I had asked a question on here about my inner legs aching when I was 31 weeks pregnant. That has been about 4 1/2 weeks now. I am 35 weeks now and will be 36 on the 23rd. My legs did get better for a little bit, but they're back hurting along w/my lower back.
I'm now having contractions quite often. They started Sunday during the night - lasting 5 min apart. I did go into labor & delivery to get checked. They gave me a shot to stop the contractions. I was dilated to a 2 and some thinned out. They told me if they came back to wait till they were stronger to come back in.
I had a doc appt the next day. My doc told me she had them give me a shot b/c she wasn't on call that night. She said if they came back she wouldn't stop them and I could go ahead and have her. The contractions did stop for a little bit, but now they're back.
I went in to labor & delivery again last night b/c they were 4 min apart and felt strong. (I think I am a wimp when it comes to pain anyways). They did watch me for an hour or so, but no change, I'm still a 2 and 50% thinned out.
So, I was just wondering...if anyone has gone thru this or knows what to expect. I guess I can continue having them for a long time since I'm not due till July 21st. I just hate the not knowing part b/c we're 20 min away from the hospital.
With my first daughter I was induced and they gave me an epidural when I was dilated to 5cm. With my second daughter my water broke at 35 weeks and I dilated very slowly to a 3cm when they gave me the epidural. I'm scared of how much pain I'll be in before I do start dilating bigger and making it to the hospital in time, or if my water does break.
Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks, D'Anne
You do not want to have this baby now.You are only 35 weeks, and this baby needs to cook a little longer. I had my 2nd child @ 36 weeks and she had respiratory problems. You need to be on bed rest as much as you can on you're left side. PLEASE have friends and family help as much as they can to let this little one stay inside of you for a little longer
Hello D'Anne,
I didn't have this happen to me, but it did happen to my sister. She lived 30 mins away from the hospital and was having contractions as well...My younger sister and I tried to tell her to go to the Hospital, but she told us that she knew it wasn't time...she stayed home and she worked while having contractions...you could hear her breathing over the phone working through the contractions, but wouldn't go to the Hospital. This was just her 2nd child...but she told us that she would know when it was time.
She had the baby at the Hospital with no problems. She was also right that she would know, and she did Know.
As for me...I had twins at 36 weeks, I had back labor as well. But b/c I was having twins the Dr put me in the Hospital on bed rest for a week after stopping my contractions. This was my 2nd time around and I bothered the nurses alot while I was there. When I had my twins...my youngest of the two had trouble holding oxygen...they had to give me a shot to help the twins before birth...to have stronger lungs after birth...and still my youngest (Kerrie)had trouble breathing...once strong enough to breath on her own the hospital sent her home... a week or so later she turned blue on me and I quickly blew my breath in her face...she got her breath and I took her to the Hospital and the Dr put her on a monator that would let me know if she quit again. It scared me so much....Please listen to the others that have responed to your request...believe it...you will know when it's time...you don't want to have the baby early. Not to early anyway.
Kerrie is 10yrs old now and has no problems at all with anything....you couldn't even tell that she had problems at birth...But I want you to know she was also born feet first...she wouldn't turn in the womb...and was a bigger baby than her twin sister (Jessica) who was born with no problems at all....Jessica was also born head first...I didn't say all this to scare you, but you need to know what the baby will face if born to early.
Hope this helps..
It is good that you are aware of what your bodyis doing. I wouldn't worry too much. Walking helped me when it happened. I will say to pay attention to the baby's movments. If there is no movement for the period of a couple of hours kinda shake your belly and see if she will move. As long as there is movement you will be fine, its when the movement stops, due to her being pulled into the birthing canal, that is when you need to worry and go the hospital. If you are still unsure you can ask the doctors to either do an ultrasound(check for distress) or they have a probe that can monitor the baby's heart rate, blood pressure and maybe that will ease your worry.
I had tons of contractions with my third child. Sometimes they were 2 minutes apart and lasted for a long time. The contractions started in mid to late October and I didn't have her until December 1 (38.5 weeks). If you can take Tylenol, drink lots of fluid and put your feet up and they slow down or go away, it is not real labor. My first "real" contraction came in the middle of the night and I KNEW that was real labor with the first contraction. Even on the third child, I was worried that I might not know real labor, but I definitely did. Good luck!
Hi D'Anne,
My sons are older now, but I remember those pregnancy days all too well. For my third, I had pains in my legs as well from the pressure on my nerves. I also had lots of contractions towards the end. But it wasn't until I lost my mucus plug that it was time...then the contractions really escalated. You can tell the difference in the contractions. Also, I see your husband works three jobs so you can stay home. Bless his heart. Have you ever thought about working from home to supplement his income. I'm partnered with a wellness company and help moms turn an already necessary expense each month into residual income. I'm a teacher and work from home part time. Let me know if you'd like to hear what I do. Congratulations and wishing you the best with your delivery.
