Contractions and no dilation?! Will I go past my due date?!?

Question

ok, I wrote yesterday about my contractions some of them being very painful, all day yesterday I had braxton hicks contractions, coming about every 15-30 minutes. I've been drinking a lot of water to help ease them but it's not working. Well, I thought for sure I would be dilating or soemthing, but my doctor said that my cervix was still, fairly hard, long and closed!! How can I be having this many contractions and it not be doing anything?! I'm almost 37 weeks along, and this is my first pregnancy. I am so diappointed that I can be this uncomfortable and nothing is changing. Can someone relate?! Am I going to be over due?! I am sooo tired of these contractions, and I have a lot of presure and constant lower back pain, but nothing is changing?! I am so frustrated. I know I shouldn't be since I haven't even reached my due date yet, but it seems to me my cervix should be doing something at least?! Somebody plz make me feel better!! I am so aggravated!!

Answer 1

I went into labor at 32 weeks with my 3rd. Contractions were 3 minutes apart. But I never did dialate until 36 weeks. I was put on drugs the ease the contraction and bed rest. It sucked. But, finally, the contractions did something productive (once I was off the meds and bed rest). I gave birth at 38 weeks. By the way, even though 37 weeks is full term, your baby may not be ready. The lungs develop at or AFTER 37 weeks. Good luck. I know how painful it is and annoying, but it will come to an end before you know it.

Answer 2

Sounds like you're just having hard Braxton-Hicks, your body is "practising" for the real thing. Your cervix has not yet begun to ripen - or soften - that probably won't happen for another couple of weeks yet, and it may be a slow process. They don't call it "labor" for nothing!! For your back, try taking the weight off your spine by getting on your hands and knees and rocking forward and backward - if it's the baby's position that's causing the discomfort, this may help the baby shift a bit. Hang in there, it'll all be over soon - and it will have been worth every uncomfortable minute! Good luck my dear, you can do this!!!

Answer 3

Wow! Sounds like someone is ready to have a baby! The frustration you feel is very normal and is a good sign that you are mentally ready. Braxton-Hicks contractions can be very painful--even double you over! Don't be surprised if you go another couple of weeks before labor actually starts. Do your best to rest up, take relaxing walks, enjoy your time alone with your significant other because soon you won't have time!

I am the mother of two. The second pregnancy was very uncomfortable at the end. I was simply miserable. My back hurt, I had lots of contractions and slept very little.

It will be over soon!

Answer 4

I feel you there. Don't get discouraged. With my 1rst child I was at 4 cm @ 36wks and I stayed that way til I hit 38 wks and I had preeclampsia and then with my second I was like you no dilation or anything @ 36 wks and I was like all these contractions for what and then I hit 37 wks and all of a sudden my water broke right after I was sayn the same thing as you, the pressure and contractions. Hang in there it will work out and when you least expect it BOOM BABY TIME! Good luck it will all pay off soon.

Answer 5

I started having contractions on Thanksgiving that sent us scurrying to L&D. I was due January 4. Between Thanksgiving and my due date, I had contractions everyday... some very painful. I drank the water, I laid on my left side, the contractions would go away only to come back again eventually.

January 2 we were in L&D once again. Once again, we were sent home with no baby! I'd had it. I decided that this kid was never coming out. She was going to stay in my belly forever and we would have to find a way for her to attend kindergarten by way of ultrasound.

I went to bed that night and woke up in the morning with the most horrible pain and some light trace bleeding that said my cervix was finally opening for business! I'd finally given up hope of ever seeing the kid except through a computer screen and she decided to make her debut!

She was born one day before my due date.

The moral to this little story? When you least expect it, expect it. I know that the end is, sometimes literally, a pain in the butt, but you only have a little ways to go now. That baby will get here when God and/or your docs say it's time. Leave him/her bake a little longer, be patient, and it will be over before you know it.

Answer 6

Oh, honey, I feel your pain. My first went overdue, the doc finally induced labor a week later.

You're at 37 weeks, and with pains like that, it could be that you're actually going to go before your due date. Stay active, try to gently stretch your back or have your hubby massage it, and wait it out. My sister was having labor pains for three days before she finally dilated.

Stay in touch with the doctor. If the pains continue strong or start getting closer together, you'll want to be seen again. Good luck!

Answer 7

You are perfectly normal, and many first time moms don't dilate until labor begins, although the baby tends to drop to a lower station earlier than with subsequent pregnancies. Your body is prepping itself, and your cervix, for the real event. These are good for you and help to tone your uterus, and to ripen your cervix. Just be patient. All will be fine, and this certainly doesn't indicate you will be overdue. Good luck.

Answer 8

I feel for you. My wife had very painful contractions which resulted in us going to the hospital. Turns out (like yourself) that she wasn't dilated at all. So they sent us home...she was very depressed and bothered because the pain was quite intense.

Shortly thereafter (like hours), she dilated real quick. So...the moral of the story is that some people dilate really, really quick. Just be ready to go to the hospital, because it can happen really quick.

Good luck! Hang in there, it'll be a memory before you know it :-)

Answer 9

My dr had to give me gel because my cervix wasnt doing anything either. Your dr more then likely will prolly keep checking you every week. and when its close to your due date and if your cervix still hasnt done anything they will have you go to the hospital where you will be having the baby and give you gel treatments til your cervix softs up and starts to dilate. Its gonna be painful just to warn you. I had to do that.

Almost forgot. Sometimes you will have to get the shot that induces you sometimes the gel does it on its own.

Answer 10

Your are only 37 wks sweetie, this can go on for the next couple of weeks - sorry. Just try to relax (I KNOW you are miserable, so was every other preg. woman @ 37 wks) and the baby will come in his own time -- you wouldn't want him to come too early and there be complications do you?? Trust your doctor and try to relax. Good luck