contractions not doing anything...

My doctor had originally told me to go to the hospital once I was having consistent contractions every 8 minutes.  Well, that was Thursday.  I was only 2 cm and not progressing, so they sent me home.  Then they told me that once they were 5 minutes apart to come back.  That was today - I should have known better with it being April Fools Day :)  While I was at the hospital, they started coming every 3 minutes.  Still no further dilation, so they sent me home.

Now I'm sitting at home, feeling like this will never happen.  Has this happened to anyone else?  What ended up happening??

Any feedback will help...thanks!

[twiceadopt]

my partner had that with her first pregnancy. ended up being induced after a few days of contractions not progressing. will they re-check your cervix tomorrow?

[RockRose]

Filbert,  how far along are you?  If you are 40 weeks,  I would think they would keep  you in the hospital and give you pitocin to further this along.

Are you still weeks away from being due?

[2songbirds]

sounds like you're in that neverending prodromal labor. It absolutely sucks!! It's the early labor stages. And for you being 37 weeks, they won't give you pitocin or let you stay at the hospital. I know b/c I went thru the same thing with my 2nd DC. I was in labor for 47 1/2 straight hours without any kind of a break. The hospital sent me home 2ce, and although I talked to them on the phone and my OB telling them something was wrong, they didn't listen. Needless to say, after 43 long hours, I finally dilated to 4 or 6, I can't remember, the hospital kept me. I also thought I was hemmoraging at home,which the nurses were surprised at how filled my pad was when I got there (only 15 minute drive). That's another story. But, while in labor, the nurse told my OB that I had a fever. She blew it off saying it was b/c I was in labor for so long. WTF?? She was telling me on the phone that I wasn't in labor (active labor that is). Long story short, they broke my water. As soon as she did, I asked if it was ok, and she said yeah. When my son came out, meconium was every where and he inhaled it. He went under respiratory distress and had to get life flighted to another hospital 1 1/2 hrs away. He went under distress while delievery and no one caught it. He was in the NICU for a week.

My pt being, after telling you the short version of my story is that follow your instincts. If you feel that something is wrong with your baby while you're in the early labor stages, keep insisting. I wish now I would've. I feel that a lot could've been avoided if they would've just listened to me.

[filbert143]

I'm only at 37 weeks but was always at risk for pre-term labor.  They had originally told me they just wanted to get me to 36 weeks.  I'm now at "full term" so I'm hoping something will happen soon.  The contractions are so painful that driving to work is awful and sleeping is out of the question!

I have another dr appt this week, so they will check me again then.

[filbert143]

So sorry to hear your story!  That must have been awful for you!  Suddenly I don't feel sorry for myself anymore :)

Luckily I don't have that feeling that something is wrong, but I was pissed off that the doctor didn't even see me yesterday.  It was like it was already set in her mind that I was either making it up or something.

Well, I hope all turned out well for you.  At least I know I'm not alone!!

[brentlie]

When my contractions got to 5 min. apart I went to the hospital, I was 4 days away from my due date and Doc. had told me since 33 weeks to get ready because she was very low and I was dialated to 3.  When I got there and they monitord me they told me my contractions were 6 minutes apart and I was only at 3 so I had to go home, i started crying and told the nurse that the dr. told me she was very low and I lived 25 minutes away and was scared I would not get back in time, so she told me I could stay throught the night and she would not call the dr. in until rounds in  the morning.  That was at 1:00am at 6:00am the dr. came around and said I was still at 3 and I would have to go back home.  I went to the bathroom to put on my clothes and my water broke while I was peeing so I got to stay, but I know how disapointed you must be to be sent home again.  Maybe today will be the day!

[2songbirds]

I also have to say with my 2nd DC, the one with the labor issue I was talking about, I was 36 1/2 weeks. He did turn out fine, and is a healthy 19 months now.

I'm currently 36 weeks, and have been in prodromal labor land for 4 1/2 weeks. I lost my mucous plug at almost 32 weeks, had irregular cx, started dilating and had some bloody show, but it all stopped after 1 1/2 weeks. It starts up every couple days.

I hope your cx become regular and stronger soon so you get some relief. As strange as that sounds, going through all that pain to have a baby is the only relief.