K. C.
I had a similar problems however most of my contractions were Braxton Hicks Contractions. I used to hate it when people told me this but it's true. You will know FOR CERTAIN when you are having contractions that lead to labor. It hurts. I'm a whimp too I think but, it's a hurt like no other.
I did the same thing with my 3rd. With my first two I never had contractions and my water didn't break but I was dialated to 5 when i went to the Dr so they broke my water and babies were born fairly quickly. With the 3rd I had lots of contractions and went to the hospital twice and they sent me home. After the 2nd time I swore I wouldn't go back until my water broke and about 4 days later I woke up soaked! She was born about 3 weeks early, healthy and happy.
Just wondering how things went my daughter is pregnant with her 3 rd one and going through the same thing.
I had contrx that got into regular patterns and came every five minutes for a month with my first son. I had contrx that were painful and lasted all night and sometimes days for two months with my 2nd. I don't think that is normal per say I'm just letting you know that everyone is different and when it comes to birth you just never know. My advice to you as a doula (someone that supports women through labor) is to try to relax as much as possible right now. I know that is hard being so pregnanct and having two other children, but it is important for you and the baby and for labor to really begin. Also, every pregnancy you have you will feel things sooner so that is probably what is going on with all the contrx you are having already. You are more aware and know what they feel like since you've done this two times. Also, the uterus is a large muscle and like any other muscle it has to "work out". Especially since this is your third baby, and your last one was only 13 months ago, it has already been stretched out and it has to work harder this time around to get into shape and push this baby down the birth canal. So it is starting now so it's in shape for the real deal.
I would focus on relaxing and getting some more one on one time with the two you already have b\c really you want this baby to stay in until as close to the EDD as possible. 40 weeks is full gestation and that is when babies are best physically able to come into this world.
I wish you the best of luck. I feel certain you will know when it really is time to go in. Most women do, just don't overthink it.
P.S. I hope my post made any sense (it is early and I am still not fully awake) :)
Hey D'Anne
I just had my first child 3 wks ago and had contractions 4 min apart and even 2 min apart but I was not dilating. Finally a week after my due date they induced me and I labored still for 17 hrs including back labor she was face up and once I had the epidural it was only 3 hrs and then I started pushing. I had contractions for 4 wks and they were close together and some were very painful. I say labor will come when it is time just be patient and if there are any noticeable changes such as water breaking or really painful contractions then go to the hospital. Until then I would stay home where you are most comfortable.
I had almost the same thing happen to me with my 3rd. I had contractions for two months. When it finally came time to go to the hospital the real labor came on very suddenly. The hospital was only about 5 min away from me and when I got there I was already at 7cm. Labor was quick. I was a week late to. I am now pregnant with my 4th child and am due July 11th. I was hoping the same thing would happen so my labor would be quick again...but I am only having the painless pre contractions. I should know next week If I have dialated at all. I sure hope I have :-)
I think you should try going to get acupunture. I don't know where you are located, but I went to TCM in Norman when I was due with my 2nd baby. I was in a similar state to you and that really quickened the pace, and the labor was only an hour (an hour of hell, granted). It went really fast and we barely got to the hospital. The thing about the contractions is if you can't walk or talk when they are going on, they are the real thing. And believe me you cannot walk or talk. To find an acupunturist near you who has experience with acupunture to encourage labor you might call a hypnobirthing practitioner http://www.hypnobirthing.com/findapract.htm . It sounds to me like you are on a short time frame anyway, but you could also call yoga studios for recommendations of good acupunturists and then call them and discuss their experience with acupunture for labor. Good luck!
A. Moore
Yay for early contractions to help you get ready for baby!! :) Doesn't seem easy but better to get as much done at home before you have to go to the hospital! Enjoy your other babies and spend this time getting things done as you can before you are in the sleepless night phase again!! HUGS to you...
With my first, I went from 1st real contraction to delivery (including back labor, she was born face up) in less than 4 hours. With my 2nd, I was 5 minutes apart for over two weeks, while I was in the process of moving. I had to do some serious yard work just to kick it up to 2 min. But with my OB out of town, I had to hold it at 1 minute from 2am to 9am til he arrived (my first was born before Dr arrived and my second swore he would be there, so I held him to it :}) I had both babies completely drug free with no comps. (its amazing what kind of drugs your own body can produce). Good luck and happy babying!!!
You sound just like me with my third baby!! When she was ready and the time came, I knew it and had to convince the dr/nurse to check me - I was dialated to an 8! Enjoy this long labor, it makes the more painful part shorter and easier to endure. With my third baby, I was able to go all natural because I had to pitocin and no epidural...it was by far my easiest labor (better than the ones even with the epidural, believe it or not!) and by far my easiest recovery. I was amazed at how great I felt after she was born. I had so much energy!
Anyway, follow your instincts. When you feel it's time to go, don't let the dr/nurse tell you otherwise. The worst thing they can do is check you and send you home. That is why they are there. I will also say that I labored with baby number 2, 3 and 4 for almost a month each...be patient, your body is just a little more practiced and is doing more of the work ahead of time now. Good luck!!
