Early Labor Questions

[preppy]

What was early labor like for you? And how long did it last before it became active labor?

Once you started having some contractions was there anything you did that helped things progress?

[SJ]

No early labor here.

Water broke at 7am, no steady/tough contractions until after the pitocin kicked in.

[Deleted]

Like period cramps. With DS, started at about 11 am, got more timeable and serious around 5 pm, had a baby a 1 am.

[countthestars]

I woke up with contractions that were immediately timeable - about 30 seconds every 7-8 minutes or so. I pooped quite a few times (sorry!) during early labor. I labored at home for about 5 hours until contractions were whatever it is that they are supposed to be and then went to the hospital.

I was most comfortable on all fours or leaning over a yoga ball. Deep breaths helped.

Good luck!

[cincodemayo]

I lost my mucus plug in the middle of the night. I had random contractions all day, like once an hour, and lost a lot more mucus plug. At 7 PM the next night I started having stronger contractions in my back, but still fairly infrequent-like 4 and hour. By 10 PM they increased to about one every 6-7 minutes but I could still talk/breathe through them for the most part.

[preppy]

Sept 15, 2015 16:07:10 GMT -5 cincodemayo said:

I lost my mucus plug in the middle of the night. I had random contractions all day, like once an hour, and lost a lot more mucus plug. At 7 PM the next night I started having stronger contractions in my back, but still fairly infrequent-like 4 and hour. By 10 PM they increased to about one every 6-7 minutes but I could still talk/breathe through them for the most part.

This is my day today. You are giving me hope. 

[starburst]

I woke up with light cramping in my lower belly that I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions. As the day went on, they were more frequent and uncomfortable, but not really painful. They did not go away with rest or when I drank a ton of water. I went to L&D that evening because I was also spotting red blood and was only 36 weeks, but I didn't really think I was in labor. A few hours after checking in I was begging for an epidural.

[antoniamarchette]

It felt like period cramps and diarrhea cramps. I never lost my mucous plug. I honestly couldn't tell if it was labor at first. Things picked up pretty quick and contractions were 5 minutes apart after 3 hours of my first noticing anything.

[Deleted]

I have never had early labor. Just went full throttle into contractions 3-4 minutes apart lasting 60-90 seconds. Babies came 2.5-4.5 hours after that started.

[preppy]

Was the pain across your whole belly? My whole belly is tightening but the cramping/pain is localized on the bottom of my belly.

[Muddled]

Sept 15, 2015 18:19:31 GMT -5 preppy said:

Was the pain across your whole belly? My whole belly is tightening but the cramping/pain is localized on the bottom of my belly.

I get those pains at night and then it is gone by morning.

I hope this is it for you!

[mannah]

Sept 15, 2015 18:19:31 GMT -5 preppy said:

Was the pain across your whole belly? My whole belly is tightening but the cramping/pain is localized on the bottom of my belly.

This sounds very promising!! Good luck, I hope tonight's the night!

[preppy]

I took an hour long nap and now I am in the bathtub. So far they aren't speeding up too too much but it's not slowing down.

[achi]

Sept 15, 2015 18:19:31 GMT -5 preppy said:

Was the pain across your whole belly? My whole belly is tightening but the cramping/pain is localized on the bottom of my belly.

This is what my early contractions felt like. Later the pain was everywhere.

[rugbywife]

Can someone remind me what defines active labour?

[rugbywife]

Sept 15, 2015 18:52:12 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Sept 15, 2015 18:46:28 GMT -5 rugbywife said:

Can someone remind me what defines active labour?

The new definition from ACOG is 6cm.

Hmm, okay...

So...#1
I guess technically from about 8/9pm until about 2am.  I then delivered at almost 10am (epidural would have slowed things down). Edit: more info...4 hours of contractions that weren't that painful but different than BH.  Then my water broke. Then shit got real.  Hence the epi.  That didn't work. And slowed things down. Sad Panda. 

#2, I had to be induced due to being GBP. So I don't think that counts. 

[moopoint17]

With DS1, I started feeling uncomfortable around 10pm and was begging for an epidural by 4am. So 6 hours and then he was born 8 hours later.

