Prodromal Labor Contractions vs. Braxton Hicks

[widsane]

On Saturday 4/9, I started having contractions spaced every 30-35 mins apart.  By Sunday morning, they were about every 5 mins apart.  We went to the hospital only to find out that I am experiencing "Prodromal" Labor.  Apparently, these contractions get closer together (but not more than every 5 minutes), last from 30-60 seconds each, and do NOT go away with change in position like a Braxton Hicks will.  They serve to help to efface the cervix, but will not dilate you.  They lack the intensity of "real" contractions which was the one thing I was confused about yesterday.  I never felt like I couldn't handle them.  I was just wondering if anyone else has been through this.  If so, about how long before you started feeling real contractions?  I am still having them today, and just waiting for the real thing to happen.  I am due on Thursday (4/14) so the light is at the end of the tunnel regardless!  She can't stay in there forever!  Thanks  

[chantal21]

With my first, I had contractions just like you described for 3 days. The first day was every 15-20 min. until I went to sleep ( I was 3cm and 80% effaced at the time). Then they would go away. Wake up, and it would start all over again but day 2 they were every 10-15 min apart. Finally on day 3 they were every 5 min and they were really intense, like more pressure in my bottom with every contraction and I had to stop to breathe with each contraction and couldn't talk through them. Had my son very early that next morning. Sounds like anytime for you now! Hang in there it won't be much longer now!

[diamondintherough79]

I really feel for you! I started last Saturday, to the point where it was 3-5 minutes apart, consistant and painful. I never dialated at all, not even a fingertip (since I was checked last thursday anyhow) I thought for sure it was the real thing. I have 3 other children and it felt pretty much the same.
Wishing you the best of luck....

[widsane]

Thanks ladies!  It is very confusing, frustrating, and I agree, exhausting.  It has only been going on for 53 hours for me.  In the last few hours, I am experiencing a lot more pain than I had this weekend, but still not convinced it's the "real thing"  They are spaced further apart right now, like 25 minutes.  I am a little gun shy at this point.  I will try the bath suggestion. We will just have to see.  I really hope my water just breaks so that there is no question!

[cutie_pie84]

Hmm.. I never heard of that terminology before but it sounds a lot like what I had with my 2nd son. Only I wasn't in any pain,my "contractions" were very close & it didn't seem to dialate me.. at first. I had them maybe an entire month until I finally was scheduled for induction. That morning i got up to take a shower and *splat* there went my water. But still no "real" contractions. By the time I get to l&d.. they checked and those "false contractions" had dialated me to 4 centermeters. But I still wasn't contracting so they did the pitocin. The only good part was because the other contractions had gone on so long and dialated me already,my labor was fairly short :) like 5 or 6 hrs.

[blueeyedtabbycat]

I remember having those with my first. I went to the hospita and was sent back home with "false labor". I went into actual labor a few days later but I remember not wanting to go to the hospiatl cause I was afraid they would send me back home again:(

[Spiket77]

Hi!

I had those for 72 hours before I went into active labor. It was exhausting. My active labor was 18 hours long. I hope yours is shorter but after 72 hours of prodromal labor...it all runs together. The active labor contractions are a lot more intense. You have to really concentrate and I had to move around a lot to tolerate them.

If you are wondering if they are turning into real contractions...get in the bath tub. If they slow down or become easier then it is still the prodromal contractions, if they speed up and become more intense...it's the real deal. Believe me it works!

Good luck to you! And Congrats!