This is my 8th baby. I always have long labors so I know to expect that, but I've been having early or "false" labor for six days now. Braxton Hicks every 10-15 minutes, sometimes getting painful, non stop for six days. Extreme pelvic/rectal pressure, extreme backache for two days. Even loose stools for the six days. The only time the contractions go away is when I sleep (unless I'm just not noticing them) although they do wake me in the night sometimes. At my dr. appt. yesterday I was 3cm, 60% and -1 to 0 station and she said I'm still pretty thick. (not sure what she meant by that) One week ago I was 2cm, 60% and -2 station. I'm wondering if I should do anything to hasten this process or just be patient. I feel an urge to be alone and quiet but with 7 children it's impossible! Do you think my body is trying to go into labor but I keep getting stressed and that's stopping it? (I have alot of stressors right now including an injured husband, financial difficulties due to that, etc.) My doc wants to induce in 3 days with Cervidil in the evening, then break my water and start pitocin in the morning. I DO NOT want to do this. That is making me even more stressed. I even read that Cervidil is not for women who've had more than 6 term babies. (all mine have been term) Sorry this is so long, just trying to give as much details as possible. I'm so stressed and exausted from this. Thanks for your help.

Angel

I forgot to mention I'm 40 weeks and 2 days.

Apologies for not getting to your post sooner. I hope that by now you are holding your 8th little one in your arms. Penny Simkin recommends calling what you are experiencing "prelabor" rather than "false labor" because while they may not immediately lead to progressive labor, they are certainly real contractions! And yes, you can go on for days in this way, which is frustrating but harmless, and yes, being under a lot of stress can make it hard for your body to let go and let labor happen. I do not know whether you went into labor on your own before the date your dr wanted to induce, you had the induction, or you waited it out, but for others who might be reading this post, the fact that your care provider wants to induce does not mean you have to go along with it if you don't want to. You have the right to make an informed refusal as well as to give informed consent. This is true under any circumstances, but it is especially true in situations where there is no medical reason for intervening.

-- Henci

Just for an update, I finally went into active labor the day before my induction , thank goodness! By the time I got to the hospital much to my surprise I was already 7 cm dilated and not even in any pain yet. As a matter of fact I was feeling so good I went grocery shopping, did 4 loads of laundry, packed my bags and got the other kids off to grandmas before heading to the hospital. I guess all that pre-labor was worth it! I had a wonderful natural delivery and the hospital even let me push spontaneously which is not very normal for hospitals. I had a beautiful boy, 8 lbs. 13 oz and 22" long. Thanks for your response!

I am happy to hear things went so well for you! I hope this is the beginning of a turn around in the other stressful areas of your life as well.

-- Henci

I found this blog while I was searching for information on labor pains, false labor, and contractions.  This is my second child.   With the first they took him at 37 weeks so I only had a few braxton hix contractions and never as much cramping and pain as I have had with this one.  I'm 36 weeks pregnant by their standard but they changed my due date when I was at 8 weeks from 1/30 to 2/23.  I have had alot of pressure and pelvic pain with severe and mild (at the same time if that's even possible) cramping with some low back discomfort and belly tightening.  I've been extremely tired for the past few days as well.  I see by my reads that it's false labor pains but now I'm confused by the term of pre-labor pains.  I have never been comfortable with the idea that they moved my due date when I knew the exact day of my cycle.  So I guess my question is if I am having pre labor how long can I have this?  Weeks?  or just days?  if it's false laobr same question...weeks? or days?  I had my Dr's appt last Tues and when I mentioned the pain and tightening he blew it off as baby movement.  What I'm feeling isn't baby moving.  Maybe baby sitting on my pubic bone but that's it.  Any help is appreciated to ease my mind as to what I'm going through.  Thanks

Kimberlie

Let me start by clearing up the confusion between "false" labor and "pre"labor. They mean the same thing, but "false labor" is one of many medical model terms that convey negative messages about labor and birth. As you have been experiencing, there is nothing "false" about your contractions, although they have not so far kicked over into  progressive labor, which makes it much more accurate to call them "prelabor" contractions. Certainly, too, what you are describing are contractions and not the baby moving. (Seriously, after months of feeling the baby move, your doctor should have paid you the respect of assuming you can tell the difference between sensations of the baby moving and contractions, especially since, as a man, he will never experience either and cannot possibly have a clue about what either feels like.)

In response to the second part of your question, you could go on having cramps and tightening for days, even weeks, but based on what you say about them moving your due date and your being sure of when you conceived, I would not be suprised to find that you have already had your baby, seeing as you posted on the 20th, and today is the 26th. If you are still pregnant, be patient, take good care of yourself, and get as much rest as you can.

~ Henci 

Hi Henci, thank you for this great post.

I've been feeling miserable for more than 24 hours i have been having irregulars (mild to strong) contractions average 7 minutes apart, sometimes 5 non stop.

