HELP! Excruciating braxton hicks at 40 weeks. Should I get induced?

[pinkypig]

Hi,

I've been getting such painful braxton hicks contractions for a few days (or should I say nights) now and am 40 weeks today. Contractions are so bad they are keeping me awake all night and I'm exhausted with the pain. I have to breathe through them. It's our first baby.

Saw my OB on Tuesday and was only 1cm dilated with high cervix but was 'inducable' according to him.

I don't think I can take much more of this but am frightened of induction as I know natural is best for baby.

What should I do? Are these nightmare BH normal?

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you could be getting close to natural labour. Have you tried taking a warm bath? Have you timed the braxton hicks? Do you think they could be real contractions? If you're not sure get yourself checked by whereever you plan to have the baby.

Sweetie, I had horribly painful BH throughout my entire first pregnancy, and my 'real' labour just consisted of them escalating. I reckon you should consider yourself in early labour, and I do hope things speed up.

good luck and let us know...

I had these in both pregnancies and had the shortest and fastest and easiest deliveries of anyone I know
Maybe the same will be for you!
Good luck

Thanks. I actually went to hospital last Saturday as DH and I thought it was the real thing...but after 2 sleeping pills and some painkillers they wore off and we went home which is what I think will happen again as the pains are every 10 mins or so but are not getting closer or stronger.

I also lost some different type discharge yesterday (slightly yellow with some jelly bits)...pls God perhaps this is my plug starting to come away?

I just never thought I could have so much pain and yet only be in 'false labour'...

Yep, that sounds about right.

DP got very pissed off after my first labour (which I'm afraid was a rather long drawn out not very nice affair) that you're not considered in 'active labour' till 5cm. He reckons it's a way of cutting the overall time estimate, and is Not Fair.

Well you're getting very close to the real thing, the contractions you're experiencing now will be preparing your body and help getting the baby into a good position, so are a good thing! That does sound like part of a show, what you had yesterday. When I had had prelabour for quite a few days, the doctor wanted me to be induced, but the midwife swept the membranes and this got things going, maybe this is an option for you.

I had this too with both labours. Try and get as much rest as you can. Sorry to say when labour proper started it wasn't quick and easy for me, unlike Piffle's. Good luck.

Do you have a TENS machine?

I get episodes of early contractions/sore BHs (more last preg than this, currently 39 weeks). TENS helps a lot.

Rented my lovely mamaTENs at tesco pharmacy for £28.50. Really really recommend getting one.

Other than that, walking around, breathing (relaxed mouth) and bouncing on a birthing ball help. Sometimes warm drink and bath or shower is sufficient to take edge off too.

Much sympathy.

Yes I have a TENS - used it solidly for the first 3 days/nights and found it okay but have given it a break.

All this pain with no dilation/progression is making me worry my body might not be up to full labour and delivery. Do you think this might be the case?

No your body can labour and give birth to your baby. Your body is getting ready for labour, when this happened to me I tried to ignore the pains and did things I dont normally do bake bread, clean oven etc. Also went for long walks and had nice hot baths with glass of red!