaced at all. I've done some google research and I am thinking maybe the baby was dropping Saturday night? I've still felt slightly off and light headed/nauseous this week so who knows.

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