Paracetamol stopped my contractions, completely!

[Didii]

Hello,
It’s been 6 days since my due date (17 Feb) passed. I’ve noticed now that It’s been two times I had period like cramps, took 1 paracetamol as suggested by NHS and midwifes and the cramps/contractions completely stopped! They did not come back. I googled and only now learned that paracetamol is actually inhibiting prostaglandins which is essential to start labour. Now I am convinced that paracetamol is stopping my labour and I am fuming! I’ve been doing everything to start my labour naturally such as walking, climbing stairs, sex, eating dates, eating spicy food etc. All of it! Only to stop them completely with paracetamol. I suggest do your research and don’t take paracetamol. Also induction rates seem like increased about at least 10% in the last decade. All this can’t be coincidence. And NHs should look into this and change their recommendations immediately!

I wouldn't take it the second time I gave birth. My first birth I was 42+2 and was told to take some, have a warm bath to hopefully knock the contractions on the head and get some sleep. I was booked for a home birth and at 11pm was ready for a midwife to come out. Instead I had an awful night of back to back contractions and the next day was an absolute shit show.

I doubt they are stopping labour. Your body just isn’t going into labour yet.

Any medication you take during labour will affect it in some way, to be honest I didn’t even think about paracetamol because I knew it wouldn’t touch the sides, when the contractions really got going. I just wanted it over with as quickly as possible and my active labour was about five and half hours but I had a few pulls of gas and air. My friends who had epidurals etc had far longer labours, that’s just my experience though and everyone’s different.
dont feel disheartened, what you’re describing is normal too, a lot of labour starts out with on and off symptoms xx

Yes I was amazed to find in my first labour (attempted home birth) that my contractions would stop simply by a midwife coming to the door! It's totally normal to have stop start experiences, but psychologically difficult to deal with, I know.

This is 100% not possible in the case of true labour paracetamol will do little, if not nothing. Is this your first baby? More likely scenario is your body just trying it's hardest to get going but hasn't quite gotten the hang of oxytocin release yet. Or else baby's position is holding you back. I'm a midwife for many years and paracetamol is used throughout inductions/early labour etc. and it does not stop labour. It's very frustrating to be overdue I know that myself but don't let this make you angry. That will directly inhibit your oxytocin production and stall your labour. Easier said than done but get into a good headspace, relax as much as possible, do some things you enjoy, rest, hydrate, eat well.. when your body feels relaxed and safe labour will come. Also look at spinning babies to work on optimal fetal positioning in case that's what's holding you back.