I went to the Hospital yesterday and my Midwife sent me back because Im only 1cm dilated, 80% effaced and -1 station, she said my body is doing work but i have to wait.

She told me to take 2 benadrils and sleep all night but this didnt happens, as soon i fall asleep i woke up with a contraction.

I want to try a natural birth, however if the active labor contractions are more stronger than what im having now i dont know if i can take it, plus i feel weak and havent sleep for more than 24 hours.

I know i should sleep and trust me I want to,I was so drowsy with the benadrils last nite and I'm so sleepy rith now, however my contractions are preatty strong to wake me up or not let me sleep, I'm lost.

I cant go into labor like this.

Please adivise and thank you so much for the support.

*Aditional Details:

I'm 39 weeks and 4 days and i had blood show 2 nights ago.

As with the woman who wrote earlier in this thread, I think it likely that by now you are holding your baby in your arms. I sympathize, though, for how difficult and miserable a prolonged prodromal labor (lots of contractions painful enough to disturb rest but little cervical change) can be. The best advice I an give comes from Penny Simkin, world-renowned childbirth educator and doula, and that is to alternate efforts to get contractions going (walking, stimulating acupressure points) with distraction (see a movie, window shopping) with relaxation and rest (warm bath, massage).

~ Henci

I was also looking for any available information on what I am expierencing and came across this blog.  I am 37 weeks and 3 days pregnant and I have been having some intense menstural like cramping that come and goes but at times last for 15 mins or so.  I feel my stomach tightning and the pain seems to start from the back and wrap around to the front.  I have been having this pain off and on for 3 weeks now.  The first time I went in to L&D they gave me two shots to stop labor but the swab they use to check for active labor came back negative.  The next week I went in with the same pain and my doctor felt that labor did not need to be stopped this time if iminent, but I was only 1 cm so I was sent home.  I then went to my regular shceduled appointment and had not dialated of effaced any further but my doctor told me I had a yeast infection from anitbiotics I had been on for a sinus infection and that may be causing contractions.  Since then (about 4 days) I have taken diflucan and have not had any cramping until the last two days and now its seems to be gettig more intense.  Could someone PLEASE tell me whats going on?  I call my doctor and all she says is to go in but I live 45 mins away and I am so tired of being sent home!  :(

*Additional details*

I have also been having a lot of pelvic pressure and pressure almost in my tailbone. 

I hear your frustration, but impatience is your enemy. It can lead to medical interventions you don't really need. The problem with intervening when you don't really need to is that all interventions have harms as well as benefits. (Inducing labor, for example, roughly doubles the likelihood of labor ending in cesarean surgery in first-time mothers, and agents to soften the cervix don't reduce the excess.) When interventions are used when there isn't a problem or the problem can be solved by simple means or just by having more patience, then you and your babe are exposed to the risks with no counterbalancing benefits. It does sound like your body is gearing up to have this baby. This article I wrote some years back can help you decide whether to head in to the hospital. If you are having contractions that aren't getting longer, stronger, and closer together over time, then (with a tip of the hat to Penny Simkin from whom this advice came) alternate relaxation (warm bath, peaceful music, massage) with stimulation (walking) with distraction (watch a movie--in fact, watch these Lamaze videos on what best promotes safe, healthy birth).  

~ Henci 

My situation is pretty close to Juliana's..I've been having irregular contractions for 5 days..Although, by around 6-7pm they start to become regualr and get close together and stronger...so far the cloest they have gotten is 3 mins apart. I've went to L&D twice already because they stay regualr for a while, but don't change my cervix..then space out. To me, they are pretty painful and I'm nto able to sleep at all when I'm having them. My ob has seen the contractions too but hasnt given me any advice at all..which makes me upset because im so discouraged from lack of sleep and pain. As Juliana had said, im worried that by the time labor has officially begun i will be too worn out and need pain meds, when i wanted to have a natural birth.It seems like it would be much easier to handle the pain coming at once with an end in sight, rather than having it daily..and the ob said it can be another 2 weeks before they would induce me..(I'm 40 weeks today.) I guess what I'm wanting to know is..are these contractions doing anything positive besides causing me pain/ I've also been seeing pieces of what look like my mucus plug about 8/10 times when i pee, with a very light pink color. I'm just feeling like im in all this pain for days and its for no reason, since it's not causwin too much changei n my cervix..although before i started having them I wasn't dilated at all..now i'm at 1cm..so i guess that's positive in a way. Could this mean I'm getting a lot of the work out of the way beforehand over these few days and that my labor could be shorter? I know the answers probably going to be that you can't predict what will happen and every labor is different, but i figured i'd give it a try as im desperate and have tried so many methods to reduce my pain..Thank you!

