Prodromal Labour

[Fcukthetww]

Hey all, wondered if anyone had experienced prodromal labour?

I've been getting quite painful contractions since Friday morning. Attended mau and was told my cervix isn't doing anything so likely prodromal labour and until I dilate or waters go etc there's nothing to be done.

I've not slept since Friday and I'm beginning to feel quite grotty now. Do any of you have any hints or tips as to how I could either speed things up or slow them down enough to rest?

I don't mind when baby makes an appearance but I will be no use to anyone in my current state if this continues.

[Oddsocksforeveryone]

With Ds2 I went into labour Friday night, didn't get to 4cm until 6am Monday morning. I don't have any tips to cope unfortunately, I had reached the passing out tired but being woken by contractions stage by Sunday. The "take paracetamol and have a bath" advice was bloody stupid.
BUT when I finally got the gas and air it was one of the best moments of my life and I really did get energy from somewhere. Unfortunately it all went tits up by early evening and ended in section. I was absolutely wrecked after he was born though.
Good luck OP x

[stargirl1701]

Yes. With DD2, I had prodromal labour every night between midnight and 6am. It always stopped bang on 6am. Weird.

[Oddsocksforeveryone]

That was supposed to be a positive 'you'll get a second wind' post but I'm not sure it came off right!

[Fcukthetww]

Ha Odd, think my second wind has been and gone. Considering calling MAU again and crying at them for some decent painkillers. Hopefully the end is in sight.

[Oddsocksforeveryone]

Oh bless you. I hope they will give you something. Or if you're in a position to be able to get a birthing pool or high sided pool to put up maybe try that? I'm 16 weeks with dc4 but all mine so far have been sections so I don't have any successful birth stories. I do have pretty big babies tho. I think ds2 was back to back so maybe trying to swing him round might have helped. Hopefully someone will come along with some tips that worked for them x

[RiceButt]

OP, has your labour progressed since posting? I'm currently experiencing similar, had no sleep last night due to contractions every 7-12 minutes. Im also wondering how I'm going to cope when real labour starts if this occurs every night as I wont have any energy left at this rate.

[McBaby]

It's tough with a long latent phase but can lead to a quick active labour in the end.

I have had contractions on and off from last Thursday till yesterday afternoon. Was only classed as established labour at 5.30 yesterday afternoon and dd3 was born before 8.

[octoberfarm]

I had this, but never realized it had a name! It started for me on the Saturday and I didn't go into regular labor until the next Friday (sorry), and I was completely miserable. Anywhere between 10 and 14 hours a day of contractions, but no regularity. Not cool.

Good news was once I actually started having regular contractions, it was less than four hours start to finish before my little one was here My midwife framed it as me getting some of the necessary contractions out of the way early, though no idea how scientific that is. Either way, it's awful and you have all my sympathy. Hope you end up being rewarded with a quick labor, and that everything goes well - you're so nearly there!

[Fcukthetww]

Hey all, nope I haven't progressed. I've got an appointment on Monday with the consultant to discuss next steps but the lack of sleep is killing me. Just trying to rest when I can and remembering it's not permanent.

[BertieBotts]

I had this, it was awful. Do take painkillers if they help you sleep. Also I found I could sleep using a tens machine in those early stages. It is the sleep which was the biggest problem. Once I got into active labour I was offered pethidine to catch up on some and I might have ta ken it, but I was told I was finally I'm active labour and got excited.

Be aware that after a long labour or a long time with no sleep things can stall just before the pushing stage, this can make people a bit panicky. Obviously let them check baby is happy etc but generally thee is no need to worry at this point as your body is just letting you get a bit of strength up for the last bit.

[Fcukthetww]

Thanks for the advice Bertie. Am practically welded to my Swiss ball atm and really hoping that it helps kick things off properly over the weekend x