well effaced (she didn't tell me what %) she just said I was very tender and soft. The past day and a half I've had mild to strong contractions for about 3 hrs each time lasting anywhere from 30sec. to 60 sec. long and between 3 - 4 min. apart. I as well (not to get graphic) have had diaharrea as well. At the moment though I have no contractions to one an hr. if that. What's the deal? Has this happened to anyone? Personal experiences please. How much longer do you think I have until labor?What should I do? I've had 4 hrs. of sleep in 2 days! Is there anything I can do to speed the process? PLEASE HELP ALL (non-ignorant) SUGGESTIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thank you for your help!Oh, as well the baby has already dropped into place. I know people may suggest to wait it out but, that's not what i'm looking for, please help thank you!
2006-09-12 04:30:21 · 11 answers · asked by NIKKI 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I know you are so tired. All of that work and still no baby in your arms. Early labour can come and go for several days. It is the most frustrating part of labour for some women because they just want things to get going!
Your body sounds like it is doing amazing. Once active labour kicks in I bet you will do beautifully. All of this early labour activity is really really good. Tiring yes, but it is doing work. It is softening that cervix even more, getting those ligaments nice and flexible, bringing your baby down. What you have been going through is not all for nothing.
If it were me, I would probably do a couple of things.
First I would take a really long, warm bath. I would turn out all of the lights and light a candle. I would relax. Our brains release a hormone when we are stressed that actually reduces our oxytocin levels. We need all of the oxytocin to get into good labour so first things first, you need to relax. This is why women go into labor mainly at night. They are relaxed.
While in the tub I would probably do some nipple stimulation. Rolling the ball of your nipple between your fingers continuously. You will get some good contractions.
After the bath I would most likely go sit backwards on the toilet, put a pillow on the back of the tank and try to rest.
Being on the toilet is awesome for opening things up and bringing things on. While resting on the toilet I would enlist the help of hubby to give me a nice gentle belly massage.
Your body is ready. I think it is probably stress and fatigue holding you back right now. Try these tips to relax and bring labor on. I bet you will be in labor by tonight!
2006-09-12 04:40:04 · answer #1 · answered by Love Birth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am due the 21st and am miserable as well.. I had such bad contractions that I went in the hospital thinking I was in labor. Turns out I was only 1 a half centimeters and 70% effaced. I'm pretty sure I have progressed to at least 2.. Since than my contractions are acting about the same as yours and it's very hard to sleep. When I was in L&D on saturday they said the only way I was going to become unpregnant is the same way I got pregnant..by just taking it easy.. I know thats not what you wanna hear but it's true.. here is some advice they gave me..
Relax through the contractions and don't pay them SO much attention until it feels like your getting hit by a truck. Take warm baths or showers and have LOTS and LOTS of sex. (Sperm has the natural equivalant to petocin in it and will aggitate your cervix) Other than that just rest. We don't have too much longer and will need all the energy we can get for labor.
2006-09-12 11:47:25 · answer #2 · answered by ashez 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought sure with my second child I was going to go early. I was dilating a month before the due date with her. During the whole last month, she sat in my pelvis with her feet in my ribs. Unlike you though, I didn't have contractions. However when I went in for my final exam, the doctor asked me if I was sure I wasn't in labor. "No, I'm not. Why?" "Because I can see the baby's head." Apparently by that point I was 8 cm dilated. They sent me to the hospital to induce me (we were 2 hours from a hospital in the winter). When they put the monitor on me, sure enough I wasn't in labor. They ended up breaking the membranes and she was born in less than 2 hours.
My SIL had lots of preterm labor without much dilation and ended up going about a week and a half early. The baby was fine and a good size. But it sure was frustrating for her and her dh as they ran to the hospital several times thinking this was it.
My only suggestion to speed things along is to look into some herbal things like Raspberry leaf tea. Please make sure you look at all the possible side effects before you decide to use one. I was driving another SIL and tried to hit all the bumps I could to help her LOL. Didn't work. Oh well. Good luck and hope everything works out well.
