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brookes22
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 88
Location: vermont
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How Can I Get This Labor to Progress?
Posted: 07-21-06 10:37am
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For about 2 weeks now, ive had regular
contractions about every 10 minutes with
the lowers stomach pains and back pains.
The doctors think that its early labor.
But im not dilating. Wethers its true
labor or not which I understand that if it
true labor you know it but every thing is
there except the dilating. Anybodu have
some input on what I can do to get this
going? Any special foods? Tricks?
Anything? I cant take this pain any more
or I will just ask to be induced. Im so
uncomfortable!
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rosejackson
Supporter
Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Posts: 4326
Location: hertfordshire, england
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Posted: 07-21-06 10:42am
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Yeah im getting quite a lot of
contraxtions but theyre not regular.
People say that spicy food, walking and
sex helps speed labour along but I dont
know if its just tales or not
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Ingi
Supporter
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 8428
Location: Grinning like a Cheshire Cat,
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This Is Called Prelabor Or Prodromal Labor
Posted: 07-21-06 10:48am
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I know it sounds terrible, doesn't it,
that it would be considered 'pre-labor' -
especially when you've been having it for
2 weeks already!
Prodromal labor, sometimes called latent
labor, can be one of the most difficult
aspects of childbirth, even though the
contractions may not be especially painful
or frequent. Any pregnant woman can
experience it; however, first-time mothers
seem to be most susceptible.
Uncertainty is the hallmark of prodromal
labor. It's hard to know if it's the real
thing or what to do about it. True labor
is characterized by progressive dilation
and effacement of the cervix. False labor
eventually goes away. Unfortunately,
prodromal labor does neither. Little
cervical change occurs, but it seems to go
on forever. It's as though the uterus is
stuck in low gear.
Specific self-help measures include:
accept what's happening as a normal part
of your own unique labor. Give up
preconceived ideas of what labor is
supposed to be. No one's labor ever fits
those molds exactly anyway.
Surrender to the labor process. Just let
go and let it happen. Trying to control
it won't work and may be
counterproductive.
Conserve your energy during contractions
by keeping your body as relaxed as
possible. Think of all parts of your body
as being warm, heavy and loose. None of
the muscles (except your uterus and heart,
of course) have to do any work. Keep your
breathing slow and easy. Rapid or
complicated breathing patterns will only
tire you and cause hyperventilation.
Try to sleep a normal amount of time.
Exhaustion is the enemy of labor.
Sleeping usually isn't possible in active
labor so take advantage of your
opportunities to sleep during the latent
phase.
Distraction will help you cope and make
the time seem to pass faster. So go about
your usual routine or do something
entertaining like going to the movies.
Activity can speed up labor. If you're
rested, take a walk. Upright positions
especially standing and walking, encourage
strong, effective contractions.
Be sure to eat and drink enough. Small,
light, frequent meals are best. Plenty of
fluids are needed to prevent
dehydration.
Warm baths and massage promote relaxation
and rest.
Your nurse-midwives will do all they can
to help you through prodromal labor. They
will monitor your progress and assess the
status of the baby as needed. In
addition, they can give you suggestions
for coping techniques and explain your
options. They will want to see you for
evaluation during this time although that
doesn't mean you have to stay in the birth
center the whole time. In fact you will
probably be most comfortable in your own
home until you're in active labor. Your
cnm's will be available for you whenever
you need advice or encouragement.
Remember your ultimate goal - your baby,
who will be in your arms soon. Labor is
the process that will make that happen.
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**rosebud**
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 7
Location: somewhere
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Posted: 07-23-06 02:35am
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I know how you feel..7/20 I started having
contraction and they were 3 minutes apart
and lasted 30-40 seconds everytime.They
lasted for about 4 or 5 hours before we
went to the doctor(we waited till they
hurt really bad)i could have swore I was
in true labor..They said it was just pre
term labor and it would be about a
week..Im still havin contractions but
there is no dilation.My plug dropped
friday and im going to the bathroom twice
and much and am now feeling very
nauseous,although all through my pregnancy
I never got sick once.
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designerGAL
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 213
Location: U.S.
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Posted: 07-23-06 14:23pm
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Brookes - you are due august 22 right?
That is 1 day after me. If you have your
baby now it will be considered pre-mature.
I think around 38 weeks is when they
consider the baby full-term. I do not
think you would want to deliver a month
early?? That is annoying about the
contractions though. They can be so
unfomfortable. If you are not dialating,
they are probably just braxton hicks. Are
you still working?