I hear your frustration and discouragement. Back when I used to teach Lamaze classes, I would ask my students, "What is the hardest part of labor?" They would almost invariably answer "transition," the last couple of centimeters of cervical dilation, but it was a trick question. I would then point out that any part of labor can be the hardest part, your situation being one of the examples. Clearly you have read through this thread and know my general advice, so let me add some ideas that might help deal with how you are feeling:

• Remind yourself that every contraction is bringing you closer to the birth of your baby. BTW, you might pay attention to your response to that. If you feel anxiety rather than, or in addition to, relief, you might like to allow your mind to float free and think about what that might be about. If you aren't feeling ready either for practical reasons (haven't prewashed the baby's clothes) or emotional ones (feel unready to take on the responsitilities of motherhood), addressing the problem or even just becoming conscious of it might help bring on more active labor.
• Mentally welcome stronger contractions. You need them to get the job done.
• Talk to your womb. Send it love and tell it how strong and well it is working for you.
• Let go and trust the process. Tell yourself that your body is doing what it needs to do, which in your case is taking its own, sweet time.
• Remind yourself that time is your friend, not your enemy.
• Stay in the present. You only need to deal with what is happening now and not about what may or may not happen in a hypothetical future.
• Trust yourself. Remind yourself that you are a capable person and with the support and aid of those who love you, you will be able to make good decisions for yourself and your baby, whatever they might be, and master any challenges that may confront you.
• If you are spiritual, seek aid and comfort in your time of testing through prayer, meditation, or reading.

As when anyone offers advice, feel free to try what appeals or makes sense to you and reject the rest.

~ Henci

36weeks and 1 day ihave been having contractions for some weeks now all over. sometimes i feel them in my legs. ive been losing my plug gradually for two weeks. i have major pelvic pressure to the point that i cant sleep well. most of the time i can barely move i want to cry. right along with around the clock contractions i have this pushing sensation on my cervix thats very uncomfortable. i have two kids both fullterm and i never had any of these symptons. ive had contractions all night long. they come stronger and lower. im confused. i can feel the baby pushing down. two weeks ago i have not dilated a thing. i have not been back to the doctors yet because my appt. isnt til the 9th. any idea what im exsperienceing?

Posted By on 04 Aug 2011 11:05 AM

36weeks and 1 day ihave been having contractions for some weeks now all over. sometimes i feel them in my legs. ive been losing my plug gradually for two weeks. i have major pelvic pressure to the point that i cant sleep well. most of the time i can barely move i want to cry. right along with around the clock contractions i have this pushing sensation on my cervix thats very uncomfortable. i have two kids both fullterm and i never had any of these symptons. ive had contractions all night long. they come stronger and lower. im confused. i can feel the baby pushing down. two weeks ago i have not dilated a thing. i have not been back to the doctors yet because my appt. isnt til the 9th. any idea what im exsperienceing? i feel like a burning sensation when he push down on my cervix. they say hes preping hisself but i think its more than that. im not one to keep runing to the hospital so thats why im here. im not scared at all. is this an earl labor sign? if so what do i do? i contract with urinating and stools too.

when i first entered this page i thought it would be helpful to me to talk to some one who probably knows what im talking about or better yet a different opinion. since then ive been checking this page and im the only person without an reply. im not use to doing anything like this and im starting to regret that i did because im starting to feel like what i asked its not that important. im almost 36weeks and 5days and when i found this page i was 36 and 1day.. im constantly on this page to look for an answer and still no REPLY.. so im just going to not worry about it anymore because as much time as i spend trying to find this page again i could be looking else where for the results.. so thanks for nothing and GOD BLESS!!!!

I hear your frustration and you have my apologies for not getting to your post sooner. It's just me doing the responding, and I've had a lot on my plate this past week. I'm not sure that even if I had responded sooner, it would have been much help to you. Beyond what I said to other posters in this thread about coping with prelabor, if you feel something isn't right, you should not wait for your next appointment but talk to your doctor about it now.

-- Henci

i do apologize for being impatient its my 3rd child and everything is so different and every one is saying the same thing. the fact is we can run back and forth to the hospital and keep getting sent home is ridiculous. they say its the baby gettin ready but they cant tell us how we feel. some women may be over exaggerating with their pain but im not.. I have a 9yr old girl she was over due by 4days and i have a 3yr old girl who was born exactly at 38wks. im having a boy this time and im wondering if thats why i feel the way i feel. im 37wks today and my pain is worst in my pelvic and cervix area. i went to the docs yesterday and she said once again its him getting ready. she said that my cervix was very very thin and i dilated maybe a fingertip. my back hurts everything is hurting and its starting to be over whelming so how do i cope because drinking fluids and lying down doesnt work. lying down is my worst enemy right now. the contractions are getting out of hand but not to the point were they say i need to come in. with all this being said do you think i can last another 3wks because i truly dont think im going to make it. ive had it with these pains mind you when i went into labor with my girls it wasnt that bad. i dilated slowly so pitocin was used with both kids and thats when the pain got real for me. so me being a mom of almost 3 i should know what to expect, but listening to these ppl at the docs are getting annoying and they are making me a confused women. so now i have no idea what to think anymore. so thats why im here. to see what do you think? once again my apologizes for me being impatient with you.