I went to the hospital yesterday b/c I was having some cramping and no fetal movement for an hour. They hooked me up to the monitor and recorded her heart rate and my contractions for an hour. I was having contractions every 3-4 minutes. I could tell i was having them, but they weren't painful. I was only 2cm dilated so the sent me home and told me to come back when they got painful and stronger or my water broke. Now they seemed to have gone away, or they come only once or twice an hour. Could these have just been braxton hicks, and if so, why were they so regular and close together and how can they just stop or lessen then?? The nurse was sure I'd be back later last night or this morning and I'd progress into full term labor. I'm 38 weeks. Has anyone had this happen to them before?
2007-03-19 10:12:11 · 8 answers · asked by Druicy 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
My wife went in on dec 14th having with the exact same thing you described. The nurse told us we could stay in the hospital or go home and wait it out. She was positive the baby was coming, she said we were in early labor. We went home and waited, no baby. On the 20th we went to the doctors and she was still dialated to a 2 and he told us he would induce her on the 22nd. So we went back home and waited. We went in and she was still having hard contractions when they hooked her back up to the monitor, the same as the last week. So they broke her water and we waited. well 16 hours later the babys heart rate jumped up and down so they decided to do a c-section. well come to find out she had been in labor for a whole week and the babys head had swollen trying to come out and he couldnt make the trip. so needless to say the stress on the baby is not good and you might need to talk to the doc about inducing labor. she also could not feel her contractions, but she got hooked up to the monitor 3 times that week and she was still having them every 3-5 minutes even though she couldnt feel them all. hope this helps.
2007-03-19 10:25:22 · answer #1 · answered by Lee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could have been some form of false labor brought on by stress or dehydration (happend to my wife at 32 weeks actually). I think it is very very important for women at your stage in the pregnancy to be drinking a great deal of water (6-8 bottles a day I think) as dehydration can bring about an early onset of contractions (with other things).
Just keep monitoring what you feel. Duration, intensity, and regular intervals are what you should be watching for.
In the meantime, your bag should be packed and at the front door. You should have your hospital pre-admittance form filled out, and your cameras / phones etc ready to go. The car should be kept with a full tank of gas and parked as close as possible to your house.
And by the way--you did ABSOLUTELY the right thing going in early. Don't feel bad. The nurses and staff at the hospital expect that sort of thing and will not make fun or you or laugh at you in any way. Even if you have to go again and get sent home again, don't be afraid to go to the hospital or call the doctor about ANY concerns you have at this stage in the pregnancy. Do not 'play it cool' or 'be suave'--be a 'nervous ninny' until you have your baby in your arms. No one will care (and you won't either) once your child is born.
Good luck.
2007-03-19 10:25:51 · answer #2 · answered by apleyden 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did, with my second. I had the exact same thing but didn't go to the hospital. Then it was a week later that he was born but once he decided to be born, I almost didn't get to the hospital in time. I arrived 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced, he was out within 20 mins. So, I think it is possible it was real contractions and not braxton hicks but it doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to have him/her today, it could be a day or two. My first son, I was dilated 2cm for two weeks before he was born. Either way, I wish you a safe and healthy delivery.
2007-03-19 10:24:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. This happened to me at 36 weeks. I had progressively closer and stronger contractions throughout the day (but none were unbearable). Finally when they had been 5 minutes apart for about an hour I went in, they sent me home after about 4 hours. They started trailing off after that. Just Braxton Hicks, sucks don't it? I'm schedualed to be induced next Monday (I'll be 39 weeks). Good luck!
2007-03-19 10:22:18 · answer #4 · answered by autumnofserenity@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This can happen. You can start having contractions and then they stop. You can walk to try and get things going. That will sometimes speed up labor. Go to the hospital if your water breaks, you have bleeding, or any other problems or if you are having contractions every 5 minutes-lasting 1 minute in duration-for at least an hour.
Good luck!
2007-03-19 10:21:18 · answer #5 · answered by Elizabeth M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my sister went through this. It lasted about a week finally she went into labor. you are in labor its just the contraction just aren't stong enough to do any good. Therefor it is taken you longer to dilate. During your next doctors visit if you haven't dilated any more the doctor could opt. to enduce your labor. Some doctors however will just ride it out. The baby will come when its ready.
2007-03-19 10:21:12 · answer #6 · answered by pattihoe 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've had three babies so trust me when I say......the baby will come when he or she is ready and you WILL know when it is time. This could have easily been false labour. I was 3 cms dialated for the last 4 months of my pregnancy and I was told to be SOOOO careful, my son was born 8lbs, 10 oz. , 9 days overdue!!! Relax and enjoy your time being pregnant....he or she will be here before you know it. Best of luck...
2007-03-19 10:18:46 · answer #7 · answered by TPAY 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes this happens all the time.
2007-03-19 10:21:43 · answer #8 · answered by pegasis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