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brookes22
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 88
Location: vermont
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Reply
Posted: 07-24-06 08:55am
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Designergal- they changed my due date to
august 17th. But im still measuring a
week earlier. So im measureing 37 weeks
right now. I had my son at 36 weeks and
they think that this baby is pretty big
right now. I woke up this morning and the
contractions and stomach and back pains
really picked up. Im a little nervous.
Ive been in so much pain the last couple
weeks that I dont know if im progressing
into labour or if its just normal stuff.
Pregnancy is so hard! But its all worth
it in the end. Im just so glad that im
almost done.
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brookes22
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 88
Location: vermont
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Reply
Posted: 07-24-06 08:58am
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Designergal-
oh yeah- no im not working anymore. Im a
waitress and it was getting to hard. You?
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Eyes Wide Shut
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 7892
Location: *UPTOWN*NEW ORLEANS*, La
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Posted: 07-24-06 09:16am
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| designergal
wrote: | | brookes - you are due august
22 right? That is 1 day after me. If
you have your baby now it will be
considered pre-mature. I think around 38
weeks is when they consider the baby
full-term. I do not think you would want
to deliver a month early?? That is
annoying about the contractions though.
They can be so unfomfortable. If you are
not dialating, they are probably just
braxton hicks. Are you still
working? |
yea, I had my baby at the start of my 37th
week. She was tiny at only 6.8.
Sooo...If you can, try to let you angel
cook a little longer!! You have to
realize, that the baby is 2 weeks younger
gestationally. So my baby was really only
35 weeks when she ws born. She wasn't
breathing as good as they wanted her too
and had to suction her more than normal.
She also had marconium((she pooped)) so
they had to make sure she didn't inhale
any of that....
I wish to this day she wouldn't have come
so early!!! But she's healthy now!!
Sarah
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designerGAL
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Dec 2005
Posts: 213
Location: U.S.
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Posted: 07-25-06 17:58pm
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Brookes- has your doctor checked again to
see if you have dialated? That is
frustrating having to go through that pain
but nothing is actually "happening" yet.
I only have mild bh contractions every now
and then so I cannot complain. I have
consistently been measuring a week ahead,
but they never changed my due date.
Hmmm..Makes me wonder if she will come
early. If you are going to have a big
baby, it is probably best she comes out a
little early or right at your due date!
You don't want a 10 pounder ;)
my last day at work is august 3rd..I
cannot wait. My husband is currently on
deployment but they are letting him come
home for 2 weeks. He does not fly home
until the 15th though...She better stay in
until then!
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jgtc06
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Jun 2006
Posts: 156
Location: Olympia,Washington
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Posted: 07-25-06 18:03pm
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I'm 35 weeks along. Is it normal for the
doctor to not check to see if anything is
going on with my cervix, or to see if
anyhting is progressing? I think you guys
know what I mean.
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Ingi
Supporter
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 8428
Location: Grinning like a Cheshire Cat,
Thanks: 121
Thanked:155
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Posted: 07-25-06 18:15pm
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Yes, it is normal. Unless you are at risk
for premature labor, your doctor might not
even check you. With my first pregnancy
the doctor never checked me at all - until
I went into labor. Labored for more than
12 hours and was dilated to 1/2! :(
with my daughter, the doctor checked me @
about 37 or 38 weeks and said I was at a
stretchy 2 cm dilated and he'd see me any
time. She was overdue by over a week. So
you just never know.
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AyaMiyaki
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 8064
Location: Floating on a cloud, United States
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Thanked:8
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Posted: 07-25-06 18:16pm
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Some doctors won't do an internal exam,
since dilation/effacement isn't really
accurate in determining when you'll go
into labor, and I *think* that doing
internal exams brings a slight risk of
infection. Could be wrong about that
though. You could always ask at your next
appointment whether they plan to examine
you.
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impatientlywaiting
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2005
Posts: 65
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Posted: 07-25-06 18:52pm
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I am 36 weeks. My doctor started
checking me last week. She said she will
check every week from now on. I was
dialated to 2 and was a -2. She said
that my cervix was ripe. She said I would
definetly deliver by by due date if not
sooner!?!
I don't really think I have had any
contractions, however my pelvis has really
been hurting every once in a while and I
get a tingling weird feeling in my lower
stomach....
It's so hard not knowing what to
expect...But I guess like everyone says
you'll just know when your in labor!
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brookes22
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Posts: 88
Location: vermont
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Reply
Posted: 07-25-06 19:22pm
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Well, I have my Dr. Appointment on
thursday. We are going to talk about what
we should do. Im in just so much pain. I
dont understand. The contractions are
crazy and so painful. I just dont
understand what is going on. I feel like
I have been in early labour for 3 weeks.
I get 2 hours of sleep at night and then
during the day I deal with my 3 year old
son. Its been really hard.
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