2006-09-12 11:54:01 · answer #3 · answered by SabrinaD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is so difficult, the anxiety just about unbearable. It is so hard to say, my mom told this is your first lesson as a mom, you are no longer in control!!
I was on bed rest at 28 weeks with contractions "Preterm Labor" at 29 weeks I was dilated to a 1/2 cm; 34wks 2cm; at 35wks 3cm; finally went into labor the day before my due date and when I got to the hospital I was 4cm. Good news when I went into hard labor it only lasted 8 hours with 1 hour waiting for the Dr and 2 hrs of pushing. My water did not break!
So you never really know until your water breaks or you are having very uncomfortable contractions that you really can't talk through, the ones that make you say "Oh *@^%, this hurts".
My friend just had her baby and she had a slow leek of amniotic fluid but no contractions.
I have heard messaging the feet and 3 in. above the ankle helps! Good Luck and congratulations.
2006-09-12 12:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I walked around dilated to 4 for the last month of my first pregnancy and didn't even know it. Here's my best advice and it worked for me. First of all, I think the diarrhea and the baby dropping is a good sign of imminent labor. This is exactly what happened to me and this is what I did:
Take short walks and drink lots of water.
Sleep as much as possible. Really, when you relax and sleep it can also relax the cervix and cause you to dilate more. Take a warm (not hot) bath. You can also have sex. Sperm and orgasms also affect the cervix. I don't know about you but I was in no mood for sex at this point! LOL
Labor will begin before you know it. Good Luck!
2006-09-12 11:50:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you are in the first stage of labor. This is the longest stage of labor. Just watch for your water to break,(don't worrie you won't miss it) Theres two signes to watch for. Water breaking or close strong contractions. As far as how long, it just depends. Everyone it different. But I would guess within the next day or two.
This is good information on how each stage of labor works, congratulations and good luck. oh ya and Right now I would get some sleep if you can.
http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/philadelphia/EPHlabor.htm
2006-09-12 11:36:27 · answer #6 · answered by sr22racing 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My first born i had contractions every 3-4 minutes for almost 2 weeks. Try to sleep as much as you can, even cat naps help, you will need all your energy to push that baby out. Try walking, walk your butt off between sleeping. So basically sleep,eat and walk. You might have this baby by the weekend, hopefully, hang in there girl, I KNOW IT IS HARD!
2006-09-12 11:42:13 · answer #7 · answered by little fairy lady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was 2 cm dialated the entire last month of my pregnancy all the way up to getting induced (4 days after my due date). No contractions or anything. I wasn't even aware that I was 2 cm dialated.
2006-09-12 11:35:55 · answer #8 · answered by jevic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a health care professional, and mother of four, and I experienced the same thing. I was in early labor with one of my children for about three days before active labor kicked in. It is important to note that I had a child turning one two days before the birth of my unborn, and I was a mess of nerves! I got very little sleep, and really wanted to wait until after her birthday party to go into labor. It wasn't until the party was over and I completely relaxed and collapsed in exhaustion that active labor kicked in with a bang! Things went quickly, and I expect they will for you, too, once you relax. Go to sleep and take lots of naps. Sometimes you just need to relax for your body to get going. Hormones produced by stress and anxiety interfere with oxytocin production, which is needed to start a good pattern of contractions. With many women, I would recommend walking, but this is the opposite problem. You need plenty of rest and a non stimulating environment to get labor started. Good luck to you!
2006-09-12 11:53:50 · answer #9 · answered by alone1with3 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think that you have that much longer...seems that you are progressing and the baby will come very soon..Try and get some sleep and maybe them contractions will get closer and more frequent and you can have the baby....Try walking,running if you are able and a really hot shower has been said to help
Good luck:-)
2006-09-12 11:36:19 · answer #10 · answered by ~Brooke~ 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