With DS2, I woke up around 6am feeling crampy. Asked H to work from home just in case I went into labor. He said he would drop off DS1 at school then drive an hour to work to pick up files then drive back home. During drop off at 8am I told him to get his butt back home. By 9am it was intolerable ( I had to go to the OB office first to get checked out before the hospital). Thankfully they got me an epi within a half hour of getting to my room. Started pushing at 11:30am when that didn't progress, had a c-section by 1pm.

[mae141]

I lost my mucus plug that morning. Then in the afternoon I had my membranes swept. A couple of hours later I was in the worst mood ever, crying about everything, and just felt really achy all over. Within a few hours I was having time-able contractions and went to the hospital about 1 am. DD was born the next morning.

Good luck!

[preppy]

Right now they average about every 10 or so minutes. Sometimes they are stronger then not, so no pattern in strength. I'm going to go to bed and see if anything happens overnight.

[oswin]

Good luck! I hope you get some good sleep.

[estrellita]

I was having contractions off and on for a few weeks but they actually started on a Thu morning. I was at work and they were light, but definitely noticeable, so I just stayed at work. They started getting more uncomfortable throughout the day so I left work a little early. TMI - I lost my mucus plug when I got home. Finally went into the hospital around 5 or 6pm because they were starting to get a bit painful and were only 2 min apart or so, plus I didn't know what I was feeling, so I didn't want to risk it, haha. They checked me and I was still only at 1cm but his head was down further. They told me I was in early labor and I could walk the halls or go home and come back. Since we just lived across town we went home.

After I got home, we walked the halls of the apartment building for a while, then I took a bath (ETA: Also bounced/rocked on an exercise ball for a while). I also decided we should order pizza because I knew he was coming soon so screw my GD Things didn't seem to be progressing too much so I slept a bit. Woke up around 4am Fri and told H we should probably go to the hospital again because they were getting a lot more painful. I was only 3.5cm but they admitted me around 6am. E was born at 6:17pm.

Anyways, I would probably wait to go in until they have a definite pattern of about 2 min apart and you can't really talk through them. There was definitely a difference between the two times going to the hospital - the first time I walked in, was having conversations, etc. The second time I got wheeled up and had to really concentrate on the contractions.

GL! Hope it happens soon so you don't have to have that "is this it??" feeling for too long!

[Deleted]

I have my fingers crossed for you!

[preppy]

Okay sleep is not happening. Resting between contractions is mostly working. Some of these are starting in my back and radiating forward, those ones really freaking hurt.

[bcarp30]

Sept 15, 2015 23:10:27 GMT -5 preppy said:

Okay sleep is not happening. Resting between contractions is mostly working. Some of these are starting in my back and radiating forward, those ones really freaking hurt.

That's what mine felt like when I had back labor I so hope you do not have to deal with that! I found standing in the shower and letting the hot water run on my back helped as did cat/cow stretches. I hope this is it for you!!!

[Queen Mamadala]

I don't know what early labor (<5-6 cm) feels like. I've always started in active or transition. But I did experience prodromal labor with #4 and 5, and the contractions felt more productive than BH, but not productive enough to send me into actual labor. Like mild waves of tightening/pressure.

[fashionx]

Good luck!

Sounds like my back labor pain too, I hope for you that she turns and you don't have to go through it. But the epi helps! A lot!

Sent from my Moto X using Proboards.

[Deleted]

Good luck!

[boiler717]

Speedy and safe labor vibes!!

[noodleoo]

Sept 15, 2015 23:10:27 GMT -5 preppy said:

Okay sleep is not happening. Resting between contractions is mostly working. Some of these are starting in my back and radiating forward, those ones really freaking hurt.

Good luck! Sounds like mine too! I had awful back labor. Started at like 6 AM Sunday and lasted through like 6 PM Monday before they started to accelerate. I was having them consistently for 45 secs long, 8-10 mins apart for the entire time. We went to the hospital Monday night and had the baby Tuesday at 11:25 AM.  The back pain was awful, i got he epidural as soon as I got to NWH and that helped a ton. 

Good luck, preppy!!!!

[Deleted]

Also if she has the baby today, I totally "called" it with the 9/16 article. Boom.